Scarlet Fate

34: The Fall of North Aldalia part 01

Akari's PoV

With a host of twenty thousand soldiers, consisting of mercenaries, Hakuroku's soldiers and volunteers the army departed from Yan. Leaving behind a small garrison inside the city. Marching to Eil province from Yan took several of non-stop travel, which in turn exhausted the army. After finding a place to set up camp, I had dispatched both scouts and elite raiding parties to attack imperial and rebel controlled granaries, while a few companies were sent foraging for supplies.

Several days had passed since the camp had been established and from the scouts, that were dispatched in advance that the main routes to Eil had several forts With a sizeable garrison defending the way into the mainland.

My forces hardly enough to lay siege on the fortress, especially with the lack of siege engines. Scouts were sent throughout the region. In hopes of finding an alternative route to Aldalia's mainland.

Captain Heldran along with his company had just returned, they had finished taking out rebel forces while suffering minimal casualties.

Heldran dismounted from his horse, confident was his look whilst reporting to me.

"As ordered, the granaries of the resistance was sacked and it's resources added to our provisions."

I gave an affirming nod to the captain and told him.

"Good work, you are now dismissed."

Heldran nodded and left my presence, Herlan my most trusted confidant was summoned to my quarters as requested.

"You know why you're here right Herlan?"

He gave a slight nod as she observed his surroundings, to make sure no one is eavesdropping.

"To investigate someone from the shadows?"

I smiled at my confidante's way of thinking, truly the right man for the job as always.

"If that's the case, let's cut down to the chase. I want you to investigate Captain Heldran and those affiliated with him."

Herlan looked at me confusedly for a moment and nodded.

"Doesn't sound like a difficult task now is it, what would you like for me to investigate?"

I sat down the chair and told him.

"The missing rations purchased from the frost company, along with the supplies from the recent raid."

Herlan smiled, rarely does this man smile, only when hearing something that peaked his interest.

"What would you have me do milady?"

Placing a few documents on the table, sliding them to Herlan's side.

"He submitted a false report, took possession significantly sizeable quantity of supplies purchased from the frost company, and now this."

Herlan poured me a cup of tea and smiled.

"But how does milady know about this?"

Herlan and I glared at each other, his eyes similar to dead fish, against my eye blazing with fury. With a smile I simply told Herlan.

"That's classified information, I've made sure to cut all lose ends. This would prevent information leaks."

"I see. Very well, I'll be happy to oblige Milady's wishes."

Herlan stood up his chair and left the quarters without another world.

Dawn came along with good news brought by the scouts, through the forest a day's worth from the camp, an unguarded pathway leading to a mountain path to Northern Aldalia was found. However it wasn't all positives, it's very perilous and very hard to navigate.