Empire of Souls 184 Weight of command 1

With the dawn arrived a new day. The day brought a gentle breeze to accompany the warm sun that bathed the Steppes in its light. Several hills near Lenia's camp had been fortified and soldiers prepared calmly within those temporary fortifications as they waited for the battle which was sure to begin soon. Small earthen and timber forts had been built on those hills with defensive towers overlooking the area between the two armies. It was sure to soon become a place of brutality and death. 

Between the two armies was a mostly flat plain, with the occasional hill or large mound. Although Lenia had a force of cavalry, her army mainly consisted of infantry and ranged units. However, they had a large number of magic casters which could summon all manner of beasts and cast a variety of buff and debuff spells. Lacking a larger cavalry force was a weakness in this case because of the Dark Elven rangers and cuirassiers. 

However, she had a plan to deal with the highly mobile Dark Elven rangers. She would focus the horde of summoned beasts on them to keep them occupied and perhaps inflict sufficient casualties on their forces. The cuirassiers were powerful, but slow. If they could harry their cuirassiers with their more mobile cavalry while holding them back with their fortifications and pike walls it should be enough. 

The swarm of slaves at their disposal wasn't as much of a threat, but their numbers were of concern. They had a lot of slaves and could easily throw them away while wearing down Lenia's own forces. Thankfully, they had time to build fortifications and it wouldn't be so easy for the slaves to occupy the hills protecting her main encampment. This wasn't a battle which could end in a short period of time. That was assuming the Spider Queen remained in her palace. Lenia didn't think she would involve herself without first suffering severe casualties.

"There were quite a number of flies buzzing around last night."

Anathema, who was standing next to Lenia on her mount, mentioned thoughtfully.

"Most likely they couldn't find any weakness to exploit. They might normally have an advantage at night, but not against my army. Or perhaps they were just testing the waters. Was there anything of note that I missed?"

Anathema shrugged, "Nothing worth mentioning. Well, there was something, but I am not certain just yet. No need to worry about it without first being certain. Either way, it shouldn't be much of an issue."

Lenia nodded and patted her mount's mane while whispering something into its ear.

"Are you sure you are ready for this? Commanding an army is never easy. Whether it be you mortals and your petty squabbles or the wars of the gods in the high heavens. You must make sacrifices, and every death will be blood on your hands. That goes for both the blood of the enemy and the blood of your own. You are not like your master. Death to him has become meaningless and he no longer sees life through the same lens as others. No, he is much more like we Daemon. Only destruction is in his heart. That is why I am sure in the end, he will choose us."

Lenia turned to look at Anathema while contemplating her words. She didn't like Anathema making assertions about Aleks, but even she didn't understand her master enough to refute Anathema's words. Was her master truly as cold hearted and devoid of human emotions as Anathema said? Or at least in the way that Anathema believed? Her master definitely had emotions, but it was true that he didn't see life in the same way as others. He was completely apathetic when it came to the life of the mortals of this world, but he seemed to care for Lenia, Nelay, Lariel and even Grobak. 

"I don't understand everything you are talking about, but something tells me that you might be wrong. I was created by Aleks, but I have only been with him for a short time. I have observed him as much as I could and have done my best to be useful to him and to stay by his side. I don't know if he has destruction in his heart like you say, but I do not think he is as heartless as you seem to believe."

"You say that only because you do not understand the allure of destruction. Because with destruction comes new life, new hope, and a new beginning. What the creator created was always meant to be flawed. Perfection only appears to be ideal, but without flaws, you miss out on the beauty that exists within creation. The Creator always understood this and that is why he created us. We are the end that ushers in what is meant to come next. Everything must end. I am sure that Aleks, with what he has gone through, understands this well." 

Anathema seemed so sure of her words, but Lenia couldn't help but frown. She would do anything for her master, but that didn't mean that she didn't want to live. She wanted to live always by his side.

Seeing the doubt on Lenia's face, Anathema revealed her sharp teeth in a wicked smile, "Do you think what you are doing now is any different. You are bringing an end to your enemies, for them destruction will soon be a reality. They will return to the cycle of reincarnation and be reborn anew. How is it any different from what I have said? You fear the unknown, that is the only reason for your hesitation. It is the very reason that the creations of the creator rebelled against him instead of trusting in his plan. They are cowards and fools, ruled by their fear, and that is why they are the greatest of betrayers. Their punishment will come."

Lenia didn't know what to say. These types of philosophical discussions weren't her specialty. So instead she half listened while surveying the land which would soon be a battlefield.

Her army had already been arrayed in formations and their orders had been given. The central position, which was between the fortified hill tops, was where the ten thousand most elite of her forces were positioned. The right and left flanks of her army, which were positioned near the fortified hill tops and beyond, were separated into equal parts with twenty five thousand on each side. A reserve force of ten thousand warriors remained in the main camp and could be repositioned where needed if necessary. Each group mainly consisted of infantry with a portion of the ranged units and magic casters distributed throughout. Each flank had a number of cavalry which would be used to pressure their cuirassiers or their rear positions depending on what was needed.

It was a solid defensive plan. Lenia didn't need to go on the offense and could instead hold a defensive position. Simply because, it was the Dark Elves who were invading the Steppes. They could of course just avoid Lenia's army if they wanted, but either way it would be necessary to defeat her forces if they wished to continue their invasion. It wouldn't be wise for them to leave an enemy at their back.

So, Lenia was able to choose a position that was to her liking and even prepare a bit before facing the Dark Elven army. The Dark Elves had a large army and were too confident in their ability to defeat their enemy with their leader present. It would be a joke if they didn't press the attack and Lenia was well aware of this mentality.

"Well, good luck to you. I will be cheering you on." 

Anathema chuckled and left Lenia's side to return to the main camp. She had no intention of intervening unless absolutely necessary or until the Spider Queen made her move. Lenia didn't bother sending her off and continued to observe the enemy which was beginning to move. She already had word from her scouts that the vanguard consisted entirely of slave soldiers.

"Most likely they will test our defenses a bit before any serious commitment of forces are made. That doesn't mean we should underestimate them. I don't know what tricks they might pull."

Lenia turned to a nearby officer and quickly gave out orders for the soldiers to prepare themselves for battle. Various flags were raised as the orders were passed on throughout the ranks. 

Everywhere along the defensive position, the soldiers readied themselves for battle. In the center of the battlefield, men wielding enormous pikes stood at the front and behind them were shield bearers holding large and sturdy shields. These would defend the forward pikemen from ranged attacks if necessary. The men with pikes also had blades at their sides for use in close combat. 

On the left and right flanks, soldiers were stationed within the temporary forts and also positioned around the hills behind barricades that had been constructed. Cavalry idled at the base of the hills, ready to move when necessary. Shaman were also stationed on both flanks in order to summon hordes of beasts. This would allow Lenia's army, which was taking a defensive position, to have some mobility when necessary. 

"It finally begins." 

Lenia muttered while watching the army of slaves being used as a vanguard marching across the Steppes.

"Even if they are individually weaker than my soldiers, there are so many. The difference in equipment is not something they can make up for though. This can't be all they have planned, or is it really just a way for them to test our defenses? Nelay, you have returned right? Have you noticed anything suspicious?"

Nelay appeared from out of nowhere as if she had always been there, and perhaps she was. She was like a shadow residing within Lenia's own.

"There are pests lurking under the ground. They are burrowing beneath the surface. Spiders, many of them. I have only just discovered them before rushing over here."

Lenia frowned, "I wasn't expecting such a move. It is a good thing you are here with me."

Lenia motioned towards one of her officers, "Quickly, bring as many magic casters that specialize in earth element magic as you can. We have some bugs to uproot. I am surprised they can burrow under the ground like that."

"There is a subterranean spider like that. They aren't that strong individually. Most likely equivalent to high basic class or maybe low intermediate. Their strength is in surprising their enemy. It would have been a disaster to have them burst out of the ground from behind while engaging the enemy from the front." Replied Nelay in a voice lacking any passion.

"Do you know the location of the insects?" asked Lenia after a moment of consideration.

"They are following along underneath the approaching army for now. They are most likely waiting for the right opportunity."

Lenia smirked, "it is a shame they won't get that opportunity. Once the enemy army reaches within one hundred yards of our army, that is when I will have the magic casters strike. That should give us an opportunity. In that moment of shock, I will order our heavy cavalry to charge. I will lead them myself. That should cause some of their Legendary beings to make their move. I felt at least the aura of four, maybe five among the enemy. They should be weaker than us though. At that time, try to assassinate one of them if you can. If not, even wounding one would be sufficient. It should be an even match up after that."

Nelay nodded and then disappeared once more. Although it irked her somewhat having to follow Lenia's orders, she was the commander and her master had told her to listen to Lenia. She would fulfill her duty, and it wasn't as if the two weren't family to begin with. That didn't mean they didn't see each other as rivals though.

She did have to admit one thing though. Lenia was much more suited to command.

Chapter end