"Any word from our scouts?" Vance asked, peering down a hill through his scope.

"Not yet. They're likely still trying to ride out from Vern." Answered Richard.

"Vern?"

"Some small farming village near the Askal-Kendirewen border," Estrid answered as she rode up beside her two fellow officers.

"Oh? What're they doing that far out?" Vance asked.

"Likely trying to learn what they can from the locals. Rumour has it the Askalian army came near Vern during their retreat back down south." Estrid answered.

Vance didn't know what to say or do in response to that rumour as he collapsed the telescope, stuffing it away in his Wyvern saddlebag. "Huh. Just in case, have a troop of riders swoop around overhead. I don't want any surprises." Vance ordered.

Estrid nodded before twisting back to look over at a nearby Ensign who sat idly on his Wyvern. "Ensign Ledger, I want you and your troop to perform aerial surveillance of the area just south of here. Remember to keep to the clouds to avoid detection."

"Ma'am!" The Ensign snapped a salute off before they quickly peeled off, rallying his six-person troop to him before the seven took off.

Vance didn't bother to watch them as he continued to look down the hill, feeling as though something was off. After their two day reprieve, the regiment had been tasked with patrolling near and around the Kendirewen border. Despite the overwhelming victory they had won, Askal was still very much a threat, and within a day, reports came flooding in from villages and towns in the south that they were getting raided by white-uniformed orcs. It wasn't hard to figure out why they were gutting the southern lands, as they were ripe in food and supplies. In an effort to track enemy troop movements, Anderson had deployed the Wyvern riders, hoping they'd be able to locate and report on any Askalian formations in the region faster than her cavalry units could.

More so, Vance had accepted the orders given how the General seemed to want to show off the newest asset that won the most recent battle. In the minds of everyone in Kendirewen, the Battle of Myths, as it was now being called due to the two sides deploying creatures thought myth, was considered to be the first real victory won. Despite the Battle of Hills having been the first win in years, it was seen more as a lucky fluke brought on by poor safety storage on the part of Lespa. No one was aware yet that Vance was responsible for that victory as well, and he was content to keep it that way, as there'd no doubt be some who'd try to use his actions in that battle to try and make some dubious claim that he's a traitor or spy.

"Sir, look!" Estrid pointed down the hill towards the southern forest, wherein a flock of birds came rushing out.

"Signal Ledger to scout that area out," Vance replied.

The nearby Sergeant promptly pulled out two small signal flags and waved them up in the direction of the troop of seven flying near. Within a matter of moments, a red flag emerged from the clouds.

"It's them, Sir." Reported the Sergeant.

"Well, we wouldn't be good hosts if we didn't at least give our guests a greeting, now would we?" Chimed William from behind Vance.

A slight grin crept across Vance's face as he steered Magic around, "Better go say hi then."

With only a motion of his hand, the entire company of Wyverns pushed off from the ground, taking to the air quickly and effortlessly. As the formation took to the skies and regrouped with Ledger's troop, he once again looks over the side of Magic, quickly spotting a force no larger than four hundred.

"Hmm... Estrid, take half the company and head to their front and give them a few volleys with your carbines while I take the right, forming a proper L ambush. We'll fire at the two sides, and that should hopefully be enough to scatter them." Vance explained, "Once they break, they're likely to run back to their camp, making for an easier time at tracking where Askal is stationing their base of operations."

Estrid nodded, "Right!" Immediately after she confirmed the order, she peeled off, but not before calling out for her half to follow behind her.

Vance, not wasting a second, did the same. Swooping off to the left, he led his platoons around to the enemy rear, taking advantage of their height and silence to hover just out of view until the signal. A minute passed before the air around them erupted in the telltale signs of gunfire from carbines came ringing out.

Shifting around in his saddle, "First and Second Platoon's with me!" Vance called out, pulling his carbine from its saddle holster.

As the order was given, the troopers swooped in, cutting through the wind with ease as the fifty wyverns descended towards the right flank. Six hundred, five hundred, four hundred, three hundred meters.

"Now!"

The Wyverns quickly flipped their wings up, catching the back wind, pushing each into a sudden halt in midair. This move was similar to the one used by Dragoons from his world where they would ride hard and close to an enemy formation before suddenly coming to a hard stop, carbines drawn only to fire a volley into the enemy, giving them a shock long enough for them to peel away before the enemy could return fire in kind. This manoeuvre was the most advanced one Vance and Richard had taught the riders. Still, given how they only had at most, a month, to get it down, there were bound to be mistakes, and sure enough, some of his Marines were slow to bring their carbines up, and others hadn't yet drawn them and were scrambling for their holsters, while a small percentage were able to fire off as intended.

As Vance came to a sudden halt, he pulled his carbine up and brought the barrel level to the first of his foes, and in one smooth motion, fired a round into an orc's head-- a puff of pink and red mist exploded into the air. All across the flank, the orcs who were still in a panic from the attack to their front were thrown into further chaos as rounds snapped and whizzed past. Some were hitting their mark, killing or wounding some, while others harmlessly smacked into the road or a tree trunk.

Thankfully, just the volley itself was enough to break the formation of white-coated orcs who began to break and run for the safety of the woods. Vance hazard a guess that many were likely conscripts like he was months ago and were poorly disciplined or lured into joining with the promise of a quick campaign. How wrong they were.

Considering his own troop's condition, he noted that many were only just now firing off their first shots, while others were sliding in new rounds for their second or third barrage. Then, of course, he'd need to iron out the kinks, but overall, he was impressed with how quickly and calmly they fired into the fleeing enemy, ensuring that there was little time for the enemy to regroup or gather their courage. Peering to his right, Vance spotted Estrid and her side doing much the same, firing at will into the enemy.

Dozens of uniformed orcs lay scattered on the road, many of them dead or dying, with little one could do beyond either putting them out of their misery or leaving them to the wildlife—a sickening thought.

Twisting around in his saddle, Vance threw up his hand into the air and made a circular motion for the company to reform on him. A silent wave of nods and movement was all that was needed as a hundred wyverns pushed themselves back high, speeding off to the town. Vance hoped that the appearance of a quick hit and run would be enough to give the Askalian's the thought that they could run freely back to safety. But in reality, a troop of wyverns broke off in the chaos of the ambush, flying high into the outcast skies, hidden from view.

It was all part of his plan. He hoped that there wouldn't be any intelligent or experienced individuals in the enemy unit that would wait for dark before darting off behind their lines. But, for now, it would be a waiting game unit his troops came back. So, after leaving the dead and wounded to their fate, the Dragon Marines made for the outskirts of Vern, where they'd rest and take stock of their ammo and gear.

"Vance!" Called out Estrid, who came walking up behind him.

"Hmm? What's up, Colonel?" Vance replied as he continued to wipe down Magic.

"Think the scouts will return in time for us to head back to camp? I've started to notice that the wyverns have been a little worn out lately." She commented, looking towards a handful of the riders who were busy tending to their own partners, hoping to elevate the stress they were likely feeling.

Vance frowned, nodding in agreement, "I don't know."

"We've been out here for two days already, constantly flying around the area, without proper rest or resupply. I don't think the unit can keep up at this rate. They're still green." She noted.

Again, Vance nodded, "I know-- believe me, I know. But we're the only ones fast enough to do this job, and we're also better equipped than the rest of the army." He sighed, "If I could, I'd order us back, but until we find an actual clue as to the whereabouts of the Askal camp, we aren't leaving anytime soon."

Estrid let out a bitter sigh as she slides down to her butt, resting against Magic's hind leg, "You know... I never envisioned myself riding day and night across the southern border to look for enemies."

"Oh? And here I thought you were the type to enjoy this type of thing." Richard quipped, walking up to join the other two, "But, I happen to agree with her, Vance. I've taken a look at the wyverns, and they're exhausted. If we push them any harder, we're likely to suffer a few incidents-- like crashing."

"Fine. If our scouts don't return with news of their camp, then-- then we'll head back regardless. I'm sure the General will understand given the condition of our company."

"Good," Richard said.

Estrid nodded in agreement before saying, "Mhm, plus, we do have six whole regiments of cavalry, so we shouldn't be the only one out here."

"I know, and I do believe we're likely to see a few regiments of horse patrolling the roads leading towards Luna," Vance noted, stuffing the care items back into his saddlebag.

"Sir!" A voice called out, prompting Vance to see a Sergeant come rushing towards him, "Colonel!"

"What?" Vance replied.

"Sir, the scouts, have just returned--" He paused, taking a moment to catch his breath before straightening up to say the rest, "-- they found the enemy camp. It's right where we expected it to be!"

"The marshland?"

"The marshland, Sir."

"Good! Hopefully, they didn't see us then, but if they have a brain in their heads, they're likely to know they were followed or are considering a possibility of moving." Vance thought aloud, carefully considering his options, "Right. We'll head back to camp and report our findings and the position to the General. We've done our job; I don't want to overextend our stay here."

Quickly snapping around, he moved to the centre of their respite, "Everyone! We're heading back to camp! We've got the enemy position on the map, and the General will no doubt want this intel to launch a counteroffensive!" He announced, pausing to let his words carry over to each individual, "As such, everyone here is going to need to rest and recover in preparation for the coming battle. Hopefully, it's not as large as the one we fought mere days ago, but just in case, I think it's best we let our partners here get some much-deserved rest."

The Marines all looked relieved to hear the news, some even mounting up, ready to leave the south. Vance could understand their feelings, more so after how they've been looking more ragged and worn out than they did after the battle. So, not wanting to waste another moment waiting around, he made for Magic.

"Let's move out!" Richard started, raising his voice to be heard by everyone, "Remember to tighten your harnesses! I don't want to save your stupid asses if you fall off. We're all tired, but that's not an excuse to be lazy or negligent!" He said.

A few of the Marines chuckled in response, with William going so far as to say, "Yes, mom."

Which earned him a scowl that could melt the sun, but William just shrugged it off with a smirk. Estrid was too busy ensuring her harness was tight to register the altercation, leaving Vance to wonder whether he should talk to her. Ever since the battle, she'd been acting distant and no longer retained her usual vibrance, making him worry for her. Letting out a small sigh, he made a mental note to check in on her after he submitted his report. In the meantime, they had a long ride ahead of them.