He never even acknowledges his own underling, thought Durimal. I wonder how he did get a whole cult of followers under him?

They stopped in front of a tent. It was the largest tent around the camp and had four guards standing out front to protect it. Prince Ruka stood down of his horse and passed it to a soldier.

"Get the horse ready. As soon as this is over, I'm moving out" Ruka said to the soldier.

Durimal also got off his horse and let it be tended by a soldier.

"The same thing as the Prince" said Durimal, and the soldier nodded and brought the horse away.

They walked into the tent, where they saw Solon Jhee, Krugan, Kiba, Justan, Grayton and Klaus standing in the middle of the tent, and Seed pacing around the war room table, awaiting for the Prince's arrival.

"I'm sorry I'm late, but I had some business to attend to" he said and nudged his head towards the direction of the entrance as Durimal enterd. Durimal saw everybody looking at him and nodded and started to move in.

He looked around the tent. The tent was full off maps and documents and papers. There were quill pens and charcoal pencils all around the tent. A clear show that this was the tent used for military conduct and planning. He smiled as he found it all homely and comfortable inside the tent. He sat down right beside Solon Jhee, and Ruka sat down beside him. He looked around the table.

Seed glanced over at the Prince; he knew Ruka wouldn't be pleased. He approached the prince and bowed slightly. "My appologies Lord Ruka, I had some personal afairs L'Renouille to handle."

Ruka stood up, walked to Seed, and gritted his teeth, "I cannot stand for this tardiness. You are supposed to be here before me, and not let me and the others wait."

Seed noticed the killer look in Ruka's eye flare up. He began to tighten his muscles as Ruka swiftly made a kick at Seed's stomach. Seed doubled over and landed in a crouch. He looked up at the prince, raising his lip, "Again lord Ruka.. My appologies, I can assure you I will never allow such a thing happen again." Seed said.

"Make sure of it," Ruka said and turned around to go and sit down at the table. Seed got to his feet and walked over to his seat next to Justan and Klaus. It was a good thing his muscles were tightened; the pain wasn't as bad as it could have been. He took his seat.

"Now then, I want this to finish fast. What is the plan?" Ruka asked.

Klaus immediately put out a little map on the table with a couple of figures drawn into the map, "Here is what me and Justan had planned: we were thinking that there would be two wave attacks, one wave being to get their defense down and unready, and the other wave will deliver the killing blow. The first wave would consist of Generals Krugan and Kiba, led by General Seed with Justan and me assisting and Solon Jhee out of sight."

Justan suddenly interrupted, "Having the first wave to lose purposely will have the Mercenaries defenses down afterwards."

Everyone looked at him, Kiba mouthing the words, "Waste of time," but going unnoticed. Durimal nodded, "Yes, after the battle, they'd think they had won, and then we would move in for a surprise attack. Excellent idea, Justan."

Ruka smiled and then proceed, "Good. Put Solon Jhee into the first wave then. There is a surefire chance for us to purposely lose with him in there."

Solon looked at the Prince's face with bewilderment. Then turned back to the table, unsure of what type of face to show.

"All right," Klaus continued, "The first wave will lose then, General Kiba, General Solon Jhee and General Krugan will start the wave."

"Near the end of the first wave I will retreat back to Ruka's posstion," Seed said, only to be interrupted by Ruka.

"No, you and Justan will be in the second wave, but not with me. During the first wave, I shall be in hiding at the front of the fortress. They'd never expect the next attack to be from the other side. You stay on this side of the fortress and start the second wave. Give me a sign when you start it out."

"What type of sign my lord?"

"Be creative, and make sure it's something I can understand and know." He said and got up, "Durimal will be accompanying me on my side. It is time for me to leave for hiding. The sooner we finish this, the better."

Durimal stood up and the Prince proceeded to go outside while Durimal was bowing to the Generals and then followed the prince from behind. The whole table looked from inside as the Prince called out for his horse and got up on it. After the Prince had left to get his armies ready, they all looked back at the table and looked at themselves.

"Put Solon Jhee in the first wave, then. There is a surefire chance for us to purposely lose with him in there."

The Prince's words still rung in Solon's head, echoing over and over, each reverberation more sinister than the first, more mocking than the last. Yes, he thought softly. Put me in first. The fool always loses the grandest.

What a fool he had been. All that irrational anger, focused at that young man who, yes, had an annoyingly cocky attitude, but wasn't cruel or deceitful in his ways. After all, he didn't promote himself...

Solon didn't notice everyone file out of the tent, all focused on the task ahead. It seemed a waste...a horribly grand waste to send these young men into a battle they were destined... no, strategized to lose. Solon knew some would die, otherwise the ruse wouldn't be successful. He grit his teeth and stared at the tabletop. A grand, horrible, despicable waste. All in the name of the glorious country of Highland. Ah, wrong again. All in the name of Ruka Bright.

Outside the tent, Sano Triste waited patiently for everyone to leave, expecting his commanding officer to be among them. When he wasn't, he peeked his head inside the open flap, finding the large man sitting in his usual spot at the war table, shoulders slumped beneath heavy grey armor. Again...that weight that he carried manifested in the physical. Sano came all the way into the tent, arms folded behind him. "Sir?" He paused, waiting for a response. "Lord Jhee?"

The man's mouth moved and sound issued out, but the tone was so low it merely registered as a low musical line of sadness. Sano took a step forward and repeated, "Sir?"

Solon cleared his throat and repeated, "I said, Sano, what are we doing here?"

Sano looked bewildered. "We're here to eliminate the threat of the mercenaries, sir."

That was met with a bitter laugh from the general. "Threat? Sano, look at their forces compared to ours. There is no threat. Perhaps, maybe, in the distant future, but certainly not now." Sano opened his mouth to protest, but Solon waved a hand to cut him off. "Yes, yes, I know. If we plan on taking Jowston, we need no force left behind that might invade Highland while the meat of our army is gone." His great shoulders heaved in a heavy sigh. "Still...doesn't this seem...wrong...to you?"

"No, sir. It doesn't."

A moment passed, then Solon nodded his head. "You're right, Sano. You always are." With a creak of finally unencumbered wood, the general stood and headed for the tent opening. "C'mon, Sano...time to go massacre some mercenaries."

Of course, Sano was not the only one with a commanding officer to wait for. However, Alain and Selina did not have to go into the tent to retrieve theirs.

Kiba walked right out of the tent and away, gesturing at the pair to follow. "You were listening to all that, I presume?"

Selina nodded, looking for all the world like the heavy plate armour she wore was as light as the normal clothing Alain still insisted on wearing. "Yes, I was," she said.

Alain nodded, a look of severe disapproval on his face. "So was I..." he said sourly. "Has everyone in this bloody army forgotten we're in an army?"

"They were acting somewhat... unprofessionally," Kiba admitted. "And when his Highness said that to Solon..."

"That man is a perfect argument for spanking your children..." Alain muttered.

Selina looked at Alain calmly, then sweetly said, "PMS?" to which he replied with an obscene gesture.

"Anyway..." Kiba said. "What do you two think?"

Selina made a dismissive noise while Alain said, "I think we can do pretty much whatever the hell we want, so long as we all get out in time for the next guys to come in. Which is an absolutely ridiculous idea; we could beat the living crap out of them with one hand tied behind our backs. I'm, as I've said before, going to be breaking out the fireworks. But honestly, I think you could order everyone to dance naked on their horses and it wouldn't make a difference."

Kiba nodded. "Fine, pretty much what I was thinking myself. Alain, go ahead and do whatever. Selina-- and know that I'm never going to do this again, nothing personal-- you can do whatever you want, too."

Selina's eyes widened. "Really, Sir?" she said. To her credit, she knew she was no strategist, though it had yet to dawn on her just how monumentally awful she was at anything remotely resembling strategy. Alain had been known to call her subtle as a brick through the window, but bricks weren't as obvious.

"But--" Kiba said, holding up a hand, "I'm going to hang around you, just to make sure you're not too much of a maniac."

Selina grumbled loudly-- and fakely.

Alain pulled a cigarette from a pocket and touched fire to it. Taking a drag, he said, "What a waste of time and money, this. The only thing worthwhile about this whole venture is that if we were to wait, the cost in lives would be that much higher. Still..."

Cocking her head slightly, Selina queried, "You've been smoking a lot more lately, haven't you?"

"A bit," Alain confirmed. "The cost of importing alone'd kill me if I was smoking a lot more."

"Gawds, Alain, what with all the smoking, drinking, and sex, you're at least as likely to get killed off the battlefield as on."

"More likely, Selina my dear," Alain said. "I'm careful on the battlefield."

"Speaking of which," Kiba said, "don't we have a fight to start?"

"Damn, I lost again," Stiles stated.

"Hmm?" inquired Seed.

"I said that is the third time I lost in a row. Today just isn't my day."

Seed walked over to Stiles and reached his arm out, helping him off the ground. "You had best make it your day Stiles, because before the next few days are over, you are going to wish you never joined the army."

Stiles brushed off the dirt and soot from his uniform and readied his sword. "What do you mean?"

Seed followed suit and raised his sword to counter and began the fourth duel. "Oh, c'mon Stiles, look around. These mercenaries are going to be lambs to the slaughter."

"I suppose you are right" Stiles replied while countering Seed's well directed blows.

Seed noticed a flaw in Stiles' technique and moved in, knocking his sabre from his hand and to the grassy floor.

Stiles sighed and knelt down to retrieve his weapon. "That is the fourth now, ain't it?"

Seed nodded and sheathed his sword. "Remind me to find a more competent sparring partner. But, that can wait. What have you to report on your little assignment?" he inquired.

Stiles re-sheathed his sword and followed Seed to his tent. "Yeah, I have been keeping tabs on the other generals..."

Seed stopped when he reached the tent. "And?"

"And-- What is there to say? Kiba and his men seem little worried about the battle, Solon Jhee is a little perplexed about Ruka's sudden... attacks."

"I see."

"Is something the matter, Milord?"

"Yes Stiles, something is the matter. Not that I'd expect you to understand." Seed said, storming into his tent, robe trailing behind.

Stiles' brows showed a confused look as he followed slowly behind. "Try me."

Seed glanced back and Stiles. "Fine, it's about Jillia."

"The princess Jillia?"

"No, Jillia the keeper of Toran lake. Of course I mean the princess!"

"Well.. Last I heard, she was on a diplomatic meeting to President Lepant of Toran."

"Yeah, Stiles, that was some time ago. The last I heard was that she and Captain Rowd were returning to Highland, when they were ambushed by a small group of mercenary archers. Rowd conveniently escaped intact while the Princess was taken into their custody. The thing I want to know is if she is safe."

"But-- I mean shouldn't this be left up to the other Brights? Not to mention didn't Rowd say that she was safe?"

Seed glanced over at Stiles, cocking an eyebrow. "Really, Stiles, look at the courier. Would you take Rowd's word?"

"I think I see your point..."

"Good, now this is what I want you to do; you are to find out if Jillia is safe. I don't care how you do it. Just make sure that it happens."

"All right, I'll do what I can."

Krugan pulled back the flap to his battle tent as Roland followed him in.

"So Lord Krugan, are you prepared to lose?" Roland asked, smirking.

Krugan turned around to face Roland, not smiling. "Roland, that wasn't appropriate. Remember, we're about to go into battle, we need to keep serious." Krugan replied, turning back around.

"Sorry Lord Krugan...but to interrupt our mental preparedness for a minute, don't you think Lord Ruka was out of line with Lord Seed?"

Krugan let out a sudden laugh. "Roland, you were once one of Lord Ruka's finest White Wolf lieutenants. Don't you know Lord Ruka's actions by now?"

"Yes, but even for Lord Ruka, that was out of line. He completely embaressed..."

"I understand Roland," Krugan interrupted. "But let's concentrate on the upcoming battle. Go rally together the archers."

"Yes, Lord Krugan." Roland replied as he turned around and left the tent.

Krugan sighed. "I fear this is only the beginning of this reincarnated war." he thought.

Not long had passed since Seed and Stiles last conversation. But Stiles had reported back saying that Jillia was indeed safe and in the mercenary fortress. Seed found it wise not to quesion Stiles' methods or sources since it usually ended up in a web of half-truths and enough bald-faced lies to keep any man guessing for hours on end.

"So Lord Seed, what are we going to do?"

"I don't know yet Stiles, but I'll think of something."

"Isn't there a risk that the princess may be wounded or killed?"

"Yeah, there is, Stiles. I just pray that it will not. It's about all I can do."

"But what of the mercenaries??"

"At this point nothing can help them now, and I'll probably regret this in the future, but it's beyond my control. Take them down swiftly, Stiles."