"It does not matter if we took many prisoners, the plan was going well, and you just had to ruin it!" The advisor snapped at Cadin.
"Ruin it? I saved those soldiers from certain death, what was done there would have killed off our entire army and gained nothing from it!"
They marched back to Cadin's camp, behind them were the prisoners and outnumbered men, blood soaking their bodies, from wounds or from other soldiers that died close to them.
They neared the camp's entrance, its doors slowly opening to let them in. The leader awaited them in the middle of the camp.
"I see that you have taken a great amount of prisoners. Excellent work." Before Cadin could approach him, the advisors quickly swarmed the leader. Speaking to him of different matters, but Cadin could clearly know what they were talking about, him.
After speaking back and forth, the advisors left with their soldiers and prisoners, leaving the area empty.
The leader sighed as they left. "Cadin, meet me at the tent." He spoke in an irritated voice.
Upon entering inside, the guards closed the entrance with large cloth, sealing them from the outside.
"So you nearly cost an entire mission?" He sat down across from the table, speaking with a slight hint of anger.
"Their plan would have nearly costed us the army and the battle my lord, I had to interfere to limit the deaths-"
"It does not matter, we are meant to fight with unity alongside our allies, perhaps if the leaders are less indifferent to you, maybe you may have a chance. But unfortunately, I gave a compromise to break the rising tension. You will not participate in the plans that are to be made, furthermore you shall stay with the army itself. The advisors will mostly observe, but will interfere if the battle goes on for too long."
Cadin was about to speak up, but held his tongue, quickly silencing himself.
"I understand my lord." He responded to the leader, looking down at the map.
"Very well, the army will return and the prisoners will be sent to a nearby camp to prepare for use. Although the advisors are angered by what you have done, I see that you managed to keep many alive for our use. Good work, for now though, rest and have some supper at midday. The army will return at our gate for more camps to attack." The leader dismissed Cadin, he stepped out through the cloth, feeling the sun's warm embrace hit him.
Cadin was annoyed by the compromise, but stayed calm, not letting anger compromise his goal.
Taking a bowl from the cooks, he sat down in the bustling place, taking his mind off of what happened.
"Bloody advisors, first their strategy of attack is costly and slow, now I am the one getting punished for their failure." He spouted to himself in irritation.
After silently eating, he slowly finished his bowl, watching the camp folk come and go around him, performing their tasks of the day, the smell of cooked stew filling the air.
With a final scoop of stew, he finished his meal, standing up and starting heading for the soldier's quarters. The leader's tent was still covered, guards stood on the sides with swords or spears in hand.
As he stepped inside to rest, a tall figure stood in the corner. The same demon from before, waiting for him inside the tent.
"Those advisors really are making it an issue." It spoke to Cadin, the room was empty with only it and Cadin standing inside.
"Indeed they are, but I must continue despite their presence."
"That problem may be rectified."
"What do you mean?" Cadin became curious from the demon's words.
"You were a politician before, and a military general. What shall happen when a leader of an army dies?"
Cadin thought for a few seconds, "Another replaces them, that is what I can remember." Suddenly, Cadin realized what the demon meant. The demon, sensing his realization, flashed a blood red grin on his charred black face.
"That shall be the advice I give you, the rest shall be up to you in execution and what happens after. After all this, I expect that when I return, the territory of this camp will be larger and more powerful than today, best of luck." The demon quickly disappeared, his body turned into a cloud of smoke, leaving Cadin alone.
"Killing them by my own hand is a no go, but he said that if the battle goes on for too long, then they will interfere. Perhaps I can have an opportunity there." Cadin thought of a plan, a plan to remove them from the battle without seeming suspicious.
As he stood in the middle of the camp thinking silently, a guard from the gate called out to him, "Battle advisor! The army awaits your presence outside!"
Cadin exited the camp through a partially opened gate. After walking on the pathway for a minute, he found the army, now reformed with new soldiers from the different tribes.
"Just stay with the soldiers, those fools care not for planning and blame if they lose. Just hope that an opportunity shall come that they can be killed off." He thought to himself, glaring at the small team of advisors for a few seconds before staying with the soldiers.
"Due to your failure and lack of following alongside us, you will stay with the soldiers. But your leader may have said that already, thus, it is good that you know your position now." An advisor mocked Cadin, causing the other advisors to laugh.
Before long, their laughing and banter ended, soon the army went on the march. Cadim walked just behind the soldiers, staring at the backs of the advisors with resentment.
"Only a few camps remain, so I must try to take them out one by one without suspicion, to make them seem like battle casualties." Cadin thought to himself, preparing for the plan and for the attack on the camps.