Chapter 135: Marshaling of Force (1/2)
Emmanuel nursed a growing headache as he watched the airship descend a second time. Using Space Magic quickly, like he did earlier, always left him with a sharp pain at the back of his head, for some reason. Having to hastily deflect the shots from the airship's cannons, and dealing with the subsequent waves of enemy soldiers had been straining. Quite frankly, it was all a bit much for an old man like himself.
”It seems we have escaped disaster this time, old friend. Although, it could have gone better.” The Headmaster spoke up, having arrived silently, as was his custom outside of meetings. Emmanuel glanced at him, and took in Alexander's torn and bloody clothes. It looked like he had been fighting on the front lines.
”How bad was it?” He felt himself asking, despite not truly wanting to know.
”Ten instructors, 32 students, and roughly 153 staff members were killed over the last couple of days. We are still tallying the injured.”
”Gods…the fight looked rough from my vantage, but I didn't think we would be losing so many.” The mage replied while shaking his head, and then immediately regretting it, as his head throbbed in response.
”Most of the staff casualties were caused earlier, as the enemy's agents killed and replaced whole sections of the guard without anyone noticing.”
”Is that possible?” Emmanuel replied in disbelief.
”It shouldn't be, but they evidently found a weak spot in our security.” Alexander shook his head, as if dispelling the dark thoughts. ”Anyway, most of the remaining deaths were actually caused by the monsters that were released shortly after the enemy's arrival. Even as we speak, there are still a few which have apparently gone to ground somewhere on campus. Since we don't know exactly how many were released, the guards will be combing the University for the next few days.”
Emmanuel swallowed hard. It felt like his headache was only getting worse now. ”I can have a few of the Magic Department instructors sweep the campus as well. There are a couple that are skilled sensor type magic. They should at least be able to narrow down the monsters' locations.”
The Headmaster patted him on the shoulder. ”Thank you. That would be most helpful. In the meantime, I want to issue a curfew. No student should be outside after ten bells. Additionally, I'm going to issue a recommendation that all personnel should travel in groups until the situation is resolved.”
The mage frowned, ”So we aren't closing the University until the danger has passed? The student's families won't like that. Although, they'll probably be furious about this whole situation to begin with.”
Alexander hesitated, before shaking his head with a sad smile. ”Under ordinary circumstances, I would agree, but considering recent developments, we can't afford to let the student body disperse.”
A cold chill started creeping up Emmanuel's spine. ”What happened?”
Looking around to check for eavesdroppers, Alexander continued. ”I've received word that the Northern Army was wiped out.”
”What?! How?”
”Keep your voice down. The last thing we need right now is a panic. They were apparently ambushed at a river crossing by a combined force of Tennundians and orcs from the Ash Mountains. Preliminary reports list their numbers at close to twenty thousand. With the force laying siege to Kadin Citadel, we looking at nearly thirty thousand taking part in the invasion.”
It was a sobering thought. Even though Almir could field a force of well over one hundred thousand under the right circumstances, doing so in the middle of an undeclared civil war, was impossible. With the Western Army still in disarray, the Northern Army effectively destroyed, and the Central Army still in process of mobilization, there was little they could do to halt the Tennundian advance.
The Headmaster continued. ”The only good news to come of this, is that Marshal Jurien was delayed on the road by an assassination attempt on Prince Johnathan, who was riding with them.”
”That's good news? What happened to the prince?”
”It meant she avoided sharing Marshal Forint's fate, at the very least. According to the last report I received, the prince was still in critical condition. There is some uncertainty about whether he will live.”
”I see…” Emmanuel had no particular affection for the prince, since, by all accounts the man was a bit of a meathead. However, his death would alter the balance of power among the royal heirs. It would likely mean the ascension of the Second Prince, who would have the best claim to the throne. This, in turn would cause problems for the University, which was currently seen as tacitly supporting the Third Prince and Princess, even though they tried hard to remain neutral in the matter.
”In any event, Marshall Jurien is now attempting to rally the Western Army, no doubt seeing it as the best chance of resisting the invasion. They will need to assemble from their garrisons and fall back to the Ophon River, or risk being flanked and crushed against the ocean.”
Emmanuel was stunned as he realized the implications of Alexander's words. ”She's abandoning the Western Marches….”
The Headmaster sighed, suddenly looking much older than he already was. ”Yes. Although, I doubt she has much choice in the matter. If Jurien can't get them moving in time, we are looking at the potential destruction of over half of the country's regular fighting force, as well as the loss of three Marshals.”
A sudden realization struck the mage. ”You've been asked to return to service, haven't you?”
Alexander Potrarian, once known as the Hammer of Almir, met his old friend's gaze. ”The Prime Minster has asked me to take charge of the Central Army, and all auxiliary forces in the capital region.”
”Did you accept?”
”I did. You know me, Emmanuel, I could never turn my back on my country in its time of need.” The Headmaster, and soon to be Marshal replied.
The mage nodded. ”I know. When will you be issuing the Call to Arms?”
”Soon. Probably in the middle of next week. There are a few administrative niceties I must undergo, before I can exercise my full authority. Until that time, we should do everything we can to prepare the students. With the lion's share of the Central Army's experienced fighters following Marshal Jurien, the University may very well be our best hope.”