Ironheart Mike commanded five thousand men, a force that would be sufficient if everything went well.
But the sharpness of its swords did not measure the strength of an army alone. Wheels mired in mud, dwindling supplies at night, and lips cracked from thirst could be more lethal than the fiercest battle.
The five thousand men were divided into four columns: the light cavalry in the front were the vanguard, scouting and clearing the path. Their mission was to detect enemy ambushes early.
Behind them marched Mike's most trusted heavy infantry, their armor creating a rumble with every step, as if a river of iron was flowing over stone.
Immediately behind the heavy infantry came the support units: the mages, archers, and other ranged combatants. The supply train followed at the very rear, laden with sacks of provisions, casks of wine, spare weapons, and mobile forges.
