With the abttle over, now it's time for a cleanup. As commander-in-chief, almost every decision required my approval. Food for soldiers: I planned the whole menu. How many rows should they stand during muster: I organised the whole formation. Even matters as simple as where the toilet needed my sign of approval.
But, leaving complaining about paperwork behind, I needed to focus on the matters at hand. I begin by organising the cleaning of the fortress grounds. All the burned timber, broken stones, ruins; everything needed to be thrown away. But that was just a beginning.
Cleanup of the inside would take an estimated three days of work, but in addition to it, we needed to make a passage through the terrain destroyed by a landslide, restore walls and buildings, and expand the fortress to fit our purposes. But those matters weren't that hard; the most troublesome issue was the bodies of our opponents and captives.
The fortress was staffed by a total of 4,500 people: 300 knights, 2,700 soldiers, and 1,500 miscellaneous personnel. Now, only around 2,700 were alive, but even that number was quite troublesome to take care of. Ironically easiest to deal with were the surviving knights, a grand total of 183 people. I ordered everyone of them to prepare a letter that will be attached to the ransom notice and it will be delivered to their lords later.
Next were soldiers, the 1,462 people, and their future was bleak. First, those who were injured to the point of disability were given a choice: paying a ransom and traveling back with knights, or being left to manage for themselves, in their current state, the second choice meant certain death. Those who were able were reduced to slaves and will work for the rest of their lives. To be precise, there was a possibility of being redeemed through exceptional service, but this was but a hope that kept them from rebelling.
Lastly, the civilians. Most of them were locals who were drafted for their work, so if they were able to confirm who they were and what village they lived in, they would be returned there. If not, they will be given a choice of working in our army for three years and then given the right to settle somewhere. While this wasn't an easy future, at least they had something to look for.
Next were the deceased. The bodies of knights were handled with care, put in coffins, and preserved by me to be sent back to their homelands for burial, of course, in exchange for a reasonable price. The soldiers again didn't have such privileges. Here, I decided to be more 'humane' and rather than one mass-grave I ordered for each body to be buried in an individual one, along with a tombstone inscribed with their name and place of origin.
I ordered that such a cemetery be built in one of the two explosion sites on the mountain's side, so that it wouldn't be disturbed later. After it was done, I would plant some trees and other plants there to make this place a memorial site, after all, it was better to create memorial cemeteries from enemies, than bury your own people every battle.
But our side still had some losses. Most of them were preserved in coffins and sent to their homelands, but some didn't have a home to return to. Such people would be buried in the 'heroes cemetery' that I proposed to Agravain some time ago to boost morale and create a legacy of this war. He readily agreed and already prepared some land; as such, I left this in his care.
With people matters done, now I could focus on the buildings. As predicted, after three days, the fortress grounds were clean, so I ordered the beginning of restoration, though we made appropriate changes. First to be rebuilt were the walls, but this time the walls facing north were built much thinner and with special weak spots in case this fortress needed to be captured once again. The southern wall was enforced, and all the Germanic runes were replaced by Primordial ones.
On the subject of runes, after the capture of the castle, I looked for the Shaman stationed inside, but he took his own life before we could capture him. In the end, I was able to find his notes and some letters, from which I learned about the circle of Shamans that traveled to British lands, trying to establish themselves here. I gave this information to Agravain and Morgan, as I didn't have time to worry about them for now.
We rebuilt and expanded barracks, built additional towers, and transported the trebuchets on them to use as defensive weapons this time. A new cellar to keep things safe, even a new passage to excavate the fortress if it was ever needed. All of that would be impossible if not for a liberal application of magic.
When the information from scouts about the incoming army arrived on my desk, almost all work on the fortress was done, fully prepared for the next battle. I sent a few Stormhawks to keep an eye on the enemy and convened a meeting with other commanders. Five minutes later, everyone sat waiting for me to begin.
-"Let us begin."-I waved my hand and created images in the air showing the approaching army for the eyes of my Stormhawks Ashes.-"This attack is somewhat serious, though not enough to put a dent in the enemy's overall situation. Their strategist should be aware that if they don't stop us here, they won't be able to keep anything before Tyne, so they bet everything on one battle."
-"So we also need to take it seriously, huh?"-Cú Chulainn was as relaxed as one could be.
-"Every fight and every battle should be fought with absolute seriousness."-Gawain shook his head, not agreeing with Cú Chulainn's attitude.
-"What I mean is that by winning this fight, we would secure whore north, giving us a chance to move most of our forces to the west, where the king awaits."
-"Right, for you, this is just a prelude."-Fionn nodded, remembering our situation.
-"It's not like we won't have more chances to shine."-Diarmuid rolled his eyes at his glory-hungry lord.
-"While this front will slow down, it's still necessary for it to put pressure on the Anglo-Saxons. When we respond to the king's call, you will be in control of the whole north. There is enough glory for everyone to share, just be sure to live to enjoy it later."
-"Well, only one among us is destined for a short but glorious life, so I need to try harder."-Fionn joked.
-"Heh, let's see if I will be able to get glory of breaking this destiny."-Cú Chulainn's eyes showed a determined gleam.
-"Shouldn't we focus on the matter at hand?"-Gaheris finally spoke up.
-"Is there anything to discuss? We'll stay put, give them time to approach, and then strike."-Diarmuid crossed his hands.
-"Good strategy, now we can work on tactics."-I gave him a side eye.-"Gaheris, this time you are in charge of defence, give me how much ammo you'll need later so that I can prepare enough."
-"I'll have it counted before tomorrow."
-"Fionn, you'll lead the counterattack later, Cú and Gawain will be your deputies and lead the flanks."
-"Sure."
-"Diarmuid, I'll have you take some knights and set a trap with me later, 100 Irish, 100 British, pick who you want. Make sure they can move through that path."
-"You plan to strike them from behind?"-He asked to confirm my idea.
-"Yes, as I said, we need this army to be vanquished, without a chance to escape."
-"That sounds good. Anything we should watch out for?"-Gaheris pushed the conversation forward.
-"Yes, most likely there will be Shamans present in enemy ranks. I even expect some flying cavalry. Right now, we have no effective counter against them aside from me taking action personally. My Mageknights are not at the level where they can confront experienced Shamans head-on; at most, they can minimise their effects on our ranks."
-"We'll need to manage against their magic advantage this time. Cú, any advice? This should be your speciality."
-"Just take it and stride. It's not like we can train mages before the battle."-Cú rolled his eyes.-"At most, we can prepare some enchanted shields for the front line, but even then, it might be nothing more than a placebo."
-"At least it'll stabilise our morale."-I nodded, approving his plan.-"I'll make some amulets in free time, but those will block magic a few times at most."
-"Will there be enough for everyone?"-Gawain asked.
-"For knights at most."-I shook my head.
-"Sigh, so be it."
-"We still have some plans to discuss, so let's get this over with."
In the end, we spent the whole afternoon in that room.
That night I returned to my room, but rather than rest, I waited quietly for a moment. Soon, an air rippled near me, and a figure of Morgan appeared.
-"Eno, how are you?"-Morgan asked, her face still cold, but her eyes were warm.
-"Quite good. Everything here is going well."-I smiled.
-"I bet this is the first time in the past week you entered your room, am I wrong?"-She asked, knowing how I usually am.
-"This time, you are wrong. I was in my room four days ago."-I showed an expression full of pride.
-"Heh, but you didn't rest then, nor will you rest after we are done."-She rolled her eyes at my show.
-"Rest can wait until later, and it's not like I require it now."
-"Right, you are closer to a stone, or a block of wood."-She looked at me with annoyance deep in her eyes.-"So what happened that you needed to talk to me? I don't believe that you just wanted to spend some time with me."
-"Well."-I showed an awkward smile, my hand massaging the back of my neck.-"I would be happy to spend some time with you, but this time I have a matter that needs your input."
-"Of course you do. Spill it out."
-"I believe that Gaia will call me soon. I have no proof, just intuition, but I feel it strongly."-I stopped playing and returned to my serious expression.
-"Do you have any more information about it?"-Morgan also turned serious.
-"I just feel the pull, it's most likely the summoning ritual. I can delay it for now, but after I'm done here, I'll have to respond."
-"So what's your plan?"
-"I wanted you to create a magic link between us, strong enough so that you can gain information from the world I would travel to. I believe that knowledge about different timelines will prove important to your plans."
-"Such knowledge is essential. How long can you delay?"
-"If the pull continued to grow linearly, up to a month, if exponentially, not even a week."
-"I will contact someone to assist us. She should be able to arrive in a week. Scáthach would also be needed, but she is much closer. I will arrange everything, just be sure to return to my castle in a week."
-"I will."-I nodded.-"On the subject of assists, how is your research into my ritual going? Have you discovered anything that might help us travel to different worlds?"
-"I was able to construct one according to your notes, but the amount of energy needed to activate it is absurd. I'm testing some methods to reduce it, but I have no results yet. The most promising concept yet is a method to observe other worlds, but to achieve it, we would have to gain the assistance of a certain person whom I have no way to contact."
-"Any way I can help?"
-"Yes, when you are in another timeline, try to seek Wizard Marshal. If you are able to contact him there, he should come to us within our timeline."
-"I will remember it. Anything that could help me with this?"
-"No."-She shook her head.-"But your aura should be enough to attract him. He has some... connection to Dead Apostles, and as you are now are Nature Spirit of similar rank to a True Ancestor, he should come to you after feeling your aura."
-"I see, thank you for your help."
-"There is no need for that between us."-Morgan smiled slightly.-"I heard the stories about your previous battle. A guardian angel who watched over the whole battle, single-handedly destroying an army of monstrous beasts, and finally delivering divine punishment that destroyed the whole mountain. Quite a story, I must say."
-"There is a seed of truth in every part, but the artistic extravaganza is quite impressive. But I never expected you to listen to the bards."
-"I would listen occasionally to the stories on the streets. While my reputation is beyond saving, yours is quite bright, and I wish it remains so."
-"I would rather your reputation improve than just stay bad."
-"I don't care."-She shook her head lightly.-"Sometimes it's good to have no reputation to uphold, expectations to keep. You should be aware that while this country needs light to guide it, it also needs darkness to keep it safe. My dear sister is that light, so I shall be the darkness."
-"Don't put too much pressure on yourself. I also believe that this country needs its darkness, but darkness and evil are different things. I will help you guard Artoria from the dirty reality of kinghood, but I will also make sure that you can stand by her side openly."
-"You're quite greedy."-She looked at me, a strange light in her eyes. She was quiet for a moment before continuing, her voice becoming more resigned.-"No, more like cueless."-She sighed and shook her head.
I looked at her, not understanding what she was speaking about.
-"Never mind. I wanted to warn you that more and more people pay close attention to you. While Artoria is still the brightest star, she is the king; few would dare to act against her directly, but you are only a knight. Church is still taking its time, waiting for both sides to exhaust themselves. But other powers are more active."
-"So you expect an assassination attempt on me? I'll be careful."
-"Good. I'll keep an eye on actions happening on the continent and keep you informed."
I just smiled, not understanding how such a caring woman could be a witch in everyone's eyes. We talked through the night, sometimes discussing magic, sometimes talking about our plans, sometimes simply complaining about minor matters.
We ended our talk only after dawn, as we had our duties. After her projection disappeared, I left my room smiling. When Cú saw me later, he was quite surprised, quickly whispering something to Gawain, who was sitting next to him in the cantene.
-"Hey, does Eno have someone... You know."-He extended his pinky.
-"No, I believe he doesn't"
-"Then it must be a secret affair."-Cú's eyes were full of gossip.
Gawain just rolled his eyes and continued eating, but from that day, the rumors of my affair would never die down.