In the same hall... the King, Leon, Ken, the Supreme Commander of the Army, the Duchies of the Sixteen Families, and the advisors of war and military logistics. Gathered around the table, and before them lies a map of the eastern region of the kingdom.
The war advisor moves toward the middle of the table and places a red stone marker around the border cities (Vara, Asou, Gribia)...
"Before you is the eastern map of our kingdom.These are the three border cities: Vara, Asou, and Gribia...
Gribia here... (he points with the stick) the closest city to the eastern border, only a quarter of a night away for the Savinian army if they move quickly. A medium-sized city, with a population of about 15 thousand people. Its military garrison is fewer than 1000 soldiers approximately, most of them new recruits. Its defenses... to be honest with you, its walls remind us of the walls of ancient ages, and some of its fortresses are in need of repairs that have not been done for two years.
Asou here... (he points to another location) to the southwest of Gribia. This is the artery of the entire region. Asou is the largest of the three cities, with a population nearing 30 thousand people. But more important than its size is its strategic location. From Asou branch all the roads leading to the two cities and the surrounding villages. It is the beating heart of the eastern region. Its garrison is slightly larger, around 1000 soldiers, but most of them are also border guards rather than regular army troops.
Vara here... (he points west of Gribia) the smallest of the three cities, its population does not exceed 7 thousand people. At first glance it may appear the least important, but strategically it is the most dangerous. Why? Because the only safe road that connects the east to the west, the road that links the capital to Asou, passes through Vara first. From Vara one can reach Asou, and from Asou to Gribia and the rest of the region. Whoever controls Vara holds the key to accessing the three cities...
If the Savinians move now, they can reach Gribia in a quarter of a night. Gribia will fall within hours. From Gribia, they will move southwest to Asou, which will fall within a day at most. And from Asou, they will control all the roads leading to the region. As for Vara... Vara is the greatest weak point. If they reach Vara first, they cut the only safe road to Asou and the rest of the cities, and Asou and Gribia become besieged without supplies."
Then the Supreme Commander of the Army says the sentence that changes the atmosphere:
"We have 190 thousand registered soldiers…Those capable of fighting within two weeks do not exceed 41 thousand."
Silence...
The Supreme Commander continues:
"The weakness of the upcoming movements is due to four reasons: our forces are distributed across other fronts because of the recent movements, senior officers are scattered, the internal tensions have not fully settled, and most importantly some noble families have not restored their full loyalty after the previous events."
Duchess Solaris says:
"This should have been considered before provoking Savina."
Leon replies sharply:
"Do you call defending our land provocation?"
She turns to him with a calm look...
Duke Valerian:
"So can we defend ourselves then?Or would you prefer we turn toward negotiation and friendly discussions?Do we sacrifice three cities to save the rest?"
The Supreme Commander of the Army speaks:
"Your Majesty, honorable members of the council...In my capacity as the Supreme Commander of the Army, and after listening to the report of the military planner, I propose the following:
We immediately send an advanced force of 30 thousand soldiers toward the eastern cities.The objective of this force is not attack, but to stabilize the front and buy time. Their mission:
Reinforce the defenses of the three cities (Vara, Asou, Gribia)Secure the only road between Vara and AsouDisplay a military presence that deters any rapid Savinian movementGain sufficient time to gather the rest of our forces scattered across the other fronts."
Leon responds hastily and firmly:
"I will lead it."
Those in the council turn and look toward him. The commander responds:
"I refuse."
Leon:
"Why not??"
The commander:
"Yes, you are a winning card, and that is exactly the reason for not sending you. A winning card is not played early, it is kept for the decisive moment. I will send someone whose loss can be endured, not someone I cannot do without."
Leon:
"I appreciate your regard for me, but allow me to disagree. I will lead it. Not because I am the best, but because I... (Leon closes his eyes remembering glimpses of his presence in the eastern border cities..) because I am the only one the soldiers trust in a situation like this. And I am certain I am suitable for this role for now until reinforcements arrive. You remain here to plan, and I go there to execute. This has been my role from the beginning.Do not send someone else to die there in vain. Send me to win, not to let someone else lose the battle in my place."
(Silence for a moment)
"This is my decision. And if you see otherwise..."
The commander looks at him for moments... then turns toward the King...
"Very well.. you will go.But listen to me carefully, and open your eyes now:
First: you are there to stabilize the front, not to move a single step toward the enemy. No attack, no provocation, no adventures.Second: if the enemy sends a message, ignore it. If he sends a delegate, receive him coldly. If he insults you, smile. And if he laughs at you, laugh with him and then return to your position.Third: the first sign I see that our army advanced a single distance without my order, I will relieve you immediately and send others in your place. This is not a threat, this is a promise.Fourth: your only mission: buy time. An extra day, an extra week, any time you gain means the rest of the army will arrive. Lose the time, lose the battle before it begins.And fifth and finally: I trust your sword, but today I place my trust in your patience. Do not disappoint me."
The Head of Logistics interrupts the discussion sharply, holding a file he had just closed:
"Commander sir, before we send a single soldier... we know nothing about the condition of the supplies and warehouses in the east. We do not know whether they are full or empty, we do not know whether they contain enough for a week or a single day. And there are no recent reports about their status. Moreover, we must first study the supply routes and secure the lines of provision, otherwise thirty thousand soldiers will be a burden before they are a force."
The commander responds:
"And how long will it take you to study the situation and secure the resources immediately?"
The Head of Logistics replies:
"I cannot secure that immediately, but I also will not exceed two weeks."
The King:
"Duke Faedor, Duke Draconis, and Duke Phoenixar... begin gathering your forces.Do not move until a direct order from me reaches you... as for the rest, I give you the order to move now."
The council dispersed, and everyone left. Their footsteps faded in the distant corridors. Ken remained standing alone before the map, the candles around him casting moving shadows on the walls. He placed his finger on a border point, then slowly moved it along the red line separating the two kingdoms. He stopped at Vara, then Asou, then Gribia.
He whispered in a voice barely audible:
"Thirty thousand... only thirty thousand."
Then he extinguished the candle near him, and walked out into the darkness.