War Path. Chapter 1 planning.

General Arerto's Headquarters.

Arerto had arrived back at her headquarters and found her commanders waiting for her with a map of the southern border. Arerto's troops had managed to reclaim all the land taken by the Kuddonarian troops so now was the time to go on the offensive. Her spies had informed her that the central town of Guhan was the strategic target and if they could take and hold on to it they would split the Kuddonarian forces. She looked at Sabine who was in command of her central division who would take Guhan. On Sabine's right flank would be Valeria and on her left flank Elandra. Valeria target was to pivot right and take two villages which would prevent reinforcements aiding Guhan. On her left, Elandra would pivot and take a river crossing point to prevent fresh troops from coming to Guhan's aid. Arerto pulled the three divisions cavalry into one **** and this would be used as a rapid **** that would sweep across the river Gises and cut off Guhan from the Kuddonara capitol. Arerto would command this **** herself and her HQ would follow behind Sabine's division. She dismissed her commanders and went and refreshed and removed her armour and wore a simple but elegant dress. As she sat down at her table she studied the map again and at the troop dispositions.

Commander Sabines HQ.

Sabine had her subordinates around her table and they were going over the attack plan. The archers would take up firing positions on the high ground and fire down into the plains. Once the enemy had been softened up they spear fighters and swordsmen would advance and mop up survivors then head to the city gates. She called for the tunnellers and told them to tunnel under the city walls foundations and then prop them up until they were ready to enter the city. Once in place, the tunnellers would pull out the props so the gates and towers on either side collapsed. Sabine knew that the hardest part was taking the city but once she controlled the surrounding countryside it would be just a matter of time.

Commander Valerias HQ.

Valeria had called her subordinates and informed them of their orders. With Arerto taking all the cavalry her plan had to be revised somewhat. She needed to cut the road in two places the road from Guhan to Bardian and from Bardian to Jillani. For this, she would have to use foot soldiers who could move fast. The only drawback would be that they could only take what they could carry, leaving them lightly armoured. They would be outnumbered and **** for hours until the rest of her division could arrive. She entrusted the missions to her two best lieutenants Nova and Deliah.

Commander Elandras HQ.

Elandra sat looking at Griselle and then asked her what was the best way to take a bridge and Griselle replied that both ends at the same time. Elandra explained the orders and Griselle said that they would have to secure the bridge in the hours of darkness and as quietly as possible. Elandra agreed and asked Griselle how many troops would be needed and Griselle replied that according to her intelligence there was only a small number guarding the bridge approaches and a small garrison in a fort about a mile from the bridge. Elandra told her the garrison would be general Arerto's job to take.

So the plans were set and all three reported back to Arerto at her HQ and a date was set. The Tunnellers needed a week to dig down deep enough and then towards the wall. Arerto tentatively gave them two weeks to get their task done and informed her commanders that not until the night before were the troops to be informed of what was about to happen. Let the enemy keep guessing then she dismissed her commanders once again and headed to bed.