Landyn: "Well then, Before we begin training, I believe it best to at least understand the inner workings of mages."
Cordell and Nelwynn looked at me puzzled.
Nelwynn: "How do you mean?"
Landyn: "Firstly, what magics are you two capable of? Is there a limit to how often you may cast your magics?"
They'd looked at each other, before explaining to me what magics they were capable of using.
Nelwynn: "My magic is more aligned towards healing and support, though I do know some basic magic wards, though my proficiency in them is somewhat lackluster. As for how often they can be used, I can cast my wards 5 or 6 times before being drained, where as my healing magics I can use as many as 8 times, though they can only heal minor wounds. I can't regrow limbs or return any blood with them, so if you've lost much blood, you'll still be too weak to fight, though your life will be in less danger."
Landyn: "I see, considering we'll be engaging mages, is there a limited range on your ward?"
Nelwynn: "Yes, approximately 25 meters, however it becomes less effective the further away I am from the placement of the ward, and more prone to failure."
Landyn: "I see, what of you Cordell?"
Cordell: "Hmph! My magics revolve more around combat, such as Lightning Strike, or Firebolt. Their uses vary, but firebolt has a small area of effect, whereas Lightning strike can occassionally chain onto other nearby foes, however it can also hit allies if they're too close, I've no control over where the lightning chains. As for how oft I can use them, Lightning Strike I can use 3 times, on some occasions 4, Firebolt has 7 uses."
Landyn: "I see, are you not capable of using your spells beyond your limited uses?"
They again looked at me in confusion, as though I should already know something as simple as this.
Cordell: "Are you a fool? No! To do such would be tantamount to using our very own lives to cast the magic!"
Landyn: "Forgive me, I was unaware."
Nelwynn: "It is fine, many who cannot use magic do not seem to be wary of the risks involved with it. Though it is as Cordell says, to use magics after their uses are expended would be to draw on our own life to use them. The process is regarded as magic drain, which can cause fainting, lethargy, or worse, death."
Landyn: "I see, then once your magic uses are expended, regardless of your efficacy in combat, I'd like for you both to retreat and prioritize your own safety."
Cordell: "No need to make such a request to me, as such was already planned. I've no intention of dying at the whim of some know-nothing conscript."
Landyn: "Very well, then I'd like to request you both to partake in our formations and battle plans, such will be useful to both parties in this case."
Nelwynn: "Very well."
I'd assembled the conscripts into a loose formation and giving authority to Nelwynn to lead a second detatchment. the purpose was to split our forces upon the attacks we'd receive from the mages and archers. Skirmishers were tasked with harassing the enemy mages, while the remaining conscripts would focus either on defeating the archers or providing support to the skirmishers in their attacks on the mages.
Once we'd reached near midnight, i'd ordered all forces to bed.
Landyn: "Very good work lads, we may not be entirely prepared for tomorrow, however I have the utmost hope in all of you. The capital is behind us, and I ask that you all remember our battle earlier. Not only do I have hope in our brigade, but so too does the rest of all Sarellia. During our time in this battle, as our brigade, we will be hence referred to as the Corpse Brigade, may we lead our people to victory!"
The conscripts let out a proud cheer befored making their way to camp. Before my own return I was stopped by Cordell and Nelwynn.
Landyn: "Greetings Cordell, Nelwynn, do you have need of me?"
Nelwynn: "Not necessarily, however we were both intrigued by your formations, as well as by your speech and even the name for the brigade."
Cordell: "Corpse Brigade, is that what you intend on making us all?"
Landyn: "Not at all, I simply thought it was easier to remember. Though the speech was only to inspire them, they are conscripts, not professional soldiers after all."
Cordell: "2 mages and about 250 conscripts against 400 archers and 50 mages, the captains must truly hate us."
Landyn: "That does remind me actually, why did the captains select the two of you specifically to join us?"
Nelwynn: "About that..."
Nelwynn looked towards Cordell, somewhat disheartened.
Cordell: "It's fine... Truth be told, we are the weaker mages among the force provided, the others can use more spells, or have greater efficacy in their use."
Nelwynn: "We may have also badmouthed the commanders within range of their ears..."
Landyn: "I see, I'm sorry to have put you both in this position."
Nelwynn: "You need not apologize, our own weakness and arrogance put us here."
Cordell: "Though I'm sure your own actions bare some blame as well."
I nodded befire asking them if they'd needed to be walked back to their camps.
Nelwynn immediately responded, "No!"
I was shocked by her response.
Landyn: "I'm sorry? Do you not wish to go back to your camp?"
Cordell: "... During the march here, some if the senior mages and even some of the royal guards were harassing her, so she's not keen on staying in the camp."
Nelwynn looked embarassed.
Nelwynn: "It's because of them I outright considered desertion Cordell, you know that!"
Cordell: "Oi, oi, are you trying to let them hear you? You know they'll execute you if they hear you!"
We were far enough away from the main camp that I knew we couldn't be heard, But I'd not be surprised if they had some guards trying to keep watch on us.
Landyn: "Nelwynn, I know the conscript's camp is of rather poor condition, but I could see about preparing an extra tent with our supplies for you, if you'd like"
Nelwynn's face turned beet red upon hearing my offer.
Nelwynn: "I, while I've no desire to stay within the conscript's camp, I've even less desire to stay within our own..."
Landyn: "I will stand guard, and if Cordell desires, he can as well. if one of us distrusts the other with your safety, we'll execute the other."
Cordell: "Why should we trust you to ensure either of our safety?"
Landyn: "Well, I was tasked with ensuring it, else my life is on the line. Besides, even if you two are the weaker mages, your value outweighs mine in the military, so you could both report me and demand my execution were I to try anything."
Nelwynn began sobbing, happy that I was willing to go so far for her safety and well being. Hearing the story of their march until now had made it evident that such was foreign to her until now.
Nelwynn: "Hic, thank you, Landyn. I'll entrust myself to you and Cordell then."
Cordell was not entirely happy with having to stand guard, so I'd told him that we'd take shifts, one of us sleeping the other standing guard, and switching as needed. So as to ensure we both were left with some energy for tomorrow's task. To which he'd accepted as being reasonable.
We made our way to camp, allowing Nelwynn to stay in the small tent I'd made with our extra supplies. By this point most of the conscripts were already in bed, unaware of what was going on. Those that were awake were busy drinking or talking amongst themselves. Both Nelwynn and Cordell stood beyond the camp, waiting for the tent to be ready.
Upon its completion, I'd led Nelwynn and Cordell to the tent. I told Cordell that he'd have to use the conscript's tent for his rest and that I'd take the first watch. Begrudgingly he'd accepted it, though I can imagine that for a mage, being treated as exceptionally high class in society, such was like asking him to sleep in a pile of shit.
Nelwynn made her way inti the tent, using the hay pile and cloth within as a bed, though she was not too pleased with the accomadations provided, she was happy enough to not complain, as she'd truly had no desire to return to her camp.
Nelwynn: "Landyn...?"
Landyn: "Ah, yes, is something wrong?"
Nelwynn: "Ah, no, it's just... I apologize for our rudeness earlier. And um, thank you again."
Landyn: "It's no problem, turn in and get your rest, tomorrow won't be easy."
Nelwynn: "Right... Thank you again."
With that, Nelwynn started drifting into sleep, I'd stood guard outside her tent for the next four hours. The four hours passed by with no issue rising. Drearily, I'd made my way to Cordell who was covering his nose, and sleeping lightly. I'd tapped his shoulder and shook him awake, notifying him that his shift's begun. He then silently made his way before Nelwynn's tent while I'd dozed off into rest.
A long day awaited us, and I was not eager for it, even with the training, our likelihood of surviving was slim, however, all we could do now, was wait.