A Unique Fresh Start

'Although these circumstances are a bit odd, it's a unique fresh start if I've ever seen one.' Thought Danny as he stretched his limbs. He wanted to feel the youthful vigour in his body and he was quite pleased with it.

Danny was surprised that he was so calm despite his odd situation.

'Am I influenced by the hosts' memories?'

Danny quickly gathered his wits about him and noticed that he had much greater control over his emotions. All the stress, negativity, and overthinking had seemingly disappeared.

'Hhmm I guess things aren't all that bad.' 

He sharpened his gaze as he started thinking about his objective.

Danny sat down and gathered his thoughts for a few minutes. He sat cross-legged, in a stance known as the lotus position. He placed both palms on top of his knees and started to breathe in and out in a practised rhythm.

While he was recovering from his mental health issues, Danny discovered the wonders of Tai Chi and spent the last 8 years of his life practising it diligently, alongside other educational practices. 

He had mental health problems since he was young, and his divorce only worsened his depression and anxiety. Hence he sought out ways to strengthen his mind

Tai Chi helped him focus his mind and calm down. Danny was confident that practising Tai Chi was the only reason he had not killed himself.

Too many stresses had piled up in his life and he had no one by his side. His parents were both orphans and they passed away when he was 18. His wife had a family that hated him because he was African American so he barely communicated with them. They never attempted to hide their dislike for Danny's skin colour and background. Eventually, Danny got sick of it, and she got tired of him as well.

Danny was a workaholic who didn't spend time at home. When it was discovered that they had no children because Danny was sterile, Charlotte stuck by him. But over the years it was still an issue. Until Charlotte could no longer handle it, then ten years later, she filed for divorce.

Danny and Charlotte had no children but they had quite a few belongings and assets. The divorce was prolonged and the legal fees piled up, and the depression Danny had gotten over in the past resurged, and Tai Chi did little to help. 

'To think nonsense like racism is still an issue in the 21st century. Ridiculous. If I ever marry someone again, they won't be tied down by nonsensical thoughts like racism.  That's for sure.' mulled Danny.

He was hidden behind a few bushes hence he was still out of view for the soldiers. So he didn't gather attention, at least not at the beginning.

"Your Highness! I was getting worried! You had said you would only be gone for half an hour, and why do you have no escort? We are still in enemy territory!"

An old man wearing armour shouted with a bow, disturbing Danny from his meditation. Danny opened his eyes and sighed. Knowledge of who this man was, was already in his mind. He could at least not have to worry about understanding the situation.

"Michael, my apologies, I needed some fresh air. You know how I don't like feeling stuffed when I'm coming up with a strategy."

The old man had a thick beard and a few scars, with eyes that had been hardened by hundreds of battles. He was clearly a survivor, but he was still forced to be courteous to his future King.

 Michael was loyal but he was also old-fashioned. He was about to lecture his monarch when his mind shook for a moment.

He looked at his master and said, "My Prince, did I hear you properly? A strategy you say?"

Danny stood up and patted himself down. He put on the strap that had his sword as he had removed it to meditate. As he fastened it on his person he said, "Take me to the war council tent. Call all the relevant officers. I have a plan. I just need to make some adjustments."

Michael was stunned. Unlike his father Myca, Danny, or rather Ulysses, was not much of  a tactical person. He was a brutish man who loved to do everything by force. He wasn't much of a warrior of the battlefield either and usually took the back seat, having his vassals do everything for him.  Not that he lacked the intelligence of physical capability. He just preferred to act his own way.

He had a good education in the art of war and had won many battles. He possessed superb martial arts and medical skills,  but he had also lost quite a few wars, usually with horrible casualties. 

Michael was horrified that Ulysses wanted to take complete charge, but he could say nothing. Ulysses was known for beheading any soldiers that refused to obey orders. He did not mess around when it came to discipline. He was brutish, but he was no fool and a control freak. He understood the hearts of men well.

"Understood my Prince. Please follow me."

.....

In a large tent in the middle of the sample, multiple armoured individuals were seated, waiting for the meeting to truly commence.

"This is ridiculous. We are going to get slaughtered."

"Keep your voice down! Do you want us to die outside the battlefield?"

"We listen to him, we die, we disobey, we die. Why should I care?"

"Because you have a family at home."

This was just one of the many conversations happening under hushed tones within the tent. A large table with a 3 dimensional model of the environment was displayed, with figurines to represent different aspects of the upcoming battle. 

Danny, as Ulysses, was walking around the table observing the target and circumstances with an analytical eye.

'If there is one thing I know, it's war with cold weapons.' 

Danny did not have many talents, but war has always been his passion. He taught war at school, watched movies about war, played online war simulation games and played different types of chess every chance he could get. 

He wasn't extremely talented, but he worked hard to improve his understanding of orthodox and unorthodox warfare. How many cultures and wars had he studied and analysed?

The advantage historians had, the advantage of hindsight, also sharpened one's foresight as well under the right circumstances. 

'For any civilization to reach the peak, historians are a must.'

Danny firmly believed that there was no better teacher than history. Especially when it came to war. 

Danny looked at the map and frowned, "Michael, earlier on, you advised me to recall the troops and head home. Despite the fact that we lost my father and we have lost thousands of lives. 

I know you are not one to speak without consideration. So please tell me, logically, why we run with our tails between our legs."