Yet another night had passed. Shades of grey grew brighter onto the Sword God's camp. Metal clanking of armour was all that filled the morning silence as soldiers marched around.
'I've been here a day and I already feel drained.'
Riley slumped back into the mahogany chair and stared at the table with pawns. He had experience with chess, even being able to claim that he outsmarted the demon of truth, Ariel. But war strategies? That was out of the realm of his expertise.
The lady from the night before who had since introduced herself as Lydia, sauntered over beside him.
Unlike the soldiers, her figure was much fuller. An olive tan painted her toned skin, and the clothes she chose accentuated every curve.
"So, dear, why have you woken up so early? Don't tell me. You will join the fight yourself? How selfless. My little lord is feeling heroic today~"
She pinched his cheek. Riley didn't have the will to move out of these simple advances anymore. He had spent most of his night evading the callous flirting of the insatiable seductress. It was as if her libido knew nothing of restraint.
'It makes me think that this lord's body was adept in pleasing this scary woman.'
He shuddered at the thought and returned to his strategising. There were still many things to plan. Some bubbles of ideas formed in his mind, but they needed a vote of unanimity from the leaders below him.
So he took off with Lydia in tow, winking at whatever soldier dared look in her direction.
In a tent, much larger than the rest, that rested at the back. Rows of cannons, catapults and ballistas gathered dust. Several attendants rushed over to Riley and greeted him with scared stutters.
"W-What may we help you with my liege?"
The older of the three spoke, fiddling with his hands frantically. Riley could feel the essence feeding his stuffed core.
'They are afraid too? What a bother.'
"Quick, tell me why the cannons are buried in our backline."
The fat man couldn't find the words to speak so he remained silent.
Through his sleepless night, he had found out that the skirmish was between War God and Shadow God's children. Apparently there were valuable ores that were being capitalised by the dark deity's children.
'Does every nightmare have to include a demon or god? Surely not?'
To his delight however, the gods held little thought over what fights their children engaged in. As long as they never threatened the sanctity of the gods.
"Mobilising the cannons to the front of the camp, as swiftly as possible. Also, make sure to eat, I didn't see you guys at the bonfire yesterday."
The trio looked at each other as if the sky had split apart. But none were stupid enough to turn down rarely received kindness.
"T-Thank you lord. We shall dine after moving the cannons as instructed."
Riley flashed a smile and marched out. His next location was the archer's depot.
A ginger fellow sat up, still hiccuping with a large goofy grin spreading from ear to ear. His pupils dilated, the intense light of the grey sky was blinding to the man who had been bathing in the darkness.
'The one person who seemed happy to see me is drunk…great. Well, I guess Lydia was happy, but that was different…and much more disturbing.'
As if sensing his thoughts about her, Lydia ran her finger across Riley's nape, making him shudder and jump forward.
"D-Don't do that."
"Alright sweetheart."
Riley smacked the beer from the ginger-haired man's hand.
"Sober up, we have work to do. I am led to believe you are in charge of the archers, position them higher on the cliff's surface. But make sure they are not seen."
"Wha- Why are you acting so cold to me now? Are- we not brothers- burp"
Riley's face contorted into a frown. One that sent shivers across his supposed brother's face.
"I mean yes sir! I will get right on it!"
He stumbled forward, hitting his head against the metal beam of the tent before heading inside and screaming at his archers.
'I am amazed that the people hidden in the fortress have not managed to launch a successful attack against these morons.'
In that second, an arrow whizzed by his head, slicing his cheek and drawing crimson.
"Ghh-"
Riley leapt behind a tent and pulled Lydia with him. She dabbed a clean cloth against the wound with alcohol. It stung, but Riley was more shaken by how close his life was nearly extinguished.
'C-Crap. I need to be more careful. Even the old general had a brain cell or two considering he managed to survive those lethal arrows.'
His concentration was broken by a butterfly whose colourful wings fluttered through the air. Blue dots lined with black and red swam among a sea of yellow before landing onto his cheek, near the wound.
Lydia instantly grabbed it and crushed it in her hand. Her smile never wavered, even as she killed the small creature.
"What? Is a girl not allowed to be possessive?"
She pressed her index finger against his cheek forcing a wince. Then licked the blood.
"Only I get to taste your blood. My liege."
Riley felt the shivers run down his spine like rivers. He promptly jumped up and dashed toward the final tent he had to visit.
A familiar face quickly greeted him. Riley walked through the annoyed and disgusted looks shot at him before extending his hand toward Sir Baltamor.
"It is good to see you."
Baltamor reciprocated the smile and shook Riley's hand firmly.
"And you as well my liege. What brings you here so early in the morning?"
The passionate knight wore a mask of confusion. It was not a regular occurrence for the lord to visit them, let alone at such an hour of the day. Though it was midday, the mighty commander would often sleep till much later with his lovely concubine.
"I have spoken to the other leaders of the infantry, we are preparing for a siege in the coming days. Prepare your knights, and eat a plentiful amount. I need you in top form for this battle."
Baltamor didn't hesitate and kneeled.
"As you wish my liege."
Just as Riley was about to leave, his voice called out again.
"Shall we recall the spies? Their information would surely prove invaluable in the battle ahead."
Riley smiled, this was indeed good news.
'Both in the present and in this ancient past, they are my allies through and through.'