Subj: [ffml] [MW] Border Wars: The Southern Frontier Date: 00-01-13 13:45:00 EST From: skyhall@hotmail.com (Sky Hall) Reply-to: ffml@onelist.com To: ffml@onelist.com From: "Sky Hall" Tim stepped out of the supply office and strode over to where his chocobo was tethered. He stroked the head of the beast a little with one hand while unfastening the reins with the other. He then mounted the large bird and began riding back to his encampment. Tim's brigade had arrived the day before and quickly set up camp. Unlike Loritown, Southvale was surrounded by fields, pockets of forest, and rolling hills. The countryside had been developed into farm land over the centuries and the communities were of farmers, animal tenders, and their respective suppliers and buyers. Southvale Fort was a large stone structure built atop a hill that appeared almost like a plateau. It rose majestically above every other hill and stand of trees in sight. Because of this, it commanded a wide range of sight and was visible for miles in all directions. At the base of the hill of the fort, a large earthern wall had been dug, reinforced with brick and timber, and with a wooden palisade erected atop that. Within this "outer wall" the units of the Doman army had pitched their tents. From this base, the different units went patrolling the countryside and would go out and engage the enemy army. Tim had heard from his superior that the moogles had been sending only scouting patrols, trying to get a view of the Doman defenses, and getting a sense of the land. The Doman forces were doing likewise, sending out patrols and seek-and-destroy cavalry units. As Tim rode along the gravel path back to his camp, a couple soldiers passed him. The two were veterans, because they wore chestplates of iron. The Narshe and Figaro allies had finally gotten themselves together and were now sending war supplies. Already the result was evident. One elite unit had been outfitted with breastplates, long daggers, broadswords, small metal shields, small maces, and iron spears. It was a lot of metal, and added substantial weight to the soldiers, but they were more protected and could do more damage to an enemy soldier. Tim sighed. He would have to at least take his brigade out once or twice and encounter the enemy in some form before he could even request breastplates. The supply officer didn't want to give good weapons and armor to green soldiers, who might cut and run, or get killed. But Tim was certain his men would perform. Tim, however, would not be able to wear a breastplate. Chocobos were good, fast mounts, but could not carry much weight. As it was, cavalry chocobos were larger then officers', and cavalry soldiers wore only light armor and carried wooden spears and lances. Tim had seen magical chocobos, bred to be large and strong. The creatures were grotestque and bulky, and would sometimes use their wings to help them run, which unsteadied them and made the ride very jolting. However, chocobo's were perfect for mounted archers. A mounted archer could have his chocobo ride at full gallop, and still strike a man at a good distance away. Thus, the chocobo bowmen were the most feared force on the battlefield. Their hit and run tactics could decimate the command structure and front line. Tim had heard that the moogles were bringing in their Vector allies. This would cause complications. So far, the Doman forces were doing well against the moogles. Mostly because the moogles were inheritantly smaller and weaker, so the larger humans could win the advantage in any fight. The real challenge were the moogleboars. But they were more beasts and brutes, reliant more on brute strength then intelligence. Human opponents, however, would be the definitive enemy. They were smarter then the mooglehost, and could use strategy much more effectively. Tim wondered what hte week would bring. Would a major moogle force come marching towards Southvale Fort? Would a battle be fought in the field? Would the Domans merely sit in the fort, thinking it too large and well manned to be taken? Would the Domans take the initative and march out to face the moogles? What were the leaders thinking? What did they know? What was the Alliance's plans? As if Tim's thoughts were magical, he encountered General Kat. She was coming from the palisade, riding her own chocobo, and had met Tim at the intersection. Tim halted and saluted. Kat did the same and proceeded down the path. Tim fell in a step behind her. Protocol dictated that he stay behind her, not in line with or before. Tim was nervous. He hoped that Kat wouldn't start talking to him about the war. --Sky From: RaumKatze2@aol.com Kat slowed down her steed, so that she was side-by-side with Tim. This made him feel uncomfortable. "Hey Tim," she said, "There's something I've been meaning to tell you." "Yes, General?" "That girl, Ladice..." Tim started to feel more uncomfortable. Kat continued, "I know about you two. And I know how all this is going to turn out. You probably think she's going to make you the King, or whatever, when we put her back on the throne of Vector. But you know what? She's probably going to marry some nobleman and act like you never existed." Tim acknowledged Kat with silence. "You're having good fortune right now," she said, "but before you know it, your luck will run out and all the glory will dry up." Without waiting for Tim to respond, Kat hung her head and urged her steed to ride a little faster, going back to her position in front of him. From: "Sky Hall" Tim reached his hand out and grabbed the tail feathers of Kat's chocobo. The creatured screeched, and stopped. Kat looked at Tim in astonishment. "Permission to speak frankly, General Kat," said Tim. His demeanor was set in a hard mask. Kat turned and prepared to urge her mount forward again, but tim repeated himself. "I beg permission to speak freely, ma'am." Kat grinded her teeth and turned back to Tim. "Very well, speak!" "Firstly, general, that "girl" you speak of is Princess Ladice, an Alliance Council member, and I think that you should at least pay her the respect she deserves, as she pays you in meeting. "Secondly, what you know is irrelevant to me. But it can be very damaging to Princess Ladice. To say anything about what you know would dishonor her greatly and seeing how she already has no kingdom at the moment, drive her to suicide. Would you want her blood on your hands if such was the case?" Tim stared at Kat. The General tried hard to meet his gaze, but Tim's brown eyes burned a hole into her. Kat looked down slightly. "Whether I am disgraced or not. She and I are not married, if I may remind you of that fact. And I have no allusions to what is my role. I am not noble, I know. Nor do I have hopes and dreams of marrying Ladice. That would be ludicruous. "As for my luck, I don't know what you mean. I have served as a mercenary for well over 6 years, and fought and done everyone. I have faced great odds and came out on top. But I was given the chance to come and serve Doma, to become an officer and to defend Doma and increase it's glory. To have you insult me and my faithful service to Doma is almost too much." Tim continued to stare daggers at Kat. Kat found it hard to meet his gaze. "I..." Kat stammered. Her mind raced and her face flushed. She suddenly felt very embarrassed. "I am sorry, Lieutenant Tim. I was mistaken." IT was difficult for her words to come out of her mouth. "I meant... I wanted to say..." Kat could find no words. Tim grunted and urged his chocobo forward. He rushed past Kat and immediately went to his camp. Kat, meanwhile, tried hard to fight back tears which brimmed on her eyes. Sky