War Pt 1.

Arriving back at his palace after several hours, Prince Cedric beheld the sprawling expanse of land outside, now dotted with encampments taking shape. Descending into the courtyard, he was greeted by Lucius, who promptly briefed him on the situation.

"Sire, I presume you have obtained the king's permission."

"Indeed, I have," Cedric affirmed.

"Very well. As of now, we have a total of 8,000 men who have arrived, with 5,000 hailing from our personal forces. The vassal states have been alerted to the urgency of the matter, and their support has been pledged. We have the necessary troops; we now await their arrival."

"Well done, Lucius. And what forces do we have at our disposal?"

"From the initial reports, we possess 18,000 infantry, 5,000 archers, 1,000 cavalrymen, and 6,000 elemental mages encompassing fire, wind, earth, and water specialties. Additionally, we have light mages among our ranks, with command entrusted to a 6th Kosmos battle mage."

"Excellent. Let us proceed inside and deliberate our strategy while we await the remaining forces."

Prince Cedric and Lucius entered a room in the heart of the castle, which had been repurposed as a war strategy chamber. Maps and scrolls lined the walls, depicting the lands and fortifications of their kingdom and the enemy's territories. As they stepped inside, the room was filled with the presence of skilled commanders and advisors, each responsible for a different unit of their army.

Cedric's authoritative voice resonated through the room. "Gentlemen, we have gathered here to strategize our approach in the upcoming battle for Iztil. Our victory depends on our coordinated efforts and unwavering determination."

Lucius stood by Cedric's side, his gaze sweeping across the room. He began introducing each commander, highlighting their expertise and achievements. "Allow me to present the leaders who will be taking command of our various units."

Lucius first approached a seasoned general, known for his tactical brilliance. "General Aric Hawthorne, you will lead our infantry forces of 18,000 men."

Aric stood tall, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Your Highness, I shall lead our troops to victory and ensure our infantry becomes an immovable force."

Moving on, Lucius approached a skilled archer with a keen eye and steady hand. "Captain Elara Valerius, our 5,000 archers shall be under her command."

Elara nodded with a confident smile. "Prince Cedric, I will rain arrows upon our foes and provide cover for our advancing forces."

Next, Lucius directed his attention to a gallant cavalry commander, renowned for his swift and deadly maneuvers. "Colonel Reynard Firebrand, our 1,000 cavalrymen will follow your lead."

Reynard saluted with unwavering loyalty. "Prince Cedric, I pledge to use our cavalry to strike fear into the hearts of our enemies."

Lastly, Lucius turned to a group of mages, each representing a different elemental affinity. "Mages specializing in fire, wind, earth, water, and light, all of which have reached the 5th Kosmos are under the guidance of a 6th Kosmos Battle Mage Seraphina Coaltan. Your combined strength of 6,000 will be instrumental in breaking down the enemy's defenses."

A figure cloaked in a vibrant robe stepped forward, emanating an aura of authority. "Prince Cedric, I am Battle Mage Seraphina Coaltan. I shall lead the elemental mages and harness their powers to turn the tide of battle in our favor."

"Our first step is to gather intelligence on the city's defenses and assess the strength of the wall. Identify weak points and potential advantages we can exploit. Fire mages, your objective is to demolish the wall. Earth mages, fortify our position and shield our forces. Wind and water mages, disrupt the enemy and hinder their movements. Light mages, tend to our wounded troops on the field."

"The infantry, 18,000 strong, and the 5,000 archers will form testudo formations, advancing behind the elemental mages. This formation will shield us from projectiles and minimize casualties. Each formation should include a fire, earth, and light mage. Deploy 3rd and 4th Kosmos mages at the front, utilizing 5th tier spells."

Cedric turned to Seraphina. "Do you possess telepathy spells?"

"Yes, Your Highness. I can establish a telepathic connection among individuals. It allows for direct communication of thoughts, emotions, and experiences. However, maintaining the spell can be mentally taxing, and the range is limited to 1,000 meters."

"Excellent. Use the telepathy spell to relay my commands."

"Archers, suppress enemy fire and target key positions on the wall. We'll attack from the south, east, and west to divide their forces. Once the wall is breached, cavalry, lead the charge and clear a path for the infantry."

With a nod of approval, Cedric concluded, "Our success hinges on our unity and precision. Now, let us finalize our plans and prepare for victory!"

Two days later, the full force arrived and it was time for departure. As Cedric made his way towards the exit, his mind filled with thoughts of the upcoming battle, Anastasia, with tears welling in her eyes, approached him with a plea. He halted in his steps, turning to face her.

"Prince Cedric," Anastasia's voice quivered with emotion. "Please, I beg of you, bring back Barrett safely. He means everything to me, and I cannot bear the thought of losing him."

Cedric's expression unchanging, his gaze meeting Anastasia's tear-filled eyes and placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, he spoke reassuringly.

"Anastasia, I will do everything in my power to bring Barrett back unharmed. He is our son, and I would do anything to ensure his safety."

A day and a half later in Iztil, a massive city in its own right, home to 110,000 people. It stood there sprawled across the land like a magnificent tapestry woven with threads of history and elegance. It was a city blessed by a gentle river flowing through its center, its sparkling waters meandering through the heart of the bustling metropolis. Iztil was encased within a towering 30-foot stone wall along with two inner walls, whose purpose was segregating nobility from poverty.

The architecture, a blend of classical and modern elements, stood tall and proud, showcasing the skill and artistry of the city's craftsmen. Street merchants peddled their wares, filling the air with the sweet aroma of exotic spices and freshly baked bread. Amidst this harmonious atmosphere, a sudden tolling of a bell shattered the peaceful ambiance. The resonating chimes reverberated through the city, drawing the attention of its inhabitants. Confusion and curiosity flickered across their faces as they cast worried glances at one another, questioning the cause of the disruption.

Within the city lord's grand manor, nestled atop a hill overlooking Iztil, Shadow stood by a window, his gaze piercing the horizon. His expression remained unmoving, masking the depth of his thoughts. As the bell tolled, his lips parted, and in a voice laden with gravity, he uttered only two words "They're here."

At that moment, the tranquil city of Iztil stood on the precipice of a new chapter, its destiny intertwined with the approaching forces and the impending clash that would shape its future.