Sons of Ironstorm - Book 1: Griffon's Rise

Chapter 5: The Star of Aramas

                                   "What marks a leader, what makes a general

                                    is not how they lead men into battle,

                                    swing the sword, mace or use the spear,

                                    or even how they order their defense.

                                    But how they handle trial and adversity!"

                                                - from Festus' 'Battles at Fin Nesilan', ch. 5

Jerald nodded in confirmation.

"It's done," he said resolutely, tugging a map closed with a jerk of his hand.  "Four companies of Talemonese Regulars drawn from the Northern and Central Commands to Mamra to assist Seamus against Septus and the Fisherking."  He took the map and began to roll it as he let his dark, intense eyes sweep over the faces looking expectantly at him.

"And a bird to Keva to request additional Warjammers and marines to assist Morgan in taking the Caliphran fortress on Thunder Island, as well as four more companies of Regulars to Los Siban at first light to join the Warjammers in convoy to Galental."  The wiry war king tightly smiled at the acknowledging nods that he saw.

Not since the opening moons of the Wizards' War had the armies of Humanity marched so.  Recorded in books that managed to survive the fall of the Cadremoor, tales told of the great generals Isaul of Vesedin, a kingdom that subsequently died during the Wizards' War, and Daesan of Keva and how they gathered a great army in secret even while the Crimson Empire held the lands of Humanity in an iron grip.  They then chose legendary heroes like Vuk Moonfire, known as the Hammer Hand, Paet Isolde, the flame-haired archer who never missed what he aimed for, Jaem Moorwind the female Jensai warrior, and Dominik of Quada as their captains, the heroes having fought the Empire their entire lives.

With such captains at the head of their army, Isaul and Daesan then marched the length of the churning Fore Askalde River in the Hammer Peninsula heartlands to lay siege to the Empire's capital at Kors Sibilant.  It was entirely unexpected by the dark-hearted emperor and his evil minions and nearly succeeded in toppling the Empire in one battle.  And though it failed, it provided what would eventually become the Cadremoor the momentum they needed to carry the battle to the enemy. 

In a bold stroke echoing the efforts of those ancient generals and heroes, Jerald threatened to redraw Humanity's map on Reutha, bringing implacable enemies to their knees and hope and peace to his long beleaguered country.  That is if the Westmarch didn't split Talemon in half first.

'Of course, if I had the Hammer Hand and Paet Sunhair fighting for me, I doubt very much I'd have a rebellion at all,' he darkly mused, naming two of the Cadremoor heroes that were fiercely loyal to cause and nation.  Grimly he pushed the thought from his head and turned to the lean ranger waiting by the door, meaning to send the man to fetch ambassadors from a number of kingdoms to the north and northeast that would be affected by his actions.

Before he could utter a word, however, the door to the chamber banged open to reveal the lean figure of Tenne's aide-de-camp, Colonel Jaxus.

"Jaxus?" Tenne asked out loud in suprise from his place at the table. "You knew I wasn't to be disturbed while in the war council."

"Yes, general, I did," Jaxus acknowledged with fist over heart in a salute. "Unless it was with news of grave importance."

"I trust you have such news, colonel," Kent said, twisting in his chair to peer up and over at Tenne's aide.