The Devil's Country

Three Iconic Armies

(Peyton Kyros' perspective)

I woke up from a long nap. My army doctors were able to aid me back to full health. I walk outside my quarters to see too many soldiers to count. I'd say at least seventeen thousand. I start watching the soldiers scramble around. Some getting back from hunting, while others are finishing setting up tents. I walked into the Main Hall to find two generals and a few commanders gathered around a map.

"If we march here we will surely run into the enemy." One General says. I recognize right away as General Hansel. He is a southerner with a wide military history. His short freshly combed red hair can tell you thinks about his forces. They love fire, and General Hansel is quite famous for his use of wild fire.

"Gentlemen, what art we discussing?" I said aloud. General Hansel and the other general, General Marquis, look over and smile lightly. General Marquis is known for his light troops and cavalry. He moves very swiftly and often. He is not one to hold out in a fortress for too long. Three Generals in the same room. It's a seven second madhouse. "I'm inferring the Kingdom of Merton is taken?"

"Yes, we left General Wes to watch over the kingdom until a new government is set in place." General Hansel exclaims.

"Very well, I'm glad it went well for you." General Marquis said.

"A battalion of 3,000 troops have arrived. They are freshly trained for battle and very combat ready." My advisor appears right beside me.

"Excellent, what is our next task?" I asked the Generals.

"There is one last kingdom to take before the Northern part of this sector is fulling taken. That kingdom happens to be a huge part of the war. It'll secure safe contact with the northerners." General Marquis says.

"The only issue is we have to cross a wide river. There is a bridge, but it is heavily defended with a fortress." General Hansel explains.

"We could siege them." I suggested, "Or we could cross another way."

"We discussed bringing the Navy, but they are already tied up with trouble. If we must we can probably get three ships. Unfortunately, that will be the longest option." General Marquis tells me.

"On top of that we must go through a pass between the Iris mountains. It's famous for its... bandits." General Marquis exclaims. He goes on talking about how the bandits fight and move.

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Afterwards, I walk out of the Main Hall. I imagine about the stars and the planets watching us from above. The common men will be glad we are liberating them from their oppressors. I always wonder how grateful people are about our armies. I watch as men scramble back in forth even more. I walk down to meet with Leo. Tonight we march while the bandits are asleep, so most soldiers are sleeping. I can't wait to march on. We've decided to try and set fire to the fortress at the bridge. We hope the bandits sleep tonight. We need to get moving soon. I walk down the steep stairs while men march pass me. I'm guessing guards, but I don't manage them. I see Commander Leo.

"Have you moved ranks at all?" I asked Leo.

"Well I've been put in charge of an archer's brigade. It's the 7th Archer's Brigade. I'm happy however. The first commander is just the commander of the 5th Archer's Brigade. They were the ones who mostly survived. Follow me I need to show your new army." Leo responded. We walk out of the Keep and to the edge of the camp. I see three-thousand troops. All combat ready. I notice on the side was my previous troops which are being moved to join Hansel. I see the 5h and 7th archers, and I also see my own troops under my command. They stand there looking forward at me. Paths in between soldiers. They stand in ten by ten squares. I'm pleased with what I see. The new soldiers are in nice cobalt metal armor. It's material is lined underneath with leather. I walk down the path, and I realize how there is people with heavy chainmail underneath dark cobalt armor. I walk to the captain of that hundred soldiers.

"What are you all suppose to be." I asked.

"We are heavy soldiers. Newly trained, sir." He says. His big heavy helmet makes it hard to hear him. I don't enjoy the armor. I'm known for strategic advantages. Heavy soldiers may be useful, but I don't know about having them. I see a woman riding a horse ride up next to me. Her freshly brushed brown hair shines in the sunlight. I see her eyes only to realize how beautiful they are. It reminds me of home. I see her ride up to me.

"Sir, I am the Lieutenant General of this army. My name is Emma Pitwell. I believe you are the General in command. I would just like to say how pleased we are to mee-"

"It's okay I know the speech. You don't have to tell me how grateful you all are. I get it. I'm glad of this army. It seems quite nice. I demand total loyalty. Any man in this army who acts out of line will be punished severely. If I must I will court martial that person. I sincerely hope you understand, and I hope the best of wishes." I cut her off swiftly. I don't want to hear the whole speech about them giving up lives to be here, but I must demand loyalty out of her army. My army.

"I understand, I have new armor choices for you if you like." She says. I walk with her to a chariot with three armor sets. I see the dark cobalt armor, dark silver armor, or a mixture of dark silver and gold armor.

"I'll wear this" I point to the dark silver armor. I swiftly put the armor on, and I grab the helmet. I stop to realize there is not a feather. The blue feather my old army took pride in. The flag is in fact a light grey and blue color, but I do enjoy the blue feather. I reach for my old helmet to pluck the feather out of it. Emma gets a confused look when I grab the feather. "I enjoy this feather and so I will wear it with my armor."

She nods and I get on a horse.

"I command these men get rest. For tonight, we ride to the Iris Mountains."