Over the next 2 weeks, both the Luxenberg and Maldenberg armies marched furiously towards Archenshien. The city would serve as an intersection for the 2 armies and whoever arrived first would have a significant advantage over the other.
Each army found themselves unimpeded by unfavourable weather conditions and could smoothly yet efficiently march to Archenshien. Columns stretching as far as the eye could see, these armies were well disciplined and were determined to reach the Maldenberg capital with haste.
Marshal Bessières and his brigade of the elite guard were leading by example for the other soldiers of the Luxenberg army. In unison, they marched precisely without needing music to keep their rhythm, they did not speak or break focus. They reflected the pedigree befitting of their prestige as the best soldiers in Luxenberg.
Due to the domineering presence of Victor and his commanders, the Luxenberg army, which consisted of 150,000 infantrymen, 20,000 cavalrymen and 450 guns was the first to arrive at the enemy capital. The Maldenberg army had struggled due to the inexperience of their leader, who had been too lenient with rests and did not enforce a strong sense of discipline.
Marshal Soult and Victor began to assess the layout of the city's wider surroundings. North of the city was a decent flat land area with a slight decline the further north you went. There were 2 small villages on either side of the main road leading away from Archenshien.
Victor positioned General Rapp's 1st Corps and General Bülow's 6th Corps in either village, using stone fences, buildings and make-shift dearth mounds as their defences. General Bülow's corps was in the village on the right of the road, called Brathurst, while General Rapp's corps was in the village on the left which was known as Fulkliem.
General Bertrand's 2nd Corps was entrenched on the left flank slightly behind the main defensive. General Kienmayer and his 4th Corps held the right flank while General Hill and his 5th Corps were held in reserve with the elite guard under Marshal Bessières.
The plains of farmland before the Luxenberg army were as vast as the ocean. There were no trees, no fences and no buildings. It was strangely a serene feeling, the land was ever still. No gusts of wind pushed the blades of grass back and forth, no shadows of clouds blocked the beaming sun from kissing the earth. All the Luxenberg army could do was fortify their position and wait.
A full day had passed and the Maldenberg army was beginning to come into view. Their orange banners bearing a black musketeer were clearly visible. When facing their army, Victor was momentarily surprised. He was not expecting a detachment this size to split off from the main Maldenberg army.
Using his spy glass Victor began to evaluate his enemy. 100,000 infantrymen, 13,000 cavalrymen and 275 guns. It was exactly half of the Maldenberg army. 'Does Grand Duke Maldenberg believe he can conquer the entire Fontaine faction with only half his army?' Victor thought, puzzled at such a bold move by his adversary.
While looking through his enemy's ranks, Victor noticed 3 familiar faces. The first was a more senior-looking fellow. He was a man who wore a monocle and had not a shred of hair on his head. With eyes as yellow as the wheat grown in the fields this man was undoubtedly one of the dukes Victor had visited.
Hailing from the most north-western city on the continent, Duke Jasper Gundenvarg was a seasoned ruler and a student of military history. When Victor had met him over a year ago he found the man to be respectful and a gracious host. His military theory and views on leadership were thought-provoking. If there was any duke that Victor wanted in his rising nation it was Jasper Gundenvarg and Lucious Cassell.
The next figure was also another duke from the Maldenberg faction. He was a taller and sturdier man in his late 30s. He had long brown hair and orange eyes. The most distinguishable feature about him was the scar across the bridge of his nose. It was obvious that this man none other than. Luthor Braun.
Luthor's character was similar to that of Arthur Maldenberg. They both enjoyed war, Luthor more than Arthur. Duke Braun was renowned for his bravery in multiple small skirmishes with bandits. He would ferociously throw himself into the fray wielding his lavish sabre with gem stones embedded into it. Luthor was fearless in the face of his enemy and did not use his status to hide away from battle.
The final person Victor recognised was the main commander of the army before him. He was a spitting image of his father. Orange eyes and blackish-blue hair, just like Grand Duke Arthur Maldenberg. It was his son who held command, Adrian.
All Victor could think about when seeing Adrian was how he laughed while people were needlessly dying for him and his family's amusement. Victor was unsure of Adrian as commander and a soldier. If his sources were to be trusted, this would be Adrian's first command.
Marshal Soult and Victor agreed that this information was like a double-edged blade. If the information was true, they could implement tactics to draw out the main force of his army early on and decimate them in a killing field. If the information was wrong and Adrian proved that he had an adequate understanding of warfare, the Luxenberg army could fall victim to his traps.
There was to be no battle today. The last of the day's light was quickly fading and the 2 armies would not think of attacking during the night. The Maldenberg army was in need of some rest after marching all day to get there. Victor's army would not bother doing any night raids as they had already created a fortified position that gave them the advantage in the looming battle.
The sun rose and graced the fields with a delicate kiss. Soldiers on either side took to their positions and prepared for battle. Muskets were loaded and cannons were ready. Orders were issued throughout the ranks and the men were able to say their piece before heading into battle.
Within minutes the battle near Archenshien began.