Chapter 38: Altered Plans

Amaya shot another glance at her cousin, who seemed to regain his former hardiness. What he didn’t know were the complex feelings that were going through her mind due to their actions. Amaya has killed before, but never in such a dominating fashion. Her mind whirled but right now she did not let the consciences of her actions dictate her next movements. She could not that’s why Amaya was so quick to pull her cousin to his feet. Their people are constantly watching, constantly judging, and if they aren’t showing themselves to be always perfectly in control chaos could ensue. The ground shook as aftershocks from the spells still affected the area. Ashes began to drift down from the sky falling like raindrops.

One of the spells came directly from her. It was her first-time casting after comprehending the spell. What surprised her about it was the relative ease and mana cost. The spell wasn’t so expensive on her mana that after a single cast she’d be spent. Although if she tried to mimic the spell using indirect magic and not having the world assist her in the casting Amaya didn’t doubt that the casting would fail, and she’d receive a backlash. Something that she’d only experienced a few times after her mother made sure she’d know the pain of trying to accomplish something outside of her range.

Quickly the leading figures of their invasion force made their way into the command tent. The enchanted war table is already out and showing the effects of the spell on the land. Another rumble came and the nobles braced themselves before gathering around. No chairs were laid out as Amaya had no plans on remaining in the area for much longer. For a few minutes, the leading figures just stood there in silence.

Aisha Loft had a maddening grin plastered over her face. Ittane Corba appeared shocked. Koama Lionheart was reserved but her eyes constantly glanced to the members of the Kan family present. Princess Moriah’s eyes were lit up in excitement, but she held herself together. Her cousin’s armor was caked with dried blood and dirt, but his expression held together, and his eyes were alit. Good. Amaya was glad that it only took one time for him to get back to his feet. The rest of the nobles each had various expressions on. Some contemplating, others looking at her cousin with unfathomable expressions. A few more figures stepped into the room. Her lieutenants along with the various second in commands following of each noble house. Yet as the people shuffled in the room still was quiet besides the occasional rumbling from the aftermath.

“Status report. I want to know everything from any casualties, missing soldiers, or any damage to our forces and supplies.”

Amaya looked in surprise at her cousin who spoke up. Before her attention turned to her two assigned lieutenants.

“Yes, Young Lord, there are no casualties on our side. Currently, we have 238 refugees that managed to follow behind our army. Our supplies are still stable, and no spatial storage has experienced any interruptions from the spell. Each squad has checked in and no members of the Crimson Army are missing. Three months of supplies and rations are accounted for. The mines set behind us have not been triggered and currently, the mages are retrieving them.”

Amaya watched as Rang spoke up before looking to Loani to finish.

“I’ve had the mages scry for any remaining signs of Nox or survivors. The ones who participated are still recovering from Lady Amaya’s aura and casting |Falling Star|…” Loani trialed off here and Amaya sent a sharp look in her direction. It took long enough for her cousin to be convinced in the use of nobles in their army it would not due for Loani to falter in her reports and first real presentation. Not in front of Aegis or the great families and the princess. The girl took a deep breath before continuing.

“The mages have not been able to find any signs of life and the area surrounding Fort Carrano is rapidly deteriorating. The fires have not reached us yet, but it’s estimated to be under an hour before it does.”

“Over a hundred thousand souls. You’re one crazy family. This… this is what it means to be a Kan?” Aisha’s eyes were lit with passion as she spoke. Looking at the pair of cousins in what seemed like admiration. “They will be singing tales of you for centuries once we conquer this world. Bringing glory and showing the dominance of the west and the Empire.”

She glanced at Princess Moriah as she said the last part. The Princess was currently looking at her cousin in excitement. Her golden eyes glowed.

The room grew silent again each individual present had their own thoughts on the matter. Most of the people in the rooms were young. Not even thirty winters passed each just at the beginning of adulthood. None of them had seen war before or the power of what a few well-placed spells could do to the weak.

Amaya had learned the history of the Empire. This wasn’t the greatest casualty from an attack the Empire knew of. Millions died in the final battles leading up to Eradication, but this was the first time this new generation had experienced death on such a large scale themselves. This was the first time Amaya commanded the death of thousands. Even if her cousin was the first to suggest it. It was Amaya who led the spells. After casting the first herself and spending long hours and nights Amaya had come up with a group casting version of Aegis spell. This showed off her prowess as the young woman did it on her own as well as her level of intellect. Group spells and group casting were different from a mage casting a spell on their lonesome. It was more powerful as the group combine their mana to bring the spell into existence. It took more from the world and often left the group drained after the long casting. The unrefined group spells could take upwards of an hour or more. It was fortunate that Amaya figured out how to keep the properties of the spell simple and close to the single person spell |Falling Star| as much as possible.

“Now is not the time to ponder on the effects of the spells and the destruction they brought. Now we have to plan our next moves. The Nox have clearly infiltrated far deeper than the Last Kingdom could ever imagine. Now we need to decide how to go about winning this war. Suggestions are open now if not hold your tongue.”

At the words of her cousin, Amaya stepped up. Already she had begun to roughly outline their next course of actions but before she went over it. Amaya decided to go through the previous plan just to make sure everyone was on the same page.

“Right now, we need to plot our next course of actions. First, let us review what was supposed to happen.”

“Currently the entire western army and forces have died at Fort Carrano. Previously we were supposed to join them in the march to join General Irvon in holding back the Nox at the Loin Stretch. From there we would push for the capital of the formerly Artis Empire to slay the High Queen. That army is gone and so is a third of the Last Kingdom’s forces for the counter-invasion.”

Amaya took a breath and was handed a flask. The taste of wine entered her lips quenching her thirst and giving her a much-needed reprieve. As the gazes of the nobles settled on her. At that moment Bella Nightingale took the chance to speak.

“Is it still worth it for the men and women of the Empire to fight this war?”

It was a question Amaya and Aegis had gone through before. Should they continue to fight on a world already while being conquered by another? Together they had gone over the pros and cons as well as the consequences if they chose to leave.

“My cousin and I have already discussed the pros and cons and we believe it is worth it for several reasons. One, and the most important. It will still be at least half a year before the cores of the HH Heartfelt are fully charged. Two, we have already signed an agreement with the Last Kingdom putting them underneath our vassalage. We plan to use this continent as a staging ground for the rest of the world. The Kan have already given their word and it was your own decision to follow us along to this world. We expect you to show why it was worth it for the Kan family to allow you to accompany us.” Amaya spoke not just to Bella but all the gathered nobles. She was about to continue when her cousin spoke up as well.

“My cousin is right. Not only that but I am willing to teach your mages the constructs required to cast |Falling Star|.”

The room shifted after Aegis said these words and various looks of interest came from the figures in the room.

“You still have my sword.” Amaya looked at Princess Moriah in surprise as the young woman summoned her pristine white sword and planted it into the ground.

“And mine.”

Koama Lionheart’s great sword was summoned and planted into the ground as well.

“As long as you personally teach me the constructs you shall have my wand, although if you think about it after defeating us you already have our weapons,” Aisha Loft said her expression excited as she looked at Aegis. The creator of the spell held her gaze and nodded. While the rest of the nobles showed their agreement to fight this war until the end.

“Good, right now I believe we need to come clear about our forces and the tiers of the men at our disposal.”

Amaya stayed silent and let Princess Moriah continue. She was not afraid of the discussion being taken away from her and where she wanted to lead the conversation.

“Since I am the first to bring it forward. I will be the first to open about the level of my soldiers. With me, I’ve brought 100 Watchers and 150 of my guardsmen. The Watchers have not fully disclosed the level of their strength not even to me, but Alexa has informed me that the average is tier four with plenty in the range of five. My guardsmen are a minimum of tier 5 and although several members have reached tier six.”

“The Crimson Army holds roughly 500 mages most have reached tier three while a few have broken through into tier four. Currently, we have around 4200 all following Path of the Body. Most are tier three. With a few in or nearing four.” Amaya grimaced at this knowing they were on the same level as most of the Nox they’ve encountered so far. While the enemies numbered in the thousands if not hundreds of thousands. The only good thing Amaya noted is that they’d yet to see one cast a single spell.

“With an additional 500 sons and daughters of the west now integrated into Crimson Army all most in tier four while a rare few of the older ones have reached five.”

What Amaya didn’t say was that those numbers were barely enough to activate the basic knight formations that her army trained for. The minimum tier needed being five when any following one of the Paths of Cultivation could activate their aura’s and take control of dozens of people. Enhancing their overall strength and being able to deal massive amounts of damage to any force in their way. Amaya did take notice of how her cousin pursed his lips at her explanation of their force and is capabilities.

Part of the reason Aegis never took control of the Crimson Army using his aura was that it was too strong. Although it was very much possible for him to during their few battles against hostile forces only Amaya was the one to take control of their mages and even now, she needed to show great restraint and care otherwise her strength could damage their paths. Now with her strength as a tier seven mage, it was imperative that she show even greater restraint as she was considered a greater mage amongst the community. Those whose minds weren’t as expanded as hers to build constructs would suffer and vice versa when it came to her cousin.

It was recommended that only two tiers be between a commander and his squad. Even though their strength was greater it hadn’t reached a transcending point by being three tiers ahead. Amaya hadn’t seen the effects of what would happen when a commander who is too powerful for his squad to keep up in person but had read plenty about it and even seen pictures in the history books under the study of her teacher Rue. It was destructive. The survivors appeared like burned victims or depending on the affinity of the commander they could appear bloated from water. Their size increases two to threefold. Those who held affinities to earth were worse. Parts of their body turned into stone as the commander utilized their element which sheared its way through a victim’s body.

Amaya returned her attention to the conversation as the figureheads discussed their next movements and the numbers and tiers of their troops.