In November of 1362 DR, the army of the Sunset Lands advanced slowly through the dark forest. Shadows crowded the woods on either side, and spine-chilling sounds rang out from time to time.
This would be Aaron's final offensive against Hulek Forest that year.
Winter would arrive afterward. Aaron was not so confident that he believed his newly formed army and temporarily recruited adventurers could fight through bitter cold, rain, snow, and the conditions of the dark forest. He therefore had to deal with the extremist druids' Sacred Grove and the Glyphfolk's Monastery before the first snowfall of 1362.
Even if Aaron successfully broke through the defenses of the druids' Sacred Grove and the Glyphfolk's Monastery, however, that would only be the beginning. He might have to spend considerable time and effort on a prolonged campaign to pacify the forest, until every race within it submitted completely.
Such were the Realms, where monsters ran rampant in the wilderness. Hulek Forest had theoretically already been incorporated into Cormyr's territory following Azoun IV's conquest, yet Aaron would still have to expend tremendous effort to conquer and claim it again.
We must finish this in one push!
Aaron sat calmly aboard the Tzeentch Sky-Chariot. Strange noises echoed ceaselessly through the dark forest, while Eleanor and Nastya, seated beside him, wore very different expressions.
Eleanor was a little nervous. Miss Cleric might have been involved in warfare before, but this was her first time taking the field as a commander. Draped over her shoulders was the magical equipment Aaron had given her-the elven Commander's Cloak. Aaron had unexpectedly acquired this symbol of leadership during his expedition to Myth Drannor. The Elf Lich Belsa the Incomprehensible had given it to him, along with his research into the High Celestial Stairway. As mentioned earlier, Aaron intended