31 Destiny changing

Olmaria and Lubersitan are two small states located north of the main continent. Both are part of a small peninsula. Olmaria borders with the most central countries of the continent while Luberistan has beaches suitable for maritime trade.

For centuries the two kingdoms have faced each other in periodic wars. About every twenty years, one of the two finds a pretext to invade the neighboring land. The last war was started by Olmaria. The old king, father of the current, wanted to expand the borders of the kingdom to the ports of Luberistan. The opposing army, after the first defeat, managed to drive back the invaders across the border.

This time the roles are reversed. The current king of Luberistan, to gain consensus, promised new lands to his people. That's why, with an excuse, war was declared.

Both armies are waiting along the border, a natural barrier formed by the mountains. The war was expected for some time so both nations are ready to face each other. Neither of them wants to find themselves in a disadvantageous situation by being found standing on the wrong foot in the mountainvalleys by the enemy.

For the moment there have been only a couple of fights between scouts of the two armies. Both forces have deployed fighters born near the mountain range for scouting. And from this point of view too, the two nations are equivalent.

Olmaria's spies report that among the ranks of the enemy one can count several mercenary companies. During the last month, these small armies have come from all over the continent through the ports.

General Gregor talking to Simon "I'm worried. The enemy's army, counting the mercenaries, is in proportion two to one with ours. Too many mercenaries thirsty for money. It is not the usual war between neighbors. If their troops were able to overcome the mountains we will not be able to stop them. Moreover, when the mercenaries pass, there will be nothing left to rebuild. They are not here to conquer but only to make money. "

"I see. What do you plan to do? "Asks Simon while carefully examining the man in front of him. The general is a robust middle-aged man. Even without knight's armor, his austere and imposing appearance inspires fear and respect. Compared to the previous time, Sir Drevor proved to be a thoughtful and calm person. Every action taken to date has been evaluated and discussed several times.

Drevor "I really do not know. I was counting on asking your teacher. As you know, he's a man who thinks outside the box, he could be the person who could unlock this situation. "

Simon knows that this request has cost the general a lot. Since arriving he has spoken on rare occasions with his uncle and every time in bad fashion.

Simon with sympathetic tone "Tonight I ask my instructor to do a simulation with me. Maybe tomorrow, if you have time, let's talk about the results. "

General "I like people who understand right away. Tomorrow morning, presented to my tent, we will discuss how to start a real battle. "

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In the evening at dinner the boy asks his instructor Jason to help him "Sir Forb, what do you think of this situation? We are still waiting. "

Jason Forb answers "Obviously, if we start we will be slain while if they start they will be halved. Without the right numbers they will not succeed in their intent to march to the capital. If you want to conquer a kingdom, you can not warn them before leaving. They had to run across the border while no one was ready to welcome them. "

At the table the other friends start eating while discussing the daily monotony in the camp.

Simon "The strength of the enemy army lies in the number. The longer the war will be, the more their expenses will be. They can not afford to wait much longer."

Jason "It would be true if it were not that Luberistan, through maritime trade, is richer than Olmaria."

Simon "So numbers and time are against us."

Jason "Exactly! So what would you do? "

Simon "Actually, I wanted to ask you!"

Jason "Hurry up and answer."

The young commander is completely immersed in his thoughts trying to find any solution.

Simon "For the problem of time or, better still, the resources available, I do not have a short-term solution. For the number I am convinced we can do something. "

Jason "I correct you, for the money we could borrow another nation, but this will bring us problems in the future. Always better than being conquered. "

Simon "True. But borrowing money still appears to me as being conquered. "

Jason "Good, keep working that useless head."

At the end of the table, George spills a glass of water on a young archer. The soldier reacts by insulting the other. In short, the matter turns into a small fight. Desmond arrives in time to prevent someone from getting hurt and after scolding both sides he returns to his soup plate.

Jason snapping his fingers in front of the dazed boy's eyes "Wake up! We were talking, do you remember? "

Simon "You're right. But I was not sleeping. I was observing how a fight broke out from nothing. The tension is high, it takes very little to start a fire. "

Jason "Are you understanding?"

Simon "Yes, we must make sure that mercenaries and soldiers from Luberistan collide. Even a small fight could help us distract them. "

Jason "Ok, the idea is good but how do you think you can succeed? I assure you that, not counting crazy ideas, I have nothing in mind either. "

Simon "In fact, only a crazy idea can make it."

In a corner of the camp, a few dozen meters from the two, Elza the divinity of Fate, happy with her contribution. A small event desired by fate has triggered a series of events.

In a hurry Simon gets up from the bench and without finishing to eat, he starts walking quickly towards the tent of the dwarves. In the head a thousand thoughts and theories. "How to do it? First of all, you have to cross the border. With the dwarves we can do something to send some soldiers over the border. The second part is the most difficult. How can I crack the relationship between mercenaries and soldiers. I have something in mind, I will need someone with the experience or the ability to enter and exit the enemy camp without being seen. "

The tent of the dwarves opens up letting the commander enter. The dwarves are working on very simple devices. "How many cloaks do we have?"

One of the artisans "For the moment only seven."

Simon "It's ok, let's supend the job. I need you to prepare me some very special devices. "

The dwarf "What would that be?"

Simon "I want my seven soldiers with the chameleon-like cape to be able to walk in the snow without leaving any traces behind, they must be as light as feathers."

The dwarf "It can be done, but the problem of the wind remains. If they are too light they could fly away. "

Simon "You're right. It's not good then. "

The other dwarf intent on enchanting a cloak "I must be overthinking it but if we create a device to create the snow. With that they could cover the tracks. Obviously if they are under the enemy's eye this will not help. But if they hide, they will be able to avoid being followed or to discover them after some time. "

Simon "Risky, but for the moment I have no other ideas."

Without a word, the young commander rushes out of the tent towards the camp of Count Zacharias' soldiers.

Commander Eric Pool is standing in front of the refectory. Simon approaches decisively. "Commander Eric? I need your help. There is no one among my men with the skill and experience I seek. I wanted to know if there are any soldiers among your troops able to infiltrate an enemy camp? "

Eric "Always direct I see. I have someone but I'm not convinced I want to help you, I feel you're inventing something absurd. "

Simon "Obviously I can not guarantee for the safety of the soldier. But I can share the plan to make sure that the interested person can choose of his own free will. I'm going to send some of my men and ask the general for help from the king's soldiers. "

Eric "So let me participate in this thing. I want to hear this plan with my ears. Only if I am convinced by your words will I leave to my man the possibility of going on a mission. "

Simon "Well, now I have to go and look for other people with the same skill and experience, see you tomorrow morning at the general's tent. We will discuss it all together. "

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The old Jason, left alone at the table, asks "What idea did that boy have? It would be incredible if Simon made us survive this battle. It would mess up my plans to die on a battlefield or at least put them back. "

Elza instead stops to talk with the strange animal perched on the shoulder of the old strategist "Are you here to take him away?"

The strange deformed black bird "I wait. I do not know if it will be today or tomorrow. It seems that something is changing. Every day I pass here, the smell of death is fading more and more. "