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The White Dove and the Emerald Eagle

Záhorie

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The faces of Ivernia's senior command stared back at Gramelski in silence. "That gentlemen is the overall goal of Operation Bibliothèque" he said. "We aim for decisive results in one or two sectors of the operation but keep in mind this is not a death blow. We use the advantages the enemy has presented us with. If we follow this plan and strike at these points with overwhelming force" Gramelski said, poiting at the map, "we will put the enemy into check". Gramelski watched as a few of the Ivernish exchanged quiet words once the translator finished speaking. "we have already begun preparations for this operation gentlemen. In a few weeks, expect your regimental and brigade commands to receive their orders". It was quite true. All over Ivernia, military convoys lined the roads and troop movements were clogging the railways as Ivernish and Burgundian aircraft worked hard to handicap the enemy. Gramelski sat down as the translator finished and General Jean Pontoise stood. Pointoise took command of the Bugundian air elements recently but had been an effective administrator and acceptable strategist. "Gentlemen. Our air forces must be prepared to continue despite the recent uptick in casualties. We have continually hit railroad crossings, bridges, and roads. We have severely hampered their interior lines. For this operation, air support must continue. When this operation continues, you must fully be prepared for heavy aerial casualties as we will be running aerial missions back to back. This will allow our interior lines to operate to our advantage" concluded Pointoise who then sat down but before the translator even began to convey the message. The quiet war would be loud again soon.
 

Kadikistani Union

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Waesfjord and the Nine Counties
Self-declared People's Republic of Milesia
Milesia/Ivernia


It had been extremely hard to organize a new state in the war-torn nation of Milesia. Luckily the three-months-old Marxist-Leninovist regime managed to incorporate older republican institutions, but it had still been more than difficult to organize the government and the new Vanguard Party, the Milesian Marxist-Leninovist Workers' Party (MMLWP), styled after the Kadikistani MLWP. Not to mention actually carrying out its policies, for which mostly military means were used. In the short three months the new regime started collectivizing the relatively small stretch of land under their control and completed the nationalization of the industry. The nationalisation and collectivisation would primarily serve Kadikistani interests as the industrial zones under their control had largely been dismantled or even destroyed in case they couldn't be moved. The collectivisation would have to provide a short-termed food supply for the Milesian Revolutionary Forces, lessening the humanitarian pressure on Kadikistan. But even if all conditions were opportune and the harvests successful, which was doubtful, it still wouldn't be enough to feed every hungry Milesian within the People's Republic of Milesia (PRM). Kadikistan expected a summer offensive to be under way and that it would most likely end the Civil War in favour of the Ivernians, so it only needed to think short-termed on this field. The many small-scale protests against these policies where brutally suppressed with those who didn't receive the bullet being worked to death, primarily building fortifications around the newly defined border of what they described as 'Free Milesia'.

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Positions in the government switched a lot as many perished, not only because the Burgundian air-strikes arbitrarily picked off leading figures one-by-one, but also because there was a lot of internal distrust and competition in the MMLWP. The continuous Burgundian attacks had also significantly damaged the internal supply lines, making basic needs and military equipment arrive too late or not at all. Thanks to the secret agreement with the Carintho-Harkáner regime supplies would still regularly arrive through the corridor that there navy supplied in exchange for a share of Milesia's industrial capacity. But once the supplies arrived they were easy prey for the Burgundian Air Force. An increased supply of AA guns was increasingly under pressure as it was becoming a too expensive drain on resources compared to their significant, though limited, success. The morale of the Kadikistani troops wasn't as high as it was when they arrived in Februari, but the veterans would endure in the hardest circumstances under General Sepakov Berbadjov until Ivar commands differently. Sadly for the latter the same could not be said for the Milesian Revolutionary Forces, especially the drafted regiments who manned the border fortifications surrounding the PRM. Even with Political Commissars among them it was suspected that a significant amount of them would desert or surrender first chance they would get.

More indoctrinated and well-trained troops were stationed primarily in Waesfjord, not only because an enemy push into the city was expected, but also because they had to quell 'counter-revolutionary activity' and even a small uprising when about a hundred armed moderate republicans occupied a suburban neighbourhood hoping to incite others. It took the Revolutionary Marxist-Leninovist Brigades two days and 56 men to take back the neighbourhood, after which another series of raids and crack-downs was started with hundreds more being executed or send to work-camps. The atmosphere was tense and public life almost absent, but rumours still existed that the citizens of Waesfjord would not allow their city to become a second Lowport.
 

Záhorie

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Ivernish Imperial Territory, somewhere North of Waesfjord

The camp was bustling as Gramelski's jeep came to a stop in the summer mud. It was warm but humid as a rainstorm came through the night previous. The blue sky was interrupted by the bombers, flying high overhead, who were off to bomb some railroad or bridge. In the last few days, a slow increase in missions was occurring. Soon an attack on Waesfjord would commence. Gramelski and his Ivernish counterpart did an inspection of the mixed bag of troops at the camp. As the camp was one of nearly a hundred, it was clear that it would be a long day for the two commanders. Of note at this camp was the Burgundian paratroopers who were sent as 'advisers'. They had not bothered with the inspection and instead Gramelski found them sitting in a corner of the camp, all cleaning their rifles and sharing jokes. He took a few moments to speak with some of the troopers who fully understood their mission. They resented being used once again as regular infantry but Gramelski reminded them that they were some of the best troops going into the Waesfjord assault. It was going to be a very bloody affair.
 

Záhorie

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Ivernish Imperial Territory, somewhere North of Waesfjord

July 10, 1956

Gramelski and an Ivernish counterpart had themselves crawled to a forward observation post the evening before. The assault was postponed for another few days but in 3 places a massive artillery bombardment would take place. 130,000 shells would be fired at enemy positions north of Waesfjord and postions near Lowport with 95,000 of the shells landing on positions near Waesfjord. While Gramelski was in position in the dark of night, a few random shells fired by Ivernish gunners landed randomly in the distance. When morning broke, Gramelski had been back at headquarters for some time. However, thousands of young Ivernish had long been ready at the sides of their guns, hundreds of which were of Burgundian origin. The guns ranged from smaller caliber to the massive 203 millimeter guns which were manufactured outside Chagny. At 0703 hours, the guns near Waesfjord began firing with a deafening roar. At 0706 hrs,the guns northeast of Lowport began their smaller but still impressive bombardment. It would last for hours, the targets numerous. Soon, Burgundian bombers would appear overhead to drop payloads on targets outside the city. Hell was coming to Milesia.
 

Záhorie

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North of Waesfjord

It was a warm day but windy. Over the last month, Burgundian and Ivernish fighters pounded supply routes and systematically picked away at interior lines as the build up for the summer offensive. Artillery had pounded enemy positions along the entire front. It had been so intensive at times that there were accidents as guns were not given time to cool. There were continuous flows of equipment and personnel had clogged Ivernish roads for two months. It was to be the decisive blow. Operation Talon was designed to be a long coup de grace after the long-term bleeding of the rebel held zones. With the Burgundian volunteers reinforced and Ivernish troops recouped and also reinforced, things were tense along the line. The attack began with Burgundian heavy bombers carpet bombing the surrounding areas of Waesford and artillery engaging in mass barrages. Burgundian paratroopers now in the uniforms of the volunteers, the crack troops of the Burgundian military, would hit the enemy head on. It was not a lightly made decision but the regiment volunteered with gusto. In Chagny the mood was tense and pressure had been exerted on [MENTION=1187]Ivernia[/MENTION] to begin the summer offensive to finally crush the rebels. Only the Imperials held up the final rush.
Huddled in a trenche, Captain Renee Aucoin listened to mortars and artillery pass overhead at intermittent points of the night. It was nearly 05:50, the ‘go time’. Aucoin came from an old family but was young and was widely admired by his men. Yet he knew he would be a hammer against an anvil. The men had unanimously elected to be the first into the battle. They would not have much armor support or even air support. Most had been sent to other sectors. He had been told this was to protect the integrity of the line, whatever the hell that meant. He checked his watch by the light of his cigarette as he drew on it. Only another hour. [MENTION=1187]Ivernia[/MENTION] would soon be free.
 

Saaremaa

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Northeast of Waesfjord

Cumbric forces from the Host of Cumbria, part of the Unitarian and Royal Army have been left in eastern Milesia to keep Lowport encircled to that they would have no land connection with the rest of Milesia. Marshall Andras Seznec, has moved the majority of the Cumbric forces out of Lowport, leaving a token to continue the siege, while the others moved to Central Milesia, north east of Waesfjort, east of where the Burgundian and Ivernia troops were mustering. For a whole month, the artilery was firing towards the defenses in the region of Cuilcheanna, as the Cumbrians were too preparing for the offensive. Marshall Seznec received a clear message from Lady Proctector Sabrina Corre. This whole adventure in Milesia was too much for the resources of the High Kingdom and it was now or never. If this offensive was successful, she would delay the retreat of the Cumbric forces from Milesia. If it was not, it was time to pack up and return home.

Many of the soldiers saw how motivated were the communist forces and for many it was clear that if they were so ferocious and ready to die fighting against the forces of Bourgogne, Cumbria and Ivernia, they clearly earned their right to have their nation, even if many of them still believed that it was a waste of energy coming from the rebels to fight so much for a nation, just to have it destroyed by communism. Marshall Seznec prepared a lightning operation, gathering fixed artillery, multiple rocket launchers, tanks and armored cars for it. The fixed artillery was pounding the defenses since the relocation and today was the day in which it would end. He looked at the clock. It showed 5:40. Suddenly, the artillery fire stopped.

Captain Ulf Imairson looked at the clock when he stopped hearing the shells falling from the sky and the explosions. It was 5:40. He was a veteran of the Cumbrian Intervention. He fought in Lowport and then led the rescue party in the city to save the crew of a crashed tactical bomber. His commando unit managed to find only one of the crew members alive, who was taken into the care of a civilian family. The others were either killed in the crash or killed by the Milesian soldiers. He continued to fight in Lowport until the order came for the move to central Milesia. It was 5:50. He could hear and see the rockets launched from the trucks behind the infantry lines. He took his whistle and prepared his gun. At his signal, the soldiers started to advance behind the artillery barrage.
 

Kadikistani Union

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Waesfjord People's House
Waesfjord Centre
Kadikistani-Controlled Milesia


"It has begun, Comrade Secretary.", Colonel Nathan Mac Clancy said with an almost relieved tone. The Colonel had been there from the start of the Milesian uprising and was one of the most important Republican Commanders and a strongman of the Waesfjord regime. His actions had earned him a great deal of respect from the republican movement at large, but even more so in the Marxist-Leninovist faction. The latter had rewarded Mac Clancy by appointing him to the position of 'Revolutionary Commissar for War' which as expected had become the second most important position within the self-proclaimed 'People's Government'. His influence was only surpassed by the man he was addressing, Secretary-General of the Milesian Marxist-Leninovist Workers' Party Sebastian O'Brien. As General-Secretary of the Central Committee of the ruling party O'Brien was the de facto leader of coastal Milesia with the captured and detained John Holt being only the symbolic Head of State for reasons of legitimacy. O'Brien and Mac Clansy knew that the recent increase in bombardments and shelling was leading up to a Summer Offensive that would test their resolve to the fullest. Mac Clansy's relieved tone had betrayed his willingness to fight the enemy on the ground rather then enduring its constant barrages weeks on end. Relatively soon after the People's Republic of Milesia was declared Mac Clansy has been pulled out of his years long commitment to the Siege of Lowport and charged with preparing the defence of the largely unrecognised nation which had been reduced to the southern coastal region of Milesia stretching from Waesfjord to Lowport. Since then he had been thoroughly preparing for the enemy, but it had been very difficult to set up a decent defence under constant aerial supervision and attack.

Luckely for Mac Clansy he had the support of General Sepakov Berbadjov, Commander of the 1st Kadikistani 'Volunteer' Expeditionary Force and the nation of Kadikistan. Ivar had forced itself to remain committed to the Milesian Cause with its aggressive foreign policy, but since the intervention had secured everything it wanted and effectively prolonged the conflict the Kadikistani government rather saw the drain on resources disappear. Regardless Milesia was ready to put up a fight. Combined with the Kadikistani Expeditionary Division the Revolutionary Republican Army had approximately 63,000 active forces. The drafted volunteers were organized into three brigades and were positioned along the border of the People's Republic, manning the defences together with a large number of political officers to guard the loyalty. It was suspected that desertion might affect the brigades severely, and ever with an over-representation of political officers it would prove unavoidable to keep the 16,000 men together. The second largest force and the bulk of the Revolutionary Republican Army were the much better equipped 'Revolutionary Marxist-Leninovist Brigades', counting 15,000 heads. Besides being equally well-equipped like their Kadikistani colleagues the latter were also more politically in line with the new regime. But while the most loyal troops were definitely found in the RMLB's who were based mostly in and around Waesfjord and Lowport the Revolutionary Republican Army regulars were also better disciplined forces in comparison to the draftees brigades and counted 10,000 men supporting the defences around the self-declared country. The Lowport Brigade, Mac Clancy's former command, still counted some 9,000 men currently stuck in the desolate meatgrinder that the city had become. The last significant military force Waesfjord commanded was the Waesfjord People's Guard, which was made up of the remnants of the Republican Guards who collaborated with the 'revisionist republicans' en mass during the split in the republican movement in late February. For that reason the remaining republican guards had to pledge allegiance to the Party and the People's Government and were reformed into the People's Guards so that they could remain the official garrison of the city regardless of the fact that there were much more RMLB' forces present. For the sake of stability and continuity around 1,000 poorly equipped and heavily monitored men remain in the People's Guard, their loyalty remaining a point of discussion.

With over 5,000 casualties since the beginning of the Kadikistani military involvement in the conflict in January the Kadikistani Expeditionary Division still counted roughly 16,000 today. The force was almost evenly divided between Dubra County and Lowport. The 42nd 'First Spear' Brigade and the 43th 'Breakers' Brigade, supported from Làirig Mòr County by the 36th 'Juggernaut' Brigade, were continuing the Siege of Lowport even though there hadn't been much progress the last two months. The 37th 'Steel First' Brigade under the command of Brigadier General Darko Miraslevijc remained near the landing zone in Dubra and prepared to facilitate a speedy evacuation should the enemy offensive prove enough to break the lines and bring down the Scanian Marxist-Leninovist State. General Berbadjov was a battle-hardened man who always wanted to be ready for everything, including defeat. Orders from Ivar was the same for Berbadjov as what the words of God would mean to a christian. If they told him to die in Milesia he would not give it a second though, but he would voice his concern for his men as he had pledged that when the time comes he will do whatever it takes to have as many of his boys reach their motherland.

1st Defence Line
Borderlands
Kadikistani-Controlled Milesia


Although an offensive was expected nobody could have sufficiently prepared the defenders for the ferocity with which the Ivernish, Burgundian and Cumbric bashed their regiments into the defensive line. Milesian and their Kadikistani advisor's had attempted to use the terrain to their advantage, camouflaging their equipment in order to remain hidden until the moment came when they could make the most casualties. After the first few minutes all the hidden positions were revealed and the battle heated up. Both in Cuilcheanna and Ahadh Aerlin County there were significant defections by soldiers of the draftee brigades, in both cases the supervising political officers fell within the first minutes of the Summer Offensive leaving the men able and very willing to take the chance and surrender. Men holding the line in west of Waesfjord were less fortunate as a conspiracy of about twenty men had successfully executed three political officers and approached the enemy with pre-emptively made white flags dragging another two dozen opportunistic soldiers with them. What they could not have predicted was that a small detachment of RMLB fighters had hastily mounted and headed for the front upon seeing the Burgundian troops movements from their reconnaissance posts in the Waesfjord suburbs. These men were the fanatics who didn't wait for the order to advance, but did it spontaneously after realizing the enemy offensive was happening. When they saw the forty men walking towards the Burgundian forces with their hands up and white flags many of them turned furious, dismounted from their raggedy trucks and dirty horses and quickly claimed the positions that the deserters had abandoned. Regardless of the fact that one of the RMLB Captains yelled "Shoot the cowards!", the heavy calibre machine guns were turned towards the backs of the Milesian boys and punctured them with flaming bullets. No mercy was shown for those who wanted to retrace their steps, nor for three soldiers who were executed on the spot because a seemingly drunk and especially vicious looking RMLB Sergeant claimed "them be shootin' next to 'em traitors!". The soldiers that had remained on there posts joined in the shooting, many no doubt fearing the same faith as the deserters. They realized now more then ever that they would have the choice between the enemy's bullets and those of their more dedicated comrades.

Overall the lines put up heavy resistance, but most realists knew that they would not hold forever. Only time could tell if the People's Republic of Milesia would survive the Summer of 1956.
 

Záhorie

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September 20th, Defense Ministry
Chagny

The facade was over. While the troops in Ivernia were still clad in uniforms of the volunteers, Gramelski climbed the steps of the defense ministry in his Burgundian uniform, now wearing the rank of Marshal. Reinstated into service the fiery Marshal casually returned salutes as he entered the side door. It was a gray day in Chagny but the sun was attempting to break through. Inside and in a rosewood paneled room, sat defense minister Greuze and his staff, all looking rather stern. They rose out of politeness to the newly appointed Marshal. The minister wasted no time. "Well...why have we not pushed?" he asked impatiently. Gramelski didn't respond until he was seated at the far end of the dark brown table. He glanced around the room for a moment and poured himself a glass of water from one of the pitchers on the table. After a sip and a slow descent of the glass to the table, Gramelski inhaled deeply.

"The Ivernish want more preparation. We have initiated some minor attacks and our main thrust is ready. I cannot force the Ivernish to attack with all strength" he began coolly. The defense minister shot him a suspicious look. "You were able to take command of Lowport fast enough......" said Greuze, agitated. "We had different and desperate cirumstances" the Marshal began with his thick foreign accent. "I cannot force them to attack. I simply cannot force them. Nor can I attack with the forces I have. Even with the paratrooper advisors, it would be suicide". The Marshal took another sip and sat back, confident his argument would explain his position. Greuze looked around the table. "The aerial campaign is becoming quite expensive. We cannot simply keep dropping bombs. Ground must be taken. The people are eager for results". The Marshal looked sharply at Greuze. From what Gramelski had heard the Burgundian people were more worried about Serenierre's bullshit. He decided to prod. "Are they?" Gramelski asked proactively. Greuze eyed him for a minute, wondering if the Marshal was being insubordinate. Slowly and quietly he responded "Yes". There was a silence before Greuze asked- "By winter?". Gramelski shrugged. "They could put this offensive off until the spring" said the Marshal. Minister Greuze shook his head. "I will give you 3,000 men. Will you retake Lowport if I do?". Gramelski nodded- "Easily. They've been nearly surrounded and starved for weeks".
 

Ivernia

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Milesia House
Free City of Vedrarfjord
Milesia
High Kingdom of Ivernia

Since the mid 1800's, Milesia House stood as the site of the provincial government in this part of the High Kingdom. The industrial revolution brought with it great change in Ivernia, particularly in the now-wealthy port towns and cities along the southern coast of Ivernia, which were filled with a new wealthy merchant class. The people of Milesia were always 'exposed' to foreign cultures and ideas and this always affected the outlook of the southern Gaelic peoples.
Milesia House was a hope from the Royals of Caladbolg to placate the people of Milesia. Hoping to localise their liberalism, considering it the 'cost of business' for maritime trade.

However the 'quarantine' as it were, only solved to create ever-increasing disparity between the more 'left wing' ideologies fermenting in the Unions and Universities of Milesia and the ever increasing 'conservatism' of the Imperial Parliament far inland in Royal City Caladbolg.

Nuada Airgetlam was on a state visit to Vedrarfjord, just a few weeks short of the anniversary of the 'Battle of Samhain', the brutal multi-day battle that decisively secured Vedrarfjord back under Imperial control. Almost a year has passed since the Government declared the war would soon be over, and yet the war continues on.

Earlier on today, Nuada attended a military parade that marched through Columbanus Square, the birthplace of the so-called revolution. A very purposeful statement. Nuada mused if it was time to rename the square soon. Within a small but elegant room he paced to-and-fro. Various stacks of documents thoroughly ignored on his desk, only a portion of the proposals however related to the Lowport siege. The rest of Ivernia was eager to move on and return to normalcy - but he still had a war to fight.

Nuada had little to complain about, he supposed. Focusing the conflict in one location, had benefited the rest of the High Kingdom. The state did not have the ability or resources to continue total war, so the recent months had been a moment of relief for the rest of the Ivernish. At the expense of the South-East, trade had resumed, and many Milesian refugees had begun to return to their farmlands to rebuild in the areas now free of the conflict. The rampant patriotism, combined with the war, had created tremendous support for his regime.

He heard a knock on the door, ''Come on in.''

Duke Daithi Mac Suibhne, entered. ''An Taoiseach, a chara,'' The two men nodded in professional respect.

''Duke Mac Suibhne, it is good for you to have come. I suppose you must be pleased to return to your homeland and your home city?'' Nuada spoke as he took a seat behind a table exactly alike the kind one would expect in a office as lavishly named as 'Milesia House'.

''Yes, indeed.'' The good Duke replied. ''It is good to return, my lands were ravaged I am sure you know, but the Milesian people doubly so. I can only help to lend whatever aid I can to the good Milesians. Tragic victims of the war is how I see them. The first conquered victims of a socialist invasion.''

''Oh absolutely,'' Nuada replied, almost absent-mindedly, while pushing through his stack of notes. ''As far as Caladbolg is concerned, this was a foreign-led conflict from the inception. Note how so many of it's leaders fled for the SWR at the first sight of trouble? I have it on good authority that 'An Nuachtan hIverniann' and 'Gaelport' will be running a investigative series on the culprits involved - and it will point to an act of vanguardism.''

Duke Mac Suibhne took his seat also as Nuada spoke. ''I believe you had a communique to send. Tell me, is this to do with your recent drills? Last time we spoke you mentioned a plan for a large incursion.''

''Yes Daithi,'' Nuada found the page he was looking for - a blank one - and set his pen upon it. ''I apologise for the secrecy. We are hoping to make a movement soon. In the coming few weeks in fact. We must write to our Burgundian contacts. It's time to reignite this war.''

Duke Mac Suibhne was not truly surprised. He would not have been asked in person to assist with a communique if it was not of such importance. Yet, on hearing those words he felt despair equal share with relief. He enjoyed the false peace, old fool that he was. But he knew they must continue. Ivernia could not rest until the 'foreigners' were removed from Ivernish soil, once and for all. Nuada would have it no other way.

''The Minister for Defence and the Generals will be along shortly.'' Nuada began scribbling notes as he thought of them onto his pages. ''Marshall Cid Aodh-Mór will be attending also, as you know, he returned from the Commonwealth back in June, to ready our permanent forces.''

It was already getting dark outside. This far north, even Vedrarfjord, on the southern coast saw long nights and cold winters. A government clerk entered the room with a large trolley full of tea services. ''Just put them anywhere, thanks'' said a distracted Taoiseach.

The Duke expected the Minister, Marshall and Generals soon. He prepared some tea for himself before beginning to assist the Taoiseach. He knew it would be a long night indeed.
 

Ivernia

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Érimón Square
Lowport
Milesia


Érimón Square was one of the few recognizable landmarks that still remained within Lowport. Repeated carpet bombings and artillery barrages from the High Kingdom had turned most of Lowport's great buildings into shells of their former selves. The rubble piled so high some streets had become impassible. Some of the last few areas where the fighting continued is in the old market squares, where open spaces were still left. Not three years prior, Érimón Square was a central plaza, littered with stalls and bunting. It was one of the first open markets from the traders entering Lowport for the docks, and the last market for the sailors returning to Ivernia, before they left Lowport for their own homes. So full of people of all social classes, buying goods from across Ivernia and from across the Gothic Sea trade routes.
Now the square is a hovel. The cobblestones rent asunder as artillery had struck the center again and again. Blackened hunks of metal and rock strewn across what had become a ruin, and brutal monument to the destruction of Lowport. Two massive Paladin tanks lay blackened and burned out in the center. One still blooming smoke, as if destroyed very recently.

The buildings, of what was left of them, were littered with the nests of soldiers and snipers still battling out the last drastic days of the Lowport Siege. Any fool who entered the center of the square did not last long, in what had become a no mans land. Recently this theory was proven true for the dozenth time, as a major skirmish to decisively take the square ended in disaster for both sides, once more. Young men, either freshly killed or badly wounded, littered the square. Those wounded were left abandoned to slowly die. Their screams and moans of pain would fill the square in a bitter symphony that night, for all those men still left in the buildings.

Captain Frederick MacFergus was holed up in a building on Érimón Square with his fellow Rangers, trying to field dress the cuts he gained when the tank in the skirmish exploded. The resulting shockwave bursting the last of the glass windows still holding their form, several pieces of which found MacFergus' lower leg and foot. He was still sure however, that their location was not known.

''I could've sworn we had that one, Captain.'' His Lieutenant, Kellensey, chirped to him. All the men were on the uppermost floor of a half-destroyed former solicitor's office, all lying prone and far away from the windows. Kellensey was farthest from the windows, sliding bullets into a magazine by the door to their room. ''Another Paladin tank up in fucking smoke. Who drives those things anyways?''

''Sons of rich people.'' MacFergus replied curtly. Wincing as he tightly wrapped a bandage around his foot. ''I'm serious. I've never met a man in one of those tanks who wasn't a snob. This one lad I knew back in Himyar, O'Harper, he was some bollocks, but at least he knew how to drive. This war has really brought out all the wankers looking for glory. Ow, fuck'' MacFergus winced as he tightened his dressing.

Two other Rangers in the room, O'Kelly and Tierney, were up by the windows, with Tierney peeking out as discreetly as he could.

''We lost some lads down there in the last skirmish.'' Tierney looked back to his mates.

''Just regular forces right? Can't be helped.'' Retorted Kellensey.

''No no, also one of ours, Tigernmas is down there.'' Tierney lowered himself away from the window again.

''Ah fuck, got caught in it did he?'' MacFergus said as he slipped back on his boot. ''I was hoping he wasn't going to get caught in that fight. Dead or alive?''

''Alive!'' O'Kelly, now peeking out the corner of the window took Tierney's place. ''Fuck, a few of those men still are. Tierney you have shit eyes, how'd you even become a Ranger?''

''I charmed my way in.'' Tierney smirked, combing his greasy mottled hair.

''Hang on lads, there's a flag from another building... Can you hear that?'' O'Kelly and his fellow Rangers piqued their ears.

At first, the men could hear nothing. But eventually, they almost began to relax, taking in the noises they had long blocked out. Distant noises at first, explosions, guns rattling, men shouting. The background tune of many a Lowport man for the past months. But for these Rangers, it was the hymn of their entire life.

Suddenly they could hear shouting again, this time much closer. Within Érimón Square.

''Hello? Hello?'' It was from another building. A flag was out the window. Giving away their position. ''We want to talk'' said the voice.

MacFergus moved to the window, but not in front of it. ''Fuck it lads, I'll have a chat will I?'' There was a hole into the next building anyways. Losing this position was not the end of the world. Besides, the men were curious, and bored.

He leaned as close as he could without appearing in front of the window. ''Yeah?'' He shouted back. ''What the fuck do you want? Whose side you on?''

Silence at first. As if the mystery men were weighing their options. ''We fight for the Republic!''

MacFergus snorted with laughter. ''Well then you can go fuck yourselves! We fight for the High King and Ivernia! Stuff your Republic up your arse!'' The men laughed again. War makes men easily amused with the simplest of humour.

''No no, we know you're Imperialists. You've a thick Nemedian accent. We want to talk! We want to Parley! About the men on the ground, some still live!'' The voice returned.

MacFergus was surprised. ''Tigernmas'' he heard his men whisper to each other.

''We don't have time!'' MacFergus heard from the window.
 
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Záhorie

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The captain tugged on his mittens, ensuring they were snug on his hand. The fire from the empty gas drum somehow provided little heat as the Ivernish winter wind blew snow and cold that ate at one's bones. Captain Aldrois, an avid skier, had rarely encountered such a coldness. It was unbearable. Finally, he was hustled into Marshal Gramelski's hut. In the corner, a wood stove provided heat but it was still damned cold. Aldrois wondered how the hell the old man slept in here. At least the officer's bunkhouse was tolerable as long as one did not leave their sleeping bag in the midst of the night. Aldrois was the supply liaison for the Ducal army to the volunteer forces in Ivernia. Before Aldrois could sit down, the Marshal began to speak in his horribly accented Frankish- "Captain, my men need ammunition, medical supplies, new boots....My men need more of those new rifles". The Marshal had skipped pleasantries. Aldrois knew this was a sign that the man was in the most foul of moods. "My boys need a complete rearm and refit. You have 15 days Aldrois". The Captain was stunned. 15 days? "Marshal, this is....it is frankly impossible. The Senate has said you will be pulled out by the end of April. I am not sure the army will allow supplies of such magnitude to be transferred......". The Marshal stood. He glanced at the piles of papers on the desk then rolled his eyes back onto the unfortunate Captain. "I will not have my men be decimated because the army wants to twiddle their thumbs for the next few months. Get it done Captain....and get the fuck out"
 
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