The Butcher of Gadobhra-Chapter 530: War on three fronts.
The Winter forces stretched across the frozen plains, a massive army of trained troops, beast packs, and horrific monsters not seen in generations. As they marched southward, the ice storms of the far North followed, freezing the deserted lands under a film of ice and heavy snow. Woolly Mumakil pulled heavy sledges loaded high with supplies, and each was a moving fortress with fifty archers. Rime Knights, resplendent in their shining armor, marched under the banners of their Chieftains and Jarls, each a seasoned warrior augmented with spells and magical artifacts. Running ahead of the army were the beast packs and Snarlfangs, bearing the spirits of the Beastmasters, constantly scouting for ambushes. Behind came The Hungry Ones, hairy, twelve-foot-tall yeti with an endless appetite for flesh and violence. And everywhere around the army, guarding its flanks, were the Frozen Dead, zombies with a spark of soul still frozen in their rotten hearts, doomed to be reborn each winter until they were little but animated mud, snow, and bones.
The Winter army had reached Northguard and laid siege to it with a token force as the main army moved south to engage the forces of the Empire. Glacia was frustrated that the warmlanders didn't understand their part in this war. Instead of lining up for a spectacular battle, they maneuvered constantly, engaging only part of her forces and then retreating as if they didn't understand the concept of war. All of the books she had glanced at focused on the large battles that brought glory to their commanders and forged the fate of nations. It was almost as if her counterpart was afraid of glory and battle. Despite the Empire not wanting to stand still and fight, Winter was pushing steadily south, a half-dozen miles a day, bringing Winter with them as the Weather Witches struggled with the winds each day. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖
Eventually, they would come to Wolfsburg, and the Empire would have to fight. Perhaps that was what the Empire General was waiting for? It would be boring to slowly conquer her way there, but she consoled herself with her book. She had finally managed to open it to 'Chapter 37: Why your opponents are idiots and don't deserve your respect.' It gave amazing insight into the proper way to hold oneself aloof as the superior being that she was, and to force her opponents to acknowledge what she had always known, that she was better than them. If she could master the techniques of this chapter and perform them correctly, victory would come without a blow, as her ex-peers and opponents groveled at her feet. She had read it over and over each night while trying to gain access to further chapters of this miraculous tome. It was a painful process, especially the fire and acid mists, but worth it for the unique knowledge. She looked forward to using the technique to defeat her foes and stand triumphant as everyone around her groveled and gnashed their teeth.
The Imperial forces arrayed against Winter were outnumbered several to one, a point abundantly clear to General Themis. They were slowing the advancing army down and making it extend its supply lines, but Winter was gaining territory. Refugees were streaming southward, aided by her roving patrols. Northguard was under siege, with no possible way for her to offer aid. She was amazed that Baron Pinchpenny had held out this long, but he'd always had a strong will and hated to lose a copper coin, let alone his castle. Her thoughts were interrupted by a Courier riding through camp, leaping over tents and ignoring the sentries. Luckily, the army was used to the distinctive style and look of Clan Franklin, and no one tried to shoot him. Not that it would have worked, they were all very good at dodging. The horse skidded to a halt, and the Courier leaped off.
"Word from the Emperor, for General Themis." He ignored her aids and commanders, marching straight to her and handing over a leather satchel.
She looked around at the men and women eagerly awaiting news and knew she needed privacy. "Get some food, or a bath, or sit in a patch of grass. You've got an hour, and we reconvene." They all left, some almost unwillingly. Nobles hated to be told what to do, and she'd had to accept a few on her staff. The career soldiers headed out for beer or a nap, glad of a small break.
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She looked at the Courier, trying to place him. "Beauregard Franklin, if I recall correctly? Do you have any verbal messages?"
"Yes, ma'am. A summary of events. The orcs are advancing in the South. They threw a small, very traditional attack at Fort Higgling with bands of orcs racing forward to climb the walls. General Mumpter sent a fast Courier to Greenburrow for reinforcements since the Fort's teleportation stone is still not working. The orcs were massing in the woods with hundreds of war banners visible. The drums were pounding all night and cooking fires were visible. He ordered the Commander of Greenburrow to march north with all available forces and requested more troops from the north."
"More troops?! Where the hell does he think we can get more troops?"
The Courier kept his face straight, "Above my pay grade, ma'am, but I believe that General Mumpter was a political appointee, given an easy position in the south to secure a voting block of nobles in the north who would then pass the Emperor's plans for expanding the Legion when the general assembly met. That was ten years ago, and the paperwork is still grinding along on the vote."
"Give me the bad news."
"The orcs hit Greenburrow as soon as he left, marching into the city after their onagers knocked down the front gates. The mayor was offered extremely generous terms for immediate surrender, and looting was minimal. Commander Tooley arrived at Fort Higgling to find the attacks were over. Scouting the woods showed a camp with no one in it, campfires still burning, and war banners hanging from the trees. A few goblins that had been banging on the war drums scuttled away at the last second."
Themis felt a migraine coming on and began pacing. "We still hold two teleporters in Midlands and Blackrock, and if that Orc Chief is as smart as he appears to be, he'll be marching on Midlands as soon as he can. I can't pull the troops out of Blackrock, or we risk losing it to the lizards." She spread out the maps, force charts, and new information sent to her from Imperial Intelligence, a misnomer if there ever was one. Finally, she turned to the Courier. If there was nothing here, Gus must have trusted this young man enough to send the information through him.
"What does the Emperor propose? And take a seat, you look dead on your feet."
"I am, thank you." He grabbed for any food left by the nobles and a half-bottle of wine. Then his voice dropped lower as he recited his message.
"My dear Themis, apologies, but I'm going to make your job harder. I need someone with a brain in the South. Take any troops you can spare and teleport to Midlands immediately. We can't lose that portal. Claudia will take command, something she is suited for, especially if fighting a guerrilla war. Her job is to retreat, save lives, and annoy winter. Every step south weakens their power. She'll buy us time.
Rowan and Sedgewick are dealing with an invasion of winter worgs. Rowan repelled the attack, and the beasts are heading to Sedgewick. We only have a couple of hours to send aid, and it can't be troops. If I recall correctly, Master Caldrius has a relationship with a certain Butcher. Get him on a fast horse to the nearest teleporter. He's worth more than twenty of your fire mages. We can't lose the breadbasket that supplies the armies. We are beset by enemies on all sides, and now we get to earn our lofty titles. Good Luck."
Themis was quiet for a moment. "Stuff food in your pockets, find Master Caldrius, and make haste to Sedgewick. If you happen to see Claudia or Harmonia, tell them we need to talk." Beauregard sketched a sloppy salute, grabbed a whole chicken and a loaf of bread, and left the tent. As he rode around the camp, looking for the old Master of Fire, he got lucky, finding him and another mage talking with Harmonia. She saw him coming and shouted out,
"What news? Keep it simple, I can tell something's up."
"Orcs hitting the South, Themis is taking half the army to Midlands. You and Claudia get to buy time and annoy winter. Sedgewick has a wolf problem, and the Emperor asks that Master Caldrius ride with me post haste."
Caldrius stood up, eyes twinkling. "Good, I was getting bored, and I've wanted to visit that interesting little town. Coming, Rastfian? I'm sure they can spare a second Courier with a fast horse."
Rastfian was immediately interested. "Sedgewick, where all the sausage and burney bacon comes from? Count me in."
The camp became a crazed beehive of activity as two faster horses accelerated to the nearest town.
