"Your Highness, the Alora Army settles 5 miles away from us. Our spies keep an eye on them but it doesn't seem like they will come at us soon."
Crown Prince Arin was attentively listening to the soldier who brought him the news. It had been three days since his soldiers camped on the northern border and soon, the war will start.
"What do you think King Declan is thinking, Commander Nico?" The Crown Prince asked the Commander of the Petrus Army who was sitting opposite him.
"It feels like they are trying to draw some time," Nico Petrus replied. "They are already there for almost two days but they don't make any movement, let alone attack us."
"That also crossed my mind," Crown Prince Arin said and rose from his seat. Then he looked at the part of the map where the Alora Army settled. "If they prepared something, it's impossible for our spies to not notice it. What did the King have in mind?"
Arin shifted his gaze to the soldier and commanded, "Inform the spies to be more cautious. They shouldn't miss any movement of the enemies."
With that said, the soldier left the tent right away.
"Shall we just make a move first? Our soldiers are well-prepared for that." It was General Elian of the Petrus Army who made the suggestion. He was sitting beside Commander Nico.
"That's too risky," Commander Nico quickly argued. "Once we set out, the defence of the border will be weakened and if King Declan tried to play any trick, we will be in grave danger."
Crown Prince Arin returned to his seat and said, "Commander Nico is right. King Declan is always unpredictable in wars. We shouldn't be too confident."
"That means we can only wait for now," General Hanson who was sitting beside Crown Prince Arin said. "We are surrounded by rough terrains and even if King Declan has some other plan, it won't be easy for him to initiate it."
* * *
It was night and Klaus Ermias was leaving the camp alone. After riding the horse for a while, he finds himself near the bank of the Naro River which was not far from the northern border and one middle-aged man was waiting for him.
The man bowed at the sight of the Captain but the latter remained nonchalant. Then he gets off his horse and stood opposite the middle-aged man named Colson Leland.
"Greetings, milord. I apologize for making you come here this late," Colson Leland said to the young Captain.
"What does my uncle want this time?" Klaus Ermias asked. Not only his voice was cold but his expression was too. It was more than obvious that he wasn't pleased to see this middle-aged man who was the right-hand man of his uncle.
"The Duke wants to know if there is any change in plan," Colson Leland said but when he noticed the sharp gaze of the Captain, he quickly lowered his gaze. "Tomorrow is an important day for each one of us, milord. I beg for your understanding."
"I will already notify him if there is a change of plan. If he doesn't trust me enough, he should just ask someone else to do the job," the Captain responded with his voice colder than ever.
"That's not the case, milord. Our years of hard work will all be bet tomorrow. The Duke just wants to make sure of everything. Please don't take it the wrong way," Colson Leland pleaded the young Captain.
No matter what the man said, Klaus Ermias didn't really care about it. "I already gave you an answer. Don't bother me again," he simply said and turned his back at him. Then he mounted his horse and rode away from the river bank.
*
When Klaus Ermias returned to the camp, he crossed paths with General Hanson Lorin who was on his way to his tent. It's pretty late and the General was quite surprised to see the Captain outdoors while he wasn't even on duty.
"It's late, Captain Klaus. Why are you still here?" Hanson Lorin asked.
"I can't sleep and I was taking a stroll while getting some fresh air," Klaus Ermias promptly replied. "What about you, General?"
"I just return from the Crown Prince's tent," Hanson Lorin simply said. Though it wasn't normal for soldiers to leave the camp at this time and situation, the General didn't have a suspicion.
He had known Captain Klaus for years and they had fought many wars together. He had personally witnessed his dedication and commitment many times. Besides, this Captain was his most trusted and capable subordinate.
Had it ever occurred to him that those might not be real? The truth might be hidden but... it was never far.
"You should try to take some rest. You will need that to fight a war," General Hanson calmly advised the Captain who nodded.
"I understand, General. Have some rest too."
With that said, Hanson Lorin made his way to his tent while Klaus Ermias stared at him.
Soon, the Captain's usual calm face was replaced by a troubled one. Just like what Colson Leland said, tomorrow will be a big day but... he never wanted that. However, he can't do anything about it.
* * *
Despite the armies of the two kingdoms who were ready to fight anytime, the sun rises beautifully as usual.
Crown Prince Arin was informed that the Alora Army finally made a move and that they were marching towards their camp on the northern border. Both the Royal Army and the Petrus Army quickly prepared to fight the Alora Army and in no time, they were all set.
They only waited for the Alora Army to arrive and it was already afternoon.
"It's just a matter of time before King Declan and his men reach here," Commander Nico said to the Crown Prince who was sitting on a horse beside him. "But Your Highness, I still couldn't understand. I don't know why the King of Alora waited 3 days to attack us."
"I feel the same," Arin Helev replied. "However, now that they finally come at us, all we could do is fight them." He pointed his chin at far away in the front and added, "Look at that, Commander Nico. They've arrived."
Nico Petrus looked at the front and noticed the soldiers and the flags of the Alora Kingdom marching towards them. He tried to speak up again, but...
A soldier riding a horse came forward and gets off his horse when he was a few steps away from the Crown Prince. Then he got down on his knees.
"Bad news, Your Highness! There is a rebellion in the lands that used to belong to Nardodia! We received a report that more than half of our soldiers there were already killed!"
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