Chapter 186 - Weight of command (3) (2/2)

”Report, commander!” a messenger came rushing towards Lenia as she considered her options.

There were many aides nearby and also Lenia's personal guards who never left her side. They were mostly decorative though as any enemy Lenia couldn't handle would mean all of their deaths anyway. It was necessary to keep up proper appearance so Lenia allowed for a personal guard to be formed. One of her guards grabbed the report from the messenger and handed it to Lenia. Lenia quickly opened the report and after reading it, the report burned up and turned to ash.

She dismounted from her horse and motioned for her aides to approach. They followed her into her command tent where she immediately approached a table with a map of the terrain on it. It was sparsely furnished with only the bear necessities of what one would need while on the campaign. She was not one known for her ostentatiousness, and instead was quite spartan.

”Casualties were low for our first exchange with the enemy. We had an estimated two thousand casualties, of which approximately three hundred are dead and another four hundred are heavily wounded. The rest can return to fighting after some rest and healing. From our initial reports, it would seem that we inflicted more than fifteen thousand casualties on the enemy and have taken more than two thousand prisoners.” said Lenia proudly to those around her who cheered.

For all intents and purposes, it was an impressive first victory, but they all knew the battle was far from over. It was still just a drop in the bucket and the enemy were mostly slave soldiers and not the elites. Most of the casualties had been on the right flank which was clearly the weakest of Lenia's army formations.

”Even though this was a victory for us, we can't let down our guard. We surprised them with our tenacity, but they will learn from this. The next engagement will be much more brutal, so we need to be cautious. I believe that they will target the right flank, but we also can't rule out a feint. They may fool us into believing that the right flank is their target, but attack us on the left. I am not worried about the central formation. Since we can't rule out a feint, we will split our reserves evenly between the right and left flanks as reinforcements but send more Shamans towards the right flank just in case. Make sure the pikemen are prepared for a potential cavalry charge. Also, prepare additional enchanted stakes and try to prepare a few more fortifications at the base of the hill as a precaution as well. I have already asked Nelay to observe the enemy, so we shouldn't be caught unaware.”

After a bit more thought Lenia added, ”Also, move the cavalry from the central formation to the right flank as well. I am a little worried that they won't be able to hold the line.”

The aides noted Lenia's words and nodded. They quickly left to carry out their orders and preparations while Lenia remained to study the map of the terrain and the temporary blocks that were being used to represent military pieces. She couldn't help feeling uneasy about something, but there wasn't anything else she could think of. She didn't think there were any mistakes in her plan.

Lenia sighed, ”I only want to make you proud master but the burden is so heavy.”

A shadow slid into the command tent and quickly stepped to Lenia's side. The shadow hadn't escaped her notice of course, but she wasn't alarmed. She already knew it was one of Nelay's shadows.

”Commander, there is another army of Dark Elves approaching the Dark Elven encampment. They appear to be reinforcements, but they are different from the Dark Elven army already present here. They do not have unified equipment and carry many banners.” the Shadow whispered at Lenia's side.

”They must be the feudal soldiers belonging to the Matriarchs. They are not part of the Spider Queen's army and serve the various Matriarchs. I can only guess at why they are only just arriving now. It must have something to do with the Dragons. This will make things a bit more difficult, but not entirely out of my expectations. Have any of you found any signs of the Dragons yet?”

”Not yet commander.”

Lenia slammed her fist on the table, ”What are those damn reptiles doing!? Keep looking for them. It will be difficult to win this battle without them.”

”Yes commander.”

The shadow quickly left the tent and faded away. Lenia rubbed her temples gently while she thought. The movements were accompanied by the sound of her armor. She stayed like that for a short time and was unaware of the large figure which entered the tent and came to stand behind her.

”Something worrying you?”

A voice suddenly came from behind Lenia causing her to jump slightly in surprise.

”Ugh, Anathema, don't do that!”

Anathema chuckled, ”Don't worry. Anyone who could sneak up on you without you knowing could easily take your life. At least you would go peacefully.”

”That is not reassuring and yes, there is something worrying me. I can't help but shake a strange feeling of danger. The Dark Elves have also received a large amount of reinforcements and battle will soon break out again as soon as they are done with their preparations. I can only imagine that we will soon be facing much more dangerous foes.”

”You should trust those instincts, they are a powerful aid to any warrior. There is an unknown variable. I wasn't going to mention it since I was uncertain exactly what it was, but I have an idea now. Just continue with what you were planning to do and don't worry about the rest. Have some confidence in your abilities. Your master wouldn't have put you in charge if he didn't believe in your ability, remember that.”

Lenia calmed down and clenched her fists, ”You are right. I still don't like you, but thank you.”

Anathema gave a toothy grin with her sharp teeth clearly visible, ”That's fine, just do your job. You wouldn't want me to look down on you now would you? There is nothing more that I hate than useless beings.”

Lenia expected it would come, but the sudden blare of horns caused Lenia to tense up. It was the call to battle.

”Looks like it's time. I will be watching, don't disappoint.”

Anathema left with those words. Lenia stood alone in her tent and collected herself. She was the commander and she needed to have the bearing of one. After taking a moment, she hurriedly left the tent to prepare for another battle.