“They have larger forces than us.” I look out onto the field. Most likely the forces were bolstered by the retreating soldiers from previous battles but that doesn’t make it any better. I start looking down upon the lines.

“What are your thoughts?”

I run through my head on tactics that would allow victory but quickly dismiss all of them. The risk of using each tactic would be to great even if they did offer a chance of victory. There are too many reserves to simply pierce their center.

“You are thinking too safely. I suggest a feigned retreat.” Even if we do that how will we carry it out? At which scale? I do not think it is the wisest option. “Do not worry too much, do you trust our soldiers?”

“Of course, they have been with us this entire campaign.” The skill and experience should not be questioned. These soldiers will follow orders and ensure discipline even under tremendous stress. To doubt them would be silly.

“Then look at the terrain of the battlefield.”

The terrain is rather simple. We are sitting at the bottom of a rather large hill covered with forests staring down the opposing enemy. A relatively flat plain separates us. There isn’t terribly much to say about the terrain.

It is a war theorists wet dream.

“You are only looking forward, the battlefield isn’t a confined space.”

“Are you, perhaps, suggesting a feigned retreat up the hill?” Why up the hill? What could it possibly possess to make retreating up it advantageous? Suddenly I realize something. The hill itself is rather differing when it comes to its inclination. In some areas it is steeper than others and more densely forested. “Do you see my plan?”

“I can see it but what makes you so sure that the enemy will break formation?”

“There is no way to be sure before we attempt this but a safe bet would be that if they do keep formation we turn the feigned retreat into a real retreat.” That means the entire army would be retreating. If we had the Aveven troops with us I would have immediately vetoed the idea. Luckily these troops have been training and fighting together for a long time. None of them are fresh recruits.

“There has been large differences between the quality of the armies, why is this?” I ask William a question that has been plaguing my mind. I had always thought of Arria as a warlike society that only waged war. The idea that their armies had vast differences in quality was weird to me.

“Casterso is relatively peaceful. It hasn’t been invaded in a long time and thus, as a result, the quality of training is lower. Local generals have less incentive to actively learn.” That would explain a lot. It is much the same in Allonia. The burden of troops lays within the hands of the nobles. It is their job to levy troops and provide them in the case of war. Unfortunately, the ones given to us at the start of the war were rather... terrible. “Those troops are from Cone. A port city with little military history. They are unlikely to be well disciplined.”

“It seems Arria is bigger than I initially thought.” Based off of the map we have only seen one section of Arria. I wish that I had the opportunity to explore Arria without having to wage war. To understand them in the case of future wars.

My knowledge of them is vastly wrong.

“Yes, they also happen to be the best sailors within Arria.” I doubt the validity of that statement. Arrian and sailor are two words that should never be put together. Under any circumstances.

“We should ensure the army goes to sleep early. I want them to be well rested tomorrow.” That would be wise, especially when one does a tactic that requires that amount of discipline.

“We should be making a turn towards Belnuo soon.” There is not a lot of distance before we reach the ocean. Especially at the pace in which we are moving at. William nods his head before heading back.

I go back to my tent. There are maps scattered around the ground. Precious items I managed to scavenge from the battles. Never before had I seen this number of maps. When I return to Allonia I will make it my mission to collect maps of Allonia.

I sit down and try to get some shut eye. I am sure I will see those red eyes again and I will need every bit of sleep that I can get tomorrow. It will not be an easy day.