War and Honour

Prologue - Part One

The night had just come on the hill of Arden, but nevertheless the camp was anything but silent. Leusk could hear the numerous orders being passed on everywhere by the various corporals and sergeants, he heard the wind swaying the tents and he heard the pawing of the horses that pulled the carts full of war material, ready to carry out the venture that he himself was about to fulfil.  He went in the large building adapted into a provisional headquarter, a structure formed by multiple tents from the spartan look, which certainly weren’t thought for the occupant’s comfort. As soon as they realised he had entered the structure, the soldiers turned to him doing the military salute and addressing him with a quick and formal “General”. Leusk went closer to the table situated at the centre of the room, upon which there was a map of the border area between the empires of the Rad’sul and the Onagha. Numerous pawns were placed on it to represent the various armies or the points of strategic importance in the area.

                The commanders in chief of the Rad’sul army were gathered around the table. Leusk had chosen them personally throughout the years, and he had chosen the best that the empire could offer him. The first ones he saw were the generals Otrom and Nuxe. The first one was dressed in a simple manner, he was wearing a shirt that seemed to be thought more for comfort than appearance and a pair of military leather pants, he wore a pendant inside which a gem was set that Leusk knew served as protection against certain types of spells. The general was of medium stature and partially unusual in appearance; he had a bald head but covered with Rad’sul war tattoos and very thick brown moustache and, although his legs were thin, he flaunted two arms whose biceps were particularly massive. Nuxe instead could barely be seen under his armour of studded iron. He took his helm off as he approached Leusk, reavealing his face; he had dark brown hair cut accordingly to the Rad’sul military style, held so as to be stretched to the left, dark blue eyes and a well pronounced chimney.

                This last one adrresed Leusk first “Well come general, we have almost finalised the preparations”.

                Otrom echoed him “All to the last detail sir. The advance will be as quick as lightning and as powerful as a rock hurled at the enemy”.

                Leusk bended the head as sign of assent and gave a look at the map, then he asked “Has secrecy been respected?”.

                It was Nuxe that answered him “According to out spies the Onagha are totally unaware of what we’ll unleash on them, as the council had foretold”.

                “Good” answered Leusk thoughtful “That will allow us to maintain the surprise effect. Has Argos finished to organise his wizards?”.

                Otrom entered the conversation “He sent a courier an hour ago. He says he has divided his forces adjusting to the two offensives we’ll launch, and that his wizards will be ready to march in one day”.

                “Then we have nothing else to do but wait three days, and our names shall be pronounced with admiration, the bards shall sing our deeds and our shoulders shall be covered with honour”. Exclaimed Leusk and whose face came a sudden smile. “Until then I highly recommend to gather our strengths and to prepare for the fight. Goodnight gentlemen”. Having said that he turned around and came out of the tent.

                The night was now ripe on the hill, the sky had darkened revealing a myriad of stars that shined in the infinity. A light rain was hitting the camp and it wet Leusk during his brief journey between the headquarter and his accommodation. He arrived in his tent and took off his clothes and put them neatly in a small portable drawer, he then got into his bed and let himself fall into sleep.