The atmosphere in the command base of the Lysene Magisters was tense. Their faces were marred with fear, anxiety, confusion, and uncertainty. The sudden assault on their port had thrown away all their plans and preparations. When they had first received the news of the attack, they had spiralled into chaos and it had taken some amount of time for them to regain their composure and focus on the present happenings.
Every five minutes, a report was arriving from the battlefield regarding how the conflict was unfolding, and with every subsequent update, their expressions grew more grim. It had begun with Sylvia killing the commander of their army and the carnage she had subsequently unleashed. As more reports came in, they truly realized the terror she was inflicting upon the battlefield.
The Magisters were sitting in an oppressive silence, waiting for the next update, when a man darted into the room, huffing and gasping for breath.
"Magisters," the man greeted, bowing as he tried to maintain his composure in his breathless state.
"Away with formalities," one of the Magisters said, waving his hands dismissively. "Read the report."
The man hurriedly pulled a piece of parchment from his breast pocket, testing the patience of the room as he unfurled it and began to read.
"The situation is turning more and more disadvantageous for our Lysene army. The army of Lord Aeos is pressing their advantage while General Sylvia continues her inhumane and unbelievable slaughter. A special note must be made regarding her. She is an impeccable genius and an unprecedented warrior. Throughout history, we have heard legends of great warriors dual wielding two swords, but she has gone a step further. I cannot even fathom how she can wield a spear in one hand and a sword in the other. If that were not enough, she is constantly switching which weapon she holds in which hand. It is unprecedented."
"Her stamina also seems limitless. Given the ferocity and intensity with which she began the fight, I had assumed she would tire quickly but that has not happened. She is fighting with the same ferocity and with her entire body soaked into blood, she is piling up dead bodies around her."
The messenger paused for a new paragraph and to allow his words to be absorbed by the grim Magisters. He then continued.
"Now, regarding the state of the war. As stated above, we are at a great disadvantage. Although it is difficult to get an exact estimate, I believe we have already lost more than six hundred men, while the enemy has likely not lost more than three hundred. And this is after us having a numerical advantage. And their General Slyvia gets the most credit for it. She alone has killed dozens of men."
"Also, though they have gained the upper hand, the enemy is slowing their advance. They are holding their defensive line and are now trying to slow down the battle. It is obvious that their intention is to hold the port until their main army arrives. And if they succeed in it, then things would turn extremely difficult for us."
"So far, they have seized multiple strategic locations. Most of the watchposts at the port have fallen under their control, as have most of the administrative offices and other buildings. They are now becoming slightly defensive. Furthermore, they have very smartly stayed out of the range of our two hundred archers posted on the walls."
"Around an hour has passed since their assault began, and I am hoping that reinforcements will soon be arriving for our forces. Only with an even more overwhelming numerical advantage can we halt their momentum and hope to retake control of the port."
The messenger looked at the Magisters and said, "This is all."
He took a couple of steps forward, placed the parchment on the table in front of a Magister, and then stepped back. The Magister waved his hand, dismissing the servant. The messenger bowed and retreated.
The Magister reread the message, no one disturbing him, as he hoped to find some shred of good news within it. He was almost hoping for the text to change, but he had no such luck. He sighed deeply as he placed the parchment back on the table and looked toward his counterparts.
"What are we to do?" he asked.
"I think we have no option but to send reinforcements," someone replied, and at this, their expressions grew even grimmer.
Though it had taken an hour, they had only recently received news that the remaining forces of Lys had been mobilized and were awaiting their orders to be deployed to the port. While from a military standpoint, sending reinforcements was the best option, the Magisters were politically afraid.
They had four thousand men remaining who were not currently fighting at the port. Of these, two thousand had been stationed at various locations throughout the city, including smaller ports and natural landing harbors. A few dozen more were patrolling the streets to enforce the lockdown.
These troops could only be pulled once the Magisters were certain that the enemy's main army would not land at those alternate locations.
This left them with only two thousand men who could be used as instant reinforcements. But they were terrified. These men were their only security should a rebellion break out within their own walls. If these soldiers left the city, an uprising became a very real and dangerous possibility.
"One thousand men," another weary Magister interjected. "We should send one thousand men as reinforcement."
The Magisters exchanged glances and a few of them nodded. The decision was taken to send one thousand men as reinforcements. But they were not sure if a rebellion truly broke out in the city, one thousand men would suffice? But they had no other option.
And while the pressure was piling up on the Magisters, the mind of a few had already started to whizz towards the option of surrender.
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