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The constant ringing of the drums kept the field marshall up all night. Tossing and turning in his cot as he tried to will himself to sleep. His bones ached as he slowly sat up. The sun's glow outside his tent was an indicator that he hadn’t gotten an ounce of sleep. Eyes heavy as the weight and pressure of what was about to go down today dawned on him.
He was fighting a war. A war he was told over and over again he wasn’t going to win. That his forces were too weak. It only spurred the man on further. He was going to win this. Even if it was against all odds.
Throwing the tent flap open he was met with an equally exhausted Olem. His bodyguard seemed shocked by Tamas’ presence. Hurriedly fidgeting with his uniform so as to not disrespect the field marshall.
“Good morning Field Marshall-”
“Tamas.”
“Er, Tamas. Colonel Vlora is already out with the soldiers, prepping and getting them ready for the attack.”
He couldn’t stop the slight upturn of his mouth. He had raised Vlora right. She never failed to impress him. Well, that was until she was caught with another man. Cheating on Taniel, his only son. He let the scowl on his face stay before motioning for Olem to follow him.
He enjoyed the man's presence, it made him think more clearly. No threat of someone coming to attack him with Olem being a knacked who didn’t sleep. He was safer around the blonde.
“We’re gonna need every man and woman on high alert today. If we can keep the Kez on the defense we might be able to push past. We’re going to have to rely heavily on the Powder Mages for this as they’re the only ones who can take out the Kez Privileged.”
Olem nodded along with Tamas, brows furrowed as he kept thinking about the plan ahead of them. Scratching at his beard, that he had insisted on keeping instead of shaving as every other Colonel had, before moving to point towards the northwest. “Sir, if we can loop around on the side over here and catch the Kez off guard, surrounding them, we might be able to win this. It would require splitting the Powder Mages numbers in half, but I think they can handle themselves. Especially with you on one side. You can take out several of their men with one bullet while the others will have to take time to reload.”
The corner of Tamas’ mouth slowly turned up. “Knew you’d find something to suggest. I had that plan as a backup in case the Kez started to advance on us. However, the terrain over there isn’t stable. It’s nearing the walls of the mountains, and as far as I'm concerned last week the Kez tried to use that route and everything collapsed into the underground cave system. It would be a gamble, but if you think the Riflejacks can do it, be my guest Olem. We have to take chances right now. We’re underpowered against the Kez.”
He had to fight the urge to continue with his thoughts, but the Field Marshall didn’t have time. He had a war to win. After everything was done maybe he could rest. Maybe he and Olem would go on a break somewhere. Because the bodyguard deserves more of a rest than he did, working all throughout the night due to this knack that let him live without sleep. To an extent.
Olem just nodded with Tamas, moving to adjust the rifle slung across his back before hearing the sound of the war drums in the distance. It was time. Moving to hand Tamas his own rifle, one that Olem had spent the night preparing, before starting the walk towards the front lines. “I’ll get some Riflejacks ready to head over to the northwest. We can take this chance. And we will win.”
Tams simply let out a smile before clapping Olem on the shoulder. “Damn right we will.”