After a long march along dirt roads…the outline of the city of Vara began to appear on the horizon.Its walls rose steadily, and its towers stood beneath the daylight.
But…no columns of smoke.No screams coming from within.No sign of chaos.
The soldiers of Leon's unit exchanged glances.The silence between them was not comfort… but caution.
They moved closer.Then passed through the gate.
And the moment they entered…they were met with a scene that did not match what they had left behind.
The markets were open.Vendors' voices blended together naturally.Children ran through the alleys, laughing without fear.Guards stood atop the walls… in ordinary calm, watching the road without tension.
Everything… was normal.Excessively so.
One of the soldiers muttered in a low voice:"Did we… arrive at the right place?"
Another looked around uneasily:"This doesn't look like what we saw…"
The image of the empty village had not left their minds.Open doors… silence… the complete absence of life.
And here—life moved on as if nothing had happened.
As for Leon…he did not speak.
He walked slowly, his eyes moving from one detail to another.
The market…the faces…the movement of the guards…
Then he lifted his gaze toward the walls.
He paused briefly.
No additional reinforcements.No unusual movements.The number of guards… normal.
He looked back to the streets.
No state of alert.No orders being given.No signs that the city was preparing for war.
Everything… in its place.
And that, exactly—was what made him more uneasy.
Because the calm here…was not reassurance.But something… incomprehensible.
After the army partially settled, Leon requested a meeting with the city official and the commander of its garrison.
Before the discussion even began, it was clear the official appeared composed… but cautious with his words.
Leon asked directly:"What are the latest reports from the east?… And why is your city without fortifications and not prepared for war?"
The official took a slow breath, then replied:"Your Highness, we have not informed the public of anything…we do not want to create chaos before the real chaos."
He paused briefly, then continued:"We have received no new reports from Asuo regarding any attack.As for Ghirebia… we have received nothing from it."
Leon narrowed his eyes."Nothing?"
"Yes, Your Highness… and that in itself is concerning.It may be under attack… or the communication lines have been cut.Even so, we sent a messenger… and he has not returned."
That statement left all possibilities open… but without evidence.
After the meeting…
Leon stepped out into the city square.
His commanders were waiting for him there, standing in silence.
The soldiers around them were gradually calming after the long march.
Leon did not raise his voice.But when he spoke… his orders were clear:
"The army rests… one night only."
The commanders exchanged glances, then nodded.
He continued:"Resupply from the city's stores.""And send scouting cavalry… toward Asuo, and the road leading to Ghirebia."
One of the commanders immediately moved to record the orders.
Then Leon turned toward the city official.His gaze was sharp.
"I want additional messengers… now… any delay in information…"
He tightened his fist…
"…will cost us a city."
Silence followed.
No one objected.
While Leon's forces began settling into a city that appeared calm…
The war, far from the populated roads, was unfolding in a completely different way.
Deep within a dense forest…
The Savina camp stood in organized silence.
Tents arranged with precision.Paths clearly defined.Guards stood at their posts without unnecessary movement.
No chaos.Only… discipline.
One of the riders entered the commander's tent.
He bowed quickly and said:"Ghirebia has been breached and secured."
The commander's expression did not change.
The rider continued:"All the knights have been captured… one thousand in number."
A moment of silence.
Then came the question:"And the fortifications?"
"Specialized units have begun mapping the city and its walls."
The rider paused, then added:"The fifth unit confirms the plan proceeded as intended… everything is ready."
Then the commander said:"Then… we move to the next phase."
He gestured with his hand.
"Send a messenger immediately.""Inform Generals Morgan… and Leander to remain on standby."
Moments later…
Two men were summoned into the tent.
They entered with steady steps.
Thorn… and Erik.
They stood before the commander… and he looked at them directly.
"You will lead the army. Fifty thousand cavalry.""The target: Asou.""Take it quickly… before the army of Orvalis stabilizes there."
Silence lingered, before he added calmly:
"As for me… I will head to Ghirebia.""We will establish a camp there… and await reinforcements and supplies. Discussion over."
The two men left.
Outside the tent…
Thorn did not hesitate.
He headed straight to the logistics tent.
He pushed the flap aside and entered.
"I need preparations for an army of fifty thousand."
The officer raised his gaze to him, focused.He said:
"State your requirements."
Thorn stood inside the logistics tent, his gaze fixed on the officer.
Then he began listing, in a precise tone that allowed no hesitation:
"Supplies for weeks… wheat, flour, dried meat, dates, oils."
He paused briefly, then continued:
"Water… thousands of skins, and massive barrels."
The officer was writing quickly.
"Feed for the horses… barley and hay in massive quantities."
Then he continued without changing his tone:
"Weapons… arrows, spears, spare swords."
He raised his hand slightly, as if organizing priorities in his mind:
"Siege equipment… catapults, battering rams, ladders, towers.""And engineering tools… pickaxes, axes, crowbars."
A brief silence filled the tent.
Then Thorn added:
"I want everything ready… quickly."
The officer did not respond immediately.
He looked at the lists in front of him, thinking.
Then he said:
"The supplies… you will receive only half."
He raised his gaze seriously.
"There are difficulties in provisioning."
He paused, then continued:
"As for the equipment… I will provide it.""But not in the quantities you requested."
He closed the ledger in front of him.
"Some resources… are reserved by order of the commander."
Thorn did not argue.He did not ask.
He simply said:
"Prepare what you can."
The officer nodded.
Then Thorn left the tent immediately.
Outside…
His voice rose, calling to his assistants:
"Start immediately!""We need transport lists!""Prepare the wagons!"
Movement began spreading through the camp.
Men running between tents.Crates being dragged.Barrels rolling.Orders crossing through the air.
The camp that had been quiet… began to pulse with calculated urgency.
And that night…
The city of Vara was calm.
Leon's soldiers slept within the walls, beneath steady lamplight, nothing suggesting immediate danger.
But far from them…
Savina was moving.
Fifty thousand cavalry had begun their march toward the next target.
Their steps could not yet be heard…
But their impact had already begun.
The road between the two sides—was filling with villages…
that had become empty.