Tales of Ayralef- The Last Campaign Chapter 2.1

Chapter Two- Final Decision

Greenvale Town Hall, 5:30 am

            Liatris stood at the head of the large table that was being used to display the collection of maps that had been spread out by her cartographer. As she studied the detailed maps the door opened and her chief of staff Azalee stepped into the room and offered a salute.

            “My Lady, all legion commanders save for Lady Xanthe and Lady Justina have arrived and are waiting. Lady Xanthe sent her chief of staff in her place but Lady Justina’s 8^th Legion is over fifty miles back with the supply train and cannot make the meeting. Also the Valka Fae mercenary captain Natalie has refused to attend the meeting.”

            Liatris sighed. She knew that Xanthe was busy commanding her legion in its pursuit of the Imperial Grand Division on the road ahead of her. Liatris had issued orders that Xanthe pursue but not force a major engagement until at least half the army was concentrated. Justina was too far away to attend and Natalie was just being outright disrespectful. She would deal with the barbarian fairy in due time.

            “Let them in Azalee.”

            “Yes My Lady.” Azalee said as she opened the door and motioned for the waiting generals to enter.

             The first of the four legion commanders to enter was Canna Lightfoot, the swift marching leader of the 11^th Legion. She was well known for pushing her troops to their limits in swift marches and flanking maneuvers. Canna was unique among the generals of Liatris’s army because she wasn’t a Crimson Fairy. She was born in the Western Kingdom but was raised in the Crimson Wood by her parents, who were ambassadors. She joined the Crimson Fairy army against the wishes of her parents and slowly worked her way up the chain of command until she was a division commander and during the war she had proved herself an able leader and her moment of glory had been the route of the 3^rd Frontier Army’s 21^st corps during the Florestica Campaign. The black haired fairy took her place at the table and proceeded to study the maps spread out on the table.

             Next to enter was Lysander, commander of the 7^th ‘Light’ Legion. A strict professional and veteran soldier, he viewed the current campaign as a desperate act that would only cost more lives and accomplish nothing, but he kept his thoughts to himself and led his legion to his best abilities. He joined Canna at the table and quietly began discussing the assumed position of the Imperial Army with her.

            Then Xyris, the commanding officer of the hard hitting 1^st Legion and younger sister of Xanthe, entered. Xyris, a warrior who lived by a strict code of honor, looked like a younger version of her sister except with lighter, red-orange hair that was tied in a knot on top of her head. With her polished, crimson enameled lorica segmentata armor glinting in the lamp light she cast an imposing figure. She was well liked by her troops and a very competent officer, but in her mind she lived in the shadow of her older sister and always felt that she had to do better in command than her sister in order to prove herself a worthy general.

            Last of the legion commanders to enter was Linaria Aspera, Liatris’s daughter and commander of the 3^rd Legion. She had rapidly risen through the ranks without the help of her famous mother. A bit proud and arrogant like her mother, she drove her troops hard but never asked them to do something she would not do herself. Promoted to Legion command ahead of more experienced officers had garnered her more than a little resentment from the officers of the army. It was whispered that Liatris was practicing nepotism when she promoted her daughter, while others claimed it was to protect her since legion commanders were forbidden to lead attacks. Tormented by these rumors, she had strived to prove those who started those rumors wrong. She was determined not to be judged for being her mother’s daughter and to win her own glory on this campaign.

           The final three to enter were Liatris’s chief of artillery Carica, head of her cavalry Scipius and Exona, the Western Kingdoms military liaison for this campaign. 

           When everyone had entered and positioned themselves around the table Liatris cleared her throat and began to speak.

           “I am glad that all of you could make it. First, what are the statuses of your legions?”

           Canna saluted and began her report. “My legion is beginning to move down road 476 in support of Xanthe. But with her current pace I will be at least three hours behind her. I advise you to send a message for her to slow down. We don’t know what is ahead besides the grand division she is pursuing. Our scouts are having trouble penetrating their picket screens. If Xanthe isn’t careful she could end up being ambushed and cut off and her legion destroyed. I advise caution My Lady.”

           “Xanthe knows what she is doing. I trust her judgment on her pursuit of that grand division. You will continue up the road in support of her at the best speed possible.” Liatris said and then turned to Lysander. “Your report?”

           Lysander looked up from the map and sighed as he saluted. “My legion is approaching Littleton from the west via Imperial Road 753. We are currently camped and Old Tree Cross Roads and waiting for our supply and artillery trains to catch up. The bridge over Black River has collapsed and they had to find a suitable ford to cross. We found one six miles downriver and the trains have moving all night to catch up. The mules and horses will be tired and will require half a day to rest. As it is I should be able to reach Littleton by this evening with everything I have.”

            Liatris frowned. “I can’t have a whole legion sitting idly half a day. That won’t do. I want you to send two of your three divisions toward Littleton now and leave one behind to guard your train. That way at least twelve thousand of your troops will be there to support Xanthe along with Canna when she takes Littleton.”

           “You want me to divide my legion and then have me march off to support Xanthe’s attack on the town?” Lysander said incredulously as he looked at Liatris in disbelief. “You are assuming that Xanthe will even reach Littleton before she is attacked or is forced into action if she catches up those Imperials. There is a grand division ahead of her and we don’t know where the other four are. For all we know they could be waiting for us in Littleton or ready to cut us off and destroy us piece by piece from behind. I agree with Canna, we should proceed with caution. “

           “Are you questioning my orders General Lysander?” Liatris said quietly as she looked over at the general and blinked.

           “I am, my Lady.”

           Everyone in the room watched as Liatris closed her eyes and sighed. “Now is not the time for caution. We have a chance to strike the enemy while it is disorganized and vulnerable. No, I will be bold in this campaign. I value your opinion General Lysander, I really do. But when I issue orders I expect them to be obeyed. I am the commanding officer of this army and not you. You will obey my orders or I will replace you with someone who will. Understood?”

          Lysander sighed and saluted again. “Yes My Lady.”

          Liatris nodded and turned to Xyris who appeared ready to deliver her report.

         “My legion is up and marching at this moment down Road 392 and toward the village of Phellos which we will occupy by mid morning and then we will seize the Stony Creek bridge which is about three miles out of town. From the signs along the road and what we have heard from civilians a large Imperial force passed this way earlier. We have identified it as their Fifth Grand Division. Also our pickets and scouts are fighting small but intense skirmishes and are having trouble penetrating more than two miles ahead of my column. My lead division commander, Puerella, has been ordered to push ahead and punch through any road blocks the Imperials might deploy. I have also issued orders to all of my commanders to move at their best speed toward Littleton and the concentration point as ordered yesterday. At our current pace we should reach Littleton late this evening. Also yesterday my cavalry detachment captured a small Imperial supply train and its guard. Other than that there is nothing significant to report.”

          “I want you in that town as soon as possible. No delays.”

          Xyris saluted and returned to studying the map.

          Liatris then turned to Linaria who was eagerly waiting to give her report. “What is your legions status, Linaria?”

          Linaria proudly saluted and began to speak. “My legion is up moving at this moment along Road 392 in support of Xyris as ordered. We are about three hours behind Xyris in position to support any action that she engages in. There has been no action to report except for light skirmishing with cavalry elements of an unidentified Imperial force. Losses have been light and my artillery train is moving along at a fair pace.”

          Liatris nodded and turned to her two remaining commanders, expecting their reports. Carica was the first to speak.

          “All artillery under my direct command is moving along Road 476 as ordered. We have ample supplies of ammunition for the upcoming battle and expected siege. But I do request that all of our artillery be placed under my direct command and removed from legion commander’s control.”

           “You know I can’t do that.” Liatris sighed. “My legion commanders would not allow it. So unless I order a grand battery be assembled the legion’s artillery will remain under the commanding generals control. Understood?”

           “Yes my lady.” An obviously disappointed Carica said and stepped into the background.

            Liatris turned to Scipius, who gulped.

           “I’ll deal with you after this meeting is over.” Liatris said coldly. “We have much to discus.”

           “Well I have nothing to report other than I find this assignment extremely boring.” Exona said before Liatris could speak a word.

           “You have not spoken to Oksana or Imkza?” Liatris asked.

           “Nope. But I know what message they had.” Exona said as a smirk formed on her face. “Shall I tell them or do you want to?”

            At that moment Liatris decided she really didn’t like the blue haired sprite. She looked over her generals who were now watching her and took a breath.

            “I have been informed that out allies have surrendered to the Imperial forces and Temi and Soinee have seized power in a coup and deposed Meleny. We are now alone in this war that they started, but rest assured one which we will finish without their help.”

           Everyone in the room was silent. They knew the Western Kingdom was on the verge of collapse and that Meleny was becoming more erratic and ordering attacks they no longer had the soldiers for. Her suicide attacks were highly unpopular with the kingdom’s remaining soldiers and were demoralizing. She would not listen to reason and surrounded herself with sycophants who whispered lies in her ears and thus added to her delusions.

           Lysander was the first of her generals to speak.

           “Upon hearing this news I advise retreating back to our borders immediately. This campaign has lost all importance because without the Western Kingdom’s support our position is unsustainable here. If we take Lake Town we could not hope hold it and we would soon be besieged and be forced to surrender. Our last army should be used to protect the Crimson Wood and the surrounding lands from the inevitable invasion the Imperials will launch.”

           “I agree with Lysander.” Canna said. “We would be better off conserving our last field army. You know we only have one veteran legion left in our lands and it is under strength. The other two are made up of the last of our reserves. They are under trained and I believe that they could not withstand an Imperial attack. But whatever you decide Liatris I will obey your orders.”    

           “I think we should try and destroy the army that we are engaging at the moment and the retreat and burn everything in our path.” Linaria said.

           “That would accomplish nothing child.” Lysander said quietly.

           “Did you call me a child?” Linaria said angrily as her face began to redden.

          “Yes, I did.”

          “How dare you! You have offended my honor and I demand satisfaction!” Linaria shouted.

          “Oh this will be good. Little Liatris verses the veteran warrior. I wonder who will win…” Exona said smiling. “This should be good entertainment.”

            Linaria turned to face Exona and scowled. “Stay out of this sprite!”

            “Or what? Going to kick my ass too?”

            Before Linaria could reply Liatris slammed her fists into the table, cracking it.

            “ENOUGH!” Liatris shouted. “We do not have time for this! Xyris, what is your opinion?”

            “My opinion won’t change your mind, will it, Liatris? Therefore I will remain silent and lead my legion to the best of my abilities and follow your orders.” Xyris said quietly and looked away to avoid the looks Canna and Lysander were giving her.

            Liatris took a deep breath. “We will continue this campaign as planned except we will destroy Lake City and not occupy it. After it is destroyed we retreat and leave path of destruction the likes the Empire has never seen. That will break their will to fight and they will agree to our terms for peace.”

            No one spoke but after a few moments all but Lysander nodded in agreement.

           “Good. Now continue to the concentration point at Littleton at your best speed. Brush aside all Imperial units away. Lysander remember what I said about dispatching only one of your divisions to guard your artillery train. Dismissed.”     

           The generals came to attention and saluted and each took a copy of the map they had been reading from Azalee as they exited the building.

           “I hope you know what you are doing old friend.” Xyris said to Liatris as she left the building, leaving Liatris alone with her thoughts.

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           As Xyris and Linaria mounted their horses and prepared to return to their respective legions the younger fairy looked over at the veteran general and spoke in a quiet voice.

           “Do you think we have a chance, Xyris? Can my Mother pull this off?”

           Xyris shook her head sadly and spurred her horse and galloped off followed by her staff and escort, leaving Linaria wondering if they had a chance to win this upcoming fight. The words of Canna and Lysander haunted her. She then headed off toward her legion.