The mandate from Lord Commander Greycastle to lead a Special Expeditionary Force to the Sunken Fens was the clearest sign yet of Kaelen's undeniable ascent within Karshelm Fortress. No longer confined to its walls, Kaelen was now tasked with projecting its power outwards, a subtle, yet profound, shift in his role. This wasn't merely about defending; it was about conquering, about pushing the enemy back, and in doing so, extending his own influence across the scarred lands beyond the fortress.
Kaelen approached the massive undertaking with his characteristic methodical precision. Command of two full companies, in addition to his Northern Watch contingent, meant a force of hundreds. The logistics alone were staggering, but Kaelen had the perfect asset.
He immediately dispatched Replicated Master Quartermaster Jorah to coordinate the expedition's supplies. The duplicate Jorah moved like a whirlwind through the quartermaster's offices, his replicated mind an unparalleled engine of efficiency. He optimized provisions, allocated transport wagons, and ensured every soldier received proper gear, all while discreetly observing the loyalties and frustrations of the other quartermasters and supply sergeants. Kaelen's mental commands ensured the Expeditionary Force was equipped to perfection, far beyond what any other commander could hope for, creating a palpable sense of confidence and readiness among the assigned companies.
Next, Kaelen leveraged Replicated Lieutenant Thomas Valerius. He tasked him with subtly gathering information on the two new company commanders assigned to Kaelen's force: Captain Rostova, a stern but honorable veteran of the southern campaigns, and Captain Durian, a younger, more ambitious officer with minor noble ties. Replicated Thomas provided detailed profiles of their strengths, weaknesses, preferred tactics, and any underlying resentments towards the High Command, allowing Kaelen to tailor his approach to each. Replicated Thomas also subtly eased any concerns other noble families might have had about their sons serving under the "new" Lieutenant Kaelen, assuring them of Kaelen's strategic genius and ensuring cooperation.
In their secluded lab, Replicated Master Alric and Replicated Archivist received their orders. "The Sunken Fens are treacherous," Kaelen briefed them, reviewing detailed maps of the boggy terrain. "Orcs thrive there, using the marsh as cover. I need solutions for difficult terrain, and any weaknesses we can exploit against their particular brand of brutal ambush tactics in such an environment."
Replicated Alric immediately began to formulate a quick-drying alchemical paste that, when applied to boots, could provide better traction on slippery mud. He also worked on incendiary compounds that would burn even on damp ground, ideal for clearing dense, waterlogged vegetation. Replicated Archivist, meanwhile, delved into ancient texts detailing historical campaigns fought in similar marshlands, unearthing forgotten strategies for navigating swamps and flushing out hidden enemies. Their combined replicated intellect provided Kaelen with a tactical edge no other commander could possess.
Finally, Replicated Sergeant Rhys was given command of Kaelen's personal vanguard. He drilled the combined forces relentlessly, ensuring fluid movement and coordinated actions, subtly instilling Kaelen's disciplined methods into the new companies. The common soldiers, seeing Rhys's grim competence and unwavering loyalty to Kaelen, adopted Kaelen's leadership with growing enthusiasm.
The departure of the Special Expeditionary Force from Karshelm was a sight rarely seen in these besieged times. Hundreds of soldiers, well-equipped and moving with a disciplined purpose, marched out from the main gate, their banners snapping in the wind. Kaelen rode at the head of the column, his demeanor calm, commanding respect from the officers and men alike. Captain Rostova and Captain Durian rode on either side of him, initially reserved, but slowly growing impressed by Kaelen's meticulous planning and quiet authority.
The journey to the Sunken Fens was arduous. The terrain grew steadily wetter, the paths dissolving into muddy tracks, the air thick with biting insects. Kaelen's preparations proved invaluable. The quick-drying paste for boots, applied diligently, prevented countless slips and sprains. The incendiary compounds were used to clear small, dense thickets along their route, denying the Orcs easy ambush points.
Kaelen's true strategic genius came to the fore. He anticipated chokepoints, sent out small, agile scouting parties (often led by Replicated Private Finn), and chose campsites that offered natural defenses against surprise attacks. He moved his large force with the efficiency of a smaller unit, minimizing fatigue and maintaining readiness. Captain Rostova, who had seen countless campaigns turn into disorganized retreats in difficult terrain, watched Kaelen with growing admiration. Captain Durian, initially skeptical, found himself deferring to Kaelen's tactical judgment, recognizing its undeniable superiority.
They reached the outskirts of the Sunken Fens after three days, a vast, desolate expanse of marshland punctuated by twisted trees and murky pools. Orc war cries echoed faintly in the distance. Kaelen immediately established a temporary base camp on a patch of elevated, dry ground.
Kaelen's strategy for clearing the Fens was multi-pronged and precise. He dispatched Replicated Sergeant Rhys with his vanguard to sweep the outer perimeter, flushing out any small Orc patrols and mapping their common routes. He assigned Captain Rostova to secure the flanks, using her experience with defensive lines. Captain Durian was tasked with leading probing attacks into the heart of the Fens, drawing out the main Orc presence.
Kaelen, meanwhile, with Replicated Private Finn as his silent guide, stealthily moved through the Fens, identifying the main Orc strongholds. He located their crude watchtowers, their hidden supply caches, and, most importantly, their preferred ambush points. He deployed the specialized incendiary compounds developed by Replicated Alric, setting subtle, controlled fires that would drive the Orcs out of their hidden lairs without causing a full-scale conflagration.
The battle for the Sunken Fens was not a single, grand confrontation, but a series of precise, overwhelming skirmishes. Kaelen's forces, moving with coordinated precision, trapped Orc patrols between their converging lines. The Orcs, disoriented by the fires and unable to use their ambush tactics effectively, found themselves fighting a methodical, relentless enemy.
Kaelen's true command shone through. He moved across the battlefield, a quiet focal point for his commanders. His orders were crisp, concise, and always perfectly timed. When a unit faced heavy resistance, Kaelen would subtly direct Replicated Sergeant Rhys to reinforce them, turning the tide with overwhelming force. When a new Orc position was discovered, Replicated Private Finn would relay its exact location, allowing Kaelen to call in concentrated arrow fire or a flanking maneuver.
After two days of relentless, systematic clearing, the Sunken Fens fell silent. The Orc presence was eradicated, their strongholds razed, their raiding parties scattered. Kaelen established the forward observation post on the highest, driest ground, a defiant beacon against the western horizon. He ordered the construction of a small, fortified redoubt, a permanent presence to watch over the newly secured chokepoint.
During the consolidation phase, Kaelen meticulously surveyed the captured Orc strongholds. In one, he found a crude, but surprisingly intricate map of the western territories, detailing not just Orc strongholds, but also rumored routes used by human rebels.
As the sun set on the newly secured Fens, Kaelen received the System chime.
[Mission Objectives Complete: Clear Orc presence from Sunken Fens, Establish Forward Observation Post.]
[2 Duplication Tokens Gained.]
[You have 2 Duplication Tokens. Choose a living soldier to Replicate.]
A quiet satisfaction spread through Kaelen. Two tokens. This large-scale mission had yielded a significant reward. He had proven his ability to command not just a section of the wall, but a multi-company expeditionary force in hostile territory. His influence over his men, and the respect of the other officers, had deepened considerably. Captain Rostova and Captain Durian, initially wary, now held Kaelen in high regard, openly praising his tactical brilliance to their men.
Kaelen walked through the newly established outpost, observing his tired but triumphant soldiers. He had two tokens. He had demonstrated control over the battlefield, over logistics, and over the arcane. What he needed now was to solidify his direct control over the broader military structure.
He thought of Captain Rostova, her unwavering resolve and loyalty to her men, her deep understanding of large-scale combat. And Captain Durian, ambitious and politically connected, a man who could navigate the complex dynamics of the fortress's military hierarchy. Both represented powerful new additions to his Legion.
He had pushed Karshelm's defenses outward. Now, he would begin to truly reshape its command from within. The success in the Sunken Fens was just the beginning. Kaelen knew his next target, and it would involve bringing a higher echelon of military leadership directly under his unyielding command. The battle for Karshelm's fate was truly entering its next, critical phase.