[Blitz]

Turn Five
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I should not have doubted the skills of the warriors of Arcoscephale. The battle was fierce, but the results were far better than I could have hoped for. Just as huge horde of barbarians slammed into the front lines of our Cardaces, our goddess Syren swept down from the stars to snatch victory on this day! With the hero Klepohon by her side, the ragged warriors of the barbarian horde were slaughtered one by one. but the tide was turned as one of our precious myrmidons, locked in hand to hand combat with the Last remaining barbarian chief, drove his sword into his side and ended the battle.
Perhaps I was too hasty to judge our smiths... the strong bronze armor of the myrmidon protected him from the heavy blows of the berserker. They never had a chance. Unfortunately we lost eight men, but I was prepared to lose many more. Our cardaces know their role, but even strong men cannot stand to see so many of their comrades fall in battle. With seven of our ten killed, the remaining three fled back into Salt Plain. Mesthies the mounted commander has been sent back to round up the men and administer discipline.

Back in the capitol, I overheard one of the nobles question my tactics. Rather than have him beheaded, I carefully explained that our national economy was far more important than enhancing a handful of mere soldiers... even if they were the pride of the military! How could we afford to pay the extravagant costs of equipping these men if we do not have the gold to do so? He started to mention something about our research abilities being strong enough without the blessings of our god, but I cut him off there. A king is a busy man and there is only so much time for such nonsense. Little did he know that magic would play a far greater role than he knew. The greatest scholars in the world would flock to the capitol for a chance to study in the finest facilities in the world.

To my annoyance, the mystic I summoned to the capitol was also an earth/water mage... this one more skilled in earth, but far too similar for my liking. I put him to work in the library and requested yet another mystic be brought before me. Noting that the national treasury had been strained by the training of both a wind rider and mystic, I decreed that for now, we would only train myrmidons until the coffers were more plentiful.

I was absolutely ourraged that Nanvather had remained in Florien since his Last report regarding the heavy cavalry! I could have sworn I had told him to continue his exploration of the large island to the west. Fools. Must I instruct their every move? Well the army at least would listen to my words. They were to continue on to the mainland, and crush the rest of the barbarians. We needed a foothold, and I wanted those cavalry. With Mesthies rounding up deserters, I removed the personal guards of Lady Andromache and the mystic Anthros. They were needed more on the front lines. Only three myrmidons to fight alongside 12 peLasts. Hopefully Klepohon and his wind rider comrade could carry the day, else all would fall on the shoulders of Syren.

Anthros really had not contributed much in the Last battle... to be honest I only brought him to ensure that the myrmidon and wind rider from the capitol were with the army for their first big test. Lucky I did as well, as the myrmidon who struck the final blow was indeed the new man. I instructed Anthros to search the small island for magic, as the army progressed north to the mainland and more conquest.