The Orcs fled the battlefield once they realised that their leader had been defeated. The Brunswick Outriders and Wolf Knights had a field day cutting down the fleeing Orcs, chasing after them well into the night as they desperately sought to retreat to the safety of their warrens in the Stone Mountains.

  Wolf Knights------------------------------------------------------------------------Brunswick Outriders

  Strength: 20 heavy cavalry---------------------------------------------------Strength: 20 cavalry

  Leadership: 7------------------------------------------------------------------------Leadership: 7

  Fighting Skill: 4---------------------------------------------------------------------Fighting Skill: 3

  Defence: 3-----------------------------------------------------------------------------Defence: 3

  Speed: 6--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Speed: 6

  Wounds: 2-----------------------------------------------------------------------------Wounds: 2

  Armour save: 3+ Heavy armour, horse barding, shield---------Armour save: 5+ Light armour, horse barding

  Weapons: 2 handed broadswords-----------------------------------------Weapons: Rifles

  Experience points: 15,873-----------------------------------------------------Experience points: 6952

  Payroll: 500 pfennig/ month--------------------------------------------------Payroll: 400 pfennig/ month

  Returning to the base camp had been a surreal experience. Soldiers, officers and civilians lined the roadway back to the Flying Eagles tent encampment. The cheering never stopped. A large war wagon was dispatched to bear Captain Schwarzkopf and his battle trophy. Holding Horzog's head high in the air brought the house down, every time he did it. Somehow the combination of ending an endless line of defeats, along with the way that they did it, was enough to change the morale of the entire Silesian defence force. The fact that Captain Schwarzkopf himself had delivered the definitive blow in the battle only made the victory that much sweeter.

  Schwarzkopf had always been deeply respected for his moral excellence and diligent work ethic. Everyone in the army pulled for him despite his lack of success on the battlefield. Now with an amazing victory to celebrate the floodgates of enthusiasm were unleashed.

  The Flying Eagles hardly knew what to do with themselves. Eight soldiers had lost their lives, who were all new recruits from the batch they had received from Badendorf. While every soldier's death was a tragedy, this casualty count was the lowest one in memory. The damage caused to Horzog's mobs was tremendous and the overall result of the battle had been to provide a large gain in experience for the largely young and unpractised soldiery possessed by the Flying Eagles battalion. Nicholas Meyer spent several hours updating the statistical sheets for each unit, making sure to add large numbers of experience points to every parchment. Previous to the 'Battle of the Pripet Flats' as it was now being referred to, soldiers tended to die prior to them achieving the experience necessary to improve their performance on the battlefield. Perhaps that tendency was about to change.

  Throughout the ranks of the 427th battalion the pre-battle expectations had been for significant casualties, followed by another return to Koblenz to recover from injuries and add replacements for all of the expected fatalities. What really happened was that General von Biesbrook sent over eight replacements the first morning after the battle. There was no need for the unit to go back to the big city. It turned out that there were hundreds of volunteers to fill the eight vacancies. Everybody wanted to be a Flying Eagle now.

  One evening Captain Schwarzkopf grabbed a meal and sat down across from Nicholas Meyer in the mess tent. As usual, Nicholas was jotting down notes on parchment while he ate.

  "What the hell happened, Herr Meyer? I guess that you were right." The Captain started off the conversation.

  "I'm glad that Mage Wolverine proved to be worth the investment, Sir," answered Nicholas Meyer.

  "I never see the guy," observed Captain Schwarzkopf. "He never spends any time with the troops, and he never checks in with me. Off in the woods with his animal friends, I suppose. Mind you, he was there when we needed him. I haven't felt that way on the battlefield since I was a young man. Probably not even then. Every swing, every move and every decision came faster and easier than I would ever thought possible. Magic, when it works, is a beautiful thing."

  "You were a sight to behold, Sir," added Third Lieutenant Meyer.

  "They've called me back to Danzig for a conference. I expect they will want me to present a full report as to what happened on that valley floor. I'll do my best to get some improvements to our equipment and food. I don't suppose you would have some more ideas on how to improve the battalion?" asked Captain Schwarzkopf. "I am planning to speak with my commanding officer about your data sheet evaluation system."

  "As a matter of fact, I was just looking over some ideas , sir! I think that the Wolf Knights could use some help. A mounted wizard might be just the ticket. I was also thinking about the cannons, sir. I interviewed a practitioner of metal magic back in Koblenz but now I am imagining a different course of action. The artillery men discussed the idea of hiring a ballistics technician from the artillery academy in Stalsburg. They have a real reputation as to improving the accuracy and reliability of horse artillery. I had another idea, as well sir. I am wondering if you might have ever considered arming yourself with an enchanted or blessed weapon? You would make a formidable opponent brandishing such a blade." Nicholas had some other ideas as well, but at the moment these were the big three, and the best options for improving their performance versus the Orcs.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  "Sounds expensive," replied the Captain, then as he reflected on the value produced by the Wolverine expenditure he added, "I will see what I can do. Lieutenant Meyer, I am pleased to tell you that I have approved your promotion to the rank of Second Lieutenant. Congratulations. I also need to make another request. Would you be so kind as to take command of the unit while I report to Danzig? Herr Hartmann remains disabled by his injuries and I believe that you are capable of performing this duty.

  ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  Danzig visits were always disturbing for Captain Schwarzkopf. Overweight generals, too far from the action to stay relevant. Bloated bureaucracies that were only good at saying no. Worst of all, the Army of the Eastern Front staff always seemed to view him with pity in their eyes. Schwarzkopf could feel it, and it always hurt him. Now things were different. He commanded a victorious battalion, and he was determined to make the most of it.

  "General Ludendorf," greeted Captain Schwarzkopf as he took his seat in his commander's office chair. The furniture was rich and luxuriant at the head office. Framed paintings of victorious Holy Prussian Empire military leaders of the past adorned the expertly plastered walls. Luxurious cigars and brandies were offered. Schwarzkopf declined as always.

  "Let me offer my congratulations for the magnificent victory that you have provided for the Empire. I have it on close authority that the Kaiser himself has expressed his approval of your success. Tell me Schwarzkopf, what changed? What happened? Are you doing something new and different. The battle reports rave about your destruction of Horzog's mobs. The whole region seems to have stabilised due to the demise of that rogue. Horzog was a thorn in the side of the Silesian defence force for years! Tell me your secret sir! I insist!"

  "I've promoted a new Lieutenant from the general ranks, sir. Nicholas Meyer is his name and he has developed a seriously effective system for assessing and supplementing the units of the Flying Eagles battalion. He convinced me to contract a practitioner of Animalia to serve with our battalion. The results were spectacular."

  "So I have heard, Captain Schwarzkopf. Please continue."

  "I was reluctant to add the magician to the payroll, but the payoff was well worth the investment," explained the Captain.

  "I've yet to find a problem that couldn't be solved by the expenditure of more funds," responded General Ludendorf.

  "Indeed sir! I am beginning to come to the same conclusion myself, sir. That is where you could be of great assistance to the Flying Eagles, sir. Our battalion budget has reached its maximum extent. I would like to hire another specialist of two, as recommended by my Lieutenant but there are no funds to pay for the additions. Might I request an expansion of our monthly payroll?"

  "Ha, ha, ha! Captain Schwarzkopf! If only it were so simple! Alas the finances of the Empire are strained as it is. I can offer you no increase in your payroll budget. I am sorry to be the bearer of this news."

  Captain Schwarzkopf was disappointed, but not surprised. He knew that Empire revenues were down and expenditures were up, especially here on the Eastern Front. But he had an idea that there might be something that could be done. The Captain had heard a few stories told at the social clubs frequented by Prussian military officers. "Sir, would you be able to suggest any way that I would be able to increase the funds available to the 247th battalion?"

  "Well, Max, just between you and me, I have heard of independent and limited military police actions taking place on the slopes of the Stone Mountain Range. We have some wealthy land owners in that region who might pay handsomely for assistance in defending their personal interests of the region. You might make yourself, or your unit available to that class of society. Private policing actions skirt the letter of military laws and procedures but if the end result is a more potent fighting force then we are willing to turn a blind eye towards the east."

  An illuminating idea indeed! Possibilities swam through the mind of the seasoned officer. "Should I report on activities of this nature to your office, sir? "

  "That will not be necessary, Captain Schwarzkopf. All I would ask is that you report this new income and expenditure on the battalion payroll ledger. Then we will all know where we stand. And one other thing Captain. Please bring your newly promoted Lieutenant with you the next time you visit us here in Danzig. I would like to meet the man and see his system!"

  "I will be sure to do that, sir." With that, the meeting came to an end.

  __________________________________________________________________________

  "Mage Wolverine! What a pleasant surprise!" Nicholas Meyer was up late in his tent playing with different ways of deploying the units and resources of the Flying Eagles. Of late he had been using dice to introduce a random element into the various battle scenarios that he wanted to consider. His first hands-on experience on a real battlefield had revealed to Nicholas that even the best laid plans could be foiled by some heroic act or unlucky catastrophe.

  "You are still sneaking up on me I see," added Nicholas. Wolverine had appeared out of the darkness like magic, as per usual.

  "Yes sir," replied the wizard of Animalia. "The boys in the unit always find ways ta waste me time, an I dunna have time ta waste," he explained.

  "Your performance last week was a master class in wizardry. Four spells cast, and all four landed. They turned the battle in our favour. Dramatically in our favour. What were your observations?"

  "Cudda gone wrong," answered the mage, "That there short fella ridin on the giant's shoulder had some serious magical gas flowin through his veins. Without the giant distractin him, that guy mighta thrown a monkey wrench inta our plans. The goblin wizard spent alla his energy deflectin cannon balls! Me thinks that he underestimated me. Won't do thatagin. Still, ifin jus three spells had got through, we probly woulda wun anyways."

  "The Captain has approved the money to keep you on through the summer fighting season. You'll be paid for at least two more months. How does that sound to you?"

  "Gud, gud. Six hunnert more pfennigs shud do the trick. It'll be enough, I reckin." answered Eagleclaw Wolverine.

  "That reminds me to ask you something, Mage wolverine. Why exactly 3 marks per month? If you don't mind me saying so, you don't seem to spend much money. You haven't mentioned a home, and you seem capable of gathering your own food."

  Eagleclaw answered with great seriousness, "Me son's mother needs ta build a new home. Her family threw 'er out when thay found out that aye wuz the father. I kin put tagether a buildin, but important wymyn stuff like kitchens an beds an clothes an washin sinks an bathrooms need some money ta pay for im. I gotta support my family somehow. Three months of this shud keep us goin through the winter."

  "Of course, master Wolverine! Now it all makes sense!"

  "I wouldn'ta offered my services to ya that night in town ifin I wasn't in need of da money. No offence intended, but my cause isn't closely aligned ta yer cause,"

  "I understand where you are coming from Eagleclaw Wolverine, and I just want to say how grateful that I am for your services. The entire Flying Eagles battalion has benefited by your presence on the battlefield."