War Plans

War Plans
The war room was a cauldron and the atmosphere was quite suffocating as the stench of sweat and ink filled the atmosphere. Drusus lay his arms on the table, and they both were in the dim light of candles. A plan of the battlefield lay on the table as a rough sketch, with several maps strewn around. 

Theo tapping the borders of the map let his eyes run over them, scanning every route and then using a pen to mark certain spots where the south had dominated. "We need to encircle them."

Drusus raised an eyebrow, his face a mere few inches away from his own, his eyes narrowed in thought, working out the strategic details of the conflict. "We have had our archers fixed on the mountainside to shower arrows upon them. They are restrategizing to escape our attacks. If we can take away their escape and attack from the front we'll pin them."

Theo flitted his eyes towards the rays of success, his jaws clenched, ready for a battle. "In this case, we have to put our fastest ones on the sides. They'll be able to sever those routes and bring the South soldiers into a more confined space by doing that."

Drusus pointed at the map, roughly moving his finger on the parchment as if he wanted to take a piece out. "Instead, we will send a detachment past this forest here. It is a thick forest, however they can maneuver through it relatively fast and get behind the opponent. They'll never see it coming."

Theo's face hardened, his eyes burning with resolve. "Agreed. We'll have our army ready to charge from the front once the archers have softened them up. They'll break their lines and cause chaos."

With their plan solidified, they rolled up the map and took it to Cyrus. 

"Your majesty," Drussus said with a bow. "Theo and I have come up with a plan to surround the southern soldiers so that we can end this victoriously."

"Is that so?" Cyrus asked. "Let me hear it then."

He listened intently, his eyes scanning the details as they explained each step of their strategy. When they finished, he nodded, quite satisfied with the pan.

"It's a sound plan," Cyrus said, his voice filled with a mix of pride and satisfaction. "We'll put it into action at dawn."

"We shall inform the generals of each division," Theo said. He looked to the left and beckoned to a soldier. "Get me the generals of each troop. Let them know that the war minister and king seek their presence urgently."

"As you wish my lord," hurriedly he bowed and scuttled off. Sending word through the other soldiers and within a few minutes, they had all gathered in the tent that was used to create strategies.

"Felix," Drussus said to the general in charge of the archers. "I am sure you are aware that the South continually seems a way to avoid attacks. I want you to concentrate some of your forces downhill while the rest will continue from where they have been attacking."

"As you wish my lord," he said. 

"Elias, your army will follow me through the forest. I have already sent men to clear a path through the woods. We move in a single file, very slowly so we can attack them from behind. Alpha Cyrus will lead the men at the front and Drussus from opposite the mountains."

The next day, as the sun's first rays began to pierce the morning fog, the plan was set into motion. The archers on the mountainside held their breath, arrows notched and ready. Below, an army stood in disciplined ranks, ready to attack. The South would be unprepared for the new strategy and it would work in their favour.

Theo led another army through the side of the forest, moving swiftly and silently, the trees looming above them like sentinels. Drusus commanded the army at the front their horses snorting and pawing at the ground in anticipation.

The signal was given and the archers shoot arrows, a dark cloud earns upon the South soldiers. The sound of screams and shouts accompanied the men as they dropped to the ground grasping at the protruding shafts.

Cyrus was also at the center of the attack; he swung his sword high. "For Ghysem!" he shouted and his soldiers duplicated the action, shouting at the top of their voices.

The detachment of Theo erupted from the forest side surrounding the South soldiers and blocking their retreat. The enemy was cornered, the onslaught was all around and there was no escape.

His high-ranking general struggled through all that confusion to meet him face to face. "Lord Xeik," he cried out loud over the noise of the fighting, "We are under siege." It is time to think about withdrawal and retreat in order to preserve our troops."

Xeik glared hotly at Ell, puffed cheeks, and a snarling mouth. "Any man who wants to run can run in shame," he yelled, making himself heard even over the noise. "But I will stand and fight. I will shed my blood on this land and die with glory to the pack.

His rebellion was like a spark and those people around him were dry thorns ready to be ignited. The South soldiers being motivated by their leader's audacity charged at the enemies with a lot of vigor. Nobody dared to stir away from the unity and resist the surrounding forces, no one wavered in their resolve.

The sounds of clashing metal filled the air, the screams of the injured and the killed being a piece of horrible music. The ground was wet and the blood was pale; they could smell death and burning flesh.

Drusus and Theo engaged themselves in combat for their armies and led their troops with great concentration. They understood that the fighting was not over yet but they had drawn a strategy that worked for them.

The sun rose high in the sky and the battlefield remained - a whirl of confusion. Men died, and the shadow of battle shifted to and fro with a ceaseless, cruel rhythm.