Chris

Our mission was set, and now it was time to see it through. Marcus marched off south with just under a thousand men behind him, while we set off west. He had more waiting for him at the border to make the total around 5,000. Added to our 3,000, there were 8,000 people in the defense of Gemini.

The place we were to defend was only a couple of days travel, which made for a quick trip. With both factions just now leaving their respective cities, it would be a while before any confrontation was to be had. The fastest estimation had us fighting within the week, but that estimation was based on their Cavalry's top speed while also leaving their infantry behind. The likelihood of that happening was low at best.

More likely, it would be two weeks before blood was shed, which left us over twelve days after arriving to sit and wait. Most of that time would be preparing, but there was only so much we could do.

Additionally, if we did too much, they would simply bypass us, which was a problem in and of itself. The line between prepared enough and not so fortified they'd go around was a fine one, and it was going to be annoying to tread.

The march there was uneventful. Snow was no impediment, and our pace was swift.

What we did after arriving was less so. Arguments broke out over how to fortify our position without overdoing it. There were many ideas on how to proceed, and it was up to me to choose.

"Alright, alright," I raised a hand to quiet the crowd that had gathered. Every lieutenant of all three Orders, with some even outside of that, made up a sizeable amount of men and women. "Here's what we're gonna do,

"Zion, take a few units north and south to block off any potential alternate routes. Prioritize those with the Earth or Ice affinities with skills that will aid them. [Ice Wall], [Earth Wall], that sort of thing. It doesn't have to be all that strong; it just has to deter them.

"While he is doing that, we'll go with Cole's idea for this pass," I announced, "Digging the trenches will take time away from other things, but it will hide the extent of our preparations. Jon, I'll need you to work with Gabriel on who you'll designate to raise the wall from the ground when the time comes.

"Next, any Profession close to or related to Mason, Builder, Miner, Quarry Worker, or in that line will be in charge of fortifying the wall. I'll add Ice to it as an outer layer once it is finished, while also filling it with as much Spirit as I can.

"Any Warder, Enchanter, Formation Smith, or Runic Mage will be in charge of enchanting the finished product. Those with Tier 2 Laws will also add their touch at that time. I want to be able to test raising it and lowering it within the week."

It was a short timeline, but with a few sleepless nights, they'd be able to get it done. Plus, it would give them a few days to rest before the fighting started to get in top shape.

I continued after the previous orders settled in, "Hal, I want every Trapper out softening the blow. They'll know placement better than I will, but I want it all trapped. The forest, the pass, all of it. I want them to walk through a minefield to get anywhere near us."

Gabriel raised his hand, which paused what I was about to say, "Yes?"

"I have Mages with me who have Trap Spells, should they go with the Trappers as well, or work on the Enchantments?"

Which is more important, a stronger wall or more traps?

"How many?" I asked.

"A little over a hundred total, but only a few dozen that are any good."

"Send those with good Spells with the Trappers, the rest will stay and Enchant." I answered and moved on, "Next, any Alchemist will work on creating as many Cold Resistant Potions as they can when we run out of explosives. This weather will only get worse, and those who don't have a high Fortitude or a Cold Affinity will need them."

Along with the Alchemists, the Cooks were also told to focus on meals to raise body temperature, but that didn't need to be restated here.

It was already subzero, and it wasn't only the weather that was making it colder. I aimed to drive it as low as I could as well. [Tundra's Descent] had been running near constantly at low power. Most of the time, such a thing would be a bad idea and ruin morale, but that wasn't a huge problem for us.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Not only did a quarter have a Cold affinity, but everyone was accustomed to the cold. They'd seen worse than this, and a few days in the snow wouldn't kill them. We weren't called Frostheim for nothing.

"Lastly, the Carpenters and Smiths will be working on siege weapons. Catapults and anti-infantry over Trebuchets this time." I concluded, having finished compiling everything.

Without walls to bring down, Trebuchets weren't the best weapon to have. They had the range and power, but they were slow and non ideal for a mobile foe.

After I finished, Sydney raised her hand, "Sir, do you want the Rangers to run skirmish and harrying attacks to slow them down and weaken them?"

"Not yet," I answered, "If a few break off on horseback, you'll be caught, and it isn't worth it. Once they get closer, we'll reconsider."

"Anything else?" I said, and no one answered, "Great! Let's get to it then."

As everyone broke apart to carry out their duties, I noticed one man staying behind. Zion. I sighed, as I knew what this was going to be about.

"Zion," I gave him the floor.

"I must reiterate my earlier objections–"

I interrupted, "Your objections have been noted, Zion, and my position has not changed. I will face Tasunka myself."

He knew how stubborn I could be and that I wasn't going to budge on this, but he brought it up anyway. It was a quality I liked in the man, as there were too many scared to confront me that I knew of, and that wasn't good for my ego.

"You have no experience with mounted combat. You have no Skills for mounted combat. You will be fighting someone who is not only skilled at it, but has skills and most likely a Class related to it. I don't think you could find yourself in a worse advantage than this." Zion pleaded, "I have both experience and skills, while I won't claim guaranteed victory, I am no easy foe either."

I knew that much, and my decision wasn't because he was lacking. Zion was one of the strongest Order members we had, and the aura surrounding the man was proof of that.

D-rank with an Epic Class, level 112, 5 Steps completed, a collection of Epic-grade skills, and a decent fighter.

He was a great man to have on your side. Slightly crazy, and some might say reckless, but good all the same.

"I know all of that, Zion, but I will do so anyway. Fighting the man mounted is a poor choice, I know that, but I won't be able to catch up to him otherwise. I just don't have the speed. If he isn't engaged, the havoc he can wreak could very well swing the battle, which I cannot allow to happen." I explained.

One of the first things I would try to do was unseat the man. Zion had the right of it when he said this was a bad idea, but there wasn't much else I could do. Just like my enemies wouldn't let me act with impunity, I couldn't let him.

"Fine, but I will be there to back you up just in case. Either to step in or in case he flees from you." Zion said resolutely.

Knowing this was the best I was going to get, I nodded, "Then it's settled. Now get going, we need to force them to go through us rather than around."

As the man strode away towards the herd of bison, I hoped my decisions were the right ones. They felt like it now, but things could always go wrong.

Two weeks. I would know in two weeks.

Ryan Clairmont

New Ottawa

Pierre sauntered in with a half grin, which told Ryan all he needed to know about how the meeting went. A grin of his own formed as the man shut the door to his office.

"I see it went well, then?"

Pierre nodded, "More than well. Bri has agreed to support us for the agreed-upon price. She won't be able to commit much, but it's another weight upon the scale."

Putting our weight behind her was the right choice, Ryan thought. Brienne Farland wasn't the pushover Liam was, but she was malleable enough that he could still get things done. All for the right price, of course.

"Was it signed with the ink?" He asked quickly.

Pierre nodded, "Yes."

"Perfect." Ryan leaned back happily. She wouldn't be able to back out now. "Zuri has invited us to Empire City to discuss things, and bringing her along will make this even easier. With the both of us ready to stand behind her, she won't have any more reason to wait. The Witch is strong, I'll give her that, but she isn't enough for all of us."

The treasure wouldn't do Ryan much good himself, but he could leverage it into so much more. If he could also get his hands on the Glacier... No, don't fantasize just yet. There was still a lot to be done before he could start writing checks.

He was already putting himself in a poor position as it was. As much as he didn't like it, the payoff would be more than worth it. When things settled, his reign would be unshakeable. Not even that barbarian would be able to do anything about it once he got back from the west.

"Any news of the west?" Pierre asked. He'd been away in Boston working things out, which left him behind on the current information.

"Frostheim departed weeks ago, with Mikayla and Tasunka leaving a few days ago. Depending on how slow things go, he'll be tied up for the indefinite future. Now is the time." He said.

"Any word from Ashton?" Pierre wasn't fond of the Baron, but he knew when to put things behind him.

Ryan shook his head, "Nothing notable. The last thing was the report of the barbarian's return and quick departure."

Relying on the man for information on Frostheim was a hassle, but it was their only choice. For some reason, every person Ryan attempted to plant in the city disappeared without a trace. Some managed to get one or two reports back, but they never lasted long.

Ashton, on the other hand, was able to get reliable information from what was otherwise a black hole.

"Is he still arguing against this?"

Ryan grunted, "Don't even get me started. Every letter and report he's sent has a reminder that this is a bad idea. He's more fearful than a little girl. While I admit the man is strong, he's a Viscount already, but he isn't the boogeyman."

The continuous scene of white outside the window that had reminded him of the man wasn't as aggravating this time. With things in motion, it was only a matter of time.

"Start preparing supplies," Ryan ordered, "If things go well, we'll be marching within the month."

Ryan couldn't wait.

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