Chapter 34: The King’s Gambit
Orion stood at the highest wall of his fortress, watching as his forces settled into their newly assigned roles. The bitter wind howled through the frozen tundra, cutting through even the thickest of uniforms. It would be a battle of endurance as much as warfare.
His Kingdom was an isolated stronghold perched atop a treacherous ridge. The only roads leading up were narrow, easily defensible. Any force attacking them head-on would be slaughtered. But there was one glaring weakness—supplies.
The academy had been merciful—if that word could even be used here. Each kingdom started with five days' worth of rations and medical gear. But after that?
Everything would have to be taken.
The first major supply drop would arrive tomorrow morning, landing in a contested regions between the three warring kingdoms—his supply drop was between him and the river stronghold to the west and the mountain fortress to the north.
A forced conflict. The academy wasn't just testing their tactics; they were starving them into war.
In the main war chamber, Orion, his six strategists, and the three commanders stood around a glowing holographic projection of the battlefield. The supply drop zone pulsed in a blue light, marking the location of the first real battle.
Darius Renzo folded his arms, his expression hard. "We don't have a choice. Either we fight for that drop, or we start starving in less than a week."
"No," Isolde Soren countered, her tone measured, precise. Her gaze was sharp. "We have two choices. Fight for the supplies... or steal them."
Dimitri Sokolov exhaled through his nose, his fingers grazing the scar along his jaw as he mulled over her words. "Stealing assumes someone else gets to the drop first." His voice was even, but there was an undercurrent of skepticism. "If they're smart, they'll secure it properly. If they fortify their position, we'll be walking into a death trap."
Juno Ashford leaned forward, her keen eyes flicking between the supply zone and the enemy fortresses on the holo-map. "And if we fight directly, we're forced into a three-way battle with two other kings. We could end up with nothing."