The Battle of Saddle Lake

Both armies have begun to create the battlefield along Saddle Lake. Chaos has positioned themselves along the northern part of the lake with a light forest guarding their surroundings. The Equestrian army has occupied the hill that the Chaos army failed to take, giving the Equestrians a vantage point over the entire field. Their encampment is mostly on the hills of the southern part of the lake. In between the two forces, the terrain was mostly flat with several roads and wheat field that provides cover for the infantry. But if the Equestrians decide to advance further towards the enemy encampment, they would be facing light marshes that would hamper the effects of the cavalry.

It was in the evening when both armies have completely settled themselves. King Heart called for a war council to discuss the plans for the upcoming battle. His command tent sat on the top of the hill that was used by the Mark Crusaders to charge the enemy column earlier during the day. Prince Armor and Captain Bloom were the last to arrive to the meeting, as they were busy preparing the Mark Crusaders for the vanguard.

When the two young commanders entered the tent, most of them were high ranking nobles with veteran experience on the battlefield. They sat and stood around a long rectangular table with the king at the head, sitting down. Beside him were General Hurricane, Lord Clover, Captain Platinum and Princess Twilight. Opposite of him was his son and Captain Bloom.

"I believe this is it your majesty," said General Hurricane.

"Then let us begin," said King Heart.

Captain Platinum and Lord Clover unrolled a map of the battlefield in front of the king and brought him reports that the scouts made based on their observation of the enemy encampment. All the lords came close to the map for them to see.

"My lords," said Lord Clover. "As you all know, the enemy is north of us guarded by a light forest. The field between us is mostly flat, but as we advance further to meet the enemy we would be facing light marshes. Not to mention, the fields are dry and may be vulnerable to fire."

"How about the enemy numbers?" General Hurricane asked.

Lord Clover read several reports, "According to our scouts, the enemy numbers between twenty to twenty-five thousand troops," he places down the paper. "We number less than sixteen thousand."

The entire tent erupted in whispers. Most of them were about the large size in numbers, and some lords began to spread rumors of their numbers being mostly conscripted farmers and brigands. Some decided to say that they might be experienced mercenaries or veteran soldiers of their previous conquests.

"That's not the only bad news," Lord Clover added. "Our scouts reported seeing the banners of the Equestrian rebels. We believe that Lord Cookie leads a small force of five hundred rebels."

The nobles in the tent changed the topic to mentioned on how their own lords were joining the enemy and should be hung for treason against the king.

"But what are the exact numbers of the enemy units?" Lord Stygian asked.

Lord Clover shuffles through the reports, "About twenty thousand infantrymen, three thousand cavalrymen, three thousand archers and possibly more than fifty mages."

"What of our numbers?" King Heart asked.

"We have twelve thousand infantrymen, half their cavalry size, two thousand archers and forty mages. But most of our troops are experienced and trained well your majesty," Lord Clover answered.

"Who's leading who?" Prince Armor asked.

Lord Clover began pointing on the map and moving unit pieces, "The Mark Crusaders led by Prince Armor would be leading the vanguard. General Hurricane will be leading the right flank. Lord Stygian the left, and I'll be leading the Royal Division in the center."

"What of my mages?" Princess Twilight asked.

"The mages will be divided, but the Mane Six will be protecting the Royal Division your highness," Lord Clover answered. He stood straight, looking at the eyes of the nobles. He could see their worry on the large difference of numbers. "The marshes would be unpredictable, so we will have to rely on the infantry for the majority of the battle. I believe the enemy would take a defensive role to prevent massive casualties for their conquest."

Lord Clover gave specific units on their role during the battle. The Equestrian left would mostly support the center, and to prevent the enemy from flanking by using boats. The Equestrian right would have to skirmish their way to flank the enemy as the marshes are mostly on their direction. The Equestrian center would be the main target of the enemy, causing the Mark Crusaders to be able to take the blunt of the attack. The council quickly ended with each noble having their orders for their units.

A few hours during supper, Prince Armor and Sir Seed sat along Sir Pansy and Sir Blueblood around a fire, eating stew. Sir Pansy and Sir Blueblood were arguing on who's going to have the most kills by the end of the battle. Sir Pansy was experienced in fighting the rebels in several skirmishes, but Sir Blueblood was a young eager nobleman who wants to earn his skills in combat.

"Look," said Sir Pansy. "I led a small squadron against two dozen bandits in a forest once. I killed two guys and no bandits escaped."

Sir Blueblood was laughing, "I know that you fought against the rebels and several bandits, but this is an actual battle. The cavalry will have the most kills in this case."

"Aye," said Sir Pansy. "But the cavalry will have the most casualties if they decided to move without infantry support."

"He has a good point Sir Blueblood," Sir Seed interrupted. "In our previous expedition, Prince Armor charged his cavalry unit against the enemy. But they went to far and the infantry unit I commanded couldn't support them right away."

The two young knights looked at Prince Armor who was looking into the fire while eating. They could see in his eyes, the memories that started to return from his previous engagements in expeditions.

"Luckily he and a small squadron managed to make it out before they were completely encircled," Sir Seed continued.

Behind them, was Sir Fluttershy who could easily be heard from a distance with the clanging of his armor. He approached Sir Blueblood and Sir Pansy with a letter.

"Sir Blueblood, Sir Pansy," Sir Fluttershy called out. "General Hurricane wishes for me to give these to you."

Sir Seed took the letter, and Sir Fluttershy immediately left the group. He vanished into a crowd of soldiers as the young nobles watch him leave.

"He's one of the newest guards this year correct?" Sir Blueblood asked.

"Yes," said Sir Pansy. "So they made him do the rookie work for them."

Sir Seed opened the letter and gave it to the two knights. Sir Blueblood was to lead a squadron of cavalry men to charge the Chaos enemy on General Hurricane's left flank. Sir Pansy would be at the front of the Royal Division with his squadron and was told to immediately advance at a rapid pace to support the cavalry charge. The two knights were happy on their orders to be in the front of the battle.

In the enemy encampment, King Discord called on his own war council. Their tent was barely lit and a large map sat in the middle of a round table, surrounded by old generals who have shown their skills in battle. Princess Luna stands beside King Discord.

"We can't underestimate their strategist, Lord Clover," said King Discord. "He knows that a third of our army are conscripted, and we will be sending half of them at the front to reinforce the vanguard. Well, we shall do what he expects."

"Will you be leading the vanguard your majesty?" General Grogar asked.

"No," King Discord replied. "You will be leading the vanguard tomorrow. But I want you to send in the second line troops, and only use the first line troops as support. I will leave a surprise for their strategist."

"Yes your majesty," said General Grogar.

King Discords looks at his two other generals, "General Glimmer will command the left flank. I want you to provide support for General Grogar and use skirmish tactics. The right flank will be given to General Shimmer. I want the left to standby, but I want them to be on alert. Try your best to avoid the enemy."

Both of the generals responded to their king in gratefulness for giving them such a command that they believe is worthy of their skills. The King proceeded to discuss the plans further. He wants the mages to be absent during battle to make Lord Clover think that he is measuring the strength of the Equestrian army. King Discord planned to use the terrain to their advantage as a defense, then use it as a counter-attack when Lord Clover gets to confident on himself.

"What about me?" Princess Luna asked, looking at the map.

King Discord looked at the young princess, and the eyes of the other generals looked at the two, "As I said. The mages will be absent tomorrow."

King Discord looks around the tent, "Get some rest. We have a busy day tomorrow."