You pitch camp a mile away from the besieged capital and ponder over what you can do. You are heavily outnumbered and attacking the enemy would cause the death of most of your men...
Besides, your soldiers are tired. They have fought bravely against the Okyrians in the last battle, but it has cost them a lot of energy.
One of your commanders enter your tent. He looks troubled.
"General, the Capital can't be expected to hold out for long. The citizens are starving, and the Imperial Guards are exhausted. We need to act fast."
You nod slowly, but you don't know what to do, beside facing the enemy directly.
[[We shall let our men get their strenght back, then we will think more deeply ]]
[[We shall lead small attacks on the enemy's rear, until we make them crumble ]]
[[We shall spend time to train our men and recruit more soldiers. The Emperor can wait a little longer ]]
Your commander nods. "I shall take care of their training, even if I think you could have had a better strategy."
You ignore him. Time is too precious, and you wish you had more men. The enemy camp has over ten-thousand soldiers professionally trained. As you stare at a map of the surrounding land, an idea forms into your mind. If you start recruiting men from the land, your army will swell. Of course, it wouldn't grow as big as the Okyrian's, but it was still something to consider.
Some time later you send groups of men to recruit soldiers from surrounding farms and villages. You hope they will come back with new, fit soldiers.
Soon you will have to think about the training...
[[Continue ]]
Your commander frowns. "I'm sorry, but I don't think it's a good idea. Our men are exhausted, they wouldn't manage it. Besides, it's a poor strategy. It might decrease the enemy morale but nothing else."
You sigh. If only you had a strategist!
You hold your head in your hands. Then an idea forms in your mind.
"Send spies into the enemy camp!"
Your commander seems puzzled, but you don't mind. A plan has formed into your mind.
[[Go on]]
Your commander nods. "That's a good idea, yet I cant' help feeling that soon we'll be dead and six feet under."
The next day you send men away to recruit new soldiers. Meanwhile training starts.
You watch your elite soldiers as they polish their battle skills. One of them, a young man with brown hair and grey eyes, catches your attention. He is fast, evading each blow from his partner and striking remorselessly. As you watch him, an idea forms in your mind.
That night you order spies into the enemy camp, ordering them to find out as much as they can about the enemy numbers and position.
[[Go on ]]
Soon new recruits arrive and training starts. You watch your elite soldiers as they polish their battle skills. One of them, a young man with brown hair and grey eyes, catches your attention. He is fast, evading each blow from his partner and striking remorselessly. As you watch him, an idea forms in your mind.
That night you order spies into the enemy camp, ordering them to find out as much as they can about the enemy numbers and position.
[[Go on ]]
Soon your spies are back. You ask them in to report on the enemy situation.
"They have a great morale, since their leader is a military genius. Also, they're aware of our position and intend to strike soon."
You nod at this precious information.
[[I want you to continue spying on the enemy ]]
Some time later you approach the skilled fighter you had noticed before, who's name is Rennor, and invite him into your tent. When you tell him everything he needs to know, he accepts just as one of your spies rush inside with important news.
"Sir! It was a red herring! The enemy have only five-thousand men with them, not ten-thousand!"
You are glad to hear this news. What you have in mind will be much easier now that you know the enemy's real number. That night, your plan comes into action. You gather your trusted men and explain everything to them.
[[Explain ]]
Soon your spies are back. You ask them in to report on the enemy situation.
"They have a great morale, since their leader is a military genius. Also, they're aware of our position and intend to strike soon."
You nod at this precious information.
[[I want you to continue spying on the enemy ]]
"So", you began," Rennor will sneak into the enemy camp and assassinate their general. He will have to be very careful: one mistake and everything will fail. Going past the sentries will be easy: my spies have mixed sleeping powder with their food. Meanwhile I want all my men gathered and ready to attack. As soon as Rennor kills the general, he will creep out and warn us. Then... we'll storm in."
Your commanders all agree, glad to have a good plan after so long. They leave the tent to prepare.
[[Get ready]]
When Rennon sneaks inside the enemy camp, you and your men wait for a long time for him to come out. Then suddenly you hear shouts from within the enemy camp. Has he failed?
Rennon appears and hurries towards you, breathless and flush.
"I succeeded, but the camp's now aware!"
[[Lead your men inside. The element of surprise will be on your side ]]
[[Hurry back to the camp ]]
"Charge!"
Cavalry, infantry and elites all rush inside the enemy camp. Surprised, without armor and leadership, the enemy fall quickly under your powerful charge. Soon their camp is burning, corpses littering the bloody ground. Your victory is almost complete, but fo a few remaining soldiers.
Do you:
[[Gather your men together and seek out the survivors ]]
[[Disperse your men to kill the survivors ]]
Your army turns and rushes back toward camp. As you ride after them, you feel something thud into your back and pain sweeps through you. You fall from your mount and all goes dark.
You have failed. The end has come.
Your men gather and rampage through the camp, burning and killing every last enemy soldier. Soon there is nothing left but burning tents and dead soldiers strewn accross the ground.
You wiped sweat off your forehead. Once again, victory is yours.
[[Head to the capital ]]
With your unity broken up, the remaining soldiers gain the upper hand and your troops are scattered. You are defeated: the Empire is lost.
You free the capital and lift the siege officially. You make your way through the streets of the capital, crowds of grateful citizens swarming around you and your men.
When your reach the Palace the Emperor awaits you.
"Well done," he congratulates you warmly, "you have fought well. It was a narrow victory, but there are more battles to be won. The worst has passed: now all you have to do is defeat the few remaining Okyrian fortresses in the land."
You smile gratefully. Yet you know it is not over. In a few days you will head for Sandror, the most powerful Okyrian fortress that remains.
You have come home a hero, but there is still more to be won.
TO BE CONTINUED