Coup (2)

Dull, grey clouds covered the skies as rain started to slowly drop down onto the sentry's cold armour. Looking up, he calculated the time as the group were ordered to pitch up camp. With the tents set up, the sentry started walking down and inspecting the soldiers. They all had nervous looks on their faces, but tried to keep it in. The world had been in peace and the thought of war had never occurred to them.

Looking at the young recruits, his attention was then brought onto the main tent where the Emperor was situated. He was only 13, the sentry wondered what the Emperor was feeling now.

Inside the main tent, the atmosphere was solemn as the commanders were in a heated discussion. Each of them suggested a different form of approach, while one wanted to storm the enemy camps, another wanted to defend from the city. Amadeus sat there at the main seat absorbing their tactics like a sponge. Tomorrow, would be the day where they will be entering the battlefield. As the commander, more importantly, the Emperor, Amadeus was not to enter frontlines.

The Blades were his personal troops and would only enter with him if the situation called for it. A sigh involuntarily left his mouth as it attracted the attention of everyone in the tent. Although, he didn't plan for it, Amadeus brushed it off as he looked through all the information gathered from the spies.

The room descended into silence and only the sound of flipping pages could be heard. Amadeus looked at one of the papers.

- Commander of the southern border -

- Glend Bearson -

- Bear Demi-human -

…

Amadeus frowned at what was written. His father had a good eye, so he hadn't expected someone that he had chosen would go against the Empire. It seems that Amadeus succeeding the throne was not approved by some people, the traditions of the of the Dragon clan was not in line with some people's thinking. Probably in their eyes, it was stupid for someone young to take the throne.

His thoughts then drifted towards after the war, he needed to think of the future ahead. What would the repercussions be if they used such tactics, the post war etc. All that paperwork…

"Take a rest for now, we will start marching at the first sight of dawn and set up camp here."

He pointed at a certain location that wasn't far from the enemy camp but wasn't close at the same time.

"From now on, kill everything in sight. Demi-humans have a high population of druids and can communicate with animals."

After giving out a few more instructions, Amadeus watched the commanders leave the tent one by one. Seeing the last commander leave, Amadeus leaned back and slumped. Irene was there as she worriedly looked at him. His maids entered and started serving him. Playing with the small tanto he received from his grandmother, he stabbed the said tanto onto a section of the map.

His eyes were incomprehensible as he stayed there looking deeply at the place where the tanto had landed. He paid no further attention as he got up and started making his way towards his resting place.

His maids followed him out, not glancing at the tanto even out of curiosity. Only the fluttering of the wind could be heard, and a pair of eyes landed at where the Tanto was stabbed. The said figure disappeared into the shadows while a smile appeared on Amadeus' face as he carried on walking.

The next day, at the first sight of dawn, the camp was already dismantled, and the soldiers were ready to go. The only evidence remaining was the messy footprints left on the muddy ground. Marching through the forest, all animals and insects were slaughtered while magicians specialising with plant life got to work. This was the first interaction the two sides will have. A hidden battle for information, whatever information either side could bring would give them an edge.

The mud from yesterday's rain did no damage to the men's morale. It wasn't long until they reached the edge of the forest and boundless fields came into view. Celer came next to Amadeus as the two made their way forward.

"It seems they are aware we are here now."

Looking at the single bird flying the sky, Amadeus did nothing to stop their position from being revealed.

"It's all up to you now Celer…"

Amadeus looked at his friend and moved his horse next to his. Putting his hand on his shoulder, Amadeus looked at Celer,

"I'll entrust this side of the battle to you. We will follow the plan; you act like I'm still here, while me and the Blades will move tomorrow at dawn. We've had some troubling news from the west…"

Celer nodded and saluted as he started organising the soldiers. It wasn't long when they reached the location of where they would be setting up camp. Defences and tents were raised.

In the enemy camp, Marquis Karzox looked at the intel before a smile reached his face.

"A brat will always be a brat."

Looking up, he looked at the person that was also in the room,

"Commander Glend, inform the troops to remain on high alert and increase the night guards…"

- West Drakonis -

The west of the empire was mostly composed of large flat plains, and on one of these were two separate camps. On one side was the banner of Marquis Evans, composed of a circular wooden shield with a spear and sword crossed behind it with a blue background. On the other side was a black flag that had a red western dragon roaring to the heavens and a long sword facing downwards behind it.

An hour before Amadeus reached the end of the forest, Milo, walked out and looked at one of his attendants who had a grave expression masking his face. Seeing the seriousness of his face did nothing to help prepare for the news that the attendant brought with him. Pushing his attendant out of the way, Milo rushed to the edge of the camps where most of the soldiers were angrily shouting.

"Order!"

His attendant trailed behind him and shouted at the rowdy soldiers. The men immediately quietened down but their rage was clear as day on their faces. Milo understood though, looking towards the enemy camp, hundreds of pikes were erected each fashioning a single head. With his good eyesight, Milo could see the distance, yet this only served to fuel his rage. Despair, fear, rage, all sorts of expressions masked their faces, yet each left a vivid mark in his heart. Faces of old and faces of young, none were spared. Still, Milo couldn't understand why the enemy took such measures.

Milo's hand clenched as his vertical eyes narrowed, wisps of flames shout out of his mouth and lightning streaked across his body to display his anger. Each and every one of his soldiers, were ready to storm the enemy camp yet he knew that it would prove to be futile. Something had been nagging him since the start and he didn't know what.

Still though, it wasn't as if he could just stand there and do nothing about it. Most of the men were looking at him for orders, anger seeping through their eyes. However, one thought remained in his head,

'For what reason was the marquis doing such acts?'

Even for someone that believed in human superiority, such acts were unthinkable, they would usually enslave or kill them.

'Seems we need to act before Amadeus arrives…'

"Attention!"

- South Drakonis -

After pitching up tent, by the time the camp was set it was already dusk. The atmosphere in the camp was sombre, only the sound of fire crackling could be heard. Amadeus stood at the forefront overlooking the city and hills. He could make out smoke in the distance, where the enemy camp was.

There were many eyes on him, to them he was no different from a 13-year-old. Yet when Amadeus turned around, his eyes were calmer than they ever were. No signs of fear or anticipation, nothing.                    As the soldiers bowed their heads, Amadeus nodded and walked back towards the tent. He had to show a calm demeaner otherwise it may negatively affect the troops morale.

As the troops gathered round, Amadeus looked unnerved by the attention placed on him.

"It hasn't even been a year since my coronation yet here, on this very day, I stand in front of you."

Amadeus' childish voice was heard, breaking the silence,

"Not as an Emperor, nor as your superior but as a fellow soldier of the Empire."

Beneath that voice was a resolve,

"In this day and age, war is a word often heard in stories. For the most of you, this will be your first, yet do not make it your last. I do not want to hear the word 'retreat' at any point of time."

A resolve to protect,

"I want to ask you one thing…"

Suddenly, Amadeus eyes' sharpened and he stepped forward, letting out his aura,

"Do you want to let those audacious enemies violate the empire and her people?!"

Pointing in the general direction of the opposite camp, Amadeus got the reply he needed,

"No!"

"Then, you tell me! Will you…"

As 'Amadeus' continued his speech and while the enemy camp was preparing for Amadeus personally attacking them, the boy in question was currently riding with the rest of the blades towards the other battlefront. The endurance of the horses they rode were by far the best, only needing a small rest before carrying on again.