Rise of a Kaiser

Chapter 40 - Valour at Ironhold

"How did this happen?" Darrian asked in disbelief, shakily holding the paper under his widened eyes. 

"They Malmond Mercenary state has ceased involvment in the war, and consequently, will no be longer offering his support." Na Borin stated. 

"First the Red General, and now this!?" Darrian exclaimed, Na scoffed at her foolish overlord who did not even bother to mention General Shassu who was taken captive. In many ways Arad was a better officer and soldier than the Red General, but Darrian named him a colour General because he was a yes man with no reguard for his men. "General, what is the Empire's next move?" Darrian demanded.

"Well, a third of their forces are swinging around to cut of and encrircle the captial. Their mountain troops are occupying the valley as we speak." Borin reported. "The rest are conquering the rest of our territory."

"What about our magic users!" Darrian questioned. "Surely they can save us?"

"Alot of them have perished your majesty, and we can only replace them with inexperienced mages." Na explained, she knew that Darrian had sent nearly all of experienced mages to die in battle. And those who were still alive, Darrian was having affairs with as he once said: 'mages define natural beauty.' Hence he kept them in his palace despite the protests from his wife.

"Send them to Ironhold then! We cannot let the Germans take that village!" Darrian ordered, Na tried to protest but Darrian refuted her. "Once they repel the attack, magic is better than guns after all, we shall send the Grey general to stop the enemy encirclement."

"But sir, we only have twenty-thousand troops your majesty! Our supply lines to the capital are being severed by German Hussars and motorised cavalry! German Jagers are taking our outposts! The German fleet is shelling Psychorint! Malmond has withdrawed! We have lost, we must surrender ..." Na protested but again was cut off by Darrian. 

"No I refuse to beleive that the idiot Kaiser has beaten me! We have not lost, in fact, we are on the verge of victory! Send all available mages to Ironhold and send fifteen thousand men to secure our supplylines! I was the one who gained loads of money by fooling those idiot nations to fund my army, it was I who drew the Siren Empress to my side! I am a military Genius Borin! I can defeat those foolsih Krauts!" Darrian shouted neglecting to remember that these actions had destroyed Persia's reputation with other countries, while making enemies of Germany and Sparta which very well started the war. And the army ha bareley changed as Darrian had spent most of the funds on war elephants whom the Germans poisoned without their knowledge. Fewer than one hundred war elephants remained now and those who did were splattered by German tanks and artillery. Na tried to change Darrian's mind, and complained stating that would leave Omesos with only five thousand men. "Shut up! You and Admiral Tempest are too defeatist! I am relieving you of your post, I am taking personal command of our forces. Now go and organise the defense of the Capital."

"If you fail, the men will never follow you again." Na threatened in a dark tone.

"Don't worry 'General'." Darrian said smugly. "I don't plan on loosing." Na then stormed out the throneroom, she was so angry, but because of protocol she could not lash out. But she was on the knife's edge of doing so. One of the mages that was to be sent to Ironhold approached her but Borin was too cross to speak civily.

"What is it you cretin! What is it!?" Na shouted as she stormed through the palace while the Mage trotted behind her.

"We have been ordered by the Emperor to go to Ironhold, will you be coming with us as head of the army?" The mage asked.

"I have been releived of my post, I am to organise the futile defense of the capital with only five thousand men! So no I cannot go with you!" Na snapped. "Your bloody Emperor has taken command and now it is a matter of time before the war is over! So many will die thanks to that fool!"