A battle raged on the border of Belinni and the Free State of Del Monray. Belinnian horseman died in droves as they broke against Vinsenian battle lines, unable to pierce their heavy armor while arrows rained down upon them. Nonetheless, the Belinnian cavalry regrouped as a general in shining armor rallied them from atop his steed. It was at this point that a tall man in rugged plate armor emerged from the lines, riding on his own horse. 

"Belinnians, hear me! I am Isaac, general of Vinsenia! Lay down your arms and you need not die this day!" The man roared, his voice booming across the battlefield. However, this was met with a laugh from the other side of the field. 

"Lay down our arms? What kind of men would we be if we surrendered now?" The enemy general cried out, brandishing a lance. "General Isaac, I am Alexander, knight and general of Bellini. Face me in battle, man to man, or run behind your lines like a coward!" 

Isaac narrowed his eyes at this declaration, irritation running across his face. 

"And now he's done it." A Swordmaster standing at Isaac's side shook his head as Isaac drove his steed forward, clutching a steel poleaxe in his hand. "Can't exactly back off from a direct challenge, can you?" 

"Not if I want to keep the men in order," Isaac replied, nodding back to his second. "Can't have them thinking me a coward, can I? The center is yours to command while I'm gone, Argus. Relay a message to the commanders on the left and right flanks: have the Caldegian fliers begin circling around the Bellinian army. When the enemy general dies, all units are to charge the enemy while the fliers pincer them from behind." 

"Understood." Argus bowed as Isaac rode forward, meeting General Alexander in the center of the field as both sides watched on. 

"This is a waste of my time." Isaac scoffed as he dismounted, brandishing his poleaxe. "Surrender and you'll keep your head, General." 

"You would face me unmounted?" Alexander twitched in disbelief, incensed at what he believed to be a provocation. "Do you honestly expect to kill me like that?"

"I'm a Vinsenian, General. Horsemanship just isn't my forte." Isaac gave the man a wry grin, raising his poleaxe with confidence. "Now if we're done talking, let's get this over with. I have a country to conquer." 

Roaring in fury, the Paladin kicked his horse forward, galloping towards the Hero. Isaac narrowed his eyes as he drew his axe back, waiting to meet the man's charge. The instant before the horseman was on him, Isaac shot forward, ducking under General Alexander's lance as he brought his poleaxe up into the man's chest, tearing through the man's armor as the force of the blow brought him down to the ground with a sickening crunch. Isaac stepped up to the man's body, and grunted as he brought his axe down to cut the general's head off for good measure. 

"Belinnians! I have defeated your general in single combat!" Isaac bellowed as he brought the severed head up for the opposing army to see. "This is your final warning! Lay down your arms and quit the field or be put to the sword!" A number of men did drop their weapons and flee, but the bulk of the Belinnian army still remained. Shaking his head, Isaac raised his poleaxe up, pointing it at the enemy lines. "Vinsenians! Charge!" 

___

A number of hours later, the Vinsenian army had made camp for the night as the soldiers celebrated their victory. However, Isaac stayed holed up in his tent, pouring over maps of Belinni. It was then that his second stepped into the tent, passing a jug of wine to him. 

"Not out celebrating with the men? You should be, you know. The soldiers want to see the man who led them to victory today." Argus gave Isaac a grin. 

"Later." Isaac grunted, pushing the wine aside. "What we faced today was only one army of Belinni. They still have other generals leading their own forces. We need to be prepared to meet them in battle, should they ride out. Considering that their forces are composed mainly of horsemen, they still have the tactical advantage in any battle we fight on these plains. We don't have the men to fight off multiple assaults until the king and the other high generals link up with our force." 

"Very well, then." Argus nodded. "Also, there's something else that you should know. Do you remember the damned bandits that the king forced us to take along?" 

"The ones who weren't in the fight today?" Isaac scowled. "Tell me they deserted. At least then we'd be rid of them." 

"Oh, I wish. No, they were out looting and burning the nearby village today. Bastards are still out there, bragging about their pillage. Some of the men are getting antsy. If anything, the bandits might be suffering from an unfortunate accident soon..."

"No." Isaac looked up at Argus, shaking his head. "If word got out that our men were the ones that killed the king's favorites, His Majesty would come down on us." The general looked back down at the map of Belinni, rubbing his chin. "Charten's a rich border town, and it's not too far away from the route we're taking tomorrow. Reports say that the town's hired a mercenary force to guard them." 

"A sound plan." Argus nodded in approval. "But if the bandits overwhelm the mercenaries, what then?" 

"Have one of the unit commanders accompany them. Have them issue tactics that ensure the fools get themselves killed."

"Understood. And who would be the poor soul that has to endure these men?" 

"Hmm..." Isaac folded his hands together in front of his mouth in thought. "Von Schmitt. The woman that got pulled out of retirement. I don't quite trust that she's loyal to me yet. I want to see how she reacts to being told that she has to lead men to die, even if they are undisciplined scum. Have her brought to me tomorrow morning before we march." 

"As you command." Argus gave a bow before exiting the tent, leaving Isaac to continue his planning.