War Post #3 - A Dragon in Prey's colours

[maou_cupid]

[Day 13, 06:00]The map tent is cool in the predawn chill and I nod to one of the junior officers who is hurriedly setting up a brazier in the corner. The smell of charcol, sweat and tallow is an atavistic trigger of memories millennia old and the sounds of a stirring army...if I half-close my eyes, it could be the last campaign. A final briefing

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[maou_cupid]

[He nods approval. It is a good plan, one that adds an extra complication for the Dai Shimaron men. He nods to Kohi, scanning the faces of the men around him. They have been studying the map, noting the relative positions. He waits until he is sure they have each seen enough before 'speaking'.]

::You all know why this meeting has been called. You have all seen the maps and the tactics that the Dai Shimaron commander means to use.::

[He waits for the rumble of assent, easily reading the mingled worry - that he will interfere or find them lacking - with the hope that he means to take an active part.]

::You are all skilled commanders with considerable experience in battle and in managing your men.:: [He smiles, a savage curve of lip that shows white teeth in the dim light.] ::So I propose to leave you in tactical command of your individual regiments while von Khrennikov-san, the kohis and myself act as a rapid response force.::

[There is a murmur of discussion and he lifts a hand.]

::They think us weak; easy prey to their steel.:: [Fire curls around his fingers, its light reflecting redly in his eyes.] ::We are about to teach them what a colossal mistake they have made.::

[genius_anissina]

Anissina carefully takes in the map and matches each of the regiments to one of the men standing there but she is missing one. There is a regiment there that has no leader thanks to Dai Shimeron's advanced scouts and yesterdays battles.

"Shinou-san, we are missing a leader for this section of the line. And it looks as if it will be strongly hit. Perhaps someone with experience?"

Her eyes flick from the Shinou to Brice, standing off in a corner, trying to fade into the middle ground seeing as he no longer seems to have a place in strategising.

Anissina's brain only then picks up on the words that the Shinou had cast out. 'Rapid response force?' she thought to herself. She swallowed reflexively trying to keep the blood from leaving her cheeks. She wasn't exactly sure what she could do in addition to a Shinou...

[maou_cupid]

He scans the maps, and follows her gaze to where Lieutenant Brice is trying his best to be inconspicious. He nods thoughtfully.]

::von Khrennikov-san makes a valid point, Lieutenant. ::

[The red dots representing the enemy forces inch closer to that position as he considers the risks.]

::You understand that the line must hold? The other regiments will flank them but the line must hold long enough for them to get into position.::

[The Lieutenant nodded smartly and studied the map. Aki shifts his gaze to the other commanders who nod and salute smartly.]

::Time is short. Good fortune to you all.::

[genius_anissina]

Anissina hung back as the commanders headed off to their units, talking quietly among themselves.

Quietly, she whispered to the Shinou.

"And where will we be?"

[maou_cupid]

[He drapes his cloak over the battered chair - adjusting his shielding outward as he does so.]

::Where we are needed.::

[He looks at her, fully aware for the first time of the nervousness just behind the facade.]

::I will do my utmost to protect you, but there are always risks. If you wish to remain here, I will understand.::

[genius_anissina]

'Damn,' she thought to herself, shielding herself as much as possible. 'I thought I was hiding it better than that.'

To all outward appearance, she made herself smile, pushing it up to her eyes but it did not hold for long before crashing down again. She looked at the Shinou.

"I won't lie to you. You would see through it if I did, anyway. The warfront is not where I would be most comfortable, but never the less, I signed up for this and I intend to see it through. Come what may. I can look after myself, Shinou-san. I have been schooled and was described as a good fighter, not as good as my double, I fear but able in any case. I will not let the side down."

Grim determination highlighted her face as she spoke the last words.

"I fear that the men will need your protection more than I will."

[maou_cupid]

[He tilts his head, allowing her the time she needs to speak her mind.]

::I am glad that you feel you can be honest with me and I must confess that there are other reasons for requesting your presence.::

[The camp is stirring, he can hear shouted orders and the sounds of horses being hastily readied for the race to their commands.]

::My focus will be on stopping the enroaching enemy and I have - or had, maybe - a tendancy to get distracted by that. I may need you to keep my focus on the now.::

[The shields ripple slightly as they expand out half a mile in each direction and he half-closes his eyes, marking the aura that identifies von Khrennikov-san and the kohis. Satisfied that his own 'friendly fire' will no longer present a threat to them, he leads the way out of the tent to where Nacht looms over a page. He swings easily up into the saddle and offers von Khrennikov-san his arm to help her up.]

::I fear your own steed would not be able to keep pace with Nacht so we needs must share a saddle. ::

[genius_anissina]

Anissina nodded. She had seen something like this before. Men becoming so fixed on what they were doing during a fight that everyone around them was a target, be they friend or foe. Fates, she had done it more than once with her inventions, zoning out until it was just her and the machinery.

"I will do my best, Shinou-san!"

She feels a vague wash cover her mind for an instant before disappearing again. She felt ... known was the only word that would come to mind. She looked at the Shinou before following him out.

He swung into his saddle as if he had been doing it forever. And then extended his hand to her. She looked taken aback for a second. Share a saddle with a Shinou?! Her mother would be having bearbees if she could see her now. Wasn't this sacreligious or something? She blushed as she took the hand, sliding up behind the blond man.

Whatever she had expected from the war front... This was not it. She was definately glad that she wore the uniform today.

"I am ready, Shinou-san!"

[maou_cupid]

[He spares her a quick smile before his senses reach out, curling around the strands of chance and fate. The first attack will come....there.]

::Then let us not tarry here.::

[genius_anissina]

Anissina's hand moved trying to find a grip to hold on by. She could not get a good enough grip on the saddle. She doubted that she could grip that hard with her knees. She sighed. There was only one thing for it. She prayed to her Shinou for forgiveness and wrapped her arms around the Shinou's waist. She did not want to fall off as he sped away. She didn't think her ass or her pride could take it.

She was ready for this... Or at least she hoped she was...