Chapter 33

In another week's time, the 25,000 men set off to the northwestern border of the kingdom that borders the elves. The army consists of three cannon batteries of 18 guns, cavalry of both light and heavy skirmishers, and line infantry making up the majority of numbers.

They set from St. Petersburg. While marching in columns, the people watch, wondering why the army is on the move again. Many have never seen the Russian army being so active in a short period. As citizens, they begin to gossip.

"I heard from my wife's cousin's neighbor who has a friend in the army that we may go to war with the elves?" says a normal man to his friend next to him. Others around perked their ears up to listen.

"what I also heard is that the Tsar fell for the queen but she rejected him so that's why there may be war," he continues.

"What nonsense," another person who is listening says. "I heard it's because the elves are acting first because the Tsar rejected the queen, so we are preparing to defend the borders."

"no, no, no. You, men, know nothing. The Tsar is showing off to impress the queen of the elves. I heard she is beautiful after all," this continues on and on with different stories and rumors spreading.

This corps is commanded by Lieutenant General Yuli Grigorev. He leads the columns at the front on horseback with his staff. After another week of walking, they arrive they stop 2 miles or 3 kilometers away from the border. Once in place, the soldiers start to rest and set up tents. They also began to take care of their horses and weapons, while others take out pots and other tools from the supply cart to cook.

He stands outside on a grassy plain with his staff looking through their telescope. With a rough voice Grigorev says.

"gentlemen, the elves have 2 more weeks before their deadline and still no response. In case they send an army up, I want all guns facing them. Also, send the 7th hussars to scout the border and see if there is anywhere else we could either flank or get flanked." His staff nod. They had a map. It would have been easier, but seeing as they don't, they can only use scouts to check the terrain.

"The flat grassy land is in our favor but should be the same for them as well," he continues, looking around with his telescope "have 47th and 31st line infantry with the 10th jagers move up as well. Hopefully, this will let them know how serious we are."

"Lieutenant General, if the elves refuse and we go war, we can beat them here, but more into their land we go. We will lose our advantage since it mostly forested," a staff member states his opinion.

"Yes, I'm aware. The orders from St. Petersburg state that in case of war then we can just burn the forest," he answers the staff member "and the Tsar personally said we can just grow back the forest ourselves or just us is for farming or something else." Everyone nods and goes to carry out their tasks.

"Your Majesty! Your majesty!" An elf runs into the throne room panicking with a paper and to give the queen. This is in Avalon. The elders are already in the throne room since they were discussing or, more like, arguing about the Russian situation. The opinions are divided into three, the queen should marry, just build defenses and finally attack the Russians first. They stopped seeing the messenger had something to report and, by his expression and manner, it was not good. The queen reads the letter and her expression changes to a frown.

"what is it, your majesty?" an elder asks

"Russians are on the border. More than 15,000," she tells them.

The elder's faces change as they know how serious the Russians are. They can no longer attack first, so now their options are to either be defensive or marry off the queen.

"send out an army to the border as well. We need to at least show the Russians it won't be easy and maybe delay time," the queen suddenly says, as this is the best option right now. She is more leaning towards the marriage and it's not a complete loss, seeing as he will technically still be in charge. At most, it would be the family clans who will suffer and lose interest.

As a monarch, it's not always good to be stubborn, and she has also heard of what the Russian did in Arcadia.