Log 009: Battle of Solus Hill (I)

[Contact: Enemy size: 24,000. Threat level: 0.]

In the distance a large force approached Solus Hill. Several banners flew in the air. Further behind, thousands of tents were propped up surrounded by wooden pallisades and stakes.

They split into two forces as they approached the hill, 12,000 on each flank.

[Filtering video noise. Stabilizer engaged.]

The video feed flickered unsteadily. The image sharpened.

"On the right flank is Duke Peron. His forces have the Red Fox banner. Nasty bunch," Lord Commander Matthew said. "The Peron Academy mages focus on area destruction spells."

[OPCOM: Force Size: 6,000. Contact designated: "Red Fox".]

"On the left flank is King Finian's forces. Although I doubt the King is among them. Marshall Thomas must be leading them. His banner is the Red Dragon."

[OPCOM: Force Size: 8,000. Contact designated: "Red Dragon".]

Matthew looked through his looking glass and sighed, "It looks like Magister Tinon joined the battle as well. Our reports say that he has 3,500 mages. If you see any White Spire banners among the two flanks, those are his."

[OPCOM: Contact updated. Force Size: 3,500. Designation: "White Spire".]

Matthew put down the looking glass and shrugged. "We will engage them at noon," he said, "Our forces number 18,000 but we hope that you, Lord Somnus, will be able to turn the tides. What do you think our battle plan should be?"

[Comms: Somnus, Oracle. New contact. Designation: "Gold Eagle". Size: 3,500. Acknowledge.]

<Acknowledged.>

[Comms: Somnus, Oracle. New contact. Designation: "Two Towers". Size: 3,000. Acknowledge.]

<Acknowledged.>

"Designation "Matthew". Identify contact: Gold Eagle. Identify contact: Two Towers. Comply," Somnus rumbled, his voice so loud it carried through the assembled ranks of the Astoria forces.

"Hmm. The Gold Eagle must be Count Fergus' troops. The Two Towers are Count Bisland's. Count Bisland used to be part of the Kingdom of Astoria, but he seceded a few years ago. His brother, Count Jean, is with us," Matthew said and pointed towards several thousand troops flying a Black Tower banner.

[Probability Matrix: Designation "Jean" motivations: 23% Vengeance. 45% Betrayal. 32% Other.]

Lord Commander Matthew waited patiently for Somnus to say anything, but came to the realization such a thing would not happen. He pressed on. "Lord Somnus, we were of the opinion that our entire force should fight on the right flank, while you hold back the left flank. But some of us have expressed concern that this task might be too difficult for you. After all, we do not know what your capabilities are. We merely have... some reliable reports."

[Weapons: Missile Batteries loaded with cluster munitions.]

"Mission success probability: 100%."

Lord Commander Matthew gulped and nodded. "You appear to be very confident. As for the reports about Atmohim, if he should appear, we are holding back our 2,000 mages to engage him. Is that acceptable?"

[OPCOM: Designation "Atmohim" Threat Level: 5.]

"Acknowledged. Query: Is designation "White Spire" archive match: "Imperial Mage"?"

"Ah, not necessarily. Magister Tinon is with the Arsalan Magisterium. But we believe that Imperial Mages are among their ranks."

"Affirmative. Operation commences in 1 hour, 12 minutes, 33 seconds."

Matthew nodded, stood in place for a while and then realized that the conversation was over. He cleared his throat and then walked away.