Proofread by Thomas F
"You can begin, Jran," said Shaun to the thin orc man.
The man nodded and tapped on the table; immediately, the images of the four were projected above.
I am in the conference room, with Generals of the army and people from the intelligence group. It is an intelligence briefing on Marchioness Arenthal.
She is leaving Haltav; she will march through the mainland, collecting her army, which is in different regions.
"Thank you, Director," the orc said before turning to the projected faces. "Marchioness Arenthel and these three will be the main powerhouses of her offensive against the region."
He stated and tapped on the runes. Immediately, the three images moved into the background, and the Marchioness's face became more pronounced.
"Marchioness Valerienne Arenthel, the 26th Marchioness of Bermant; she spent all her childhood on the family's private island on Namdar." "The Marquess shifted her there within months of her birth, given her prominent elvish features."
I looked at the woman; she looked like a classical half-elf; it was clear with a single glance that thick elvish blood ran in her veins.
"She left the island the moment she turned fifteen."
"Going to Nezar first, before Oton and even Mayhurst. She worked as a mercenary; it was from that she had gathered most of her trusted men. Including a Great-Mage, who is her friend."
"She has massive battle experience and is a capable commander, with a peculiar style."
That worried us most.
The woman sometimes seems too cautious, but other times, suicidal. The thing is, she does well in those suicidal strategies. In many battles, where there is barely any chance, she comes out victorious.
It does not always succeed, but it happens often enough to take her extremely seriously.
"We believe she has an unconventional class that supports her drastic style of command, that we need to be cautious of," he stated.
"Such classes are weak in some circumstances, but strong in others. It makes them extremely dangerous," stated Hiren. To that, others nodded.
"On the island, I had come across such people, and I would suggest we remain extremely cautious," warned Shaun.
"We will," replied Stone.
A moment later, the image of the Marchioness faded, and the image of a man in his sixties appeared.
"Viscount Jaol Larcastle of Teral, a friend of the Marchioness's father. He was one of the nobles who were average, but rose during the adversity."
"He had been fighting constantly since the enemy attacked his territory. While doing that, he turned his conventional army into a purely defensive one."
"Our intelligence states that he has an army of twelve thousand; all of them are defensive fighters," stated the man. Everybody became serious hearing that.
"Twelve thousand is not a big number, but it is when it's purely defensive," said Hiren. Everybody nodded, including me.
Defensive force is very important; it's why I am spending so much on Bandstone and her elites. There is also a plan to create a division of non-elite defensive fighters.
We have already started on that plan, but require specialized training. It would take years before it came into an effective force.
The image changed, and a middle-aged man appeared in front of us.
"Hartor Vark, of Vark Mercenaries. He is a classic mercenary whom she had paid a massive amount of money for his services. He is powerful; he and his men are especially good for the crowded battle." He stated.
We have tried to make him break the contract he has with Arenthel, but the man didn't agree.
"According to our intelligence, he is working for the Marchioness, not only for the money but also to repay a favor."
"She had saved him and his men in Mayhurst."
It is what makes things difficult. We can't just throw essence and money and expect people to turn. Yes, it works with some, not with all. Many are friends, some are relatives who go back decades, and some owe favors to each other.
These are the bonds that couldn't simply be broken with money, essence, or threats.
"He is powerful, but conventional. Dealing with him won't be a problem as long as we send the right powerhouse against him," said Hiren.
That I agree, and we already discussed people who could deal with him effectively, if he were to attack us.
"Kadira Baraz, Nezarian Great Mage of Fire Element. Our intelligence states that the two met nearly two decades ago. The woman said to be part of the first mercenary company Marchioness had joined and had been a mentor to her."
"Their bonds run deep; the Great Mage received offers from kingdoms and academies, but she didn't take any."
I sighed, hearing that.
She is what makes Arenthel so dangerous, along with her unpredictable style—a Great Mage, pyromancer no less; the most destructive of all elements.
"Have you got information on that rumor?" I asked Shaun, and he shook.
"No, I cannot yet confirm that the Marchioness has some skill, which could increase the power of a Great Mage," he replied. It's a disturbing rumor; we have yet to verify.
Amplification skills are rare, and when they are in the hands of someone as powerful as Marchioness Arenthal, they become extremely dangerous.
Marchioness Arenthal isn't a warrior, like a mercenary, but a noble; a high-ranking one at that.
Her class is powerful even among high-ranking nobles, which means her skills are powerful.
"These are the main powerhouses, but she had gathered many other powerhouses as well, along with her own people," said and tapped on the runes.
Immediately, over twenty images appeared, some of them are very troublesome.
Seeing that, I sighed but continued and listened. Dealing with her will not be easy, but I have prepared. If she comes, she will get a battle she will never forget in her life.
…
Marchioness Arenthal
"Travel safely," I said to the man beside me. "Don't worry, Captain. I will," he replied with a carefree grin.
I know him. I don't have to worry, but I do. Both Silver and Viremont had been intense with interference. It is why I chose Aner; he can deal with any surprises that might spring up.
I said nothing further and looked ahead, where lines and lines of men were moving toward the ships.
The ships will sail toward Inam, where they will stay, until I reach it.
I wish I could go with them, but I could not. More than half of my forces are in the empire. I will move through the mainland, collecting as I move toward Inam.
If I hadn't gone personally, I might not have been able to bring my army on time with all the interference Silver and Viremont had created.
If not for that, the force I would have been bringing would have been much larger.
Finally, the last of the men had entered the ship, and he turned to me.
"Take care, Captain. I will meet you in Inam." He said and walked toward the ship. "Don't worry, he is more than capable of dealing with anything they might spring on him."
I nodded, but still I worry.
We have been through thick and thin. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if something happened to him.
"How long will it take for all of them to gather?" I asked, and I am not talking about my forces in the empire. "In two weeks, they will gather before making the journey."
"They will reach Inam before we do," replied Kadira, with a smile. I smiled as well.
When I returned to the empire, I didn't bring all my men because of the empire and its human supremacist policies. Now, I am going to Renwell; I contacted them all.
Over 80% accepted the call. I am excited to see them again after years and fight with them again.
I will be more confident of achieving my goal once they join me.
I stayed until the ship left before I returned to my carriage. I will leave in a few hours with Kadira and my guards; they are the only people left of my army.
"I am going to miss it," I said as I looked around; I am not talking about the city, but what is beyond it.
The place I am going is the wasteland. There are no turquoise or emerald hills. The only thing, it has a vast wasteland, but it is the only place we could go.
I want it to be a home. I have never been there since I was born, but that's not possible with all I have experienced.
"Don't worry, we'll make that place our home. It's not like heaven couldn't be built in a wasteland," she replied, and I smiled. One of the most beautiful places I have seen is in a wasteland.
"We will," I promised.