March 7th, in the southern mountains of the Northern Territory, the lingering winter snow had yet to fully melt. Mixed with the mud left by thawing spring frost, it made the already rugged mountain paths even harder to traverse.
Yet a blue "river" flowed slowly through these towering peaks, where grayish yellow and mottled white intertwined, moving with a steady, rhythmic pace. It was the vanguard of the Carnford Southern Front Corps, formally advancing toward the primary objective of this spring offensive—Golden City.
The vanguard was led by the newly appointed battalion commander, Roderick. Under his command were two Flintlock Rifle companies, a mountain company skilled in mountain warfare, and five hundred auxiliary troops responsible for supplies, fortifications, and combat support.
Accompanying them were one light four-pound cavalry cannon and four more agile Minin Cannons suited for mountain maneuvering. This was a lean spearhead with considerable firepower, tasked with clearing the way for the main force behind them, scouting enemy movements, and seizing key positions when necessary.
"Hey! Hey! Hey-yo! The north wind blows, our battle flags fly! Under the lord's command, our spirits soar high! Across mountains and rivers, no road is too far! For Carnford, we'll slaughter every Sauron fiend!"
The rough yet orderly military song echoed through the valley, driving away the chill of early spring and the dullness of the march's opening days.
The soldiers held their chests high, Flintlock Rifles slung over their shoulders, their feet trying to keep to the beat.
The mountain road was narrow, and the Flintlock Riflemen marched in three columns, winding like a long snake. This was the standard formation for mountain marches: it kept the unit connected, while allowing soldiers on either side to quickly turn and form a basic defensive front should the enemy appear unexpectedly.
On the