The March into the Trap
The empire's banner flew high, snapped taut by the cold wind.
Beneath it, thirty thousand soldiers advanced onto the plain before Helikel Canyon.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
The sheer mass of that movement alone flooded the open ground with a taut, electric tension.
The soldiers' breathing, the clatter of armor with every step, the hoofbeats of the officers' mounts—all of it blended into one vast, rolling thunder.
And at the head of that host, its supreme commander, Velkain, narrowed his eyes from horseback, gaze cold and sharp.
"Split the force into a forward element and a rear support element. The forward element advances while concentrating on the enemy's positions and any ambushes."
"Understood."
"The rear element will safeguard the supplies and stand ready to join the forward element the moment the order is given."
"Yes, Commander."
The four battalion commanders at his side answered at once and relayed the orders down through their officers.
Like ripples spreading across water, the commands rolled outward and the formation of thirty thousand began to shift.
Clatter, clatter, clatter!
Major Luokal was already galloping hard when his aide drew alongside, face puzzled.
"Is it really necessary for the battalion commander to go in person? Give the word and I'll handle it myself."
"Even so."
Luokal's expression turned bitter as he rode on toward the men of the 3rd Company.
When he and his escort arrived, Isaac, the company commander who had been directing the soldiers, came forward at once.
"Hearts of Steel!"
"How stands the situation?"
"No irregularities, sir. We are ready to give our lives the moment the order comes."
"Reassuring."
Luokal nodded and spoke again.
"Our 1st Battalion is assigned to the forward element. Effective immediately we move to the center of the plain and conduct a reconnaissance for enemy strength or ambushes. Of that force, the 3rd Company will… proceed to the center of the plain and establish a temporary formation."
"We will make ready."
"…Are you all right?"
Isaac's unwavering answer made Luokal pause.
Only recently Isaac and Arteon had both returned from operations that had pushed them far past the point of exhaustion. The very fact that the main army could advance at all was because those two had succeeded in their scouting missions. And yet, even now, they had no choice but to send them into the vanguard once more.
"I regret laying such a heavy burden on you again. Your wounds cannot have fully healed."
But Isaac shook his head firmly.
"No one ever steps onto a battlefield in perfect condition. What matters is creating the best possible outcome no matter the circumstances—that is what I was taught."
He glanced briefly to one side.
"I believe the 4th Platoon leader would say the same. So if we are needed, send us without hesitation."
Had they been relegated to the rear out of concern for their injuries, it would only have chafed them more. Both he and Arteon were that kind of man.
Luokal gave a wry smile at the reply, then nodded. The stern face of a commander settled over his features once more.
Click.
He adjusted his helm and turned his horse.
"I'll remember those words. Continue to give your utmost for victory."
"Hearts of Steel!"
Accepting Isaac's salute, Luokal wheeled about and rode for the center of the formation. Looking over the soldiers who stood fully prepared, he spoke in a low, carrying voice.
"First Army—advance!"
Bwoooooooooooom!
The moment Luokal's order fell, the trumpet of advance blared and the ranks began to move.
On either flank the cavalry unfurled like wings, fanning out for reconnaissance, while the infantry in the center rolled forward like a living battering ram.
And beyond the heart of the plain—
"…So they move."
Krelmuk's gaze was already fixed upon them, the gathered warriors of the Kar Tribe arrayed at his back.
"Platoon Leader, are you all right?"
"Don't worry."
The moment the forward element began its advance, Arteon's 4th Platoon moved with it.
The ranks marching straight ahead kept grim faces locked forward, shields rising into place.
It was a disciplined advance. These were soldiers who had drilled the basic forms until the motions lived in their bones, and the addition of regular army units only made the atmosphere heavier, more solemn than usual.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
The pace was not swift, yet the eyes of the officers guiding the men shone with caution.
After all, this was ground the empire was setting foot on for the first time.
Still…
No need for high alert just yet.
The entrance to the plain offered little cover for ambushes and lay open enough that anything could be spotted at a glance.
The real danger starts past the midpoint—where the reed beds and the low hills begin.
That was why the depth of the first push mattered so much.
Of course Legion Commander Velkain would already be weighing every such detail.
…Nothing had better go wrong.
Arteon left the thought as a small knot of unease and kept walking.
Then—
Softly.
"The sun's beginning to fall."
The sun that had climbed overhead was already halfway down the sky.
Given the northern seasons, darkness would come within three hours.
Velkain unrolled a map.
We still haven't crossed the center.
Their speed had not been slow. If anything, they had moved faster than expected. Yet if they meant to establish a temporary position, they needed to begin preparations now.
"We halt here."
"Understood."
Claw, standing at Velkain's side, nodded and immediately passed the order to a runner.
Bwoooooooom!
The trumpet signaling a halt rolled across the entire plain.
As the command followed the call, the non-commissioned officers of each unit hurried to spread the word.
"We establish a temporary camp here! We advance again the moment the sun rises tomorrow, so keep it as simple as possible!"
"Understood!"
"Yes, sir!"
The moment the advance stopped, the soldiers set to work erecting temporary tents.
A northern night spent in the open could freeze a man to death before morning; shelter from the wind was not optional.
Arteon called for Barter, his 1st Squad Leader.
"Barter—get the tents up with your squad, and hurry. Kerion, take your men and bring the rations. We finish the camp and the meal as fast as we can, then rest."
"Yes, sir."
"Platoon Leader's orders! Move!"
Grein relayed the commands at once, setting the platoon in motion.
Arteon walked over to Barter's side and began helping raise the tents himself.
In the north, the first priority is always to keep the body protected from the cold however you can.
And this position…
As expected of the Legion Commander.
Arteon could not hide a flicker of admiration as he worked. Just a little farther and the enemy's positions would have been easier to observe—
But our own would have been just as exposed.
Push past the midpoint and they risked running straight into ambushes waiting in the reed beds and marshland.
This was the ideal spot—close enough to the enemy's formation yet still safe enough for a temporary camp.
So Arteon and his platoon set to work on the tents.
But then—
"Halt! Halt!"
"…?"
A mounted messenger came galloping through, shouting. The men of the 4th Platoon stared in confusion.
"What now?"
"Halt what?"
Barter, 1st Squad Leader, frowned toward the messenger.
Then the cry came again.
"Resume the advance! Recover the temporary tents and prepare to move!"
"…What the hell?"
They had already unpacked every canvas and pole, and now they were supposed to pack it all up again?
The faces of Barter and the rest of the 4th Platoon twisted in disbelief.
At that moment Grein, who had gone for the rations, hurried back to Arteon.
"Platoon Leader—they're saying we move again."
"We just heard. What's going on?"
"They're building the camp about a kilometer ahead, on that small hill."
"…What?"
Arteon's expression hardened in an instant.
Covering a kilometer would not take long, but—
They're establishing the position on the hill?
Madness.
It was a low rise with enough surface area that a camp could be set, true. But once you were actually on it, the ground was uneven; if they came under attack, getting out would be anything but easy.
We could end up isolated on that hill.
One advantage—clearer sight lines to the enemy—was nowhere near enough to outweigh the dangers.
In his previous life they had made the same choice for the same reason, and paid for it in blood.
"They want us to hurry, sir. We have to reach it and dig in before dark."
"…Damn it."
There was no way to reverse an order already issued. For all the private audiences he had been granted with Velkain, going to him now would be a complete collapse of the chain of command.
This can't have been Velkain's decision alone… Which bastard was it?
Arteon scowled and began hastily gathering canvas and poles, preparing to advance once more.
At that same moment—
"Heh. Perfect judgment."
Hadmel, commander of the 4th Battalion, watched the army begin to move again and laughed under his breath.
The terrain his own reconnaissance party had found would, he was certain, give them both safety and a clear view of the enemy.
Worth pressing the Legion Commander so hard for this.
The choice might even earn him a modest share of the credit later.
As the great host stirred once more, Hadmel swung into the saddle and rode forward with his men.
But elsewhere—
"…They're crossing the center of the plain?"
"It appears they're moving toward the hill beyond the midpoint."
"Fools. They've walked straight into the plain's trap."
Marhuldan, the Kar commander watching the imperial army from the front, let his lips curl into a long, predatory smile.
He had kept watch here on the off chance—and sure enough, the enemy was heading for the hill.
Given the remaining distance, they would arrive just as the sun was setting.
"The sun will be gone before they finish securing the hill and forming ranks."
Night came early in the north.
Earlier, and darker, than the empire expected.
Marhuldan turned to the subordinate at his side.
"Report it. In four hours."
Before the imperial idiots could fully establish their formation—
"We will tear the flesh from their bones."
At least a thousand would bleed on that hill. And to begin it—
"I will move myself."
"Yes, sir!"
The subordinate answered and raced away.
And as darkness began its slow descent—
"Circle through the reed beds. Move quietly."
More than a thousand Kar warriors began to slip forward in silence.