Two weeks in, and already we are in a standstill. The Dogs have complete control of the southern border and are now pressing further into our lands in all directions. Towns are evacuated, cities ready themselves for prolonged sieges and the possibility of burning down, farmlands and rural places become void of life either by slaughter or the people left out of fear, and every fort either bearing the scars of conflict or will soon wear them.

  If there is one thing I can say about this war, it is how easily we abandoned some of our strategies just to combat them effectively. No side is committed to a full-scale battle, not yet, at least. If one is to happen, it could be the scale that tips in either side’s favour. I can’t risk the Empire without a proper understanding of the Dog’s weaponry. So, throughout the North, we fight each other with skirmishes, raids, and partisan operations.

  We have the advantage with our horses, providing my troops with the capabilities to cover more ground. Though the Dogs are relentless. Speed is one thing, but they are like a bloody stone wall. The Dogs may have their new weapon that gives them the edge, they also have a certain range. From my understanding, less than any long bow by a huge degree. We can circle them, exploit their flanks and hit them where it hurts the most. Though that isn’t always like that. Sometimes the terrain favours them over us.

  In the west, the church has deployed the Pretorian Guard to combat the Dog forces near the Dragon River and the Balist Forest. In some cases, pushing the Dogs back to the edge of the forest. I stationed Commanders Lock and Baker in the west for the direct purpose of defending the west and our holy sites. However, they are following the command of Legionnaire Bishop Typhone. It is unorthodox to have a member of the faith be in charge of my army, but I can praise him for his strategic prowess. If someone can keep the Dogs out of the west, it will be him and the Pretorian Guard.

  I can’t say the same for the East. Right now, they are bogged down in the Saltback River, and supplies and men are dwindling fast. The Dogs are not able to cross the river, but they are putting on the hurt whenever a small battle happens. Commander Victor is, unfortunately, the only Commander left standing holding the East. As he would be in charge of the largest army, mostly made up of survivors of fallen Commanders. He has the difficult task of putting pressure on the Dogs while also holding the line. However, the Dogs are relentless. Victor speculates the East will fall if a breakthrough doesn’t happen soon, and I agree with his assessment. I can send reserves and an additional Commander to assist him, but for now, I have to hold them back in case the Dogs pop up somewhere unexpected.

  The North is holding well, though I’ve lost Kaval. Other Commanders have taken his place to defend the North as well as the capital, though so far, we are only waiting to see what the Dogs will do. Fort Phirehammer is essentially the only wall keeping the Dogs back. Some Dogs did try to attack it, but were swiftly taken down before they could even reach the motte. Almost 20,000 soldiers are stationed there. The Dogs would know well that an assault on the fort would need to be a dedicated effort. However, that would also mean that the soldiers there can’t move out of it. Annoyingly, their presence at the fort is keeping the Dogs from moving further North.

  The Dogs are not interested in taking the Lance Mountain Range, which will give them backdoor access to the capital. Though it is only a matter of time before they might try something like that. Sooner or later, I would need to put soldiers up there.

  On the other hand, using the mountains can provide me with a strategic advantage, as I don’t want to push into Dog-controlled territory to expose myself. However, doing that will divert resources, time, and manpower from the capital just to traverse the mountains. Something I am not keen on doing at this moment, as every fighting soldier is now as valuable as gold.

  Yet after all of that, we need supplies. Food isn’t an issue; we prepared for an invasion for a year at this point and already declared the entire nation to ration their supplies for months now to improve our stockpiles in preparation for a siege, as well to potentially feed the South if they suffered a famine. The issue we are facing is equipment attrition.

  Outside of battle and any kind of engagement, most of the time soldiers will have to sit down and wait for their next orders. Besides the typical wear and tear of using armour and swords, bored soldiers don’t like to sit still and wait for their orders or for the next battle to start. Sooner or later, they will find a way to break something to cure their boredom. Lock a soldier up in a room with three metal balls, and they will break one, lose the second, and break every natural law to impregnate the third. It is the sort of phenomenon I need to tackle first before I can organise any large-scale operation.

  However, my problems don’t seem to end, none of them do. Getting raw resources to make the equipment is another hassle. A factory can create wonders, but it can’t do it with nothing. So, for hours I sit in my office on the world's most uncomfortable chair, hunched over a different chair, looking over numbers to try to figure out where I can get some materials for my men.

  There is one thing I notice repeating from every document. Up north is the Lee Estate, a well-known family for having ownership of 70% of our nation's plantations and mines. Filthy rich, whose wealth is reflected in the number of slaves and mansions the family has accumulated over the years. Yet they aren’t contributing enough to the war effort besides a few token resources here and there. If we are going to win this, I need them to be on board to supply my army.

  Huson walks into my office with multiple files in hand. ‘Any good news?’ I ask him.

  He slams the papers on my desk over my map. ‘Kaval is rumoured to be dead, Victor is being pushed back, and there might already be word that they lost control of the river, and we lost a few Pretorian Guards. So no, there really isn’t any good news from these reports.’

  ‘Then we can’t wait any longer.’ I place the reports into my file holder before I grab my jacket. ‘I hate to walk away from my office while a war is on, but we need more resources. I’m heading off to the Lee estate, and you’ll be coming with me.’

  Huson chuckles to himself while he follows me, ‘and why are we going? Didn’t one of them vote to defund our defence initiative?’

  ‘Yes, one of them did. However, I doubt they will have the same tone when the Dogs are knocking on their front door. The Lee family should be smart enough to aid us during this crisis.’

  ‘And if they don’t help out?’ Huson points out.

  I think deep down, he knows that the Lee family are not going to be willing enough to share their resources. What they want is to make a profit or a solid deal that benefits them in the long run. I doubt the council will want to fund me to make weapons for the army, so I need to think of a different approach to get him on board.

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  ‘I’ll figure something out.’

  Huson shakes his head as he reluctantly follows me. ‘By the Gods, you better.’

  There are benefits to being a General, you can leave your post whenever you need to, and legally you are obligated to consult with civilian leaders to arrange deals that will benefit the Empire and her army. That is also the worst part of the job. You have to make deals and compromises when war is happening. Bureaucracy is a cancer to any military leader. I wonder if this is how incompetent leaders like Rommel got into power, because he is able to appease some people and not rock the boat.

  Yet it makes me question myself on how I became a General. Is it because I am the only successful Commander at the time, or is it because they all thought I was na?ve enough to fall for their political tricks? Only time will give me that answer.

  ‘Will the Outriders be escorting us?’ I ask as we enter the courtyard. Soldiers walk around as they maintain the garrison’s horses and royal carts.

  Huson nods, ‘they are always ready to move out at a moment’s notice. I make sure they are always near the stables so they can prepare for your surprise meetings.’

  I frown at the notion. ‘Are you implying I am an inconvenience?’

  ‘Not at all,’ Huson laughs. ‘More like a wild card that is willing to meet some dangerous people.’

  After talking to someone like The Silencer, I can see what he means. Even if it is rude and a bit annoying. However, despite the irritation, it is far more advantageous to have the Outriders at the ready to move out at all times.

  ‘What’s the status of the Outriders?’

  ‘Everyone is healthy and battle-ready, horses are clean and fit. We are following Kaval’s advice and stopped wearing armour altogether, as expected, they are faster than they were before, while also being able to traverse vast distances without tiring out the horse.’

  He sounds proud when he says that, which is good. If he is competent in their abilities, then so will I.

  ‘Will they be willing to perform reconnaissance missions in the future?’

  Huson grins, ‘they can do it now. Just give the word and tell them where to go, and they’ll finish their mission without being…’ Huson stops himself as a young man approaches us. ‘Well, hello there,’ he says to the man in a soft voice.

  The young man salutes me and then Huson. He’s slim and wearing our military colours, though with nothing to indicate his rank or position. His hair is short and blond, and I know he isn’t a member of the Outriders or a colonist, as he has our violet eyes.

  ‘It is a pleasure to meet you sir. I’m Jack Ocks, your new carriage driver.’

  That is weird, I never knew I had a designated driver. Nor do I even remember meeting my other one, or maybe any driver come to think of it.

  ‘The pleasure is all mine,’ Huson replies. ‘Is the carriage ready to move out, or do we have to wait?’

  Jack stands at attention to Huson, ‘ready when you are. Is there a place you have in mind?’

  ‘Lee Estate, and thank you for asking.’

  Jack salutes Huson one last time, though forgetting to salute me. In any typical circumstances, I should normally feel insulted. However, in this situation, I’m more flabbergasted by what I just witnessed.

  I turn towards Huson. ‘You gave him the job, did you?’

  ‘Maybe.’

  I reward his answer with a frown. ‘You know, fraternisation is forbidden in the military?’

  Huson gives me a shit-eating smirk as a reply.

  Asshole, he knows it is prohibited, but clearly, he doesn’t care at all. It is within my right to discharge him and send him back to Thesia, but in the end, that will cause more harm than good. So, I’ll have to let them be and pretend that their relationship doesn’t exist.

  ‘And how old is he?’

  ‘Twenty-seven.’

  ‘Bullshit!’ I shockingly reply, he looks five years younger than me when my nose wasn’t broken and my hair isn’t receding. Yet he is a year older than me! By the Gods, I want to look that young at twenty-seven. Right now, I can easily be mistaken for someone in their forties. I suppose stress will do that to people.

  Huson chuckles as he lightly punches my shoulder. ‘Come on, General, let’s get out of here while we still can.’

  Yes, sure, let’s get out of here. I don’t want to arrive at the estate when it is dark. It will be rude and inconsiderate of me if I do.