Before long, in Carnford's underground command post, candles lit up the enormous sand table and several weary faces. Brendan, Roland, and Lyon arrived one after another, still carrying the smell of battlefield smoke and the chill of the night.
"First, report today's casualties." Karl skipped all unnecessary pleasantries and went straight to the point, his voice echoing through the somewhat empty stone chamber.
As deputy commander, Brendan reported first, his voice steady. "Our confirmed deaths today number one hundred and seven. Eighty-three men were severely wounded and have lost combat capability. Around one hundred and twenty suffered light wounds and can recover. Total casualties are approximately three hundred and ten. The heaviest losses were among the troops defending the first earthen wall, especially General Roland's central sector. As for equipment, some Cannon overheated and require cooling and maintenance. Ammunition expenditure is estimated at three times the usual rate, but our reserves remain ample."
Roland added, his face carrying both the excitement of fierce battle and a trace of regret. "Those Sauron dogs really fought like their lives depended on it today. At least five or six hundred fell before my line alone! Most were slaves and Auxiliary Army troops, though. There were probably only three or four hundred genuine Sauron regulars, and most of them were dealt with by our artillery and mines."
Lyon also reported the losses suffered by the flanking cavalry. "The Dragon Cavalry lost eleven men killed and more than twenty wounded, along with over thirty horses. But we successfully threw the enemy's two wings into disarray, killed or wounded at least two hundred of them, scattered a large number of their ranged troops, and forced them to divide their forces. Our strategic objective was fully achieved."
As Karl listened, he made small marks at the corresponding