"Fall in!" Robin barked. He paced across the head of his small platoon. "Now, I know you've heard some rumors about me. I'm really not sure why that is. I've been a captain for maybe a week. Not enough time for any decent or juicy ones. Point is, none of them are true. Yet. The Conqueror decided to entrust me with you lot, and I can see why. You're the kind of soldiers none of his other commanders or even captains wanted. That's fine with me because you're the kind of soldiers I want. Lieutenant Zulas, explain!"
"Yes, sir." Zulas stepped forward and saluted. "Captain Robin means to say that you all don't have bad habits to break out of. We'll be doing basic combat drills today. But, instead of the one-on-one drills you've been used to, I want you all to pair up and be prepared to fight two-on-two! The pairs don't matter for now. Left row, second left row. Look at the guy next to you. That's a pair. Third and fourth, same rule. I hope the rest of you can figure it out. Now, pair up!"
Robin watched as his ragtag army followed his directions. Of course, they were doing it wrong. Not pairing up wrong, but their formation was horrible. Robin shook his head. "Soldiers! Eyes up front. Zulas, assumed a pair-up with me."
"Yes, sir." Zulas stepped forward, shunting his spear so he was poised ready to strike it. Robin withdrew his Elthunder tome, summoned electricity, and stood behind Zulas, ready to use it.
"Good!" Robin said. "Do you see how this works? We aren't on top of one another, but we support each other in the same combat zone. Reasonable space, maximum flexibility. Any questions?" No one raised their hand. Robin mentally sighed. "I said, ANY QUESTIONS?"
"Yes, sir." One of the men raised his hand. "Is this really so effective?"
"I'm glad you asked." Robin gestured. "You! Form up and attack us. Both of you! No questions, just do it!"
The first pair attacked them. It was kind of laughable. They both charged for Zulas simultaneously, so Robin shocked one of them when they charged, and shocked the other after Zulas parried him.
"Good try!" Robin barked. "What did they do wrong? Anyone?"
"Sir!" Another man raised his hand. "They weren't working together, and both went for the same person, leaving you able to blindside them."
"Excellent!" Robin said. "Correct their mistakes. Come on. You and your teammate attack us. Go!"
The second pair attacked, after exchanging a few words beforehand. One went for Robin, the other went for Zulas. Robin smirked. "Switch."
Zulas reversed the spear, and hurled it at Robin's man, knocking him down. Robin fired a bolt of electricity at Zulas's man, stopping him in his tracks until he keeled over.
"Good!" Robin said. "But not good enough. What was their mistake, anybody?"
"Sir!" A voice called from the back. "They didn't keep an eye on both of you!"
"Well, that's part of it." Robin said. "You try! You and your friend. This time, keep an eye on both of us. Go!"
The third pair tried, but it ended no different for them. Zulas feinted the throw at one of them, and Robin nailed the man when he dodged it. The other managed to get a hit on Zulas, but quickly lost from the two-on-one.
"Almost!" Robin said. "Keeping an eye on both of us is essential. Has anyone figured out the larger issue that every team has been plagued by?"
"Sir!" A man shouted out. His teammate tried to silence him, but Robin waved him off. "They're attacking you both! They should only be attacking one of you?"
"That's what the first pair did." Robin pointed out.
"Sir! The first pair weren't working together and weren't keeping an eye on both of you. If we teamed up on one of you, while keeping the other at bay, we might have a chance."
"Congratulations, you're now a sergeant." Robin said. "Good for you. Well, come on up and try it!"
A brief exchanged later, the two of them were on the floor, groaning. They had a good idea for a strategy, but Robin and Zulas were just better fighters. They'd get better at teamwork with work. So would Zulas and Robin.
"Excellent." Robin said. "You men now have the basics. Good for you. Keep an eye out for all opponents, communicate, and coordinate. I want the rest of you all lined up against Zulas and myself. After we beat all of you, we'll break down into drills pairing you against each other. The ones who aren't fighting, watch us and learn. Next group, go!"
A glint appeared in Robin's eye. "Let the training begin!" Cue training montage!
"This exercise is meant to help you with battlefield approach. The first half of the archers over the line gets the other half's drink rations. You are also to stay out of the front lines! Doesn't matter how tempting!" Robin yelled. "If you can't remember this, I've set up some helpful ways to remind you all."
"AAAAAGH!"
"Remember, if you run up for targets before your infantry escorts have cleared you, you'll wind up like that one." Robin spared a glance and winced. "Someone get him a healer before the rest of you slip on that blood."
"Cavalry, you have one job." Robin snapped his finger, to create a crackling bolt of lightning. "It's to get from point A to point B. We can focus on the whole stabby-stabby thing next session. Next bolt, I want you to run across the field to where I've planted the blue flag, then back. You have sixty seconds"
Robin snapped his fingers.
Th cavalry charged across the plain, hooves thudding into the ground. They reached the far end, wheeled their gorses around, and made it back. Most of them within the time limit. Robin gave them a second to look proud of themselves.
"Again!" Robin snapped his fingers.
"Ow." Robin took a shot to his face. "Ow." Robin got his knees cracked. "OW!" Robin felt the wind being driven out of his lungs, and he dropped to the floor on his knees.
"Get up." Zulas growled. "I see you give no quarter on the training field. Why would I give any to you?"
"Ten … seconds …"
"You've got five." Zulas said. "Remember, you don't use a sword! Use your range, and keep your weight better distributed! Time's up!"
"Mages!" Robin yelled as he walked in front of them. "What's the best element of anima magic? Well, whatever you're thinking, it's wrong. The best element is the one you're naturally attuned to. Using any other element will give you a bit of trouble. Eventually, I will have you drill yourself will other elements to lessen that gap, but for now, we are working on what you're good at. Understand?"
"Sir, yes sir!"
"Good. I'm sure some of you were thinking your own element when I asked you what the best is. In that case, good job. Now, some elements have advantages over others. Thunder, for instance, is the strongest. Wind is effective against flyer. Now, what advantage does fire have over the other two?" Robin whisked his finger. "No, no, no, someone who can wield fire. Yes, you in the back?"
"It's more accurate than-"
"No, it's not more accurate than Wind." Robin corrected. "Let's try again. You, front left."
"None, sir!" The mage said. "It's just average."
"Good. You're now promoted to sergeant. Recognizing your own weakness is crucial." Robin tapped his foot. "The rest of you, line up and attack me. If I feel it, you're promoted."
Robin then drank a pure water in front of all of his mages. He grinned evilly. "Good luck!"
"Faster, knights!" Robin yelled as he jogged alongside them. "My grandmother could crawl faster than you're running. If I pair you up with a myrmidon, how are you going to keep pace?"
"But, sir, we're exposed if we move fast." One of the knights complained.
"Two things." Robin jogged alongside the offender. "One. If the myrmidon is setting pace, that means he's in front. Two. You're still more well armored than the rest of us. Three. I will electrocute you if you fall behind again."
"You only said two-"
Robin snapped his fingers.
Robin blocked, blocked again, then ducked. He spun his spear and jammed the butt of it into Zulas, sending the soldier back. Zulas stumbled, regained his footing and looked up. Robin leapt across the room, bringing the spearhead down until it was an inch from Zulas.
"I win." Robin panted. "First time."
"All right, I have one more open slot for sergeant." Robin announced. "Now, some of you may be thinking that I have only one lieutenant, so maybe I should look for one of those instead. Those of you who are, well, good job. You have basic observational skills. Those of you who aren't, well, good luck making it to sergeant."
Robin's entire force stood lined up, infantry in front of him, ranged fighters in the rear, and cavalry in the back. Robin looked upon him men and smiled. "Now, sergeant. I was considering having the lot of you fight each other in some gruesome free-for-all with last one standing getting it. I understand that's all the rage these days but! I had a better idea."
"Sir!" One of the spearmen piped up. "What is it, sir?"
"Good question." Robin said. "We're still going to do the whole free-for-all thing, but it's going to be the first one who gets knocked out who becomes sergeant. And attacking yourself is grounds for instant disqualification, discarding your weapons is grounds for instant disqualification, and lethal attacks are also grounds for instant disqualification. Begin!"
"They're ready." Robin said, observing his troops. They had spent the last few months running through every unorthodox drill he could think of, and he was satisfied. The last drill had gone for all of thirty seconds, before one of his mages finally got fed up with the inaction and started hurling lightning bolts at random. This quickly led to a group of able bodied men beating one of the more sensible mercenaries to a pulp so he could be sergeant before the lightning chose someone at random. "Pity I couldn't find any like you, though."
"Captain?" Zulas asked.
"Oh, they're good, make no mistake, but they're all rank-and-file." Robin frowned. "A small team of elites was occasionally more effective than entire armies. I could use some more lieutenants like you."
"'Was', commander?" Zulas asked. "I thought you said you lost your memories."
"Ah." Robin started. "No, you're right, I did say 'was'. Curious. Maybe I was a member of an elite squadron at one point. It would certainly explain how I know all my tactics, wouldn't it? Anything come for me, this morning?"
"Just this." Zulas held a thick envelope.
Robin opened the envelope slowly, reading it line by line.
Zulas tapped his foot impatiently the entire time. "Anything interesting?"
"Oh, I should say so." Robin turned to his troops. "Fall in, men! We're marching towards war."
"Finally. I've been out of combat for a while." Zulas said. "What are we doing?"
"There's a Chon'sin fortress which has been holding out for a while." Robin said. "Yen'fay was ordered to take it, and he's requested reinforcements. We've been chosen."
-Chon'sin City, under siege by Valm-
Robin watched as the Valm siege weapons hurled another few tons of stone and rubble into the city. By his estimation, the walls had fallen silent half an hour ago, and now they were just trying to cause chaos before the Valmese army rushed them. He watched in silence, occasionally taking sips from his canteen.
"Nervous?" Zulas asked.
"Maybe." Robin frowned. "I feel … odd. You ever wonder if we're doing the right thing?"
"Nope." Zulas said. "I swore an oath to the Conqueror. Not my place to question these kinds of things."
Robin shot him a look that said 'Really?'.
"It's a bloodline curse." Zulas answered , as if that explained everything. "Besides, you didn't have any problem with training, and you certainly had no problem cutting your way through that army of bandits, earlier."
"Yeah, I suppose so. But it's a lot easier to slap on the label of 'good' and 'evil' when you're fighting to protect civilians." Robin gestured. "We're on the offensive, right now. And we aren't even fighting to reclaim our land, we're fighting to subjugate."
"Well, strictly speaking, we aren't fighting to subjugate." Zulas said.
"Oh, no?"
"No." Zulas shook his head. "We defeated Chon'sin the better part of two years ago, but they won't give up. I was there when it happened."
"You're referring to the Battle of the Cherry Plains." Robin said. "I read the reports…"
"I was there, captain." Zulas slammed his spear on the ground. "We beat them. They fielded Yen'fay against us, who met the Conqueror head-on – and lost. Honor? Hah! Instead of submitting, all they did was turn tail and run. Then they 'surrendered', behind the safety of their fortresses. And now, the Chon'sin dynasts seek to thwart us at every opportunity. They're scared to fight us openly, so all they do is sabotage from the shadows."
"Is that so?" Robin slowly asked. "I did read that most of the Chon'sin were present at that battle."
"The dynasts that rule Chon'sin are warlords, each with their own specific estate and army." Zulas explained. "They squabble and fight amongst themselves constantly, and that's when they aren't raiding other kingdoms. Walhart wanted to wait to fight them until after we took Rosanne, but they wouldn't stop nipping at us, so he decided to meet them in battle head-on."
"I see." Robin said slowly. "And they were doing this, 'nipping', before Walhart was around."
"Yes." Zulas said. "But that's in the past. Anyway, Yen'fay managed to rally most of the dynasts around him, and they met the main Valm host just outside their beloved cherry orchards. Walhart chose to meet them head-on."
"Because you can't expect good teamwork from a group of armies which hate each other, can you?" Robin asked. "I see. The rest is history. So, you know how these goons fit into the picture?"
"Nope." Zulas shook his head. "And I don't-"
"I do." Robin said. "Apparently, they're a branch of one of the dynasts. They were silently attacking patrols, until Excellus got wind of it and set up an ambush. We chased 'em here, and they barricaded themselves in the city. They sent runners for reinforcements, but no one seem to be coming."
"Their commander left them here to die, then." Zulas said. "A sacrifice for his sins against Valm."
"Yeah. And they refused surrender." Robin said. He gripped his spear, white knuckled. "I don't know if I'll ever support invasion. But these people? Don't fight wars unless you're ready to lose. If what you've told me is true, regardless of past actions, what these Chon'sin currently are doing is wrong. And if they refused surrender, they'll get what's coming to them. Don't take the lives of others unless you're ready to ante up your own."
"Does that apply to you?" Zulas asked.
"I don't intend to die." Robin said. "But that choice isn't left to me, is it?"
"'I don't intend to die' is what every dead man I've met has said so far." Zulas said. "Actually, most of 'em, I've known a few death seekers. But I can tell you aren't scared of it. That's good."
A loud horn blew, echoing over the battlefield. A cry went up from the massive red army surrounding the city, as they began running towards it. Robin stood up and started gesturing orders to his platoon. "Ladders in front, prepare to climb. Knights double-time to the front. Healers and mages stay back for the second wave. First one over the walls gets a free drink on my tab. Go!"
-Beachhead-
"Secure this sector." Robin gestured. "Fourth squad, fifth squad, form pair-ups and be ready if they push back against us. Healers, I want to set up safehouses on any sturdy structure next to the walls. Treat our injured, get 'em back to fighting shape."
"That went well." Zulas commented.
"You mean a textbook assault against a destroyed and demoralized target went well?" Robin said. He raised his voice. "First and third, I want you to head to the east. Meet up with Yen'fay's main host if you can, and see what you can do about linking us together. If you can't harry any enemy forces you meet. Second squad, secure the wall above us."
"You seemed paranoid." Zulas said.
"I don't have time for you right now." Robin scanned the area they had taken. They were assigned one of six different breach points into the city, but no one seemed to be using their entry. There wasn't enough manpower to send armies through all six, so only three were used. For security reasons, Robin wasn't informed whether or not his breach would be used. In the event it wasn't, Robin's orders were to secure his beachhead. "We have a problem."
"What's that you say?" Zulas asked. "You mean to say that we're about to be attacked because the rest of the Valmese army is driving splinters of Chon'sin forces throughout the city? I never would have guessed."
"Hammer and anvil is the classic technique." Robin agreed as he kept his gaze. "The problem isn't the fact that we'll be attacked, it's that I don't see where they're coming from, and that's starting to unnerve me – there! Ten o' clock. All remaining troops, form on Zulas and me! Artillery units, ready your aim."
Dozens of Chon'sin myrmidons were rushing haphazardly through the streets at Robin's entrenched position. Robin reached into his coat, pulled out his tome, and gestured. "Open fire!"
Lightning, wind, fire, and arrow sang through the air. The initial barrage wasn't as effective as Robin hoped, due to the spread-out nature of their opponents. Robin set his lance on the ground, holding it steady. "Lancers to the front! Prioritize defense, not offense. We're just here to keep 'em from running."
Then the myrmidons were upon them. Robin thrust his lance forward, engaging the first opponent at long range. The myrmidon was force to block, setting his feet. Robin came forward, and performed a combination of moves Zulas had shown him. Wielding the lance like a quarterstaff, Robin hooked a low sweep, the iron-banded bottom clanging against the myrmidon's sword. With the sword blocking the lance's butt, the tip was free, so Robin used it to slice diagonally across the man's chest, and finished with a stab.
The myrmidon fell. Robin leapt back, and Zulas swapped, engaging a second that was running up to fight. Ignoring that one, Robin noticed a third myrmidon was coming at Zulas. Robin planted his lance, and drew a spellbook from within his coat. The pages flipped themselves to the right one. Robin gestured at the man, igniting spell energy within the book and focusing it to his hand. "Elthunder!"
A bolt of lightning struck the man. Robin repeated the spell a second time, and he dropped, a smoldering corpse. "Robin!" Zulas cried, fending off his own attacker. Robin looked at Zulas, picked up his lance, and lunged forward. Zulas's second opponent had just enough time to look up before Robin buried his lance through his chest. Robin grinned, kicking the man off it.
"Three to your one, Zulas." Robin said. There was a lull in the battle. Around three dozen or dying myrmidons littered the front of the street. The fourth and fifth squadron each had around ten frontline fighters, and that again for range. In contrast to the thirty-something enemy casualties, Robin had loss four men, three of them who were being treated. The second had sent in men to replace. Robin wished he could chalk it up to his leadership, but the truth was that the Chon'sin had charged a wall of soldiers in loose waves.
"Day is still young, Captain." Zulas reminded him. He hefted his own lance, pointing it at the remaining Chon'sin soldiers, clustered by the end. There were less than twenty. Robin guessed they were waiting for reinforcements "Can we get them?"
"No." Robin read the situation. "We don't have the manpower to extend and – oh no."
A large newcomer had joined their ranks, with sword-wielding mercenaries following him. Clad in impressive scale armor and wielding a giant silvery axe, with a sword strapped to one leg, and a short throwing axe on the other. An armored headband covered most of the man's face, but it was clear he was looking at Robin. Robin gulped.
"A hero. Y'know, if that was a Chon'sin swordmaster, I think I might have a chance." Zulas said. "So, you want to take him, boss? I would hate to take the glory from you."
"No." Robin said. "Ranks, form! Archers, mages, at the ready!" Robin stepped forward, conjuring a lightning ball in his hand. "Get ready…"
The hero was no fool, unfortunately. He gestured with his axe, and the Chon'sin myrmidons alongside the mercenary counterparts ran down the street, headlong. Robin swallowed. He reared back to cast the first lightning strike.
"Never fear!" A small mage in a red robe dropped in front of them. "I am Vermillion Rojo Rubrum, Fire Mage Extraordinaire!"
Great. Robin said. It's a pint-sized meat shield. Then he noticed the large fireball forming above the red mage and blinked. Correction. It's a pint-size conflagration.
"Feel the fires of scorching Hell!" The mage shouted, thrusting his hand forward. "I cast from my abilities the final flames from the dawn of man. Dying Blaze!"
The fireball erupted in front of the mage, causing a tornado of fire in front of him, tearing through the streets, never mind the ranks of enemy soldiers. The howls were briefly cut off as they were turned to ash. Robin stared in amazement. "No way…"
Then, quickly as it came, the fire faded, leaving a decent part of the enemy's forces still intact. Including the hero. Who was grinning.
"Ready!" Robin cast his hand forward. Bolt and arrow went at them, forcing the enemy to take cover. During the time, Robin ran forward, grabbing the mage (noting he was comatose) and dragging him back. "Hey. You awake?"
"Oh, good." The mage looked at him. "I thought I wouldn't make it."
"You were sent to help us? By whom?"
"Him." The mage pointed. Robin looked into the street and saw another figure standing there. This one in black armor, and twin blades by his side. "General Yen'fay."
"Wha…." Robin's mouth went dry. He saw Yen'fay approach the army. Then attack. There were twenty-odd myrmidons and mercenaries, plus the hero who had switched to his sword.
It wasn't even close. All in all, Yen'fay's blades were blocked three times. The first was when a mercenary had gotten lucky. The second was when two myrmidons teamed up. The third was the hero. Within thirty seconds, Yen'fay was the only one standing. He surveyed the battlefield, and turned to walk away. Behind him, the hero got up, blood running down his face, an empty blue glass bottle between his lips. He drained the elixir, and drew his axe, slowly stalking Yen'fay. Robin raised his hand forward to warn him.
He needn't have bothered. The hero came up behind the ebony Chon'sin swordmaster, slicing his axe down. In a flash of motion, Yen'fay disappeared. The hero looked confused for a second, then fell with a spray of blood erupting from his chest, revealing Yen'fay sheathing his sword behind him.
Robin's jaw dropped. "No way."
"Yup." Zulas punched his shoulder lightly. "That's Yen'fay for you. Remember, he survived the Conqueror."
"Fourth squad fall back." Robin gestured, snapping back into focus. "Fifth squad, on me." Robin jogged forward, catching up to the Yen'fay, who was standing there.
"At ease, Robin." The Chon'sin swordmaster voice was calm. "Well met. You have done well."
"Thank you." Robin knelt on one knee. "I would reinforce you, if you would have it."
"Fie." Yen'fay shook his head. "There is no need for that. You have done well enough for today, not to be overrun."
"Nonetheless." Robin said. A good relationship with Yen'fay would be invaluable if I want to avoid these kinds of suicide assignments in the future. Besides, he did just save my life. "You leave me in your debt, and I would repay it."
"If that is your desire, I have a simpler solution." Yen'fay said. "The fire mage you rescued was one of mine, so that makes us even. If you desire to help me still, please train him. I do not have the time to do so."
"Are you sure I can't do more?" Robin frowned.
"That is sufficient for now." Yen'fay said. "Though be warned. The tale of your origin, and Walhart's interest has spread. Perhaps it would be prudent to guard your back."
"If that is your wish. Thank you." Robin stood up. "It was pleasure to meet with you."
"I would say the same." Yen'fay bowed, then walked back into the city.
"Well, that was helpful." Robin turned back. "Kid! Red mage! Fire mage! Whatever your long name was!"
"My name is Vermillion Rojo Rubrum." The kid stood up, brushing ash and soot off his cloak. "Yen'fay assigned me to help you."
"Well, congratulations." Robin said. "We're shortening that to just Vermil. And you're now of my lieutenants."
