Immediately beyond the walls of the Banlieu there were the barracks with the training camps, to which most of the products made in the factories were destined.

Uniforms, protective plates, boots, and above all weapons.

Feeding an army that was growing bigger and bigger day by day was not an easy task, and even with all the means with which it had been equipped, the Banlieu struggled to meet delivery times.

Nonetheless, observing the training of the new units was a spectacle that left one speechless.

Discipline, order, absolute obedience to the rules were the dogmas of the Grand Revolutionary Army.

Every time Daemon made an inspection, the commander of the barracks, Thomas Trouwe, organized a small parade especially for him in which the units that had just completed training took part.

Trouwe had fought at both Mistvale and Alois, and Daemon had appreciated how even in the heat of battle he had managed to maintain control of the situation, preventing his men from turning an orderly retreat into a ruinous rout.

Unlike almost all the officers of the ducal army who survived the war, Trouwe came from a humble family, and for this reason, he was the only one to swear loyalty to the Free State, whose meritocratic nature he appreciated.

They called him the Bear of Ysen; his training methods were demanding, to put it mildly, but what came out of them were soldiers capable of marching an entire day without tiring and ready if necessary to fight to the death.

His ability to spot talent for leadership in a person had impressed Daemon to the point that he had given him complete freedom in choosing who to promote to officer, and from that moment on almost all the sergeants and captains of the army had passed through his capable hands.

"As you can see Commander, the training of the riflemen destined for the Fourth Corps is now completed." he said proudly as he and Daemon watched the units march in an orderly fashion, forming a square at the foot of the tower in the center of the camp. "Those over there are the new recruits who will reinforce the Fifth Corps, and they will be ready by the end of the month."

"Well done, General. Even if we still have no news of enemy military maneuvers, we all know very well that with the arrival of spring Saedonia will make its move. And by then it will be necessary to have as many troops trained in the use of firearms as possible."

"You have nothing to fear. My methods may not be sweet, but they form real men. Even with all the respect I have for General Lefde, you can be sure that without me the army of Eirinn would have fallen apart after the defeat at Mistvale."

The last part of the demonstration included a fire test by thirty soldiers arranged in three lines. Daemon always repeated that an acceptable rate of fire was one shot every twenty-five seconds, but instead those men managed to fire almost three in a minute, for ninety shots that reduced the targets to sieves.

Daemon was so impressed by this demonstration that he wanted to personally present the war flag to the Captain of the new company.

"From this moment you are officially part of the Fourth Army Corps. The safeguarding of the Revolution is in your hands, and I know that each of you will do your duty."

"Thank you, My Lord. I assure you that we will do all we can, and that we will give our lives if necessary to protect the Revolution, the Free State and all its inhabitants."

Daemon was about to get back into the carriage when a messenger came running in with a message of the utmost importance.

And it must have been really important, because after reading it Daemon ordered to call the War Council immediately.



That was the first time that the Caoulcil had met in a place other than the Great Hall of the Castle.

With the exception of the prefects and some ministers who dealt exclusively with civil matters, everyone was present, even Borg and Mary.

"We knew it would happen, but now we know for sure." Daemon said looking at the map. "Five legions arrived in Rhodes last week and joined the five others already in the city. Leading them is Aria Montgomery, as the new commander of the Southern Army."

"Ten legions." Oldrick said. "Not since the first tensions with the Union fifty years ago has Saedonia mobilized such an enormous army. Our numbers currently don't even come close to theirs."

"Ademar has decided to get serious this time." Adrian said. "And after knowing what Aria managed to do with the Barons, I'm not surprised that he chose her."

In other times the less resolute of the group would have become discouraged; but the last war had not only tempered those like Oldrick and the other Generals who had fought it on the front line, but also those who had come to terms with its more subtle and less obvious aspects.

"Honestly, facing something like this scares me a lot." Mary said. "But we prepared well. Our economy is stronger; we have established solid relationships with both official trade routes and the black market."

"The young lady is right." Borg said. "This time our agreements will not be affected, no matter what happens. We can easily afford to finance and support even a long war, if necessary."

"The army is ready too." said Septimus. "All five Corps have been strengthened, as well as the cavalry brigades and the artillery."

Daemon took a few minutes to consult the map.

"I have studied Aria's maneuvers to the east for a long time. Her way of leading an army is outstanding. She does not seek a decisive clash like the other imperial generals; rather she implements a campaign of attrition that aims to annihilate the adversary by attacking from multiple directions. Once the bulk of the enemy forces have been destroyed, the legions gather at an already established point to deal the decisive blow. There is no reason to think she won't do the same. She will launch two attacks, the first of which will occur in exactly three weeks."

"How can you be so precise?" Jack asked

"Because it's the date when the northern pass will be free of snow. At the same time, or immediately afterwards, she will launch a second attack here, on the Via Altinia, to open a second front and cut our territory in two. Of course, if she succeeds, things would get bad for us. We can easily lock down the Free State, but Eirinn is a flat land with few valleys. If the enemy breaks through, they could spread freely in all directions."

"Wait a moment." Septimus interrupted. "I thought we would be focused solely on defending the Free State. Are you really thinking of fighting them here too?"

"We have invested time, money and energy in modernizing this land. Would you really want to go away and leave its in the hands of those imperial goats?"

"I would like to remind General Longinus that this has never been a war of conquest. You may not like the idea, but Aria Montgomery is the last remaining of the royal family of Eirinn. It is completely natural that she wants to regain control of her land."

"This land belongs only to its people."

"I agree with Scalia." Mary unexpectedly said. "It was the people who asked us to stay."

"This is just demagogy. Do you seriously think Aria will accept this justification? If I remember correctly, the people love Aria. If she were to take over the rule of Eirinn in place of her father and brother, I don't see why they wouldn't be happy about it."

"Septimus may be right."

"... Daemon..."

"You said it, Mary. We stayed here because the people needed us. The people have the final say. If they wish Aria to take control of Eirinn, we must respect their wish."

"So, what do we do?" asked Richard

"Of course, we ask the people."

Without another word, Daemon opened the window of the town hall and went out onto the balcony overlooking the square, where the morning market was in full swing and crowded with people.

"People of Faria. People of Eirinn. Surely the news will have already reached you too, but I am here to confirm what you have heard. The imperial army is on the march. It's Her Excellency Aria Montgomery, daughter of the late Grand Duke, who leads it. We know from reliable sources that her army intends to march simultaneously against the Free State and against this nation. However, as far as we know their war is not against you or Eirinn, but only against our country. Whenever we should leave, her army will simply regain control of this country until the war is over. In recent months, we have created something important together, but Lady Montgomery is still your rightful ruler. But before being the domain of the Montgomery family, Eirinn is first and foremost your homeland, so the decision is yours. If you wish, we will retreat within our borders. I give you my word that we will not confiscate or retaliate should you decide to open the doors to Lady Montgomery, provided of course that there are no hostile acts against us. That's all. I, my ministers and all my officers defer to your judgment."

The square had not stopped roaring for a moment, but everyone listened attentively to Daemon's words until the end.

The first to come forward was a greengrocer from the market.

"I don't understand anything about politics, the army, or other similar things. However, since Messer Daemon and his companions have governed this country, my stall is always full of customers. My children can eat meat and fish. And for the first time in many years my wife was able to buy a new dress."

"I am a nail and hinge manufacturer. The works that Messer Daemon ordered were a blessing for me and my family. I work day and night, and I get paid for every nail I sell."

"I lost a hand in Mistvale. I could no longer be a tanner like before. I was reduced to begging. Lord Daemon told me I could still do something useful. Now in the Banlieu I have a job, a house of my own, and in the evening, I can buy drinks for my friends at the tavern."

"I lost my husband in Alois and my firstborn in Grote Muren. I had nothing. Lord Daemon not only gave me a job, but he admitted my other two children to his new school. They will have an education. The youngest wants to become a notary, the eldest an army officer. And they know that if they work hard, they can do it, now that careers are open to everyone."

"Maybe Lady Aria is indeed our rightful ruler, but that doesn't change the fact that she is now coming here at the head of an Imperial army. If I have to choose between Lord Daemon and those imperial dogs to lead my country, I have no doubts about which is the best choice!"

"Well said! – Long live Daemon! – Long live Eirinn!"

By now Scalia and the others were so aware of Daemon's charismatic power that such a thing was no longer even capable of leaving them speechless.

"Done. Now let's think about how to solve this nuisance."



The Jovtan Valley took its name from the stream of the same name that descended from the north and flowed directly into the Jesi, and the ducal road that passed through it was the only connection between the Free State and the imperial territories.

In many centuries, no one had ever bothered to fortify it, especially because in some places the road became so narrow and tortuous that it was almost impossible for an army to pass through it.

Once the highest point was passed and the descent towards the territories of old Eirinn began, the valley turned into a high and narrow gorge, with the road on one side and the bed of the stream on the other. From there it was just a hundred miles to get to the village of Solea, almost halfway between Basterwick and the Castle, but first it was necessary to pass by an old fort, the only one in the area, which the rebels would certainly have garrisoned.

The three legions under Orestes had marched almost nonstop from Rhodes for a week, arriving in sight of the valley just as the snow had retreated enough to permit safe passage.

However, the Deputy Commander of the invasion force did not feel at ease; after all, a place like this was perfect for ambushes, and even if after two whole days of marching nothing had happened yet, this only made him more nervous.

To avoid taking risks, he had ordered scouts to be sent ahead at all hours and increased surveillance during breaks.

"What's the situation?" he asked when yet another explorer came back

"No sign of the enemy for the next ten miles."

"What about the fort?"

"A few hundred men."

"There are too few of them. They must definitely have something in store for us. Bring a message to all the legions' legates. Slow down. I want the hitters to search every single stone."

"Yes, General."

The years spent fighting in the East had taught Orestes that when a territory was invaded it was always the enemy who had the final say, thanks to a deeper and better knowledge of the area.

In his opinion, proceeding at a slow pace was the only way to avoid being caught unprepared and to always have control of what was around you.

Orestes had every reason to worry; because as he and his men marched through the gorge, someone stationed behind the ledges, in the recesses and natural caves that poked holes in the rock walls was keeping an eye on all their movements.

Transporting the usual cannons, even small caliber ones, over such impervious terrain would have been a titanic undertaking, but once again Daemon and Zypax had found the right solution. Working at full capacity, Dundee's foundries had produced around twenty mortars so small and handy that they could be easily carried by hand by four men and positioned even in a narrow space, but powerful enough to still be devastating.

"General, now?" said one of the soldiers flattened on the ground behind a ledge

"No, not yet." replied Septimus next to him. "Let's wait until they've advanced a little further."

There was nothing to do. Having narrowly escaped death wasn't enough; Septimus simply couldn't conceive of his role without standing side by side with his soldiers.

In the end Daemon had no choice but to give up, even though Septimus had promised that he would no longer needlessly test his good fortune by throwing himself into too dangerous situations.

"Now!"

At his command, the soldiers jumped out of their hiding places and began raining arrows, bullets and grenades over the legionaries, who after a long moment of panic erected a roof of shields to try to defend themselves.

The small mortars were not very powerful, but loading them was really simple, and you could do it even while sitting safely behind some tree or rock ridge.

It took Orestes several minutes to realize that the enemy wasn't just aiming at his men.

"They're attacking the supplies! Defend the wagons!"

The Imperial soldiers also tried to return fire, but Septimus and his men were positioned far higher than where a javelin or arrow could reach, let alone their hiding places.

Unfortunately, Aria hadn't been so naive as to not entrust her deputy with everything necessary to defend himself even in the most complicated situations.

"Sorcerers, strike down the enemy!"

One of the most important dogmas of the Gaia cult categorically prohibited the use of magic for war purposes, since using something so pure to wage war was considered blasphemous.

But since the Free State was an excommunicated nation the problem did not arise, and indeed before leaving the Archbishop had personally blessed the legions, urging the soldiers to "sweep away the heretical scum in the name of Gaia".

Once they reached the front line, the sorcerers hurled flaming arrows and rays of destructive light, managing to wipe out some hiding places.

"You bastards, no one has heard of wizards at war since the Holy Wars. Forget the wagons; concentrate fire on the wizards!"

However, they were mostly low-grade wizards, too inexperienced to be able to use large amounts of power for long periods; and since they lacked military experience, as soon as they were targeted, a good part surrendered to panic and ran away.

However, the magicians were not the only thing that Orestes had brought with him on Aria's orders.

"Bring the cannons!"

As mentioned, carrying artillery pieces up such a steep, narrow and winding road could be a real challenge, but not if you had good engineers and sturdy slaves at your service.

During the stop in Rhodes Aria had talked a lot with some survivors of the first battles against the rebels, and based on their accounts she had carriages built almost identical to those used by the Great Revolutionary Army.

"Damn it, do they even have artillery now? Get out of here, now!'

"Fire!"

The first cannon fire swept away a casemate dug into the rock without the soldiers hidden inside noticing anything, and at that point, their companions from the shelter on the other side retreated.

Of course, the fortifications were not isolated; the problem, if anything, was that to go from one to the other you often had to walk along narrow paths overlooking the gorge, where without places to take refuge you became an easy target for wizards and archers.

"They came more prepared than we thought! Send a message down to the fort! I need reinforcements!"