As dusk descended, the silhouette of Verdant Vale's army could be seen against the dimming sky. They had reached the border, a vast expanse of land that separated their kingdom from the neighboring kingdoms. Tents sprouted like mushrooms across the field as the men set up camp. At the heart of the camp was a grand tent, a beacon of command and strategy, dwarfing those around it.
Inside the grand tent was a large table, its surface dominated by a detailed map. It outlined an impressive territory, the potential battlefield, complete with natural barriers, potential choke points, and strategic locations marked with tiny flags. The map was a battlefield in miniature, a stage where the upcoming conflict could be played out in theory before it was waged in reality.
Ethan stood over the map, his gaze intense and thoughtful, flanked by his Knights. They were men of valor, seasoned warriors who had seen many battles. Their knowledge and experience would be invaluable in the upcoming skirmish.
"Here," Ethan began, his finger tracing the line of a mountain range that stretched across the northern part of the territory. "The enemy would be hard-pressed to cross this terrain. It could slow their advance."
One of his Knight Lieutenants, a grizzled old man named Brann, nodded. "Indeed, my lord. And these forests to the west," he pointed, "they could serve as a natural barrier, or as a cover for our archers."
"Yes, and this river," another Asher added, pointing to a serpentine blue line that cut across the map. "It's swift and treacherous. We could use it as a natural moat to protect our flank. The enemy would think twice before attempting a crossing."
As they examined the map, the tent was filled with the hum of strategic discussions. Words like "flank", "vantage point", and "fallback" filled the air. Each natural feature on their territory, each hill, forest, or river, was scrutinized and discussed for its potential advantages in the upcoming battle.
As the night drew on, their strategy began to take shape. The locations and natural barriers on the map were no longer just lines and shapes, but strategic assets for their defense. "Very well, since we are outnumbered this time around. The trainees will be the main force. No direct contact with the enemy. We should divide them up according to our plans. A soldier at the Knight level will take up the leader's banner. We must try to make the enemy bleed before the main battle starts." Ethan suggested. "Dismissed"
When everyone left the tent Ethan turned his gaze toward an unopened letter. Ethan asked Asher about his kingdom's forces and Asher wrote it in a letter. He took the letter and slowly walked toward his bed.
Ethan read the letter leisurely as a smile slowly took over his face. The kingdom has become very strong with 4 Knight Orders. Ethan summoned every soldier he could. The numbers look as such:
Dragons Fang-
1 Peak-stage Apprentice Knight
2 Middle-stage Apprentice Knight
2 Early-stage Apprentice Knight
200 Trainees
Dawnbringers-
1 Late-stage Apprentice Knight
2 Middle-stage Apprentice Knight
1 Early-stage Apprentice Knight
250 Trainees
Obsidian Order-
1 Late-stage Apprentice Knight
1 Middle-stage Apprentice Knight
2 Early-stage Apprentice Knight
300 Trainees
Ravens Shadow-
1 Late-stage Apprentice Knight
1 Middle-stage Apprentice Knight
1 Early-stage Apprentice Knight
50 Trainees
Even thou the numbers were quite low for a legion. Ethan was happy with their progress, nonetheless.
< 3 Days Later >
The Ravens had sent word that the enemies forces would arrive at eve. Ethan then rallied his army together. As he stood looking at his kingdom's forces Ethan was swelled up with pride, this was the army he created and nurtured. It was finally time to see if all his effort had paid off.
Ethan stood steadily and calmly spoke:" Warriors of Verdant Vale.
Today, I stand before you, not as a king of our illustrious kingdom, but as a humble servant, a fellow soldier, entrusted with the sacred duty of rallying you towards an impending battle, a battle for our very existence.
Look around you, fearless warriors. This is the land of our forefathers, the land where we were born, where we have lived, loved, and thrived. It is the land where generations of our ancestors have bled and sweated, tilling the soil and building the foundations of our great civilization. Today, it is not just a piece of earth that we are defending; it is our heritage, our identity, and our future.
Invading kingdoms are at our doorstep. They threaten to usurp our lands, to extinguish the flame of our culture, to rewrite our history. But they forget we are not mere inhabitants of this land.
We are its guardians, its warriors. We will not be silenced. We shall roar with all our might, and they will know the power of our unity, the strength of our resolve, and the intensity of our courage.
Let them see the fiery determination in our eyes, let them hear the thunderous beats of our united hearts, let them feel the tremors of our synchronized steps. We are not just soldiers; we are the embodiment of our homeland's spirit. And there is no force in this world that can conquer that spirit.
Our ancestors watch us from the heavens above, their spirits whispering words of courage and wisdom in the howling winds. They have left us their legacy, and it is our sacred duty to protect it, to pass it on to our children, brighter and stronger than ever before.
Hold high your swords, warriors of the Vale, let them glisten in the sun, let them reflect the spirit of our people. Let the echoes of our war cries reverberate across the hills, across the valleys, and across the heart of our enemy. We will not be defeated, we will not be broken, we will stand tall, and we will return victorious.
Victory is not just a destination; it is a journey. It is the journey of every soldier who chooses duty over fear, honor over comfort, and homeland over life. Every step we take, every battle cry we roar, every enemy we vanquish, we inch closer to our victory, a victory that will resound through the annals of history, a victory that will be a beacon for generations to come.
So today, let us march forward, not with fear but with courage, not with doubt but with determination, not as individuals but as one. For we are the guardians of our land, and we shall return victorious!"
"To war we march!!!!"
As the final words of the speech echoed around, a surge of undefeatable spirit rippled through the ranks of the soldiers. Their hearts pounded in their chests like war drums, matching the rhythm of their resolute determination. Eyes blazed with the fire, and their spirits soared.
Roaring in unison, the soldiers responded, "To battle, for Verdant Vale!" Their voices echoed, a thunderous symphony of resolve. Each word was a pledge, a vow to protect their birthright.