The Battle of Saddle Lake

Two years have passed since the abduction of Princess Luna by the Kingdom of Chaos. Since then, King Heart has dedicated himself to search for his missing daughter and to return her home with her family. But the results of the kidnapping have proven beneficial to the Kingdom of Chaos, as her abduction has led King heart into a state of madness and aggressiveness, forcing his army to rescue his daughter. This caused the lower nobles of Equestria to despise the new actions of the king, and rose in rebellion against his current rule. For several months, King Heart has sent several of his most trusted nobles to track the rebels in the countryside, as they are fighting a non-conventional warfare, attacking only at night and conducting raids to disrupt the supply lines in the country side.

In the meantime, King Heart has assembled a mighty army to prepare for a Chaos invasion. The king has received intelligence that King Discord was leading an army to invade Equestria to continue their conquest to expand their territory into an empire. The Equestrian Royal Division which consists of the King's personal army and the Canterlot garrison have begun their march to rally with the other troops in a nearby tavern.

King heart was in his command tent with Lord Clover "the Clever" the head strategist of the kingdom, Captain Platinum of the royal guard, General Hurricane the commander of the Equestrian army and Prince Army who leads the Mark Crusaders. A company of crusaders who's role is to act as an expeditionary force for foreign conflicts in which allied kingdoms need assistance, but the mother country would have little-to-no connection with them. It is an important order as it shows the strength of the Equestrian military, but also not to disgrace the entire military if it decides to fail in their mission.

The men have begun a military council to discuss their plans. The men sit around a rectangular table with King Heart at the head of the table. The men were in their armor and were being served drinks by the servants. The men look at their king as his beard begins to grow unshaven and his eyes were tired from the constant search for his daughter and reports of rebels within the kingdom.

"How goes the assembly of our army?" King Heart asked.

"A small scouting company is at the head of our march, making sure that our path is secured and safe for our army. In the meantime, the rest of our army will take about three days to arrive," Lord Clover answered.

King Heart takes a drink, then looks at the commander of his army, "How many men are being gathered?"

General Hurricane was shuffling through the reports, looking for a proper estimate, "Between thirteen to sixteen thousand troops your majesty."

King Hearts nods his head. The council was beginning to be frustrated at the actions of the king. Prince Armor decided to speak out, "What of the enemy?"

"Our spies have reported that they are right outside the border, and we have a small border company watching the," Lord Clover answered. "But we believe that their numbers are more than twenty thousand men. Way more troops than what we have."

King Hearts waves his cup around in the air for his cup bearer to give him more wine. He takes another drink before standing up and walking to the opening of the tent. He sees his soldiers training and cleaning their equipment for the upcoming battle.

"Half of their army are inexperienced and I heard that they are mostly militia," said the king.

"That is true your majesty," Lord Clover added. "But the strategy of King Discord is to always use the numbers of reserves to try and break through the enemy ranks in the middle of the battle, when his opponent begins to show signs of attrition."

"There is no need to worry my lord," said General Hurricane, he looks at the king. "The Royal Division can take the vanguard. We can take the blunt of the attack and have the other divisions flank the enemy."

"No, " the king turns back to the table. "You will not lead the royal division this time. I will have you personally command the regular forces. I will lead the van and take King Discords head for myself," he looks into his wine cup. "There is no way that King Discord would not accept a challenge from me."

"What of the crusaders?" Prince Armor asked.

King Heart returns to his seat, before answering, "The crusaders are mostly cavalrymen who are skilled in combat. I will have them as a flank and you will maneuver through the enemy ranks to try and cut them off." He looked into the wine cup that he has been twirling around with. He saw a reflection of himself bloodied and his hair all grown out as if his eyes have been showing his future of wearing himself down. "If King Discord invades Equestria, we have no choice, but to respond with the force that we have. We have proven ourselves in the past against the Crystal Empire, I'm pretty sure the kingdom can defeat one more empire before she decide to fall."

The king briefly ended the council. Everyone walked out of the tent to see to their units and the logistics of the army. General Hurricane and Prince Armor toured the grounds of the Royal Division. The soldier of the royal division were dressed in red and golden stripes to represent the royal family and the royal guards were dressed in gold plated armor. The soldiers stood and bowed before their royal prince.

"Your father has been growing tired lately," said General Hurricane.

Prince Armor looks at the general, "He has been trying to rescue my little sister for two years. That kind of dedication would grow a man tired, even if his heart is strong."

"I don't blame him," General Hurricane replied. He immediately stopped, leaving Prince Armor to walk a few paces forward. "I have a daughter myself. I'd probably dedicate everything I have for her."