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Rade watches as the loyalist cavalry ride away, bound for their distant camp. Both the queen and the Marshal managed to slip from his grasp.
The revolutionary, despite the circumstances, feels no anger. Instead, he feels exasperated. Annoyed.
For God's sake, why am I the only competent person in this entire damn revolution? He sighs and glances over his shoulder at the Stiedry prince, who has already run off to go get his wound treated.
Part of Rade just wants to kill him, like he did with Nado. But another part still sees a use in the man.
Rade has no use for incompetent, disobedient generals and vassals like Nado. But a prince of royal blood? His lineage and familial status might still serve a purpose.
The duke's greatest problem is that there's only one of him. Staring at the disaster, he finds himself thinking of what could've been. If only I'd had control of this army instead of Nado.
He sighs again.
Glancing at the disorganization around him, Rade knows there is much work to do. But already, a plan is forming in his head.
Vuk falls in line beside Rade. After a moment of silence, the lieutenant asks, "What's next, sire?"
Rade jerks a thumb to Nado's camp. "We need to unite the survivors of Nado's army, this prince's men, and the cavalry. Then we'll link back up with the main army, still stuck in the north. Once we're ready, we continue the pursuit."
Vuk replies with a question. "Why must we pursue him so doggedly, Your Majesty?"
"We cannot allow the Marshal to reach the southwest. If he does, things become significantly more… complicated."
"Complicated?"
"It'll open up his options, both strategically and tactically," Rade replies. "Our army is poorly experienced. They're simply incapable of waging a guerrilla campaign. But the Kroridians are."
"Then we should get back on the road right away, sire."
"That is the same recklessness that caused Nado to get his men killed. No, if we are going to pursue the Marshal, we will do it properly.."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
It will take some time, but soon enough, Rade will have his army back together.
And then, he will begin his pursuit.
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