Thread: Spoils of War (Decay&Maria)

Cardon, it was a name that once meant something spectacular to the Ranoc kingdom, it meant allies and joy and gave hope for a wonderful future. In fact it had once been the most profitable and trustworthy alliances seen in the entire history of both kingdoms. It all changed after the dissolution of the royal marriage, when the prince of Ranoc found himself without a bride, when she ran off. It had been a terrible grievance against the Ranoc kingdom and while it hadn't started the war it had been the first event which soon triggered the terrible conflict. Tristan sighed, he had woken too many a mornings with such thoughts, that the war was partially his fault, that if he could have only held on to the princess' feelings that it could all have been avoided. Of course over time he had begun to think differently, war had hardened him in some ways, the prince's first war being a highly successful one. Cardon's military was top notch and they had fine soldiers but Ranoc had been flourishing in the recent battles as Tristan led them personally. It seemed the prince had a knack for war, his combat skills incredibly refined and it seemed his leadership ability was just as advanced. What he had seen leading his troops had given him a new outlook, that if peace were to be achieved it had to be done by force, with something so ironclad that the other nation wouldn't dare attack for fear of what would happen. The young prince was standing outside of a large tent, the war room of the front line. He was ready for the next battle as they had just discussed the strategy and he would be leading the forward division. He was in full armor already, choosing a heavier plate set of armor with everything but a helmet as he disliked his vision being skewed. His face was calm, more than one would expect from a man new to war. Sure he had been in battles, hunted down criminals and even fought enemy patrols and scouting parties, but this was his first war and he was fitting in well. His face said it all though and as his piercing green eyes moved across the men preparing throughout the camp he knew he was ready. The prince was an intimidating man, his brown hair cut short and kept neat, his green eyes piercing as if they didn't miss a thing, and they didn't. He stood near six foot two and while it was nearly impossible to tell with the plate armor on he was muscular, training and his natural build giving him strength to move easily even in such heavy armor. It was an appearance that served him well both in court and in combat, giving his men confidence and making women swoon, not a bad combination. It was war though and appearance meant little once battle started, and battle was starting. The men were ready to ride and Tristan joined them, mounting his horse and riding out towards the front of the company of troops, riding towards the pass, a large open area between two mountains, the perfect location for combat as it allowed both armies to fight without risk of being flanked. It had been chosen by Tristan especially, it allowed for their troops to simply outmatch those of Cardon, not having to worry about anything but superiority, and so far it was working wonders, they would just have to see how it did that day.