Side Story – Felicia – Chapter 3 The Trail of War

Author's note: Hey, finally another side chapter :). I struggled a little with writing this but let me know what you think.

Thank you for the continued high tier support. I hope you have a fantastic day :).

Side Story – Felicia – Chapter 3 The Trail of War

“Major Redleaf!” the voice barely reached her, the wind carrying it to her ears. Soft and quiet.

Felicia went to once knee, clutching her shoulder where the gray steel armor had been penetrated. A chunk of her flesh ripped out by the explosion magic the Baralia mage had used.

Twelve of them lay scattered before her, entrails and limbs separated. She hissed and ripped off a piece of her armor, bent and digging into her flesh.

The scout landed close to her but didn’t offer assistance.

“Help me out, I won’t be offended,” Felicia hissed, her rage waning as the adrenaline left her body. One of the last groups she assumed, scattered and fleeing.

The battle of Virilya had been an utter massacre. Thousands had been slaughtered, the Baralia soldiers not ready for the sudden assault, worn and tired from the year long siege and the cold winter.

It had been too easy of course. Most of the important nobles hadn’t been there anymore or had fled in the last minute, the war not profitable for Baralia. Not after their siege had failed to get results.

Their military structure was different than the empire’s. Felicia had learned that much in her early schooling. Her recent research only confirmed that her knowledge was still up to date.

Baralia didn’t differ much from a gang of important nobles, pooling resources together for their war efforts, as much a game amongst themselves as it was a national interest. Whoever had the idea to lay siege on Virilya was likely already dead, assassinated by one noble or the other, seeing an opportunity to take someone out of the picture.

Fewer rules and a much more chaotic power structure. Lys on the other hand seemed more united than it had ever been. Everyone had lost things, be it people, money or assets. The war was a massive waste of resources, on both sides.

Now, the empire was looking to get something back. Revenge for many, assets and land for others. Some few likely wanted to free the slaves, destroy Baralia and all it stood for.

Felicia was there because it was the sensible thing to do. Her father was dead, few knowing about it and even fewer knowing about the specifics. She had returned and had claimed her family’s title.

Many would speak up against her, would try to seize what the Redleafs owned, roll over her while she was weak. New and unknown.

Two years ago, Felicia would have been laughed out of court, would have been forced to marry to even keep her title. Both her and Edwin estranged, hunted even. With her father and bastard brother gone, there was no way to claim what was hers.

With the war however, things changed. Opportunities presented themselves and already she had made a name for herself. Leading soldiers into battle, systematically slaughtering the Baralia troops and even catching four officers alive had earned her the respect of several high ranking officers and nobles.

She had been recognized enough after the camp had been cleared to receive the rank of Major. One only given to nobles of Lys or officers with decades of experience. And she was far from done.

The scout nodded and walked over, checking on her shoulder. “The wound is regenerating quickly, Major. I doubt my help will be necessary,” the man said as he carefully took a step back.

Of course it is. She still wasn’t used to the quick regeneration after she killed. Even wounds like this. Half my shoulder is missing. She grinned, the pain still pulsing through her, slowly getting worse as the effect of her skills wore off.

“What is it?” she asked the man, walking from corpse to corpse, checking for valuables and items, orders or any sign of them being officers.

“The General called for all officers. The eastern regiment is to regroup. Jorim is destroyed.” the scout explained quickly.

“We’re making camp? Already?” Felicia asked.

The scout didn’t say anything, not directly spoken to.

“Lead the way.” she said and started flying, watching the man spread eagle like wings before he ascended.

Plumes of smoke were still rising from the burnt city. Jorim, one of the southernmost settlements of Baralia. A trading hub for all surrounding kingdoms and the empire itself. Laid to waste by their own troops.

They didn’t even evacuate it. Just burnt it down. Felicia ground her teeth as she thought about it, concentrating to calm down as she focused on the wind.

“Horrible.” the scout said, whispering to himself as he glanced towards the burning city.

It had been vast and expansive, housing a diverse populace from many different kingdoms and empires. Ruined by the greed of few, thinking Lys weakened and vulnerable after the demon invasion.

The city had expanded too quickly, their walls and defenses only covering a small part of it all, opportunities and trade attracting people despite the danger posed. Adventurers and mercenaries had likely protected the outer districts, bordering the wilderness.

Gangs and bandits, exploiting hopeful residents. Felicia knew how it had likely played out. Baralia cared little for paying guards and soldiers to protect its citizens and slaves. A resource to be used, like any other.

However even she hadn’t expected them to burn down the whole town, just to delay the imperial troops and their supply line. Walls destroyed and food stores burnt meant they had to camp in the wilderness, had no opportunity to resupply.

Guess they knew Baralia better than me. She smiled lightly, thinking of the generals deciding on an elite force moving into the country instead of sending the whole army.

Most of the lower leveled soldiers would be used to clean up the massive war camp, help rebuild and protect Virilya while it connected back to the empire. The capital had to be populated again as soon as possible, the refugee crisis in the other cities resolved.

Few would return without protection on the way. The empress had decided to provide that with the army, prioritizing her people and the stability of the empire over a swift and destructive strike at Baralia.

A year has passed. I think she made the right decision. Seeing the burnt city just cemented the belief. The empress was moving her pieces on the board just as Felicia was moving hers. They would both come out of this conflict stronger and more cemented in the hierarchy that was Lys.

The scout moved down, landing in an open field where dozens of officers were situated, talking to each other with various tables in their midst. Many were sitting in chairs, some eating or drinking.

Felicia rubbed her earring, the trinket that allowed for such a ridiculous scene. A military hall in the wilderness, surrounded by wasteland. Building a tent or walls would take too much time, few having a reason for such commodities anyway.

Other officers were landing too, the scout bowing lightly to Felicia before he flew off again.

She joined the others and stood near one of the bigger tables, a map of Baralia laid out, villages, cities as well as troops placed on it with various wooden figures.

Felicia kept her gaze on the most important man present. General Ryse. Tall, broad shoulders but not overly bulky. Long black wavy hair flowed down his back, over the gray armored robe he wore, two streaks of bright red flowing down from his shoulders. Deep blue eyes and a carefully trimmed beard accented his dignified face.

He nodded to a scout before he turned to the group of nearly thirty officers, many of whom Felicia had never seen. His knuckles slammed onto the table, the rings on his hand creating a dull sound.

Everyone quieted down immediately, their attention on the General.

“The last of the fleeing troops have been scattered and destroyed. The eastern regiment will move northwards, towards Heruch.” he explained, using a long stick to move the figure of their regiment towards a city.

“We are to besiege it, possibly infiltrate and destroy as many military targets as we can. Our main goal is to prevent reinforcements from reaching the west,” the General added.

So we’re just going to occupy them and let the western and northern regiments take the rest of the kingdom. She wasn’t exactly happy about that. The reasons were clear, Heruch being one of the most important cities in Baralia, housing troops and nobles equaling damn near half their military strength.

“We are no match for Heruch’s troops, General Ryse,” one of the nobles said, his voice steady but his eyes showing fear.

Felicia smiled ever so slightly, hidden below her dented helmet. The armor a bonus for her position. And already falling apart.

“No,” the General confirmed. “We are to join the northern regiment should the troops of Heruch exit the city. However I believe such to be unlikely. They will protect their city, over joining an unsure defense of the capital,” he paused and looked over the group.

“These are the empress’ orders. I don’t plan however, to sit in the cold and wait for their decision. We have captured various Baralia scouts and officers, some from Heruch. Their insights suggest an infiltration may be possible,”

“Their restrictive planning has led to a lack of space for their citizens. The returning soldiers won’t soften this problem. A vast underground expansion has started just over a year ago. A weak spot we will be able to exploit,” he said and smiled lightly.

“An elite team led by me will break in while the bulk of our troops will dig themselves into the surrounding wasteland. I believe we can fulfill our orders with half, perhaps even a third of those present handling the siege. It is of no interest for Baralia to engage,” he added.

“They will hunker down and they will certainly be aware of their weak points,” one of the people said.

“Aye, and they’ll be more clustered,” a man with a thick brown beard said, a broad grin on his face.

Braak, wasn’t it? Felicia was still learning all the names and affiliations, in the midst of a war. Maria certainly had been useful at getting information. The only one of her group to come north.

The mercenary had been tasked with protecting Edwin, alongside Aliana. Stationed in the Redleaf mansion within Virilya. I hope Aliana can handle it.

She should have been the one there but she knew just as much that being in the front lines would have a much grander impact on her standing, their family’s standing in the long run.

“Major Braak. I will need experienced officers leading the siege. Preferably those with a pure military background,” General Ryse said, looking at the man.

“Ah, fuck,” Braak said and sighed deeply. “Well. I admit, I’d rather not have all the poor sods die for a noble’s dream.”

“Watch your tongue, war dog,” one of the nobles said, with a calm voice.

“Quiet,” Ryse said, his voice the same as it had been before. “I trust you won’t overextend our troops, Major Braak.”

“Aye. Leave that to me. I’ve been through a dozen sieges, on both sides,” he glared at the noble who had talked before and looked back to the General. “We will attack as we can and retreat towards the northern regiment should Heruch break through.”

“Good. That’s settled then. Who wishes to join Major Braak in the siege?” this question would determine the future of many a noble present.

Joining the General would be a risk, for one’s very life. Should they be successful however, fame and glory will await them.

About half of them raised their hands, not ready to put their lives on the line for an uncertain outcome.

“The rest will join me. Braak, our groups will move separately. Command at your discretion,” the General said and stepped away from the table, giving the Major a nod.

“General, good luck,” the Major said and took over, summoning a fresh map from a storage device of his before he started drawing. “The terrain is against us. Barrier mages will provide cover as we dig trenches and build defensive walls…,”

Felicia followed the General with the others, the man leading them to a group of arriving carts.

“We have collected an assortment of Baralia armor. I suggest you find something comfortable and mostly clean,” Ryse said. “Thirteen… we will form five teams of two. I will accompany the remaining two and form the sixth team. Form up according to synergy and familiarity.”