"Fortunately our craftsmen managed to keep up with the sudden new soldiers we managed to get from refugees and newcomers who wished to join. A new thirty in total."
"A sizable amount for our growing army. Let's meet the young boy and begin our task."
Their journey began, entering the forest with cavalrymen escorts behind them and the larger army of soldiers at the very rear, new men stood with veterans, carrying the same equipment but different demeanor and feelings in mind.
Before they could approach further in, a figure jumped down from the branches, hitting the ground and still standing, seemingly unharmed.
The figure took off its hood. It was the young leader.
"My soldiers awaited your arrival, just in a few hours, impressive. I see that your army is ready for battle now. Very well, my own men are in the branches, let us begin moving." Turning around he walked on the path, leading the entire force as leaves rustled above them, his soldiers rapidly moving around trying to secure the area from any threats above.
The piercing heat from above hit the soldiers on their march with a small mix of cold winds blowing from the shade.
The forest was calm, a few birds chirped while soldier boots marched in sync down the dirt path. All staying silent but remaining vigilant in case of an attack.
"Say, Cadin, that is your name correct?"
"Yes it is."
"You look rather older compared to me. Not only that but you also lead your camp and army into assaulting many camps, especially the plain dwellers. This is actually one of the first few attacks I have planned and taken on. If I may ask, do you have any wisdom or knowledge on how to lead an army?"
"Wisdom hm?" Cadin became interested in the question, a young commander asking for wisdom from another. "Treat your soldiers like you would your own beloved children. From then shall you have an army that follows you until death. Make sure they are well fed and well trained to ensure they can finish their mission. Lastly, make sure you show little to no deviation during a mission, an army witnessing their leader fall down in terror will only create more panic among them. Keep yourself calm and assure that you have a plan for every aspect of battle."
"That is, actually informative. Thank you, white haired warrior. Or Cadin I mean."
"It is only natural that a leader knows these things in order to succeed."
'This boy is quite interesting, at least though I don't have to take on as much stress as he would with leading an army when the demon simply corrupts them for me.'
After walking silently for a few more minutes, the man stopped.
"We arrived, we just have to move left past the bushes and onward, there is another path there." Heeding his direction, Cadin began moving his horse to the bushes, tall enough to completely cover his steed in leaves and reach up to his neck. The soldiers followed behind, becoming enveloped by the embrace of the bushes, the other side was heavily obscured, now only relying on the sound of footsteps and movement.
They emerged out the other side, Cadin pulled off leaves and sticks stuck to his armor before continuing their march.
They stood on a new path, one that seemed more kept and traveled with a few old marks of boots on the dirt.
"Expect a sudden attack any second now, my soldiers may become overpowered while we move or one of them gets a lucky hit on us." The young boy cautioned.
Cadin turned back to his men, raising up his shield, "Soldiers, prepare yourselves, our threat may loom above us at any moment. Move into tighter formation, cavalry start surrounding the unit, stick close to the trees and any form of cover so we may fight back." He yelled out to them.
Soldiers hastily moved around one another, forming into a tighter square formation and raising their shields up to the sky, the cavalry once trotting behind Joken and Cadin formed a circle formation around the unit, staying close mainly to the trees or to the shield square.
'The training really worked well. Good.' Cadin turned back, the young boy nodded his head to him before continuing the march.
Weariness grew inside Cadin, itching and waiting for an ambush to happen while they marched, the young man kept walking onward without talking, seemingly still far from the destination.
Soon, the forest became darker, thicker branches of leaves blotted out the sun in most areas and the sound of rustling from the bushes and above only made Cadin more vigilant. Squinting his eyes with the lack of light he tried seeing ahead into the dark.
"Stop." Foren raised his hand up, in an instant everything went quiet.
"I can hear their movement ahead, it seems they don't know we are here." After he spoke, a bush rustled violently, grabbing their attention. A few seconds after, one of his men emerged, dragging a bleeding body behind him clad in green cloth with a few leaves stuck onto him.
"Scouts, there must be more then. If that is the case, we must not delay anymore. White haired warrior, prepare your men, we shall begin our assault. Their camp is just up ahead, you can hear them walking around from above, just remain weary." After talking, Foren ran to one of the trees and rapidly climbed up, vanishing into the leaves above.
'And now for me to act out as the bait, or the bait that fights back.' He chuckled.
"Soldiers, prepare now, we are now in the enemy's midst, cavalrymen stick to the trees, soldiers tighten your grips." He ordered the men, bringing up his shield in preparation.
They began moving again, now at a very slow pace as they tried staying together. The cavalrymen showed no expression on their faces, placing their shields above their heads while looking straight forward, their bows on their laps ready to fire.