Somewhere Someplace

Towering center in the blue sky up high was the sun shining bright; its piercing rays hung from above, radiance gazing down from its ignited eye.

It was a new month for the Central Continent, the penultimate month—eleventh out of twelve. This new year, once so fresh and vivid, was now shifting pale and livid; day by day the world grew cooler—or, at least, one hemisphere of it; the other half was becoming warmer, but such was neither present nor relevant. Nevertheless, one step closer this new year was to drawing to its end, from which yet would be but another…new year's beginning.

A cycle that repeated on and on, around and around as though the arms of the clock.

Well underway thus was the first day of Autumn's Sleep—when poor little Autumn grew so tired from Summer's Fatigue and the prior satiating Feast, her evening coming to its end; for the sun would vanish and Winter's falling Night would descend with cold darkness.

At least, such was one variation of the folklore. Indeed, the fable of the calendar differed from region to region, place to place. The conventional tale was one that thematically paired the cycle of the Seasons with that of the courses of Day and Night; in some localities, however, it was completely different, characterizing instead a cycle of liberation, ambitions, decay, and tyranny.

But regardless of which rendition—thematic coating—realms subscribed to, the underlying theme, the cyclic nature of the Seasons, held constant. And, whatever label or whatever fable, Autumn's Sleep or Autumn's Fall, the eleventh month would end on its thirty-fourth day with festives and delight—a sendoff to Autumn before Winter arrived to formally take the reins.

So strange, truly, was time's flow. According to some local proverb, it was said that for the fledgling, a week was eternity; for the old, it was yesterday. There were moments where time crawled forth so slow, where whole arcs and stories could begin and conclude within a month's course; then there were moments where so rapid time could speed that months, years, flew on with relentless force.

Day after day spinning about and around, one could only beg for the clock to pause.

Nilia, however, was not one to beg. Even when a month had practically flown by without barely anything unfolding, for her warped standards such was still a bit too slow.

Yet just because she had become lost in time eons ago, such was not to say she could not be smacked with that whiplash of suddenties abruptly descending fast and without any warning. For whilst nothing had necessarily happened involving her herself, the clock continued to tick its tocks ever onwards in the world beyond, no matter relativity of mind or space.

« … » Indeed, she stared down at this report which had been so hastily tossed upon her coopted desk, silent.

Weeks… A whole month…of effective quietness within this emptied headquarters, and yet in an instant flip had a fury of noise and uncertainty erupt—not, minded, from the diplomatic mission, but rather the military.

"This happened yesterday." Captain Albert—her superior in this context—was standing before her desk. "I don't know any more details than this and whatever else I managed to hear on the way, but there is a state of profound…shock; The Company is still assessing what happened and the…losses, but it happened simultaneously. It wasn't the Loyalists or mercenaries, either; survivors interviewed so far described armored orcs, goblins, and even 'mysterious' elves. No official conclusions, but the culprits are obvious."

"…I see." Nilia just…acknowledged… Having read the document, her mind was still processing… "So… If I am understanding this… You—which is to say your company—left…critical logistics completely undefended?"

"Insufficiently defended, more correctly, but evidently so." Albert so replied. "I am not in charge of that area, volunteer; believe me, I tried to scold the Adjunct Officer of Logistics and Supplies about this, however he was already at the bottom from his window by the time I entered his office." Such was an idiom, not a literal description.

"Uhuh…" Nilia slowly nodded her head, still processing… "…so, thus, remind me for clarification, but it is of my understanding that…because Grandberry and these 'Loyalists' ceased cooperation, your campaign's armies were not being given the supplies from them?"

"That is correct."

Nilia, again, so nodded her head… "And, thus, your company's campaign—your assembly camp and main armies—had to therefore rely…exclusively on your own line of the supplies? Which originated from, then, these very…outposts?" She was really trying to ascertain the…magnitude of this fuckup.

"Effectively, yes."

« … » Nilia's mask-obscured eyes looked at him, expressions even blanker than her usual… "Where does this leave your campaign?"

"In dire straits." Albert was frank. "The campaign's assembly camp was receiving its resupplies primarily from these storages' stockpiles. The assembly camp received its supplies in surplus, thus it has its collection… However, it is now…with a limited lifeline. They will run out."

"I see…" Nilia nodded her head… "Alternatives?"

"None to speedily arrange, from my understanding." Albert remained so frank. "I won't explain the intricates of the Company's treaty with Grandberry, however these storage outposts are Company domain, and the Company's allowed unhinderable access to-from, including the roads in between and areas of recognized interest, such as army camps."

"…which means?" Nilia was still quite rusty on local diplomese.

"Regardless of diplomatic theater, Grandberry cannot openly hinder or prohibit these supply lines, and the Company does keep these routes well-escorted." Albert elaborated; "I'm not privy to the details, but other resupply efforts from the Divide were attempted, but they were met either with constant robberies from 'renegade mercenaries' or hinderances from clearance technicalities. These posts were the only efficient means to circumvent Loyalist obstruction."

"Uhuh, I see…" Nilia's finger began to tap the desk… "Why were these…crucial stockpiles outside? In Strawberry, your warehouses were defended by a whole city. I do not…" She was struggling to understand the Company's decision-making…

"Technicalities and, again, treaties." Albert explained; "Most cities are not comfortable with a Company military presence—logistics or otherwise… And it is faster to facilitate resupply or defense from a direct Company-controlled post than…constantly going through the customs of gated walls or urban traffic. They formed a connected line; if one was attacked, there were still the others and the primary regional headquarters, from which a response could be coordinated."

"Ah…" Nilia nodded her head, thinking she was understanding… "And, thus, the expectation was not that…something would attack all of them simultaneously and dismantle the connection in a single maneuver."

"Essentially… It was thought impossible without our notice." Albert replied. "I cannot explain the details of the strategy, but these posts were supposed to be ancillary and well-defended. However, because this regional headquarters was scuttled beyond minimal usage and…the other forementioned reasons, these supply posts were—"

"Not, in truth, 'ancillary' or 'crucial'…but essential. Your campaign was completely depending on these…" Nilia interjected. "Thus, to reask, why were they not 'sufficiently defended', then?"

"I don't have the answers for everything, volunteer." Albert so stated. "However, no doubt, because the Congress is convening, New Wellington's demands for a decisive and showing victory usurped other regional priorities; the campaign was siphoning both supplies and—"

"Soldiers." Nilia could already guess… "After your company's armies had victory after victory, the defenders for these 'hubs' of supplies were removed to chase further victories." Such was an all too familiar mentality trap; one was winning and wanted to commit everything for more winning.

"Partially, yes… Regardless, the situation remains the same: the Company needs to arrange an immediate alternative supply system, which…" Albert's voice began to drift, heaving somewhat… "which is unlikely to happen."

"Why is that?" Nilia tilted her head. "Your assembly camp has…many thousands of soldiers? They are…surrounded by a belligerent…realm and no longer have a source of resupply. This is urgent, no?"

Albert hesitated. "If what I received from Faulkner is true, which it is, then…the situation in the bulge is…soon to become 'complex'." he thus replied, vaguely. "As the locals say it, Fortune is wicked in her games…"

Nilia just stared at him for a moment… "Considering this situation, it would perhaps be better if you were…more specific." She was blunt. "With respect, sir." Though, she quickly remembered that… Right, he was the superior officer in this dynamic.

The captain was hesitant once again; however, he ultimately did open his mouth, not without first making sure every window and door in this office was tightly shut. "You are not to tell anyone outside of this seized office, volunteer." his mouth snapped as he returned, authority oozing from his voice; "Is that understood? I am only telling you this out of respect."

"It is understood, sir." Nilia's lips were now permanently sealed.

"Good. Now, from my knowledge, throughout the month since the Humbleberry incident, the Company has been moving regiments and supporting assets to the Eastern Bulge, primarily through Oned Creamlight and the Divide." Albert thus disclosed; "Every report has been intentionally underemphasizing this buildup. It is a commitment; the United Central Company has an arrangement with Strawberry."

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"…the bulge?" Nilia tilted her head. "But I thought that this campaign was the priority?"

"Volunteer, if you savored your questions, you will get your answer." Albert bluntly stated, he now being the one in control of this conversation. "And you're right: it was a priority; however, I should've…framed better. As you yourself noted, victory after victory made it seem the campaign against the Fallen was effectively settled with what was committed. What is happening in the Bulge is significantly larger."

"…I see." Nilia nodded her head slowly… "I give the apologies, continue your…point, sir."

The captain, however, paused…as if there was sudden weight falling onto his lungs. "Now, I will explain this once and not again. Arriving soon-in-effect—within the next day—to the Palace of Grandberry will be…an ultimatum by a certain 'Council of the Counts of the Five United Counties of the Eastern Bulge and Humbleberry'. This will be joined with a conditional Declaration of Secession accompanied by an immediate recognition by the United Central Trade Company."

« …keh? » Nilia…had to process all of that… "Thus, this all means…?"

"I cannot specify; I only know what I know." Albert so replied; "But this orchestration was New Wellington's true dance with Grandberry; her actual message to the duke. The navy controls the Divide, and Riverberry—despite not participating in the secession—has no say. The Company determines who and what enters the Bulge; Grandberry cannot march into the Bulge upon secession, but the Company can easily send our own through."

"…war?" Nilia, realizing, tilted her head with weight. "Is that what you imply? This entire time, while we were here, your company has been preparing for war against…" Suddenly, some things about this 'crisis' began to make sense.

"Not necessarily." Albert, however, quickly clarified; "It's theater. My speculation: New Wellington is going to restart private talks with Grandberry, using her support for the Bulge's secession to leverage her demands—compensation for the Humbleberry disaster, guarantee of logistic support, and whatever else."

"I see…" Nilia just acknowledged, her mind still trying to weave these words together…

"Conversely," Albert continued on, "the seceding counties likely only agreed to follow along because of the Company's support and military presence. If the Company withdraws, Blackberry and Dewberry would no doubt change their mind and back down; Humbleberry would be isolated again, and she would waver too."

"…changing allegiance and then rechanging allegiance…" Nilia truly could not wrap her mind around the politics of these denizens. However, she could see the strategy—kind of. "Thus, pretend to support these…'separatists', and use this to make the deal with Grandberry and then abandon them?"

"Not necessarily." Albert yet again so clarified; "New Wellington's calculus is doubtless in the assumption that neither would attempt a conflict with her; the Company out powers both. If Grandberry accepts their ultimatum, the secession motivations would evaporate; they would have to back down, and the Company would be compelled to…maintain the peace and the integrity of the dutchy. Strawberry and Raspberry might attempt to carry on, but New Wellington could quickly expand her invitation to their palaces."

"…since your armies are already there, inside their cities…" Nilia was able to see… "I see now…why 'most cities' are not comfortable with the presence of your armies…"

"I can remark onwards, but keep in heart that half my words are my own speculation." Albert cautioned before sharpening his tone. "Either way, yesterday's attacks will terribly complicate everything…" A tension entered his voice… "By the time this news reaches Strawberry and never mind New Wellington, the ultimatum, the secession declaration, and the Company's recognition and support announcement will have arrived to the duke's desk… It's too late to change the calculus."

"Ah… I assume, thus, that all of these…convoluted schemes were made with the assumption that your campaign's armies in the middle of the antagonized realm would still be receiving support from your direct supply hubs?" Nilia so deduced…

"Effectively…" Albert so replied… "The only saving assumption is that Grandberry, no matter what, would not dare to risk a direct war with the Company… However, now that the assembly camp is without a supply source, Grandberry doesn't need to do anything… The duke simply could sit on his throne chewing his boogers whilst waiting for thousands to starve."

"And the Company is in no position for a direct conflict either…" Nilia remarked…

"Not especially with the Congress and angry signatories breathing down New Wellington's neck. Grandberry's professionalizing armies did not spend almost two years of civil war eating sewage. The Company's officers trained her officers, in irony… They understand some of our tactics." Albert thus remarked. "The Company could win, but not without detrimental sinking cost in both lives and liquidity."

"Thus, paradoxically, your company's plan will only see itself be the one who 'bends the knees', if that is…the correct phrase." Indeed, what other options would the Company have? A whole army was cut off in the middle of an antagonistic realm; the only alternative would be to let several thousands starve once supplies dried or aggressively create a supply line by force, both of which would result in far too many deaths than they were willing to expend.

"Capitulation would be…amongst the only options—to save face and create an immediate supply line." Albert nearly sighed, barely stopping himself. "All of this has been terribly timed…" Most certainly indeed, this all was quite so very…convenient in the timing. "Had this attack happened even a day sooner, the Strawberry headquarters would have been informed by now to delay things, with the only worry being justifying to New Wellington… But the letters have already been sent out for delivery; there is no backing out."

"…what a situation you have created for yourselves." Nilia was deadpan; it was hard to feel bad for them, even within her mind's shadow.

There was a sudden spur to Albert's demeanor. "Each one of our major supply posts and subsidiaries," he began to say, "all attacked and destroyed within the same time frame, each leaving only two survivors—at least as is known so far… But this alone implies a level of coordination and intelligence gathering that had gone completely missed, even if we assume this…timing was truly coincidental. And how the attackers maneuvered or where they came from has yet to be determined either; the surrounding area was thought pacified of their dens."

"Pacified?" Nilia tilted her head, cogitating… "Hm… By chance, did it happen to be that…many of den locations that your intelligence was given were…around your supply hubs?" She more wondered than asked.

"I would have to cross-reference to confirm, but many of the initial locations were in that general area." Albert replied. "Regardless, you—"

"A false sense of security…" Nilia mumbled interruptive. "What is the word…? 'Bait'? Yes. It could be that you were…baited." She was not showing any mercy.

"You predicted this." Albert finished his words, looking into her with emphasis. "In your 'thoughts' you had remarked several times of your suspicions regarding the ease of the campaign's victories; how the lack of any bronze golems was concerning; that it seemed 'odd' nothing of value was being found in their dens; that there was something about their resistance and numbers that felt off; that the Fallen…could potentially be luring the Company…into a false supremacy."

« … » Nilia was caught a little by this. "I was… Those were just speculations—from your…less than informative reports."

"Speculations that have seemingly turned out to be sound if not correct." Albert insisted.

"And they can also be wrong; I can easily be very incorrect…" Nilia did not want to be treated as some 'prophet'—her own suggestions should be treated with the same scrutiny she gave the denizens. "Do not take my words as truth without thought."

"Obviously… But that is not where I am trying to direct this." Albert so stated; "Your 'thoughts', these recent events, and this very conversation…. All of this has demonstrated without doubt your capabilities…" A tacit smirk emerged in his voice. "I have your willfully provided 'thoughts' collected; they are undeniable proof of your…'predictive foresight', as I will frame it. I will make another attempt with Butler by sharing them with him…"

"If he has been unconvinced of me for all of these weeks, will those truly convince him?" Nilia was skeptical. "I am…a woman; that is his problem."

Albert was uncertain, but he remained committed. "We'll have to discover. However, after yesterday's attacks, there is no more room for chivalry or customs—we were outplayed by a coalition of hobgoblins. Butler is an earnable tactician; he may see that." He collected his provided report from her desk and took a step back… "Him being shown that you had 'predicted', through your assessment of the limited intelligence I provided, that the Fallen were essentially scheming yesterday's attacks may very well convince him of your potential as a useful and demonstrated utility… He wanted a differentiation, and now he will have it: no officer that I am aware of was making similar considerations."

« … » Nilia did not want to get her hopes up, not that she herself could even comprehend any such 'hopes'.

The captain turned around and began to leave…only to pause, turning himself around again. "Volunteer, these are not Faulkner's words, but my own: you have an officer's mind—more so than half the fat-cats here. I was skeptical at first, I admit, but now I'm convinced. I believe the Thirteenth would benefit from having you there in person. Your adventurer friends have been helpful, from what I hear, but they lack…strategic depth of mind."

These words made her feel strange deep within, in a way incomprehensive. "Just ensure that any of these…preference changes are arranged before the duke decides to encircle this entire building and trap us within it as retaliation to your company's…actions." She said this as an unserious, sarcastic, and mostly humorful remark—not a genuine prediction.

"Heh…" Albert found the humor in her deadpan words. "He would not dare to do anything, even in these circumstances." These words being said, the captain thus turned and formally departed, preparing himself to make his…petition to that certain Captain Butler.

And, in the end, Butler was impressed by what Albert had shown him. Although the grammar and…wording could use refining, these 'thoughts' of hers were nevertheless an indication that she was both more intelligent and military-savvy than the average woman. Indeed, that certain Captain Butler could see the differentiation, and he ultimately was swayed enough to formally approve Nilia de Relevancia's militarization and participation within the campaign.

However, Butler would ultimately report Captain Albert to the campaign's higher oversight officership stationed at the headquarters, whereafter the captain was severely reprimanded for sharing sensitive military intelligence with an unauthorized and then-unaffiliated civilian volunteer; he was subsequently ordered to 'respectfully leave the headquarters', pending further penalty recommendations.

Nilia's confidential 'specialist' status under the Thirteenth's oversight notwithstanding, without an involved officer of the Thirteenth to further specify her deployment, the exact terms of her involvement conveniently defaulted to the discretionary command of the very Officer of Alternative Personnel Management and Extra-Regimental Recruitment… Who had decided that it would be better that this military-savvy woman remained stationed at the headquarters. A place far from the horrors and violence of war, where she could comfortably share her…unique insights…to Butler directly, so that he might…'reconvey' such insights to his…higher superiors…himself.

Yet these maneuvering shenanigans had unfolded within a span of three days.

And within those three days, four out of the six counties of the Eastern Bulge plus Humbleberry had formally declared their independence as a 'Union of the Five United Counties', their 'Ultimatum of Reconciliation' having smacked the Alweny duke's face alongside an announcement of recognition by the United Central Trade Company.

Within those three days, Grandberry had decried the Company as 'agitators of insurrection and separatism'; that the duke's 'long-standing suspicions' had been 'proven true'. Within those three days, the 'Grand Army of the Huckleberry Dutchy' had been officially decreed into existence, finalizing the consolidation of the Loyalist armies into a single national force. Within those three measly days, a pre-prepared detachment of this so-called 'grand army' had entered Outer Grandberry…and had completely encircled the Company's old headquarters; none allowed to enter, none allowed to flee.

Unbeknownst to New Wellington, Grandberry had long been planning for war.