POV David
I stood quietly in my brother's headquarters. I'd been briefed by Zelleva on the afternoon's events. Had to hand it to Smith, he was ruthless. Golmor had pushed her elite mercenaries into Ponatoski's battered brigade, but he used it to his advantage. The 'reinforcements' of the quickly reorganized 49th regiment were added to Ponatoski's command and used to draw the mercenaries in. Once they were engaged Isser's brigade had swept around the forest and beaten back their second wave before closing the trap. Hours of brutal fighting had followed, thousands had died before they started to surrender.
Standing around the table of the 'war room' was the colonel of the brigades, Tullio, Ponatoski, and Isser, as well as my brother and I. Behind us and leaning against the wall were the various battalion commanders and six of the seven beauties as well as a messenger from Rena.
"So she's a few hours march away…" Smith tapped the crude map laid out on the table. He added a few markers to the western edge.
"Sir, we can't hold off another attack. The troops are just too worn down to hold." Ponatoski said quietly.
"I know…" Smith yawned and started moving a few markers before shaking his head and moving them around again.
"We've completed the objective we set out to do, we can pull the army back. Save the troops for another day." I told my brother.
He glared at me. "No, we will crush Golmor here…"
He paused and looked at Lodi and then smiled wickedly and started moving the markers again with a renewed purpose. "Isser, Ponatoski, you'll disperse your brigades and hide amongst Lodi. Tullio will feign a rearguard and draw them in…"
He smiled wickedly. The Brigaders had looks of disagreement but they slowly gave their assent. It appears they trust my brother to win, I'll respect their determination then. "Very well."
Smith nodded and started giving specific orders. The manor quickly emptied as the officers returned to their units. Smith looked at the map and sighed. He looked like a heavy weight had settled on his shoulders. "I… need a favor David?"
"Yes?" I asked.
"Can you stay with the rear guard? I need someone with a level head there, to give the troops some extra motivation…" Smith sounded dead tired. He probably hadn't slept since last night…
I nodded. "I'll do it."
He heaved a sigh and chuckled. "This isn't like those risky maneuvers we'd try in those total war battles. Those were the days."
"It was… a simpler time." I replied with a chuckle of my own.
"What happened earlier? You have this different feeling about you and the special ops fellas were acting weird." He gave the succubi a long look.
"Weirder than usual at least." He amended.
"It's… I'll tell you about it after the battle tomorrow." I replied. I… didn't know how I'd even explain it.
"Does it have anything to do with a situation like Rebecca's?" My brother gave me a harsh look.
I shook my head. "It's something that affected me alone…"
I sighed as the yellow tag next to his turned green again. He shrugged and muttered about keeping secrets. That was how we parted for the evening, and how I found myself with the rear guard the next morning. It was fortunate then that I was with the best my army had to offer.
"Morning Major!" I smiled at the grizzled vet that was soaring through the ranks. The major flinched visibly before nodding.
"Sir, I wasn't aware we'd be getting such esteemed company." She nodded to me and my entourage of 'guards'.
"Did the troops get some sleep, Major Sarrin?" I asked jovially while looking across the field at the massed formations of enemy troops.
"Hopefully enough sir." She replied with a dry laugh.
"Is the cadet still kicking?" I asked with a glance down the line. I nodded to the poor guy when our gazes met. The Prince had a bandage around his arm but was fine otherwise. The major and I joked a bit for the sake of the enlisted as the enemy marched towards us.
The enemy was about fifty yards away when I turned to the Major with a grin. "It's about that time."
She nodded and shouted loudly. "Retreat!"
The whole battalion melted back into the forest like a herd of spooked deer. Behind us a hoarse cheer went up as the enemy broke ranks and gave chase. How did Smith so easily predict the enemy? It's like he's cheating!
We ran like men possessed. First through the forest and then into Lodi. I sprinted down the road, ushering the troops on. There it was, the bridge! That damn stupid bridge! The fastest had begun to race across. Soon the whole battalion was running across the stupid bridge with our enemies hot on our heels.
I slowed to a stop and turned to face the enemy. I was quickly joined by my Succubi as we drew our weapons. Then more joined, as the battalion quickly turned about. The press was such that the charge could not be stopped. I struck at the first to draw near, from then one killing was constant.
The trap had been sprung. It wasn't long before despair gripped their hearts. We didn't let up. Not even as more reinforcements came to join us wearing the uniforms of the 17th regiment. I constantly used telepathy, always gaining information from my daemons.
It was Zelleva that informed me that a company had cut off the bridge from further reinforcements. I selected a skill I hadn't used before.
'Command' "Surrender!"
The soldier I'd been looking at instantly dropped her weapon. Soon several others did the same until whole groups were quickly dropping their weapons. I directed the prisoners to be secured before pressing on, using the same trick to make several hundred surrender.
I met my brother in the bloody square. He nodded to me then dropped his blade and clutched his head, groaning in agony. I ran over. Shit this was like last night! I quickly submerged myself in the ocean of information, hoping some clue would reveal itself.
My eyes swam as several slates appeared.
'Smith Fulton (level up!) lvl 2
+1 strength, +1 dexterity'
'Title achieved, Grand Strategist! +10% to friendly moral, -10% to enemy moral. You are a master of strategy and the enemy knows it!'
'Title achieved, Grand Tactician! +5% melee and ranged damage for troops under your command. You are a master of tactics and your troops know it. Your troops are 80% less likely to rout!'