Northern Cernlia was hilly country, dotted with small woods and more suited to grazing livestock than farming barley or wheat. It was not one of the richer parts of the country, although it did have a reputation for its soldiers.

That was, Janis reflected, probably a good thing, at the moment.

She’d seen higher levels than she’d thought from the earl’s fighters. That might indicate they’d seen some action, although it was hard to tell how many of those would have been in the war against the elves with the king.

As she’d ridden through the countryside, she’d taken note of the state of the county and its settlements. They looked relatively poor, at first glance, but not in disrepair or like they’d suffered several successive bad years. Of course, it wasn’t always that clear-cut and Janis wouldn’t consider herself an expert. On the other hand, if she didn’t try to make that assessment, who would? None of the other people with her had actual, personal experience with that kind of thing.

As promised, Regina and Ben had sent her with a sizeable force. It was actually stronger than it might look at first glance, because most of the drones were pretty high-level, all things considered. They also comprised a mix of Classes that would be of good strategic value, with a thousand War Drones and their Evolved Classes, another thousand Winged Drones, and a few hundred Production Drones along as logistical support. They could also expect reinforcements from the territory the Hive had taken, as well as their base at Forest’s Haunt. Janis could tell just looking at the composition of her little army that this was considered a priority. It was also interesting to note that Ben would expect to use swarms of lower-level drones more in his main area of operations. Of course, the most important part was probably the sapient drones, here even more than back in Nerlia.

Earl Whitor was obviously more than a little hesitant about how to put up this force, and what it would mean going forward.

“The fields outside the castle should have plenty of space, but I am not sure about arrangements for provisions, Lady Starlit,” he said with a frown, looking out at them just starting to set up a camp.

Janis smiled. After greetings and introductions were done, they’d retreated to this spot on the walls where they could watch the goings-on, a terrace at one of the corner towers that offered a good view of the castle and its surroundings. “That won’t be a problem,” she said mildly. “We have some provisions. If you’ll allow us to forage in the nearby meadows and forest, it should be more than enough.”

“You can subsist on grass and greenery, then?” he asked.

Janis chuckled and shook her head. “Well, I can’t, but the Hive in general can, yes.”

“Of course,” he replied with a smile. “I would be honored to extend my hospitality to you, in any case.”

“Much obliged, Lord Whitor.” She watched the sapient drones remaining below corral the Swarm Drones into the proper order, then turned to face him more fully. “Of course, this will depend on how long all of these drones will stay here and where they need to be deployed.”

Earl Whitor hesitated for a moment, and she could practically see him considering the implied question. “I have to admit I am unsure of the actual combat capability you can bring to bear, to be frank,” he finally said.

“We can bring more to bear than what you see here,” she assured him. “This is just the vanguard. As for their combat capability, Swarm Drones are individually weaker than human fighters, but have the edge in terms of coordination and mobility, not to mention the logistical advantage.” That should be pretty obvious to him, or would be soon, so she didn’t bother to try and hold back information.

“That is good to know,” he replied with a courteous nod. “My own men are largely still gathered in my demesne, as the king saw sense in keeping the border to your own and Marquis Lyns’ territories manned.”

Janis cocked her head. “I don’t suppose it had anything to do with your feelings or possible reaction to having your men stripped to join the king’s host,” she said drily.

Whitor looked taken aback for an instant, before he smiled. “Perhaps a tiny bit,” he answered in the same tone. “I would not have hesitated to raise a rebel banner myself and he must have known it. However, there are still some of the king’s men in the earldom.”

“Does that mean our primary focus, for now, is removing them quietly?” Dan asked as he came up behind Janis.

Whitor glanced at the drone. Janis could practically see him readjusting from courtly talk to blunter, more straightforward discussion. “In essence, yes,” he agreed. “Is that something your forces can do?”

“Not always,” Janis said. “But we do have the ability to communicate and coordinate over long distances, and drones that can fly. We could certainly also fight skirmishes. In the end, it depends on how quiet things are to be. Is this about silently eliminating spies in a concerted effort or ousting garrisons from specific settlements?”

“Both would be needed, or at least useful,” Whitor answered, frowning thoughtfully. “I have enough agents in place to handle most of the quieter work. That said, having your drones along to make sure we can strike simultaneously, before they can warn each other, would be quite helpful. There are, in fact, several garrisons of the king’s men as well, including border outposts.”

“That we can certainly do,” Janis agreed.

“You are aware that His Majesty has certainly received word of your arrival by now?” he stated more than asked.

Janis nodded. “That was probably inevitable. Still, the more we can keep him in the dark about what exactly is happening here, the better. We’ll place emphasis on making sure those garrisons are encircled and captured rather than simply driven out to reinforce the king’s troops.”

“Splendid,” the earl said. “On that subject, not to be too blunt, but I hope you will allow them to surrender.” And treat them well, he didn’t quite say, but it was clear from the tone and expression.

“We’ll certainly accept surrender and treat all prisoners of war decently,” Janis calmly said. “In fact, we would require you to keep any prisoners, as we do not have the logistics or manpower to spare.”

“Certainly,” he replied. Janis wasn’t sure if that was relief or annoyance in his voice. It could be both.

The conversation paused there, and Janis looked back at the drones Regina had given her technical command of. They had finished at least the essentials of setting up camp. Many of the War Drones were already entering hibernation, to reduce their food and water needs until they were needed to fight. The sapient drones with them had set up a roster for patrols and sentries, though, and most of the Winged Drones were still awake as well. Janis would have to look over all of it later, but that could wait until she got back to them. Besides, I’m pretty sure Ben and maybe a few others will keep a close eye on us, too, she mused, then let the thought go. It was no reason not to do the best she could, and she didn’t intend on treating this like a mere training exercise.

Dan shifted slightly behind her, and Janis briefly touched his mind to see if something was wrong. He was getting antsy, but reassured her quickly. He should have been the commander of this detachment, Janis thought. Dan was one of their oldest drones, the same age as Ben. Unlike his brother, however, he had never shown any interest in command or a position of authority. His Class of Elite Drone Warrior wasn’t rare, but she knew he’d mastered it more than probably anyone else in the Hive, and the Class Skills he had picked were geared towards direct combat, especially duels. He’d also reached level 50. If nothing else, at least, it was reassuring to have someone as strong as him with her.

“Our actions will also need to be informed by what is happening in the rest of Cernlia,” Whitor said. “I do not suppose you have any news of interest?”

“Not quite. Last I heard, the marquis and the king had given battle near the Dannan again, but it was inconclusive,” Janis replied.

They kept talking for a few minutes, exchanging information on the state of the war and what went on around it. Whitor didn’t seem to know much more than the Hive did, although he did provide a few interesting tidbits.

The entire point of this was to open a new front and take pressure off Marquis Lyns, but it hadn’t had such an effect yet. Of course, they’d only just moved. Lyns was still fighting defensively, and barely holding on, but Janis was pretty confident he would hold out long enough. When the Nerlians got word of the Hive’s incursion, and they should already have, they would probably turn around to go north to stop it.

“They may decide to crush the marquis quickly and then turn around to handle us,” Whitor commented.

“It’s possible, yes,” Janis agreed. “I don’t believe it will happen, though. The Nerlians are already fighting a war that isn’t theirs on foreign lands, and now their own are under attack. However, even if they do decide to double down on Lyns and perhaps then turn to this county, we’ll handle it.”

Ben wasn’t stupid, so he’d obviously made plans that took various possible responses into account. The Hive still had enough forces left, and could route further ones to the front, to bolster Lyns’ army. It wasn’t their first choice to mix their own drones with his soldiers so soon, but they would do it if necessary. And if they had to, they could also leave Lyns some more tricks or just use them themselves. She didn’t think being outnumbered would be a big issue when he had a few thousand flying drones dropping explosives on the enemy army.

“I see,” Whitor said, eying her. She could see calculations going on behind those calm eyes, but he didn’t ask further questions. “I have called a meeting with my captains at dusk,” he said instead. “I would be pleased if you and yours could join.”

“Of course,” Janis agreed. “I’ll go see about getting them settled until then.”

He bid her goodbye with a bow of his head and Janis returned the gesture before she and Dan turned and left. She wondered for a moment if she should have bowed deeper, but … she was one of the highest-ranking members of the Hive, which was arguably its own sovereign nation, and she didn’t have much patience for this kind of courtly games.

The Hive had a bit of experience setting up field camps by now, and this one wasn’t much different. Tents and lean-tos were set up in neat rows, with straight lanes and broad avenues crisscrossing them to allow for quick deployment. Drones patrolled outside in staggered patrol patterns the sapient drones would change at random intervals. Most of the accommodations were pretty rough, barely more than open canopies to keep off rain if it came, but Swarm Drones didn’t really need anything more. It was summer, anyway, so the temperature was pleasant and comfortable even at night. Some units of drones had started digging, she noticed.

I thought we agreed to keep underground works to a minimum, Janis said to several others as they approached the larger central pavilion they’d had set up in the middle of the camp.

We’re barely even digging any tunnels, Zac responded, not bothering to hide his mild irritation through the psychic link. Besides, our enemies must be aware that we do this kind of thing by now.

That’s still no reason to have elaborate tunnels or caves lying around for the humans to look at, Dan put in, mental voice calm.

How long are we going to be here? Alf asked.

Janis straightened her shoulders as she sensed the attention of everyone turning to her. Not too long, most likely, she said. Then she reached out carefully and sent an impression of their conversation with Earl Whitor to the senior commanders present. Luckily, they had a Keeper, Odi, who picked up what she was doing and helped her stabilize it.

Figures the Cernlians would need two hours just to sort out who goes to a meeting, Alf muttered.

Janis suppressed a sigh. She sat down in a folding chair someone had set up in the pavilion and glanced at the rough table, just a thin, Conjured sheet of metal on four legs. Maps were spread across it, although they didn’t have ones of Whitor’s earldom as good as she’d prefer. A request to bring up then, definitely.

Who are we going to send to the meeting? Zac continued.

Hopefully not you, Dan responded, though the undercurrent of his words in the psychic link made it clear he was just teasing him.

I’m sure I can’t do worse than you, Dan, Zac shot back with a slight smirk.

Janis put her elbow down on the table and leaned her head into her hand, massaging the bridge of her nose for a moment. We’ll take me, Dan, Zac, Inu and Alf, she told them. That would cover representatives of the warriors, scouts, magic-users and support types.

As you say, Janis, Dan replied, and the others sent back acknowledgments over the psychic link as well.

Janis found herself smiling slightly as she sat back in her chair and stretched. Sometimes, it felt nice to get reminders people were taking her seriously. She’d been frustrated because it felt like her advance was stalled. Even with the Hive’s Experience boost to Infected members, she just didn’t level up as quickly as Hivekind drones. Still, she hardly had room to complain. Getting the Class of Archmage at the threshold of level 40 instead of 60 wasn’t unheard of, but it was still a notable accomplishment, and something she probably wouldn’t have managed without the Hive.

And now, she should have plenty of opportunities to earn some Experience. She wasn’t dependent on earning it in battle, luckily, but those did help.