He turned to the garrison. "Here is the plan. Not magic. Not heroism. Logistics. Step one: divert the eastern river using the old irrigation trenches. Step two: herd them onto the main road. Step three…"
Ghost? he thought. I've written dissertations on how ghosts win wars. You just need to change the definition of "win." At age five, Cain was a disappointment to the county. He was pale, sickly, and his mana output was barely measurable. Other noble children could spark flames or levitate pebbles. Cain could only make a single, cold bead of sweat appear on his fingertip after ten minutes of concentration. He turned to the garrison
"I was a historian in another life," he said softly, so only the sword could hear. "And historians know the one thing generals forget." Not heroism
The third thing he noticed was the silence. Step two: herd them onto the main road