proofread by Vikingstad and Daylius

The only thing Shiv remembered was the smiling Altair snapping her finger. His senses began to fade after the snap, his conscious drifting away. When he came into he found himself in a different place than where he had been before. He was not sure how long he had been unconscious. He looked down to check his body. He was surprised to find himself in totally different attire. He was now in a red armor and had a black sword at his waste. He then got up on his foot and looked around. He understood that he was inside a very large stony room. He saw weapons and other war related equipment’s.

He walked out and what lay before him made him lose is mind. He was inside a stone structure. He looked around and found out that he was surrounded by huge walls and behind him was a mountain range. He understood now that he was standing inside a fort. ‘Why am I at such a place?’ shiv was wondering when suddenly a window popped up in front of him.

“Trrrng”

THE WAR BETWEEN KINGDOMSThe Great Kingdom Verunisya has decided to ambush the Lithinian Kingdom and conquer it without even declaring a war. For centuries the Lithinian kingdom had been free of war, prospering under their benevolent kings! But now the arrogant Verunisians have dared to bear the fangs upon the peaceful Lithian Kingdom. The Verunisian army has begun its march. The Verunisians empire has begun gathering a huge army to march against the Lithian kingdom. Spies have reported that the enemy will take 2 days to gather their army and it would take another 3 days for them to reach the border.

You, the Great King of Lithinia, have set out with your private army of 10,000 to delay the oncoming attack of the Verunisian army. Orders have already been sent to gather the entire kingdoms army of 50,000 which are now scattered across the country under different lords and other nobles. You have taken it up on yourself to delay the army till the kingdom’s army arrives. Your allies have also promised you aid in this battle and have requested you to hold off the attack till their armies reached the battle field.

The enemy understands your predicament and has decided to attack you before you could gather up all your army and resist their attack, so they planned a secret attack on the fort. Luckily a spy at the cost of his life had delivered you the news so that you could somehow save your country attack You are now at Fort Linford, a fort at the border between you and your enemies. If Linford falls you will lose the war and your country will fall into the hands of the Verunisian kingdom.

The enemy understands your predicament and has decided to attack you before you could gather up all your army, so they planned a secret attack on the fort. Luckily a spy at the cost of his life had delivered you the news so that you could somehow save your country.

Save the country from the clutches of the Verunisian kingdom and rise up to the ranks of the greatest king Lithinia has seen

Your private army : 10,000

Reinforcement : 50,000

Allied army : 50,000

Verunisians army : 100,000

Time left for preparation: 6days

‘What the hell is going on? How did become a king? And how did I end up in this shit?’.

He recalled that he ended up here after Altair had snapped her fingers. He doubted that whenever Altair snapped her finger something out of the ordinary had always occurred. With this sudden change of situation he now confirmed his doubts.

‘So you set me you here eh. You want me to fight huh, lead an army? Altair you witch, do you want me dead so badly that you would throw me into a war.’.

Shiv was now extremely pissed. He was trembling now, his blood boiling with rage. His eyes were now colder than ice.

The usual cheerful and polite boy was no longer in the view. The shiv now was different with a murderous aura around him. His face now had the look of a person who would destroy everything before him. He was now consumed by so much rage that he did not notice him biting his lips. Blood oozed down from his lips. He wiped the blood with his hands and said, “You want a war right? Fine I will give you one. I will crush you! I will rip out the heart of every Verunisian soldier that dare attack me. Just you watch Altair, just you watch”.

---***---

In a large underground training hall three figures were now talking to each other. Thorwin, Altair and Petra were standing around a small pool and witnessing what Shiv was doing. The three of them had cold sweats all over their body.

The three were the masters of the boy. Shiv who was always cheerful and humble towards them, Shiv who had always listened to them and obeyed their every word, shiv who would always have an innocent and bright smile was nowhere to be seen.

In the pond was an after image of what one would call devil. The once cheerful boy was now emitting such an intense blood lust that even the three masters felt fear trickle down inside them. They were terrified at the sudden change. The most shocked was Altair.

She had created a small world with the help of some rare magic stones to let shiv experience the power of using strategies and tactics. She was asked by Petra to do so. Petra had told her that this would let the boy grow much faster.

She was sadder than she was afraid. She felt guilty. ‘I have turned a child into a monster’, tears welled up in her eyes.

---***---

“Private Army-Show Status”

“Trrrng”

THE KING’S PRIVATE ARMYThe private army of the King of Lithinia himself. They are loyal to the king and are even ready to lay down their life for him. They considered the words of the king as the words from a god and would do anything to fulfill the king’s order.

Supreme Commander- Borin Geol

Second-in-Command – Vivain Gilbert

Warriors : 5000

Archers : 2500

Cavalry : 1500

Priest : 500

Mage : 450

Assassin : 50

‘How the hell am I supposed to delay a 100,000 strong army with 10,000. There must be a catch somewhere. There must be something I could use to turn the tides.’

Shiv then began searching the room he was in for the map of the area. But the one hour long search was fruitless. Shiv was now feeling true despair. he wanted to quit but then something re-kindled the fire in his eyes. ‘I can’t give up. If I do those three would look down on me again. Never!’

“Borin”, he screamed at the top of his voice. he screamed to let go the building stress and frustration. He was then startled by the sudden swinging of the door. Two people in the same red armor as his came in and kneeled before him.

The only difference was that the armor he had had a white dragon on the breastplate while those two had white cross.

“What is your command, Sire!”, both spoke at the same time.

“Borin, I require the map of this area, find me one.”

“At once Sire”saying so Borin rushed out and came back immediately with the map. Vivian ten had already found a table and placed it before the King. Borin then spread the map on the table for his king.

Shiv walked up to the table and began examining the map. Borin and Vivian stood behind him waiting for their king’s orders.

For almost an hour shiv had been examining the map without uttering a single word. When shiv spoke the two commanders were shocked, not because of the sudden conversation but because of the question the king had asked.

“Borin, how much salt do we have?”

Both Borin and Vivian stood there for a moment without replying. ‘Salt? Why does the sire need salt?’

“How much?” shiv asked a second time.

This time the two were angry. Angry not at the king but at themselves. Angry for making their king repeat himself.

“Enough to last for 2 months sire.”

‘Two months. Since salt does not go bad it is possible to store for a very long time’.

“Find out the correct amount of salt we have, Vivian.”

“Yes Sire”, Vivian said and rushed out.

“Borin , if we have to win this war we need to cut out the eyes of the enemies first.”

Borin nodded, he had not grasped what the king meant and awaited father orders.

“I want any enemy scouts and spies removed from the area. Not even a single one should be left alive except for one.

Capture one of the spies alive, we will have him interrogated. Send 30 assassins for the task. Remember, only one survivor! No escapees.”

“As you desire my king.”

“I want the 5 of the remaining 20 assassins to gather poison herbs. Another 5 to gather the sap of the ignutus tree . I want the remaining to gather edible herbs and other food items. Assign 200 warriors for each unit and ask them to gather as much as possible within 2 days. They must gather things only at daytime. Then check the armory and make a catalogue of all the weapons and amours, take 50soldiers with you!”.

“It shall be done. Anything else sire!”

“Summon the one in command for the warrior, archer, priest and mage units immediately.”

“Yes Sire!” Borin now bowed at his king and paced out of the room.

Within minutes Shiv heard a knock on the door. He gave his permission to open the door and come in.

All the three who were in charge of the different units assembled, kneeling in front of their king

“I have a task for each one of you! If you successfully complete it, we shall win this war!”

The last sentence surprised them. They had considered this a lost cause. And now the king was saying they could win. All three lifted their head with disbelief and looked at the king. What they saw made them even more confused.

Their sire, the king was now smiling!

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