A Time of Tigers - From Peasant to Emperor

The resulting move was all Oliver could play – nothing but the most rudimentary of archer moves, getting them into a better position so they might pepper the advance onto Oliver's flank that was sure to come.

"Of course, these are all things you know. You have been aware for some time that your strategy is lagging compared to your sword. But it is not something that you can fix by mere thought alone. You have excelled under Volguard's tutelage. You have shown capacity in the theoretical. But the application of it – something is hindering that.

I would suggest that it might simply be the opportunity of practice… But that seems too simple," Skullic said. "If you had wished to match the likes of Karstly, when he proposed that barbaric plan of his, you would have had to exceed him in your foresight."

"How would I have done that?" Oliver said, watching helplessly as Skullic advanced his newly positioned spear units right towards his undefended side. "It couldn't have been possible to secure an advantage as good as the one he snatched."

"Perhaps not. But that would be to forget the goal. The goal is the conquering of the Verna. Karstly's plan to facilitate that was the capturing of these four crucially placed cities. There are, however, other ways to cripple a country. Far subtler ways.

If you could see further ahead than he, and further ahead than Khan, you could secure an advantage that one does not even know is an advantage," Skullic said. "For instance, rather than the annexing of cities, what if Blackwell had instead proposed a monopoly on trade routes extending deep into Verna territory?

Depending on how aggressively we manned those trade routes, the resistance to the proposition would be lesser."

"…And how would having those routes rival a city?" Oliver asked, unable to keep the sourness out of his voice, as he lost four of his archers at once, unable to do anything about it.

"Speed is just as useful as force," Skullic said. "Surely you've played enough games on the Battle board to see to that? For a position, with the enemy's army in full force, to go to complete destruction in a matter of turns. That's the advantage of speed and good placement.

The securing of trade routes across the country – and the improvement of the roads upon them – would give us the advantage of speed. We would be able to move our armies across their country with a swiftness unexpected from an invading force. And, our information advantage would be overwhelming. We could make all sorts of predictions about their manoeuvres."

"Why did we not do that, then?" Oliver asked.

"I do not doubt Blackwell thought about that. He is a greater General than I. But I expect his decision, in part, was influenced by other factors, outside of the Verna conquest. I expect, the blade that the High King held at his neck influenced that decision," Skullic said.

"He judged it was better for him and for his House to secure an immediate, undeniable advantage than it was to lay a quiet strategy that might be executed later."

Oliver's head shot up. He had not thought about that. "The High King's influence extends to this as well…"

"Naturally," Skullic said. "He is the centre of the country. A threat he makes idly against a Lord can impact thousands. Blackwell is a rigid man, but no doubt he keenly felt the pressure on this campaign. I suppose that is why he secured his victory so quickly. He did not make use of the full three years as he might have in the past.

He wanted to return. Now, I suppose, you might begin to understand why it is that the Stormfront's military success has always increased in times of great rulers. Even when it could be said that the Generals were not as great as some of their counterparts in other eras – a High King and an army united in purpose creates a far more powerful result than either going alone."

Oliver's army on the Battle board was now all but shattered. All that was left for Skullic to do was to claim his General's head, but Skullic seemed intent on taking his sweet time in doing that.

"I think that this era of Generals, perhaps… It might be the greatest that the Stormfront has had," Skullic murmured quietly, toying with his pieces. "There are a few more men like Karstly, dwelling in shadow, who have not taken to the battlefield yet. This was Karstly's first true campaign – you know that, don't you? And all throughout it, he made his mark.

When Hod speaks about the Time of Tigers, it's men like Karstly that make you believe in it… And I suppose, men like you, Patrick. I speak to you sullenly, when I ought not, given what you have achieved… However, for all your strength, your weaknesses are so glaring that I can't help myself. What needs to be trimmed seems to be so obvious, and it makes me fear as to what the result might be.

With it being so obvious, however, you yourself must see it, you must have tried it, and you must receive the same advice from your superiors over and over, without a new option as far as application."

"I suppose so…" Oliver said. "Even I know it to be true. It is not as if I wish to fall so far short. General Blackwell and Karstly noted that I didn't have the capacity of a Colonel, and with the way that I play the Battle board, it seems to be right. I don't know how to use my army properly.

I did try, on the Lonely Mountain, and in the battles that followed… But it is not my strength, and Lombard and Tolsey paid the price for all that."

"I fear this might be a long road for you," Skullic sighed. "It is your own strength you are warring against."

He tilted his head suddenly, as if just processing what Oliver had said. Absentmindedly, he committed the final act of slaying on the Battle board, claiming complete victory for himself. "They said that you were not fit to be a Colonel yet? The both of them?"