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Early the next morning, Lena sits at her desk. The office that was once unorganized and cluttered with papers looks like an entirely different room. Holly had neatly organized and cleaned the office until it looked like it belonged within any Nobel’s home.

The sound of the door opening disrupts Lena’s admiring thoughts as Holly in her proper and prim maid’s outfit pushes along a gleaming cart with hot breakfast. Holly sniffs and determinedly orders, “My Lady, please sit down at the table to eat and not at your study.”

“Of course, I only aim to please,” Lena murmured as she sat herself at the small eating table.

Holly snorts under breath as she prepares the food and darkly mutters to herself, “If only, that were the case. Then we wouldn’t be here, now would we?”

Finishing eating her breakfast Lena hears frantic pounding footsteps coming closer through the open door. Lena turns towards the source as an out of breath Private Ace stands in the doorway.

“Captain-,” Private Ace wheezed as he stops for a moment to gain his breath before continuing, “The men are gathered in the courtyard! They say, they won’t fight under a noble who is playing at being a hero! They demand that Captain Bartholomew resign immediately!”

Lena nonchalantly blows on her hot tea, before taking a sip. “Oh, is that all?” Lena casually said as she takes a bite out of a bread roll coated in raspberry jam.

Private Ace gapes at the Captain not understanding the reason for the relaxed attitude at the worrisome situation.

Lena had been expecting the sticky situation to arise since yesterday and frankly it took too long to develop. “Yes, well it comes as no small surprise. Now then Private Ace, don’t you have anything else to report to me?” Lena pointedly said as she took another sip.

Private Ace gapes, before composing himself and weakly replying, “The pole is slightly vibrating a bit more since yesterday.”

Lena quickly drains the slightly too warm tea and scalds her tongue. “Well, I’m off Holly, wish me luck,” Lena optimistically said as she finishes the last of her bread.

Holly frowns at the crumbs, but doesn’t protest. “Well, Private, please do lead the way. We mustn’t keep the men waiting,” Lena considerately said as she rose to her feet.

Private Ace stiffens for a moment in disbelief, before stiffly turning around and leading the Captain towards the angry mob of men. They emerge outside of the headquarters to see the soldiers gathered with the military ranking officers standing idly to the side.

The men’s chatter dies down as they see a woman walking behind Private Ace. Private Ace sickly stops in front of the men as Lena motions for him to move to the sidelines. Private Ace practically skips with joy as he speedily heads towards the gathered officers.

Lena bows deeply to the men, before saying, “I apologize for my lack of manners in not presenting myself prior, I am Captain Bartholomew.”

The men stare at each other in surprise at the unexpected gesture of having a noble bow to them. As Lena raises herself upright from beneath her eyelashes she studies the officers. Most of the officers look surprised at her actions, but certainly not impressed. Well, they’re in for a treat.

“Well, now that’s out of the way. Who here wishes for me to leave? Honestly raise your hands, I won’t punish you for stating your opinions,” Lena loudly and rather convincingly said.

The men stare at each other in confusion as a few hesitantly raise their hands and at seeing their courageous example more and more of men raise their hands until there is a sea of raised hands in the air.

Lena nods her head in a sympathetic fashion. “Thank you for being so honest with me,” Lena said as she pauses to allow the men an instant to put their hands down, before continuing, “Now I have one more question for all of you brave soldiers and please be just as honest as with my first question. How long will the fort last against the enemy before falling into the enemy’s hands?”

The men all stare at woman in disbelief and unease as they begin to mutter among themselves, while the military officers darkly glare at the confounded female.

Lena clasp her hands together rather loudly successfully gaining the attention of the men. “Because logically speaking the fort is vastly outnumbered by the enemy; for every one of ours, there are three men of theirs to match our own. Why fight when the cause is already lost and defeat is inevitable? Why not just surrender this very day?” Lena unfeelingly said.

The officers glare at the stupid noble for bringing the men’s moral down and possibly instigating a mutiny from within. As the men look at each other rather dumbfounded by the woman Captains logic as they gaze at each other with fear in their eyes.

After some minutes an older man with greying hair steps out and loudly says, “Because Captain Bartholomew, we have families and loved ones that we treasure even above our very lives. And for them, we will fight even to our last breath.”

Lena hides her joy at the expected response and solemnly proclaims, “Soldiers of Fort Terra, the enemy is in front of us and at our sides. To add to our misfortune, we have already fallen prey to their merciless attacks and lost many of our own.

However, the worst is yet to come for the enemy is without a doubt laugh in scorn at thy valiant efforts to defend your families, home, and even your very own lives. The enemy sees thy courageous actions as absurdity for persistently fighting a hopeless battle, that cannot possibly be won.

And instead of granting thee the minimum of respect and honor due as their opponents, the enemy without a doubt doubles their efforts in order to take every one of your lives.

And once slain the enemy does not even bequeath a proper burial for our fallen comrade’s corpses, but rather leaves the corpses of our fallen to rot under the sun and be devoured by wild beasts to serve as a lesson for all who dare to foolishly oppose them.”

Lena pauses as the soldier’s gazes are full of dismay and anger. “The enemy believes we are weak, but the enemy believes many foolish things,” Lena resolutely said.

The men laugh at the Captains last words as respect and hope creep slowly into their eyes. “Yet I say, that strength does not come from winning but from failure. Who here has not lost and as a result become strong?

The enemy says, we are weak, because we have fallen before them. But I say, we are strong and mightier than ever before and if by being weak, we are stronger, then I gladly call myself, weak.

For as the weak, we have nothing to lose, but our lives. But our enemies that call themselves strong stand to lose all,” Lena firmly said as the men’s eyes gleam with pride.

“But if you still find fear and grave doubts within your hearts, I solemnly promise you this; that as long as you follow me, I will stand by you and if required die with you.

For how can a man die better, than facing fearful odds, for the ashes of his fathers, and the temples of his gods?

And if it is our destined fate to perish, then so be it. For Death smiles at us all. And all a man can do is smile back.

But if ye are dismayed at such a thought, Brothers, what we do in life…...echoes in eternity. And whether we perish today or tomorrow, our legend will ring throughout this world and the next as our very names become engraved into the heavens,” Lena stoutly said.

Before Lena’s words had ended the men roar in approval as their energetic cries fill the entire fort and resound into the valley even as far as the enemies’ campsite. All the while the officers gaze at strange female noble with disbelief and mixed emotions in their eyes.

Lena smile pleasantly back at the officers causing some to blanch, others to glare, and some to carefully study her back. Lena salutes the cheering man as they cheer even louder before turning on her heels and coolly departing to wait in her office.

Minutes later the officers silently file in with mixed expressions on their faces as Lena lean back against the war table. “Private Ace, be a dear and shut the door after you,” Lena casually said causing the officers eyes to all turn and coolly study the pale faced Private Ace.

Private Ace solemnly complies before hiding behind Sergeant Robertson. Before Lena can speak, a man with an insignia of Corporal rudely says, “Captain-, sir, I propose that we remain within the walls today and hold off the enemy allowing the men a day to recover.”

The officers all turn towards Lena as she steadily replies, “Corporal, what is your name?”

The Corporal furrows his brows slightly and with apprehension responds, “Corporal Vernal,” and after a long pause adds, “Sir.”

“Thank you Corporal Vernal, your suggestion sounds good to me, is there anything else on the agenda?” Lena airily said as she glanced around.

The Corporal as well as the rest of the men blink at each in surprise. They had begun to reevaluate their plans on how to deal with the pesky female, believing her speech was prepared for her behalf. A look of hope enters their eyes at not having to change their plans to deal with the female noble. The woman was complacent and that was sufficient for them.

Lieutenant Darrell finally speaks up and says, “No, Captain, that is all. However, later today the men that you requested will line up at your office per your request.”

Lena nods in a pleased fashion and answers, “Good, good. Well, in that case this meeting is adjourned.”

The officers all automatically salute and begin to exit the office in a much happier state then they arrived in. The officers now convinced that her speech to the soldiers was a mere one-time fluke no longer expected anything else of her, except for the same pale faced officer from the stables, who quietly remained behind. None of the officers noticed his absence from the departing train of officers as the last officer in the line optimistically shuts the door behind him.

Lena eyes the pale faced officer with evident interest in her eyes as she returns to her study. The officer hesitantly seats himself as they study each other for some time in silence.

Finally, having gathered his courage the pale faced officer introduces himself, “Captain Bartholomew, I am Private First Class Gauthier. I-,” he pauses for a moment as he looks down and continues, “Prior to this meeting Captain ordered that anyone with any talent or traces of magic report to you, sir. I am reporting that I possess a trifle of magic, but I am certain that it won’t be of any use to you, Captain, sir.”

Lena expressionlessly tilts her head to the side. “Oh, is that so. Well, in that case do as you are ordered Private Gauthier, state thine ability,” Lena strictly said.

Private Gauthier flinches and miserably raises his gaze. Still not quite meeting the Captains gaze Private Gauthier softly answers, “I am a descendent of Vidal the necromancer.

I am the only one in my entire family that has a smidgen of magic, but my magic is still considered black magic. But I beg you Captain, sir, if word gets out, not only will I be hunted but my family will be targeted as well!”

Lena had sensed as much from him, but she still wanted him to be the one to confess. She didn’t so much have an ability to see someone else’s abilities, but rather gained a second instinct of sensing another’s abilities after battling so many demons as a summoned hero. Of course, it is merely an instinct in the end and not an actual ability, which means accuracy wise it is a bit unreliable at times.

“Private Gauthier, I am not in the habit of doing such things. And all that matters to me, if the ability can be used in battle,” Lena steadily said as she eyes the gaunt man before her.

Private Gauthier frowns uneasily and nervously responds, “I fear the Captain is mistaken concerning my abilities. I am nowhere near as strong as my ancestor. At the most I can control up to ten corpses or summon a very limited amount of weak spirits.”

“That is exactly what I wanted to hear Private Gauthier. Now I have a proposition for you, consider my words carefully Private Gauthier, because I will only offer it once,” Lena firmly emphasized.

Private Gauthier trembling finally raises his gaze to meet the scary woman captains gaze as he slightly gulps out loud.

“Private Gauthier, I would like to offer you a promotion to the position of Chief Officer. Should you accept, your position will only be one rank below that of Lieutenant Darrell. However, you will be directly serving under me and you will obey every one of my commands without question,” Lena sternly said as she waited for his response.

A series of rapid emotions flash through Private Gauthier’s eyes as he with some disbelief contemplates the offer. After some time, Private Gauthier finally speaks, “Captain Bartholomew, I don’t know your reason behind your offer, but I will choose-, no dare to believe in the Captain.”

“Good, now then Chief Officer Gauthier, I have a very special mission for you,” Lena cheerfully said as Chief Officer Gauthier leans in to listen to the whispered plan.

Sometime later they both lean back in their chairs as Chief Officer Gauthier stammers, “Captain, sir, I think that the enemy and the men are in for a whirlwind of surprises.”

Lena grins evilly at him and says, “That is exactly the idea Chief Officer Gauthier.”

Lena pauses for a moment to reach into the drawer and remove the prepared officer ensign and letter. Lena carefully hands the items out to Chief Officer Gauthier and sternly says, “Make sure to directly hand the letter of promotion to Lieutenant Darrell informing him of your promotion.”

“I won’t fail you, Captain, sir!” Chief Officer Gauthier firmly said as replaced the ensign on his forearm with the higher ranking one. With a much more confident salute, Chief Officer Gauthier leaves as a group of soldier waits patiently outside at the door.

Lena motions for the soldiers to enter and close the door behind them. The men begin to introduce themselves and report their various talents. Len leans back comfortably to listen as she waits for the fruits of her labor begin to bear fruit.

~ POV of General Custer (General of the invading Army of the Kingdom of Cypress) ~

General Custer studies the map of the of the surrounding area near and around the Fort of Terra. Suddenly, the tent flaps open as the ever handsome, Colonel Graham eagerly enters carrying a sudden message from one of our spies from within the Fort.

Colonel Graham eagerly hands the open message for General Custer to read. General Custer somewhat crossly begins to read as his brows furrow and darken the more he reads. They had already received word that the army of Alyssum would not march into battle today. Why have they suddenly changed their minds?

“To General Custer,

Lieutenant Darrell, has suddenly issued an order for the Calvary to gather. There is to be a surprise ambush of the Calvary with the soldiers marching at their rear. Upon retreat, the cavalry will draw our men into a trap with the waiting army hiding behind the fort, ready to surround us and close off our retreat.

May the Gods bless, His Majesty, King Fulbright and our armies with swift and utter victory.

You ever loyal servant,

V.”

Well, whatever the reason, it does not matter. General Custer would not squander their current position for one uncertain opportunity, that may very well ruin the armies chance to bring swift and utter victory to his majesty. Within the following weeks, the underground tunnel would be completed. And upon completion, the armies’ victory over the fort is utterly assured.

Without hesitation, General Custer crumbles the message in his hand before tossing it into a burning incense lamp. In reaction, Colonel Graham keenly slams his palms onto the war table between them and firmly says, “General Custer, sir, please allow me to lead the attack! I can assure you, that I will return with a swift and utter victory. With our overwhelming forces against their measly forces, how can we possibly lose?

General Custer frowns and replies, “Colonel Graham, don’t ever dare to utter such words on a battlefield. Because on the battlefield nothing is ever certain.”

Colonel Graham continues to firmly gaze at the man who once known as the Bloody Lion. “That may be so, General, sir, but I am confident in my own abilities and up until now, I have never lost to another, sir. Please allow me to prove myself to you, General Custer,” Colonel Graham pleaded.

General Custer sighs as the furrows in his brow only dig in deeper. “Colonel Graham, I am well aware of your prowess on the battlefield, but what worries me is precisely your confidence on the battlefield.

Such overconfidence will surely one day be the fatal cause of your demise, but not only yours, but all those that follow you. I will not sacrifice the men that follow us for the sake of satiating your vanity,” General Custer firmly said as he gazed Colonel Graham in the eye.

Colonel Graham hands curl into angry fists as he curtly nods with dismay and pity for the fallen Bloody Lion. Without a doubt that legend was dead.

Swiftly turning on his heels, Colonel Graham departs from the tent. General Custer sighs tiredly as he sits down to rest and rubs his tired eyes. He hadn’t had much sleep and it certainly did not help his well-being having a rash, charismatic idiot like that serving under him.

Colonel Graham was more than simply heroic and charismatic, but also was more than capable of leading the men into battle. However, his greatest folly the overconfidence of his own strength. And General Custer wasn’t about to allow for such a costly mistake to happen under his watch.

Suddenly, the sound of thundering loud hooves is heard in the distance. General Custer swiftly rise to feet as he reaches for his sabre. Hurrying, he makes his way through the throng of tents and men towards the source.

At the head of the galloping band of at least 100 knights, a standard bearer carries their flag with a second flag flying directly below it, that of the second prince. The army comes to a polished halt in front of them raising a dusty storm. As the dust settles, General Custer kneels on the rough ground as the rest of the men follow suit.

A striking golden haired, youth in expensive, jeweled armor climbs off of his fine white horse and heroically says, “At ease men, I’m here to fight alongside you.”

At the second prince’s words the men rise and cheer wildly at having a member of the royal family fight alongside them. General Custer knees creak with age as he climbs to his feet and leads the prince to the war tent.

The second prince arrogantly glances around before plopping down and haughtily saying, “General Custer, my father, his majesty has given me full reign and control of the army. Of course, I am not relieving you of your duty as I expect you to serve as my military aide. However, I will only take your advice as required and if I deem it wise.”

At his words an aide hands General Custer a letter bearing the seal of his majesty. Hiding his anger and dismay at his majesties decision, General Custer read the letter directed to him.

“General Custer,

You have faithfully served thy kingdom and king; thy service is greatly appreciated and will not lightly be forgotten. However, General Custer, it is time that charge is passed to another.

After this campaign, General Custer, you will be duly rewarded and at long last be relieved of thy long and weary post. Until then you are to remain at the side of the second prince and serve at behest.

His Majesty, the great and honorable ruler of Cypress,

King Fulbright.”

General Custer hides the dismay and fury in his heart as he firmly folds the message into smaller halves, before placing the letter on his person. General Custer raise his gaze to meet that of the second prince and emotionlessly speaks, “Second Prince, Prince Icarus, I understand my duty and will dutifully follow they commands.”

The second prince fails to hide a snicker on his face and battle hungry gazes at the map of the valley. “General Custer, when is the next attack?” The second prince demanded to know.

Colonel Graham proudly speaks up and spitefully says, “Who knows, since General Custer does not wish to go into battle. But I suppose that is what happens to some men in their older age, they begin to lose their vitality.”

The second prince guffaws at Colonels Graham’s words along with the prince’s aides. General Custer forces himself to not show anything on his face as his cheeks tighten with hidden anger.

Colonel Graham purses his lips at the lack of response as if only confirming his words. Turning to the Prince, he smoothly says, “But alas, if only we had a brave commander to lead us into battle. Even though not too long ago, we received word from one of our spies, that the Fort of Terra was to launch a surprise Calvary attack. With our overwhelming forces we will surely prevail, but alas it is not meant to be.”

General Custer closes his eyes with despair at hearing those words. Knowing the second prince’s temper the second prince will no doubt lead an attack. But having fought and survived many battlefields, he had an uneasy feeling about the rushed attack.

The second prince eagerly jumps to his feet and keenly says, “Then, what are we waiting for? Let us go and ready ourselves for battle!”

General Custer moves to stand before the prince and beseechingly says, “Prince Icarus, why not wait until you are familiar with the terrain. If needed, I will personally go and lead the charge in your stead. There is no sense in losing more men than necessary.”

The second princes face darkens as he takes a step towards the decrepit old man. “General Custer, are you trying to take away the opportunity gifted to me by the heavens to impress my father and gain fame, honor, and glory for myself?

I won’t have it nor tolerate it! General Custer, you are hereby ordered to remain behind and guard the camp, once we leave for battle,” Prince Icarus heatedly said, before brushing past the foolish man as Colonel Graham triumphantly followed.

“My prince, I beg you to reconsider the course of your plan,” General Custer pleaded with the second prince one last time.

The second prince pauses for a moment as he turns to face the foolish old man. “General Custer, your fondness for the commoner is making you weak. Cast aside your petty weakness and begin to utilize them properly instead of coddling them like children.

It is no great loss to the kingdom, if some of the commoners perish under my command. In fact, they should be thanking me for bestowing such an honor upon them. For a royal prince to use their lives at my behest,” the second prince conceitedly said before turning on his heels and leaving with his party.

Left alone in my tent General Custer ages in a minute as he falls to the ground. He had served his kingdom faithfully for over forty years. But in the end, all his service would be for naught. He could only pray and desperately hope that his worst fears do not bear fruit.