The Cardinal of Sin

War on the Border

Baharuth Empire, Arwintar, Legion Marshalling Area

Field Marshal of the Baharuth Empire's Legions Taalay Marijn Ayodele Ozols did not like this. He did not like this at all. Oh, he understood politically that the Empire was now a vassal state of the Sorcerous Kingdom and that the Legions could now be used by that Kingdom. That was all understood.

What he did not like was going into the unknown. The Sorcerous King was going to have them go into combat today, against a fortified border town and they were still in Arwintar. He understood that magic would take care of transport but there were still a myriad of other things that only being there could actually account for.

"You seem troubled, Field Marshal."

That was the other thing Taalay did not understand. The Sorcerer King himself. The Undead had given the Slane Theocracy a week to respond, and had honoured that week to more than the letter. It had patiently waited all through yesterday, the seventh day for any response. Not that one was expected but the Undead was willing to allow for one. Then he ordered this assault.

Of course, Taalay had known the assault was coming. The Sorcerer King had rather bluntly informed them that they would be taking Synoro the day before, then he had abruptly left. Given the oppressive air that had been radiating from him at the time, Taalay had been somewhat thankful for that. But it was just adding to the things he did not understand.

Right at the moment the Sorcerer King was exuding an air of concern. If Taalay pushed aside his natural fear of standing in the presence of such an advanced undead, he could actually believe that the undead king was genuinely concerned that he was troubled.

"It's nothing, Your Majesty," Taalay replied, attempting to remove the attention.

"Field Marshal," the undead's voice was slightly reproving. It told Taalay that the Sorcerer King did not believe him.

He sighed. "While your gates will get the Legions to Synoro, and the Death Knights will ensure that we suffer minimal losses, there are still many things I am concerned about," he answered honestly. When you were in charge of 80,000 lives there were many things you had to be concerned about. The logistics of feeding so many was just the most obvious. But there were others such as maintaining hygiene and morale that were equally important.

"While the Legions gather we have some time, what are your concerns?" The Sorcerer King asked. "Shifting an undead army is different from a living one, so I am seeking to understand the differences."

Taalay bit the inside of his lip. He shouldn't have said anything. And by the Four Gods what did the undead mean by that last line? "I do not wish to bother Your Majesty with my petty concerns, which are, after all, part of my job," he tried once again to shift attention.

"Tell me," there was a hint of steel in the undead's voice.

The Field Marshal bowed his head wishing he could pretend there was something that needed his attention, but there was nothing. As the Sorcerer King had pointed out, the Legions were moving into position in Arwintar. Then they would march through the magic portals the undead and one of his servants would create and they would be near Synoro. There was time now for discussion.

"There is the mundane problem of provisioning the Legions once Synoro is taken," Taalay told the undead. "Arwintar has reserves sufficient to feed the Legions, the border town does not, and while we could normally raid surrounding townships, that is not feasible at this time of the year."

"I see."

"There is also the fact that it is winter," Taalay said, gesturing to his breath that steamed white before him. It was four AM but it was visible because of the magic lights illuminating everything. It was just another oddity that the undead did not have such a white halo around him. "The men and horses are in their winter uniforms but the cold still causes problems and as we go further into winter those issues will become more pronounced. I am concerned about strains and other mishaps today before we even enter battle, as well as simple fatigue since we have roused the men early."