Posted on 03/19/13 @ 05:58 PM
[unknown date]
Set out from Sol to retake Lac Desl from these Tissolian dogs. Our men are in good health and spirits. Damn Illydians. We should've crushed them two years ago. Instead, they still harbour and give free passage to Tisol. Should've also hanged that traitor Aelrith when we had the chance.
[unintelligible writing] Gods, I hate this snow.
2 December.
Vanguard reports that the Tissolian garrison at Desl is at least ten thousand strong. Many swords, I'll give them that. Their strength is also their greatest weakness, however. Desl is small and difficult to hold due to its rather unfortunate geographical location. They'll be sitting ducks for our fine archers. That's something that Aelrith would never know. We'll set upon the city with fire and rock and when we're done, there'll be nothing left for the Tissolians to live off of. As if we needed it anyways.
10 December.
Sixteenth Army has moved into position. We are currently laying traps to block any possible escape. The Emperor has ordered us to give no quarter to the enemy. I almost feel too sorry for them.
24 December.
Two weeks now, and the Tissolians show no sign of surrender. However, thousands of their men have chosen to desert. Some attempted to join our side, but we simply shot them as they tried to cross the river. No mercy for the traitors! We know the city is about to fall. It reeks of death. Quite literally.
2 January.
Some resistance at last. They are sending bowmen to hold the forward walls.
11 February.
The Emperor is impatient and wants the Sixteenth to break the deadlock. I have personally warned him that despite the weakened state of the Tissolian 2nd, we could suffer large numbers of casualties, not to mention the loss of our precious foothold in these hills should we be driven back.
20 February.
His Highness has responded by sending in the Tenth Army to assault the Tissolian left flank. He believes that the time is right. Of course, we do not doubt the Emperor's judgement.
1 March.
What's this? The men have woken up this morning to the sight of Tissolian cavalry massing on the forested hill, led by none other than Aelrith himself! The Tenth has just arrived and we are making final preparations for battle. The horns sound. Our pikes form squares twelve men wide and two men deep, with crossbowmen for cover. If Aelrith wants to do battle, let him come. Even if he makes it past the traps and the pikes, the Tenth will certainly cut him down. Let him come. Let the Tissolians come.
[The remaining pages of the book are blank, except for what appears to be blood soaking through the corners. End of transcript.]