Daybreak:Volume 3 Chapter 9 - Revision history

Aorii at 13:22, 28 May 2023

2023-05-28T13:22:59Z

Aorii at 05:39, 27 January 2022

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Aorii at 03:01, 16 October 2021

2021-10-16T03:01:16Z

Aorii at 16:07, 26 September 2021

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Aorii at 15:17, 24 July 2021

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Aorii: REDUX STARTS, FULL CLEAR

2021-07-24T15:17:48Z

REDUX STARTS, FULL CLEAR

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Aorii at 13:59, 6 April 2017

2017-04-06T13:59:24Z

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Aorii at 19:02, 28 July 2016

2016-07-28T19:02:19Z

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Aorii at 14:15, 1 July 2016

2016-07-01T14:15:08Z

Aorii at 15:56, 6 May 2016

2016-05-06T15:56:03Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 13:22, 28 May 2023
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	"I take it that your father is some kind of expert in this field then?"		"I take it that your father is some kind of expert in this field then?"

	"~~As close as it gets~~," Robert ~~shrugged half-heartedly~~. "Both of my parents are ~~actually~~ healers by training. They've campaigned alongside the army in every war Rhin-Lotharingie has fought in for nearly a century. They spent countless hours patching troops together. Over the years they realized that while physical wounds could be healed by curative spells, the mental scars that veterans accumulated were... much more difficult." He finished with a frowning scowl.		"Yes," Robert said with a sigh. "Both of my parents are healers by training. They've campaigned alongside the army in every war Rhin-Lotharingie has fought in for nearly a century. They spent countless hours patching troops together. Over the years they realized that while physical wounds could be healed by curative spells, the mental scars that veterans accumulated were... much more difficult." He finished with a frowning scowl.

	''Of course,'' Kaede reflected. ''Not only do Hyperion mages live much longer, but magic brings a level of destructive savagery unseen on Earth until the World Wars...''		''Of course,'' Kaede reflected. ''Not only do Hyperion mages live much longer, but magic brings a level of destructive savagery unseen on Earth until the World Wars...''
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	In fact, it was only thanks to Sir Robert and General Macdonald that they could come to an agreement at all. The former had lent authority to Pascal as the personal representative of Princess Sylviane. The latter had arrived before his reinforcement column and provided much needed backing as a Lotharin military professional.		In fact, it was only thanks to Sir Robert and General Macdonald that they could come to an agreement at all. The former had lent authority to Pascal as the personal representative of Princess Sylviane. The latter had arrived before his reinforcement column and provided much needed backing as a Lotharin military professional.

	It would have been easier if Rhin-Lotharingie actually followed a professional military hierarchy, as Macdonald was the only one present with an official rank of general. The problem, however, was that General ~~Claude~~ Macdonald wasn't of noble blood.		It would have been easier if Rhin-Lotharingie actually followed a professional military hierarchy, as Macdonald was the only one present with an official rank of general. The problem, however, was that General François Macdonald wasn't of noble blood.

	The tall, broad-shouldered commandant with his plain looks, chubby cheeks, and thin gray hair came from a yeomen family. He dressed in a blue gambeson and tunic that seemed downright dull compared to the extravagant wardrobes of most nobles, yet its immaculate presentation showed his pride as a soldier. It took Macdonald eight decades of dedicated military service to reach his exalted rank. However, despite being made a count after the last war, many nobles continued to look down upon him as though he was a peasant who failed to remember his station in life.		The tall, broad-shouldered commandant with his plain looks, chubby cheeks, and thin gray hair came from a yeomen family. He dressed in a blue gambeson and tunic that seemed downright dull compared to the extravagant wardrobes of most nobles, yet its immaculate presentation showed his pride as a soldier. It took Macdonald eight decades of dedicated military service to reach his exalted rank. However, despite being made a count after the last war, many nobles continued to look down upon him as though he was a peasant who failed to remember his station in life.
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	"Then I leave it to you all to bring the banners back up to combat readiness." Pascal declared. "Use the task of constructing fortifications on the Gwilen's northern riverbanks to keep the men motivated. Her Highness and I will personally inspect the results in five days, and rewards will be given to units that perform the best." He spurred them on with competitive rivalry before concluding the meeting. "General Macdonald, Major Ostergalen, Lady Lynette, Sir Robert, Sir Gerard, please stay behind. The rest of you may leave."		"Then I leave it to you all to bring the banners back up to combat readiness." Pascal declared. "Use the task of constructing fortifications on the Gwilen's northern riverbanks to keep the men motivated. Her Highness and I will personally inspect the results in five days, and rewards will be given to units that perform the best." He spurred them on with competitive rivalry before concluding the meeting. "General Macdonald, Major Ostergalen, Lady Lynette, Sir Robert, Sir Gerard, please stay behind. The rest of you may leave."

	One by one, the dukes and counts left the large, deployable cabin that they had been using as the 'war room'. The last to depart was Lady Anne, who clearly looked unhappy that she was not invited to whatever discussions that came after the main meeting. Nevertheless, she left without further comment. This meant only seven people remained in the room: Pascal, Kaede, Robert, Gerard, alongside the quiet General ~~Claude~~ Macdonald, the intelligence major Hans Ostergalen, and Lady Lynette.		One by one, the dukes and counts left the large, deployable cabin that they had been using as the 'war room'. The last to depart was Lady Anne, who clearly looked unhappy that she was not invited to whatever discussions that came after the main meeting. Nevertheless, she left without further comment. This meant only seven people remained in the room: Pascal, Kaede, Robert, Gerard, alongside the quiet General François Macdonald, the intelligence major Hans Ostergalen, and Lady Lynette.

	Pascal took a moment to exhale deeply and relieve his stress before he beckoned towards the map table:		Pascal took a moment to exhale deeply and relieve his stress before he beckoned towards the map table:
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	"I think this is a good plan to start with. I shall work with General Macdonald to coordinate the defensive arrangements in great detail in the coming days," Pascal commented before receiving a nod of agreement from the General in exchange.		"I think this is a good plan to start with. I shall work with General Macdonald to coordinate the defensive arrangements in great detail in the coming days," Pascal commented before receiving a nod of agreement from the General in exchange.

	It rather surprised Kaede just how willing General Macdonald was to let Pascal take the reins. Yeomen birth or not, the centenarian general had decades more experience than Pascal did and had been promoted by the late Emperor himself. However, it also seemed that ~~Claude~~ Macdonald was a modest and agreeable professional completely void of personal vanity. It spoke volumes for his character even if his record was -- as Hans noted prior to the meeting -- 'reliable but unspectacular'.		It rather surprised Kaede just how willing General Macdonald was to let Pascal take the reins. Yeomen birth or not, the centenarian general had decades more experience than Pascal did and had been promoted by the late Emperor himself. However, it also seemed that Macdonald was a modest and agreeable professional completely void of personal vanity. It spoke volumes for his character even if his record was -- as Hans noted prior to the meeting -- 'reliable but unspectacular'.

	"Gerard, leave the remainder of the fortifications planning to the other Lotharin engineers and Weichsen pioneers. I have another task for you, and this is a task I can entrust ''only'' to you," Pascal stressed.		"Gerard, leave the remainder of the fortifications planning to the other Lotharin engineers and Weichsen pioneers. I have another task for you, and this is a task I can entrust ''only'' to you," Pascal stressed.

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:01, 16 October 2021
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	Robert exhaled a deep breath -- at least the worst scenario had been avoided.		Robert exhaled a deep breath -- at least the worst scenario had been avoided.

	"But~~...~~ we didn't exactly try very hard to hold her back when she imposed excessive punishment on ''you''. That's why... both of us owe you an apology."		"But, we didn't exactly try very hard to hold her back when she imposed excessive punishment on ''you''. That's why... both of us owe you an apology."

	Kaede thought back. She had been too distraught over her own welfare at the time, when she realized that her attempt to put in a few words for Pascal only redirected Sylviane's anger towards herself. However, it was true that neither of them offered anything more than verbal objections when Sylviane hauled Kaede outside and glued her legs to a rock.		Kaede thought back. She had been too distraught over her own welfare at the time, when she realized that her attempt to put in a few words for Pascal only redirected Sylviane's anger towards herself. However, it was true that neither of them offered anything more than verbal objections when Sylviane hauled Kaede outside and glued her legs to a rock.
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	Her emotions suddenly flared as she felt wronged for a second time.		Her emotions suddenly flared as she felt wronged for a second time.

	"''Excessive?''" She hissed. "It was unwarranted! ~~At least Pascal was to blame for some of the fault.~~ I was innocent!"		"''Excessive?''" She hissed. "It was unwarranted! She ''knows'' I was innocent!"

	The armiger sighed as though he expected this.		The armiger sighed as though he expected this.
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	''It's still unfair,'' she couldn't help but fume in silence.		''It's still unfair,'' she couldn't help but fume in silence.

	"But the fact is," Robert continued after the pause. "Her Highness knew perfectly well that ~~both~~ of ~~you were innocent, and that~~ you had no intention of undermining her. She should have just given you a warning, or a proverbial slap on the wrist. Instead, she took her anger and jealousy out on you... and we..."		"But the fact is," Robert continued after the pause. "Her Highness knew perfectly well that neither of you had any intention of undermining her. She should have just given you a warning, or a proverbial slap on the wrist. Instead, she took her anger and jealousy out on you... and we..."

	He sighed once more before an ashamed voice conceded to the inevitable:		He sighed once more before an ashamed voice conceded to the inevitable:
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	"Yes, Your Grace," the noblewoman who had joined Sylviane back at the stone ring stepped forth with a soldierly stride.		"Yes, Your Grace," the noblewoman who had joined Sylviane back at the stone ring stepped forth with a soldierly stride.

	Pascal had been surprised to discover that Lynette actually came from a military family in the Kingdom of Ceredigion. She might not have much experience herself, but the Brythonic way of war had been drilled into her since childhood. As Ceredigion was the origin of the longbow and its associated guerilla tactics, it made sense to elevate Lynette to deputy commander of all Lotharin Rangers in this army. They had been tasked to lay ambushes for the Caliphate's scouting parties, harass the enemy's perimeter units, and do whatever it ~~takes~~ to slow down the invaders' advance.		Pascal had been surprised to discover that Lynette actually came from a military family in the Kingdom of Ceredigion. She might not have much experience herself, but the Brythonic way of war had been drilled into her since childhood. As Ceredigion was the origin of the longbow and its associated guerilla tactics, it made sense to elevate Lynette to deputy commander of all Lotharin Rangers in this army. They had been tasked to lay ambushes for the Caliphate's scouting parties, harass the enemy's perimeter units, and do whatever it took to slow down the invaders' advance.

	"Your Grace, General," she acknowledged the two senior commanders in typical Lotharin fashion, with preference given to title over military rank. "Since being detached from the withdrawing army, I have instructed two of my ranger companies to probe the invaders' marching camp every night. We've done everything from raiding their outer sentry posts, to shooting volleys of explosive arrows, to launching feigned assaults..."		"Your Grace, General," she acknowledged the two senior commanders in typical Lotharin fashion, with preference given to title over military rank. "Since being detached from the withdrawing army, I have instructed two of my ranger companies to probe the invaders' marching camp every night. We've done everything from raiding their outer sentry posts, to shooting volleys of explosive arrows, to launching feigned assaults..."
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	The Avorican Capital of Roazhon was built near the confluence of two rivers. The River Hafren, which flowed south from the southwestern end of the North Lotharingie Mountains, and the River Gwilen, which flowed west from the northwestern end of the South Lotharingie Mountains. The city also overlooked the fifty kilopace gap between these two mountain ranges, thereby making it one of the most strategic locations on the continent. As such, Roazhon featured an extended array of fortifications outside the city, which reached as far as twenty kilopaces away.		The Avorican Capital of Roazhon was built near the confluence of two rivers. The River Hafren, which flowed south from the southwestern end of the North Lotharingie Mountains, and the River Gwilen, which flowed west from the northwestern end of the South Lotharingie Mountains. The city also overlooked the fifty kilopace gap between these two mountain ranges, thereby making it one of the most strategic locations on the continent. As such, Roazhon featured an extended array of fortifications outside the city, which reached as far as twenty kilopaces away.

	The Gwilen river served as the southern flank of the city's defensive zone. Flowing down from the Southern Lotharingie Mountains, the river ~~features~~ a sharp drop in elevation with fast-flowing rapids cutting a steep valley into the rocky hills upstream. Meanwhile downstream, the Gwilen and Hafren rivers converged to create a swampy marsh that led all the way to the Bay of Ceredigion. This left only a twelve kilopace length of the river where a crossing could be forced, and it was here that Pascal planned to dig in with the entire Army of Avorica.		The Gwilen river served as the southern flank of the city's defensive zone. Flowing down from the Southern Lotharingie Mountains, the river featured a sharp drop in elevation with fast-flowing rapids cutting a steep valley into the rocky hills upstream. Meanwhile downstream, the Gwilen and Hafren rivers converged to create a swampy marsh that led all the way to the Bay of Ceredigion. This left only a twelve kilopace length of the river where a crossing could be forced, and it was here that Pascal planned to dig in with the entire Army of Avorica.

	"I've taken your suggestions into account and worked with the Weichsen pioneers to design a multi-layered defense line covering the entirety of the twelve-kilopace river crossing," Gerard began. "Roazhon's outer defensive works have already provided us with a basis to build upon. There's the stone fort covering the now-demolished bridge, as well as smaller, stone guard towers built along the river banks -- one every kilopace. Over the next five days, I hope to quadruple the number of stone redoubts by using clay mixed from the river's silt and transmutation spells. The sandstone created by the spell won't be as good as the limestone towers, but they'll still do the job."		"I've taken your suggestions into account and worked with the Weichsen pioneers to design a multi-layered defense line covering the entirety of the twelve-kilopace river crossing," Gerard began. "Roazhon's outer defensive works have already provided us with a basis to build upon. There's the stone fort covering the now-demolished bridge, as well as smaller, stone guard towers built along the river banks -- one every kilopace. Over the next five days, I hope to quadruple the number of stone redoubts by using clay mixed from the river's silt and transmutation spells. The sandstone created by the spell won't be as good as the limestone towers, but they'll still do the job."

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:07, 26 September 2021
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	In fact, it was only thanks to Sir Robert and General Macdonald that they could come to an agreement at all. The former had lent authority to Pascal as the personal representative of Princess Sylviane. The latter had arrived before his reinforcement column and provided much needed backing as a Lotharin military professional.		In fact, it was only thanks to Sir Robert and General Macdonald that they could come to an agreement at all. The former had lent authority to Pascal as the personal representative of Princess Sylviane. The latter had arrived before his reinforcement column and provided much needed backing as a Lotharin military professional.

	It would have been easier if Rhin-Lotharingie actually followed a professional military hierarchy, as Macdonald was the only one present with an official rank of general. The problem, however, was that General ~~Jean-Baptiste~~ Macdonald wasn't of noble blood.		It would have been easier if Rhin-Lotharingie actually followed a professional military hierarchy, as Macdonald was the only one present with an official rank of general. The problem, however, was that General Claude Macdonald wasn't of noble blood.

	The tall, broad-shouldered commandant with his plain looks, chubby cheeks, and thin gray hair came from a yeomen family. He dressed in a blue gambeson and tunic that seemed downright dull compared to the extravagant wardrobes of most nobles, yet its immaculate presentation showed his pride as a soldier. It took Macdonald eight decades of dedicated military service to reach his exalted rank. However despite being made a count after the last war, many nobles continued to look down upon him as though he was a peasant who failed to remember his station in life.		The tall, broad-shouldered commandant with his plain looks, chubby cheeks, and thin gray hair came from a yeomen family. He dressed in a blue gambeson and tunic that seemed downright dull compared to the extravagant wardrobes of most nobles, yet its immaculate presentation showed his pride as a soldier. It took Macdonald eight decades of dedicated military service to reach his exalted rank. However despite being made a count after the last war, many nobles continued to look down upon him as though he was a peasant who failed to remember his station in life.
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	"Yes, Your Grace." The nobles nodded in reply to Pascal. Even Lady Anne of the Knights Hospitaller did so as she had been forced to make a compromise with Pascal in the end.		"Yes, Your Grace." The nobles nodded in reply to Pascal. Even Lady Anne of the Knights Hospitaller did so as she had been forced to make a compromise with Pascal in the end.

	"Then I leave it to you all to bring the banners back up to ~~fighting strength~~." Pascal declared. "Use the task of constructing fortifications on the Gwilen's northern riverbanks to keep the men motivated. Her Highness and I will personally inspect the results in five days, and rewards will be given to units that perform the best." He spurred them on with competitive rivalry before concluding the meeting. "General Macdonald, Major Ostergalen, Lady Lynette, Sir Robert, Sir Gerard, please stay behind. The rest of you may leave."		"Then I leave it to you all to bring the banners back up to combat readiness." Pascal declared. "Use the task of constructing fortifications on the Gwilen's northern riverbanks to keep the men motivated. Her Highness and I will personally inspect the results in five days, and rewards will be given to units that perform the best." He spurred them on with competitive rivalry before concluding the meeting. "General Macdonald, Major Ostergalen, Lady Lynette, Sir Robert, Sir Gerard, please stay behind. The rest of you may leave."

	One by one, the dukes and counts left the large, deployable cabin that they had been using as the 'war room'. The last to depart was Lady Anne, who clearly looked unhappy that she was not invited to whatever discussions that came after the main meeting. Nevertheless, she left without further comment. This meant only seven people remained in the room: Pascal, Kaede, Robert, Gerard, alongside the quiet General ~~Jean-Baptiste~~ Macdonald, the intelligence major Hans Ostergalen, and Lady Lynette.		One by one, the dukes and counts left the large, deployable cabin that they had been using as the 'war room'. The last to depart was Lady Anne, who clearly looked unhappy that she was not invited to whatever discussions that came after the main meeting. Nevertheless, she left without further comment. This meant only seven people remained in the room: Pascal, Kaede, Robert, Gerard, alongside the quiet General Claude Macdonald, the intelligence major Hans Ostergalen, and Lady Lynette.

	Pascal took a moment to exhale deeply and relieve his stress before he beckoned towards the map table:		Pascal took a moment to exhale deeply and relieve his stress before he beckoned towards the map table:
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	"I have the initial draft," Gerard pulled out a large map scroll before stretching it over the huge table.		"I have the initial draft," Gerard pulled out a large map scroll before stretching it over the huge table.

	The Avorican Capital of Roazhon was built near the confluence of two rivers. The River Hafren, which flowed south from the southwestern end of the North Lotharingie Mountains, and the River Gwilen, which flowed west from the northwestern end of the South Lotharingie Mountains. The city also overlooked the ~~eighty~~ kilopace gap between these two mountain ranges, thereby making it one of the most strategic locations on the continent. As such, Roazhon featured an extended array of fortifications outside the city, which reached as far as twenty kilopaces away.		The Avorican Capital of Roazhon was built near the confluence of two rivers. The River Hafren, which flowed south from the southwestern end of the North Lotharingie Mountains, and the River Gwilen, which flowed west from the northwestern end of the South Lotharingie Mountains. The city also overlooked the fifty kilopace gap between these two mountain ranges, thereby making it one of the most strategic locations on the continent. As such, Roazhon featured an extended array of fortifications outside the city, which reached as far as twenty kilopaces away.

	The Gwilen river served as the southern flank of the city's defensive zone. Flowing down from the Southern Lotharingie Mountains, the river features a sharp drop in elevation with fast-flowing rapids cutting a steep valley into the rocky hills upstream. Meanwhile downstream, the Gwilen and Hafren rivers converged to create a swampy marsh that led all the way to the Bay of Ceredigion. This left only a twelve kilopace length of the river where a crossing could be forced, and it was here that Pascal planned to dig in with the entire Army of Avorica.		The Gwilen river served as the southern flank of the city's defensive zone. Flowing down from the Southern Lotharingie Mountains, the river features a sharp drop in elevation with fast-flowing rapids cutting a steep valley into the rocky hills upstream. Meanwhile downstream, the Gwilen and Hafren rivers converged to create a swampy marsh that led all the way to the Bay of Ceredigion. This left only a twelve kilopace length of the river where a crossing could be forced, and it was here that Pascal planned to dig in with the entire Army of Avorica.

	"I've taken your suggestions into account and worked with the Weichsen pioneers to design a multi-layered defense line covering the entirety of the twelve-kilopace river crossing," Gerard began. "Roazhon's outer defensive works have already provided us with a basis to build upon. There's the stone fort covering the now-demolished bridge, as well as ~~twelve~~ smaller, ~~four-story tall~~ stone guard towers built along the river banks -- one every kilopace. Over the next five days, I hope to quadruple the number of stone redoubts by using clay mixed from the river's silt and transmutation spells. The sandstone created by the spell won't be as good as the limestone towers, but they'll still do the job."		"I've taken your suggestions into account and worked with the Weichsen pioneers to design a multi-layered defense line covering the entirety of the twelve-kilopace river crossing," Gerard began. "Roazhon's outer defensive works have already provided us with a basis to build upon. There's the stone fort covering the now-demolished bridge, as well as smaller, stone guard towers built along the river banks -- one every kilopace. Over the next five days, I hope to quadruple the number of stone redoubts by using clay mixed from the river's silt and transmutation spells. The sandstone created by the spell won't be as good as the limestone towers, but they'll still do the job."

	"Sandstone is still stone. Better than wood which shatters into shrapnel as soon as it is struck by siege," Pascal said as his brows furrowed. "I want each tower ringed by its own earthen rampart and ditch. Each should function as its own redoubt. They must hold out even if the defenses around them fail. That way the garrison can continue to shoot down, which will slow the enemy advance until reserves arrive to counterattack."		"Sandstone is still stone. Better than wood which shatters into shrapnel as soon as it is struck by siege," Pascal said as his brows furrowed. "I want each tower ringed by its own earthen rampart and ditch. Each should function as its own redoubt. They must hold out even if the defenses around them fail. That way the garrison can continue to shoot down, which will slow the enemy advance until reserves arrive to counterattack."
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	''Hedgehog defense,'' Kaede recognize the pattern from her WWII books. The Germans had used this strategy to great effect against the Soviet winter offensives.		''Hedgehog defense,'' Kaede recognize the pattern from her WWII books. The Germans had used this strategy to great effect against the Soviet winter offensives.

	"Sure," Gerard noted down by drawing a few quick circles around the squares that marked the towers. "Before and between the towers are the main earthen ramparts, with a ditch in front, which the soldiers have already begun excavating. ~~Sharpened stakes~~ will be ~~driven into the incline~~ to ~~deter climbing. These chevron-shaped ramparts will~~ cover each ~~other’s~~ blind spots ~~and allow our archers to enfilade enemies in the ditch~~. Meanwhile the gaps between them will facilitate the movement of friendly troops while funneling our enemies."		"Sure," Gerard noted down by drawing a few quick circles around the squares that marked the towers. "Before and between the towers are the main earthen ramparts, each with a wide ditch in front, which the soldiers have already begun excavating. The ramparts will be built in staggered chevrons to cover each other's blind spots. Meanwhile the gaps between them will facilitate the movement of friendly troops while funneling our enemies."

	~~"The infidels will naturally be directed into those chokepoints, where our limited heavy infantry will be concentrated to hold the line."~~ Pascal ~~commented before gesturing for Gerard to continue~~.		Pascal nodded in approval.

	"Once the main line of earthworks are completed, we will build additional, smaller fieldworks in front in staggered ranks," Gerard went on. "We'll supplement this using other obstacles, including stakes, spiked pits, and the ~~abundance of~~ caltrops that Weichsel ~~has~~ provided us. The main goal is simply to break the enemy's momentum, bottle them at the river banks for as long as possible, and let our superiority in archery do its work."		"With the Lotharin army's abundance of skirmishers but lack of heavy infantry, it's important we limited the enemy's ability to bring us into melee. The fortifications will funnel the infidels into chokepoints, where our limited heavy infantry will be concentrated to hold the line." He then added before gesturing for Gerard to continue.

			"Once the main line of earthworks are completed, we will build additional, smaller fieldworks in front in staggered ranks," Gerard went on. "We'll supplement this using other obstacles, including stakes, spiked pits, and the caltrops that Weichsel provided us. The main goal is simply to break the enemy's momentum, bottle them at the river banks for as long as possible, and let our superiority in archery do its work."

	''They're trying to turn the field battle into a siege, to secure as many defensive advantages as they can to bleed the enemy out,'' Kaede grimaced.		''They're trying to turn the field battle into a siege, to secure as many defensive advantages as they can to bleed the enemy out,'' Kaede grimaced.
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	"I think this is a good plan to start with. I shall work with General Macdonald to coordinate the defensive arrangements in great detail in the coming days," Pascal commented before receiving a nod of agreement from the General in exchange.		"I think this is a good plan to start with. I shall work with General Macdonald to coordinate the defensive arrangements in great detail in the coming days," Pascal commented before receiving a nod of agreement from the General in exchange.

	It rather surprised Kaede just how willing General Macdonald was to let Pascal take the reins. Yeomen birth or not, the centenarian general had decades more experience than Pascal did and had been promoted by the late Emperor himself. However it also seemed that ~~Jean-Baptiste~~ Macdonald was a modest and agreeable professional completely void of personal vanity. It spoke volumes for his character even if his record was, as Hans noted prior to the meeting, 'reliable but unspectacular'.		It rather surprised Kaede just how willing General Macdonald was to let Pascal take the reins. Yeomen birth or not, the centenarian general had decades more experience than Pascal did and had been promoted by the late Emperor himself. However it also seemed that Claude Macdonald was a modest and agreeable professional completely void of personal vanity. It spoke volumes for his character even if his record was, as Hans noted prior to the meeting, 'reliable but unspectacular'.

	"Gerard, leave the remainder of the fortifications planning to the other Lotharin engineers and Weichsen pioneers. I have another task for you, and this is a task I can entrust ''only'' to you," Pascal stressed.		"Gerard, leave the remainder of the fortifications planning to the other Lotharin engineers and Weichsen pioneers. I have another task for you, and this is a task I can entrust ''only'' to you," Pascal stressed.
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	The burly engineer's eyebrows rose as the young lord's remarks clearly peaked his interest.		The burly engineer's eyebrows rose as the young lord's remarks clearly peaked his interest.

	"I want you to handpick a group and go upstream." Pascal then declared as his hand traced upriver on the map. "Take whomever you need, but make sure to keep a lid on your mission. ~~There are~~ no doubt enemy spies ~~already planted~~ within this army, and it is absolutely important that the construction task I give you is done under the ''utmost of secrecy.''"		"I want you to handpick a group and go upstream." Pascal then declared as his hand traced upriver on the map. "Take whomever you need, but make sure to keep a lid on your mission. I have no doubt that there are already enemy spies within this army, and it is absolutely important that the construction task I give you is done under the ''utmost of secrecy.''"

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:15, 1 July 2016
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	"--Not to mention her 'hypomania' are a milder form of the bipolar 'mania' episodes -- ones where we could still talk her out of some poorly influenced decisions," Robert finished with a grave stare. "'True bipolarity' is utterly crippling."		"--Not to mention her 'hypomania' are a milder form of the bipolar 'mania' episodes -- ones where we could still talk her out of some poorly influenced decisions," Robert finished with a grave stare. "'True bipolarity' is utterly crippling."

			The fact they had such precise, clinical terminology for psychological disorders was yet another sign of just how advanced Hyperion medical sciences were. It reminded Kaede of how much she grossly oversimplified a complex reality every time she slapped the label of a 'pre-industrial society' on this world.

	"I take it that your father is some kind of expert in this field then?"		"I take it that your father is some kind of expert in this field then?"
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	"As close as it gets," he half-shrugged. "Both of my parents are actually healers by training. They've campaigned alongside the army in every recent war Rhin-Lotharingie has fought and spent countless hours patching troops together. But over the years they realized that while physical wounds could be readily healed by curative spells, the mental scars that veterans accumulated were... much more difficult."		"As close as it gets," he half-shrugged. "Both of my parents are actually healers by training. They've campaigned alongside the army in every recent war Rhin-Lotharingie has fought and spent countless hours patching troops together. But over the years they realized that while physical wounds could be readily healed by curative spells, the mental scars that veterans accumulated were... much more difficult."

	''Of course,'' Kaede reflected. ''Not only do Hyperion mages live much longer, but magic can bring a level of destructive savagery onto the battlefield unseen on Earth until the industrial age...''		''Of course,'' Kaede reflected. ''Not only do Hyperion mages live much longer, but magic can bring a level of destructive savagery onto the battlefield unseen on Earth until the late industrial age...''

	Robert then offered her a wry smile. He wasn't instantly rebounding from his earlier moment of depression, but there was still a shadow of his usual cheery self as he explained with a personal passion.		Robert then offered her a wry smile. He wasn't instantly rebounding from his earlier moment of depression, but there was still a shadow of his usual cheery self as he explained with a personal passion.
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	One thing was clear: for all the dedication his parents poured into researching the effects of trauma, they did not hesitate to inflict one upon their own son.		One thing was clear: for all the dedication his parents poured into researching the effects of trauma, they did not hesitate to inflict one upon their own son.

	"''I was appalled,''" his breathing hastened as outrage flashed across his eyes. "I screamed at papa right there. But there he was, just ~~calming~~ watching as the mare thrashed and shrieked in her dying breaths. There was blood all over him, but he paid it no mind and just looked at me with the coldest eyes I had ever seen in him. He told me that we'd have a contest -- maybe not immediately, maybe years later when I could train and perfect myself -- but he'd challenge me eventually: that he could slay the animals of the farm much, much faster than I could heal them."		"''I was appalled,''" his breathing hastened as outrage flashed across his eyes. "I screamed at papa right there. But there he was, just calmly watching as the mare thrashed and shrieked in her dying breaths. There was blood all over him, but he paid it no mind and just looked at me with the coldest eyes I had ever seen in him. He told me that we'd have a contest -- maybe not immediately, maybe years later when I could train and perfect myself -- but he'd challenge me eventually: that he could slay the animals of the farm much, much faster than I could heal them."

	''...Just as a prince could kill faster than any healer could save,'' Kaede thought.		''...Just as a prince could kill faster than any healer could save,'' Kaede thought.
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	"Are you saying," Pascal's eyes suddenly widened. "That she becomes like this because she wants to be more confident in herself?"		"Are you saying," Pascal's eyes suddenly widened. "That she becomes like this because she wants to be more confident in herself?"

	"That's a theory," Robert shrugged back. "Honestly, even my parents have no idea. It may very well be a combination of factors, and the burdens on her as a Crown Princess is just one of them. All we know is that the ~~Feykissed~~ in general exhibit mood disorders with greater frequency, and that for Her Highness, the hyperactivity goes straight to her head when she enters 'hypomania' mode."		"That's a theory," Robert shrugged back. "Honestly, even my parents have no idea. It may very well be a combination of factors, and the burdens on her as a Crown Princess is just one of them. All we know is that the faekissed in general exhibit mood disorders with greater frequency, and that for Her Highness, the hyperactivity goes straight to her head when she enters 'hypomania' mode."

	"What do you mean?"		"What do you mean?"
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	Instead of answering Kaede, Robert pulled open one of his extradimensional belt pouches and reached into it. What came out was a stack of papers that he handed to Pascal:		Instead of answering Kaede, Robert pulled open one of his extradimensional belt pouches and reached into it. What came out was a stack of papers that he handed to Pascal:

	"Before I forget ~~again~~ -- Her Highness wanted these done today... or at least as soon as possible. Though I would suggest you discuss them with the senior lords and commanders first. Unlike Weichsel, the Rhin-Lotharingie military is still feudal; the various dukes have authority over their fiefdoms' battalions. It would be best if we snubbed as few prominent noses as possible."		"Before I forget -- Her Highness wanted these done today... or at least as soon as possible. Though I would suggest you discuss them with the senior lords and commanders first. Unlike Weichsel, the Rhin-Lotharingie military is still feudal; the various dukes have authority over their fiefdoms' battalions. It would be best if we snubbed as few prominent noses as possible."

	"I know that," Pascal added irritably as he began to flip through them.		"I know that," Pascal added irritably as he began to flip through them.
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	"But that's--!"		"But that's--!"

	"You must remember that the higher an individual's social status, the more they value reputation and image; for royalty, this becomes critical as legitimacy is above all," he added sternly. "Infidelity towards a sovereign is a ''capital offense'' for a reason -- because even the ''illusion'' of it undermines their authority."		"You must remember that the higher an individual's social status, the more they value reputation and image; for royalty, this becomes critical as legitimacy is above all," he added sternly. "Infidelity towards a sovereign is a ''capital offense'' for a reason -- because even the illusion of it undermines their authority."

	"''Nobody'' will obey an empress who becomes the laughing stock of the court," he finished.		"''Nobody'' will obey an empress who becomes the laughing stock of the court," he finished.
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	With that, the young armiger turned away once more and walked off, leaving Kaede with her mouth gaping in astonishment.		With that, the young armiger turned away once more and walked off, leaving Kaede with her mouth gaping in astonishment.

	''~~Does everyone have psychological issues around here~~? ~~Especially~~ the psychiatrist himself?''		''What is there to be envious about me? or does the psychiatrist himself needs psychological help?''


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	"You believe we should place our faith in the Princess then? When her words actively seek to lead us astray?"		"You believe we should place our faith in the Princess then? When her words actively seek to lead us astray?"

	Edith could only frown and look out the window.		With no clear answers to guide her, Edith could only frown and look out the window.

	''O Holy Father... just what is your will?''		''O Holy Father... just what is your will?''

	~~There was~~ only silence, only dark clouds that continued to obscured the heavens.		But there came only silence, only dark clouds that continued to obscured the heavens.

	She had to think for herself, to remember those truthful words that -- in a fit of irony -- had been taught to her by the same emperor now cast off by the representative of the Lord:		She had to think for herself, to remember those truthful words that -- in a fit of irony -- had been taught to her by the same emperor now cast off by the representative of the Lord: