The Ascendant Wizard

It was very early the next morning, and the Ravenscroft estate was already as lively as could be, countless servants and soldiers alike making a stir before dawn.

Orders had already been passed through the night, and by sunrise the courtyard was alive with movement as people gathered in neat lines.

Men and women wearing dark armor gathered in lines, their suits gleaming faintly under the pale light. Horses were being saddled, wagons rolled in one after another, and the banners of the various Houses that sent their support decorated them.

There was a thick scent in the air, one Morena couldn't quite name, but she knew it well.

Morena walked slowly upon a slightly elevated platform near the front of the crowd and stood, her eyes gazing upon each and every soldier that was ready to fight and die for the city.

Her cloak rested on her shoulder over her armor, and in her hand she held a new spear that had been remade for her, heavier than the previous one, longer.

She could feel the cold wind of the morning brushing against her skin, causing it to crawl ever so slightly, or perhaps it was the nerves that did that, she couldn't tell.

Either way, her focus never wavered.

Adolf stood to her left, dressed fully in armor, a longsword at his hip. The captain was to her right, quiet and watchful, his presence alone enough to calm the younger soldiers. Both of them were Rank 1 Warriors, men who had survived wars before and would likely outlive most others.

Before them stretched the gathered force, close to one hundred and fifty soldiers, it wasn't all the soldiers that they could provide, but they were the best. Others had to stay behind to maintain the city, ensuring the patrols and matters didn't lag behind because they left.

Each of them was well-trained, disciplined, and loyal to the city. Among their ranks were several apprentices, each one as good as a dozen regular soldiers, supplementing the lower numbers.

They were not the largest army in the land, but they were organized, hardened, and determined.

Morena took in the sight before her and took a deep breath in and out. For the first time in a long time, she felt the weight of command pressing against her chest.

Adolf stepped closer, lowering his voice for only her to hear.

"All units are ready, my lady. The supplies have been loaded, and the scouts confirmed the path is clear."

She nodded once, then stepped forward so everyone could see her. The noise in the courtyard slowly died away as heads turned and eyes fixed on her.

Her cloak fluttered slightly in the breeze as she spoke.

"You all know why we're here. Each of you has lived with the pain and suffering brought about by bandits that plague our lands. Some of you have lost to them, parents, siblings, lovers, friends, and yet these very bandits that plague our lands have grown bolder.

They've attacked merchants, farmers, travelers, and the innocent people who try to simply live their lives. They've hidden in the north ridge caves and believe they can do as they please without consequence."

Her voice was steady, every word reaching across the courtyard clearly.

"But they made one mistake. We do not tolerate bandits, we do not tolerate harm to our people!"

She looked over them, meeting their eyes one by one. She could see many of them already getting rowdy from her words, some even shouting out loud in agreement with what she said.

"These people think we're blind, that we'll wait for them to come and take from us! But I refuse to stand idle while they take from our people. Today, we march not for glory, not for wealth, but for peace. For the safety of every soul that lives under our walls."

She slammed the edge of her spear against the ground, and many others did the same.

"I won't ask you to fight for me. Fight for your homes, your families, your brothers and sisters beside you. Fight for the lives that depend on us doing what must be done."

She raised her spear high above her head, the edge catching the morning light.

"And remember this: every step we take, every enemy we strike down, will remind this land what it means to stand under House Ravenscroft."

A rumble swept through the soldiers.

Some slammed their fists against their chests, others banged their weapons on the ground, the sound echoing through the courtyard. Every single one of them showing the resolve it takes to be a proper soldier in the face of possible death.

Morena lowered her spear and turned to Adolf.

"Form ranks. We leave now."

Without waiting any longer, the army began to move.

The sound of boots against stone filled the air as the soldiers marched through the courtyard gates, the wagons followed, their wheels creaking under the weight of weapons and supplies.

They took the lesser-used path through the city, avoiding the main square where the crowd would be thickest, but even so, a force of the sheer size couldn't move unseen.

By the time they reached the market district, people were already gathering to see them march, many curious about what was going on, some worried, others confused, and others just making up false reasons they thought they knew.

"Are we going to war?"

"Who are they fighting?"

Many such questions could be heard throughout the crowd but no one would stop to entertain them.

Morena rode near the front, her horse's hooves clattering softly against the cobblestones. She could feel the various eyes watching her, and she understood their curiosity; none of them knew about the bandits thanks to her efforts to stop the spread of the news.

She did it to avoid spreading panic, and only when they were victorious would she bother spreading it.

By the time they reached the city gates, the sun had already climbed high above the horizon, and the dirt road stretched ahead of them, open and empty, the first sign of the wilds beyond the walls.

Morena gave a final glance back at the city before turning forward.

"Keep formation. We march until nightfall."

The march was long and quiet; the path wound through farmlands and vast open plains, eventually giving way to dense trees and stone ridges. The further north they went, the colder the air became, the smell of pine and damp earth filling the air.

The soldiers didn't complain once during the entire march; they moved in silence, their discipline clear in every step.

When the sun began to set, the light dimming behind the hills, Morena finally gave the signal to stop.

"We'll make camp here. No fires near the woods."

The soldiers spread out with hushed movements and voices and began their assigned tasks. Tents went up quickly, guards were stationed, and wagons were drawn into a tight circle near the center to ensure the supplies were protected.

Morena dismounted, with a pat on the horse's head as Adolf and the captain approached. A scout waited for her near the edge of the camp, his clothes torn and his boots still muddy from travel.

"My lady."

He said, bowing quickly.

"We've been keeping a close eye on them since you ordered my lady, but recently we noticed they've grown more active."

Morena nodded her head in understanding.

"Carry on."

"They've been preparing, my lady. Moving supplies, preparing weapons, and even conducting drills in small groups, as if they're in training. They're expecting a fight, but they don't seem to think they'll be attacked. I think they're planning to march soon."

Adolf crossed his arms.

"So it was right to be proactive; they're already getting ready to move."

The captain unrolled a small temporary map that had been created, calling it a map wasn't right, it was just rough outlines on a piece of paper but it worked.

On it were marks that showed the location of the bandits, and he then added one that showed where they currently were.

"If we strike now, before they spread, we can crush them before they realize what's happening."

Morena studied the parchment, the crude sketches of tunnels, ridges, and campfires.

"They're organized and have a greater number, but they lack the strength and supply. We can't overpower them, but we can outclass them."

"You're right, my lady. What would you suggest?"

Morena's gaze stayed fixed on the map for a long moment before she leaned forward and motioned at one of the ridges along the path; it was the only path that the bandits could take if they intended to make way to the city.

"I want archers along this ridge, infantry covering the entrance, and riders ready to cut off their escape. They have to pass through here if they truly intend to attack us; we can use it as a chokepoint to end them."

She turned to Adolf.

"Not one of them is to leave alive."

Adolf nodded and the scout bowed low in response.

"I'll have my men keep watch till morning, my lady."

"Good. Rest while you can."

The man stepped away, leaving her with Adolf and the captain.

Morena looked toward the distant ridge, its outline barely visible in the dark. The forest around them was still, the faint noise of the soldiers settling into camp filling the air.