The flames and smell of death and destruction from the failed attack by Alionya was clear from near the personal lines that were held on their side of the battle lines. Isaac Versales, however, was technically approving of the failure of their attack on the walls, despite lurking on the Alionyian side of the no mans land between the two. He and a group of like minded individuals were, while aligned with the forces of Maliusya, were not the standard soldiers who would hold the wall and bridge against any attacks made. What they were doing was much more underhanded compared to what was considered honorable on the field of battle. Rather than attacking the guarded and armed posts, his band of raiders were attacking the various caravans and patrols that operated behind the main military line. If officers were traveling underguarded, they would turn up dead as well, ambushed and murdered by the roving band of raiders Versales led. They upped the guard force that traveled with the officers of note, which sapped the force available for attacking the main defenses, or holding off attacks when they would have to be made. Alionya was more reliant on the logistical movement and supplies that the various officers required for their defensive positions and such. So it was the easiest thing in the world to harass and make doing this harder for Alionya, slipping through their lines at a weak point where conventional forces wouldn't be expected, and started his fine job. His band was preparing to hit a caravan with medical supplies and replacement armaments to recuperate from the failed attack. His men, no more than a dozen former brigands, rangers, and outcasts, were all ready. The brigands and rangers had longbows and crossbows, all using poisoned tips. Isaac waited until the caravan was too far into the ambush area to retreat, and gave an unspoken signal.
Arrows and bolts flew, killing the horses and coach drivers first, and officers that were along with the guard detail second. Arrows kept flying while the brigands and outcasts reloaded their crossbows and fired again, and in a very short time span, no living being was left in the caravan's escort. The brigands, led by Isaac, quickly moved down into the ambush site, taking medical supplies and equipment of use before torching the rest. Another signal and the group fled back into the woods of the area they had been ambushing caravans from. It wasn't hard, they would range out and strike where necessary. Once back at the makeshift camp for that night, his men discussed the newest attack, and what that meant for the balance of power. Isaac could care less about the war's reasons or what this newest failed attack meant. It didn't change what he was doing out here, for one. And for two, the only reason he had any interest in seeing Alionya fail was that he was already sided with Maliusya. If that were not the case, he would have most likely vanished awhile ago rather than hung around and angered the Alionyian logistical officials. But while his men ate and chattered, he had a light meal and started his usual practice and drilling with his blades. The ambush work usually didn't call for a charge into melee combat, so he didn't have every single opportunity in the world to apply his blade skills against anyone. More often than not, he used his experience as a renegade himself to make these hit and run raids work. It was another day raiding those too stupid to protect their cargo, and he lived it like he had before the war, except the target was just wearing different colors.
"Mi'lord, the reports of the engagement have arrived." The messenger handed the letter to a guard, who walked it over to the man sitting at a desk, quietly writing. He stood, and took the letter from the guard, who bowed and stepped back. Emperor Aeathyth opened the letter and read its contents, not even blinking twice at the results. So, the attack failed. He wasn't terribly surprised, and he set the letter on his desk and wrote out a brief set of orders, pausing to look at the messenger. The look was well known to the man, and he answered the unspoken question. [i]"The general at the fortress kept his men from attacking those collecting the wounded, as he has before. The orders he sent were far different this time. Aeathyth believed that the men and women holding that gate have gotten far too used to the same human wave strategy, considering how casually they brushed them off at this point. New orders, which would not be openly telegraphed through new practice regimes on the front lines, were going to be put into effect. Aeathyth didn't have the siege breaking tools that would be required right away, and early on the human wave techniques could have worked. Now it was simply spending lives to put the Maliusians into a position where they believed that was the only real thing to expect from any attacks. The new plan would not be engaged just yet, but the new attack would occur much sooner than the normal period between attempts. The messenger took the letter and immediately left. The fortress Aeathyth resided currently in could see the front lines from the top spire, however, was far enough back to be safe from any attempts to attack it. Arcane or otherwise.
The Emperor retired to the top spire, looking over the battle lines. They were celebrating another victory, no matter how empty it was. You could tell when someone was celebrating or recouperating from a close victory. They looked complacent, and spies stated the attacks, while it tired the mages after the end of the human waves, inflicted low casualties and did little more than to maintain the moral of the guardians of such a fortress. The new plan was simple and flexible, and it would be executed soon. A new army was raised from the other end of the Alionyan empire, equipped with a whole variety of siege equipment. It would be a short time before they arrived. However, after the usual human wave attack, under cover of night, they would strike. Even if that did not break the siege in itself, it would be the beginning. He tired of this game of back and forth, and while that meant he was going to take a risk, it would not be a foolhardy one. He personally was coordinating these efforts, rather than leaving it to his generals. They were solid defenders, and attackers for that matter, but the delicate art of siege warfare eluded them. This was a tricky situation, yes, but the proper application of force could see it broken. And of course, he would avoid making the mistake his predecessors would make. Leading the attack. The Emperor was a leader of a nation, like putting a king in the front lines when playing a game of chess. It was foolish and, no matter how skilled said king was, it would be simply foolish to make such a bold maneuver. He resumed writing his previous doucments and contingencies for the various possible outcomes of this next move, and how to cope with the aftermath.
RPG
