Skirmishes in the South 1

Imperial year 952, the twentieth year of Emperor Anatheus' rule, Southern Jungle

It had been a month since the Imperial forces had set foot into the jungle, and the campaign had a very rocky start. Not used to the humidity and heat inside the jungle, while also being ignorant of most of the poisonous plants and animals, the soldiers were having a hard time. Many of them had died during the first few days because they didn't get an antidote in time when bitten or stung by the different species of poisonous insects and animals living within the jungle. Also, the heat and humidity made them feel fatigued so many of them had tried to find some additional food, not satisfied with the rations the army gave out and consumed some of the poisonous plants within the jungle. Thus the army moved forward at a very slow pace and become an easy target to the tribes living within the jungle.

The attacks had started after a week after they had entered the jungle. At first, it had been small ambushes using poisoned arrows and darts from a distance and setting traps so that the pursuing soldiers would fall for them and escaping before the mages within the army located them and cast their spells. But after a week of successfully harassing the soldiers, the tribes became more confident and had started some small-scale skirmishes using hit-and-run tactics. During the skirmishes the losses were heavier on the tribes' side, the imperial soldiers not losing in close combat. Seeing that the new tactic didn't work, started the tribes to once again harass them from afar.

During the third week after entering the jungle, was the imperial army's morale at rock bottom. Many were openly voicing their discontent, publicly calling their superior officers incompetent. This had caused the already frustrated officers to take out their anger on the complaining soldiers, and they used harsh disciplinary actions in order to quell the restlessness. This was effective for a while, but after a few days started the indignant soldiers once more to voice their complaints.

"This can't go on. We have to figure out a way to deal with the tribes ambushing us. If things go on like this will we start to have deserters before we even reach the tribes' settlements.", declared High Commander Andremes with a worn-out expression. They had already lost five thousand men of the 100, 000 strong Imperial Army, while the enemy losses reached barely a thousand. At this rate, the campaign would turn out to be the most humiliating defeat in the Empire's history.

All the high-ranking officers had gathered at the High Commander's tent to figure out their future plans. The tent was quite packed with over fifty officers present.

"The men from the tribes barely reach 60, 000 men but since this is their home turf, and we have yet to get accustomed to the unfamiliar terrain and weather, we are at a tremendous disadvantage.", remarked Commander Gauder. He was the right-hand man of Andremes. The two of them had started their military careers in the same unit and climbed the ranks together under the command of Mago's father, the Supreme Commander Darius Barca. This was partly the reason why they paid a lot of attention to the young Captain and how he handled his brigade. The results had been better than they had expected.

'That boy is quite shrewd. I'm sure he will reach far as long as he makes it out of here alive.' mused Andremes while looking at Mago, who was with him and the other officers in the command tent. Out of all of the brigades, had Mago's the fewest amount of losses. Barely any of his men died to poisonous plants or animals and during the ambushes, Mago along with two of the mages in his brigade were the first ones to respond to the attacks, buying their men some time to get into positions. They had also racked up the most kills so far.

"We need to outsmart the tribesmen if we want to end this cycle of endless harassment.", commented Mago, while looking at the map laid out before them.

"How do you plan to do that? We have tried to set traps and ambushes of our own, to no avail. The tribesmen always seem to see them coming and easily avoid them. There have even been cases where our men waiting in ambush were completely annihilated by them.", said Captain Farren in an irritated voice. He didn't like the fact that a man twenty years younger than him held the same rank as him and talked to him as a peer.

"That's because up until now all of them have been too obvious. We need to keep in mind that the tribesmen know the jungle like the back of their hand, if we want this to work we need to set it up somewhere where they would never expect it and prepare it in a way that leaves no trace of us for them to find.", voiced one of the Colonels. He was in charge of the second division, which Mago belonged to.

The Colonels were each in charge of one division in the army. Each division consisted of three or more brigades, like the one Mago was leading. Each division was under one of the three Corps within the army, each having two divisions and being lead by a Commander that only took orders from the High Commander of the army. So as a leader of a brigade, Mago was one of the lowest ranking officers within the tent.

"That is one option for sure. The other would be to create a situation where the ones ambushing us have no choice but to come to us instead.", stated Mago.

"How do you suppose we do that?", asked the Colonel who was Mago's direct superior, with a raised eyebrow.

"The tribes have only two sources of clean water within the jungle, thanks to many poisonous plants that grow in here. One is the river Jigandeth and its different branches that run through the jungle. The second one is the lake Corran that is located in the northern parts of the jungle, four days' march from our Empire's borders where the vegetation is more sparse and it would be easier for us to move. Of course, they have some wells within their villages and larger settlements, but they aren't enough to sustain them in the longer run.", started Mago.

"The tribesmen are seldom willing to go to the northern parts of the jungle because they don't want to risk running into any of the men patrolling the Empire's borders and some of the mercenary units that escort different alchemists or herbalists coming to the jungle to find herbs.", Mago continued.

"So as long as we can block one of the most important parts of the river and divert the flow, we can force the tribes to investigate the blockade and once they figure out that we are behind it, they will be forced to attack the dam in order to get the river freely flowing again.", exclaimed one of the Colonels who hadn't spoken previously.

"Exactly.", nodded Mago.

"The idea isn't too shabby.", said Commander Gauder with a thoughtful expression.

"Which part of the river would you suggest we build a dam in Captain?", asked Andremes from Mago. He was intrigued by the young man's idea as well.

"Here.", said Mago while pointing to a spot on the map. The place was two days' march from where they currently were, and from there it would take at least a week to reach the tribes' settlements. The part of the river Mago pointed to was more narrow than the rest of the river and after expanding once again, would the river branch out into several directions, supplying a water route to all of the tribes around the area.

"As you have come up with the idea, I will let you be the one to attempt it. If you succeed, I will put in a good word for you in the next report to the palace. While you are at it, send some scouts towards the larger settlements of the tribe to see what they are up to.", declared Andremes after pondering for a while.

"Thank you, High Commander.", saluted Mago with a wolfish grin on his face. It was finally time to earn his first merits in this campaign.