Night

Chapter 05

"Three days, that's all we have to get from where we are now, if I'm not mistaken, to Farren, the nearest city of the kingdom."

"That's only if it hasn't fallen already you mean?," said Andrew as he observed the map that was hung from the ceiling of the tent. Godfrey and Andrew had receded to Godrey's tent to discuss the future of the men who were less than three hundred at present after the slaughter at the Haradac Plains. Their supplies even less as some of the carriages which were brought along with them from the kingdom were burned and destroyed during the course of the battle, which only burdened Godrey and the other captains even more. Godrey paced about the tent without taking his gaze away from the map.
"Farren is a great city, let us not forget that the majority of the soldiers that were recruited to the king's army were from her, and we must never underestimate it's people as captain Leister would say," spoke Godfrey as captain Leister who was from the city of reference nodded in acknowledgment.
"Our steel is strong and our hearts are just, and though our governor does not possess much of these attributes I believe he would not slacken the security of the city in these trying times," confessed the captain as he spoke to the audience that was gathered in the tent.

Captain Leister from the city of Farren, Captain Drago Hilius from the city of Belmont, captain Lorea Tamarin from the city of Carn, captain Wismeria Lepon from the city of Nephis, captain Godfrey Stronnt from the city of Lowen and Andrew Solimus formed this much agitated audience.
"The king's orders were clear, we must continue our journey through Farren where we would part ways to travel to the respective kingdoms of our allies to combine with their strength and meet at the great city of Fawren by the full moon to unleash an attack on Carnax. It is unlikely that Farren has fallen for the enemy must travel through the lands of the kingdoms of Sarreia and Contour who are our allies after all," spoke Lorea after inspecting the map intensely.
"I would like to believe your story very much captain, but there is still the matter of those -- things.. That we encountered on the Haradac. We have strong reason to believe they were of the enemy for as we all witnessed it ourselves, those scum we fought were not the likes we've faced before, surely we can agree to that," spoke Wismeria as she quizzed her fellow combatants who nodded in unison.
"Having agreed to that it sprouts an even more dire question. How did they come to be in our lands? How have they crept through the two kingdoms that lie between us and Carnax? Have our allies been slain and subdued? Or has the enemy won their favor?" she asked with much thirst in her eyes.

The thought that their allies has been compromised was a dire issue indeed, and the fact remains that the enemy has managed to breach into the Haradac which was not far from where Lowen stands. The four captains looked at one another hoping one would find the wishful inexperience to proclaim that it is not so. This was precisely why Andrew Solimus renounced his title as captain for it forbade his primal and crucial aspect as a man. Hope.
"Of course our allies have not sided with the enemy, let us not tarry on such wild thoughts. The fall of Carnax was a disadvantage to the entire world, the population of Carnax composed of both our and their people, I'm certain the other kingdoms would harbor no sympathy towards the enemy, and even less likely to break bread with them. Instead let us think of how we will manage to get to Farren, a journey of three days, in the least with over two hundred men is no easy feat now that our supplies have become so thin," spoke Andrew from the corner of the tent revealing his presence to those who've forgotten he was there.

It could hardly have been called a proper meeting given that the tent composed of a small square table around which five chairs were drawn for each captain, however war is after all a game which lacks formalities and the need for spontaneity is always high. Andrew was left to stand but it didn't make him feel any lesser for the captains did not make use of their seats as it was clear they had far greater issues than the accommodation that was provided.
"Well it doesn't cause any harm in being vigilant nevertheless," spoke Godfrey as he tapped the table at a rhythm which was an indication that he was taking everything into consideration.
"What do you make of this Drago?" He asked the captain who had been silent since he had arrived except for a formal greeting.
He walked towards the map and stood before them, his eyes looking at each and everyone one of them including Andrew,
"I don't think we must spend our thoughts on things such as this, it is clearly for the generals to question," said Drago as he continued to pace from that point.
"Questions they may bombard us with for sure, but it always falls down to us to enter the heat of the battle to produce an answer so I believe it's only fair that we venture beyond our normal authority to ask some question," said Wismeria,
"After all, this conflict we've found ourselves tangled in is far from normal."
Andrew approached the table and looked at Godfrey,
"Answers would certainly come with time but now we must choose a path, for dwelling in this place will only mar the spirits of these men and we cannot hope to secure victory without their aid, I believe our first priority must be to acquire supplies from the nearest city and continue with the king's plan as captain Lorea expressed."