In the misty woods of Zalsac, a marching column of soldiers, trudged the flattened road. The soldiers wore leather armor and barbute helmets, the standard equipment of the regular troops of Zalsac.
Their journey to the crossroads has reached its end. They have now arrived at their destination. In these misty woodland areas, they will establish a temporary camp that will act as a link in their supply network for their expedition to Hatr.
Small bands of goblins tried to intercept the soldiers but the superior discipline and military formation forced the attacking goblin into a rout. Their kin's bodies still lay in the road as the men continued their journey to meet the appointed time set by Prewell for them.
An elderly man sat in a brown steed as he raised his hand. The marching column halted, just as the elderly man turned to the men and shouted.
"We make camp here." Ecish the elderly butler commanded the soldiers of Zalsac.
Prewell did according to the planned dispatch orders. He divided his force into two.
The first force consisted of the Black Halberds led by him, they marched south-east to Lawberg to meet with the volunteers and garrison of Lawnberg.
The second force composed of the men of at arms and castle guards which will be led by Ecish to the Crossroads where they will establish a camp that will handle the logistics of the combined army heading for Hatr.
The men spread out and began to clear the surroundings. They measured the land as the rest of them began to chop some lumbers.
Soon the men measuring the land began to dig a foundation in the flat part of the land. Dragging rocks and rotten wood from the area. Clearing as much debris they are capable of lifting away from their camp's chosen location.
As the men who left to chopped trees returned. They carried the logs they chopped hand in hand towards the location where they will soon establish the camp.
Some chopped while some hammered, the men busied themselves in their respective duty. Soon there will be a walled camp in this location.
The camp where the supplies and provisions will be stored, this camp will also act as a transit for the garrison's left in the settlements if they ever require reinforcements.
Basic military facilities will be established here, a mustering ground, for the men to rally. A field hospital for the wounded evacuated from the battlefield. A smithy for repairs and other matter that requires a metallurgy. A stable for the horses and donkeys. And a bowyer for the bows and arrows.
A fully furbished camp. One which may change from temporary to a permanent one.
Just as this was going on, Ecish instructed a squad of castle guards to survey the surroundings.
The men armed themselves in their usual armor with the added thick padding on their lower body. Shrubberies more than often will scratch the soldiers' exposed skin. Sometimes causing the men to itch, and in rarer times the men will be scratched by poisonous branches.
Their mission shall be to observe the surroundings and kill anything that could cause damage to the camp.
Ecish opened the map he took out from his steeds side.
'Half a day to reach Lawnberg, and another half to reach the crossroads from Lawnberg.
Waldr with Wiegraf assisting with the logistics can mobilize the men within a day. It will take at least 18 hours to reach the letter from Saint Gerald Castle.
Another day for the mercenaries, adventures, and the civilians which will handle the logistics to rally.
A half a day journey from Waldr to Reztel. Then quarter a day from Reztel to the crossroads.
Within 4 days, the temporary camp should be up and ready. From that point on, we will engage the goblins with a protracted harassment.'
'The goblins will either force their siege on Hate, or turn their attention on us.'
'Either way they'll be distracted fighting two fronts. 2,000 men against 5,000 - 6,000 goblins. We will win if the men can hold, even if they cannot, with the black halberds as the vanguards they will be able to hold on for quite a while.'
'The moment the two armies met each other in the battlefield… Lancel and I will assassinate the goblin chief.'
'Whilst the lord will deal with goblin army.'
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Zalsac Northern Road
"Heeyah!" A lone rider rushing his horse, rode on the path heading to Reztel. His steeds fast speed leaves a cloud of dust as it traverse the flattened road.
As the wooden walls of Reztel came in to his sight. He took out a cloth colored in red. Waving it a top him, trying to get the guards' attention.
"OPEN THE GATES! URGENT MESSAGE FROM THE CASTLE!" Shouting a top his lungs as the distance between him and Reztel shortened.
A garrison guard on duty finally took notice of the men. As he waved the men below to begin opening the gates.
*Creak*
Wooden Gate creaked as it is opened. The lone rider rushed his mount towards the opening gate.
His mount trembling as it entered the settlement, it nearly threw the man off as it barely slowed itself down.
After gathering his bearing the men waved a small banner with the flying snake sigil in stitched in to it.
"A call for war! Lord Baron, commands Reztel to prepare the volunteered men and the chosen members of the garrison. After delivering this message to you. I shall hurry to Waldr to tell them the rest of the Lord's command.
You men of Reztel are to wait for the forces in Waldr, goblins now wreaked havoc across the eastern side of the barony. Lord fear that you'll encounter a goblins band and be decimated." The messenger heavy breathing and gasping echoed in the now silent gates.
An elderly man, arrived just as he began to speak to the nearby crowd. After listening to the messenger and understanding the context of the situation.
The elderly man clenched his wooden cane.
'Alas it has come to this'
'War, war, it never ends. Sigh…' With a bitter face, a defeated sigh came from the elderly man. Staring at the young men around, he issued a couple of instructions.
"Berren, go and gather the men. Orik, go get a new horse in the stables, then give to the messenger."
The messenger nodded and bowed to the elder in gratitude. His horse is dead tired and his journey long from over. At first, he intended to use the Baron's Flag as a guarantee to borrow or buy a horse, but now it seems unnecessary.
Waving his hand, the old men turned and left. Walking away as his elderly back now showed a desolate aura. A man with untold stories… a bitter man which experienced the tragedy of war.
___________________________________
Field Outside Lawnberg
A black banner with a golden winged snake as its sigil waves through the air. The sigil of house Ih Leviathan, the Lord of these lands.
A column of heavily armored men marched through the road on foot. Compared to the road leading to the cross road's this road is much more rougher.
The reason is that there are few transactions taking place between villages and the castle to begin with. There is also the issue regarding the wild beasts and the monsters in the region, so leaving their fortified villages is not encouraged. Only when needed will a village elder would personally visit the castle if there is an issue that warrants the Lord's attention. As such the roads of Zalsac have not been maintained.
Prewell, stared at the settlement in the distance. A massive open grass land with cows grazing in the distance as a herder with his companion dog led the sheeps across the fields.
Sea breeze from the Eldore sea now blowing over the meadows of Lawnberg.
This is a good land for a slow life, far from the hustle and bustle of Waldr, and the strict and organized Saint Gerald Castle.
A good and simple life…
Alas… he brought news of war to the inhabitants of this small rural village. He will soon take the men of these village into a war where their life is on the line…
Sighing to himself, the baron of Zalsac touched a ring of silver hanging by a small blue rope in his chest. Size too small for a man's finger this ring was given to him by Madeline.
Before his departure, her figure appeared in his room. The two of them stared at one another silently before she approached him and heads behind him. He could still recall her soft steps and fragrant smell as she neared him.
The next thing could remember was her soft and smooth hand tying a blue rope with this ring from behind him. What followed was something he could never forget.
He felt her warm and soft body attached to his. She was hugged him from behind.
That hug... as she held him from behind, his hands as if it possessed a mind of its own. Move to where her hand was. Wrapping around her soft hands with his rough ones.
He held her hands as she hugged him tightly. They stayed like this for a while before she let go and left his side, leaving without saying another word.
Raising the silver ring and looking its finely crafted design.
A swan etched into the ring.
'Swan… she always liked to watch the swan in the gardens pond… After I return… garden… hmmm'