~To determine the enemy's plans, pretend that you are going to attack fiercely~Sun Tzu
IN THE TENT OF PALINDROS
Palindros was not pleased, his whole right flank had been shattered, with many routed, scattered, and far more captured or killed. It was a blow he could ill afford. He repositioned the troops in the dead of night, and ordered constant patrols to prevent a second surprise attack. Still, the disaster was offset by word of a large number of reenforcements coming in, the soldiers that had landed initially in the far north were on the march, and had been replaced by the third fleet of reenforcements from home. It would take nearly a month for most of them to arrive, though quicker transport could bring some by boat...he shook his head, not nearly enough of them could make that journey. Some of the ships from the first or second fleet were no doubt ferrying soldiers along the coast, but those were not the areas they were most vitally needed at. The march from there would take mere days however...that may work well enough. Still, he needed to know what the Empire's forces were doing, since the initial assault his rival had failed to take advantage of the opportunity he had been given. That he managed such a skillful attack did not make him think he was foolish, so what was he planning...?
IN THE TENT OF IRONFIST
Gregor Ironfist reviewed his reports with some pleasure, thousands captured, thousands more dead in the fields, and those who remained scattered and routed. It had been a most profitable assault. He'd hoped it would break the foe, but it did not. He didn't really expect that it would, but one could always hope. The latest string of reports had brought word that the Godslayer's fleet had rounded the cape and would be landing in a little more than one week's time. Other reports gave every indication that a near full mobilization had been completed. Small forts had been put together at important coastlines, and soldiers were regularly rotated in and out to prepare defenses.
Word from Calaini hadn't been good, nor had it been bad. A stalemate seems to have developed, with enemy troops holding a few villages and the coastlines, but getting hit back as hard as they hit has kept them from total conquest. A war of brutal attrition was quickly developing. Rumor had it that an army was marching south, but there was no word as yet from far flung scouts as to the rumor's truth. If it were so, it would surely mean that another force had replaced it. This was not totally disheartening, what felt worse was word that a battallion or two of traitors had formed up to fight for the enemy, and some mercenary companies were augmenting them. Certainly it was depressing, but they would serve some purpose, their place within the enemy heirarchy would give him some idea as to the state of their army.
Volunteers were still streaming in from the rear, some were conscripts, but those were grouped with volunteers, who could tell the difference? They would prove useful very soon, when they swarmed out beyond the line and straight at the enemy position from multiple directions. That should illuminate the situation a good deal better than light probes. It was more costly, but one expects to pay for quality information after all.
|