As we crested the ridge that served as our initial lookout point, the beat of a drum, followed by words began to drift over the barren landscape around Casúrdomhain.

"Come you a lad, and join us a warrior,
We will march from home down below!
Courage up! And don now your armor,
It is time to meet with the foe!"

The distant ranks of Earthbreakers had begun to sing as a single voice.

Hear the sound emerge from the mountain,
Beat the drum, and march one by one!
Draw your steel and hold it before you,
Hammerdeep, the war has begun!

From the dawn of time we have stood here,
Answer now the call to engage!
In the face of evil, defiant,
Let us be the birth of an age!

Blazing up inside you a fire,
Iron heart, let the beat grow!
Element of adamant, loyal,
It is time to vanquish the foe!

Look around, remember your brothers,
Let your shield be armor for them!
Throw your spear and let it strike thunder,
Draw your axe, and do it agaaaaain!

From the dawn of time we have stood here,
Answer now the call to engage!
In the face of evil, defiant,
Let us be the birth of an age!

Nerve of steel, the heart of a mountain,
Stoic hoof, a bundle won’t break!
Loyal rage, inside a volcano,
Stand your ground, make the earth quake!

Drive we out the evil before us,
Smash the skulls against the young rock!
Die in hope: eternity crowns you,
Stay your course, continue to walk!

The whole formation rose in volume as they finished.

From the dawn of time we have stood here!
Answer now the call to engage!
In the face of evil, defiant!
Let us be the birth of an aaaaage!

"Quartermaster!" I called out, looking for every Pony I needed to get my plan set in motion.

"Yes General?" the bespeckled Unicorn stallion named Gold Note responded, stepping forward.

"Take this to the seamstresses." I pulled a folded bit of parchment out of my cragodile vest and gave it to him. "I want banners of this design made by tonight." I held it for him to take. "And this part is very important, the sigil needs to be white. Not red. White."

"Oh... Kay?" the stallion responded, taking the parchment.

"I can't stress how important it is for you to tell them that they need to use white. Say it back to me." I requested.

"Uh... The sigil needs to be white. Not red." he hesitated.

"Good stallion." I patted him on his shoulder and turned away.

It may have been rude, but I was suddenly pressed for time.

"Captain Rock Garden!" I called out, gaining the attention of an Earth Pony mare in steel plate.

"General Luna!" she bowed. "What can I do for you?"

"I need volunteers for our attack tonight. A group small enough to be stealthy, but large enough to defend itself should the worst happen."

"Right..." the mare looked off into the distance. "I'll ask around."

"Good mare. Dismissed." I nodded, sending the mare on her way.

"Yes Ma'am!" she saluted, and dashed away.

"Captain Comet!" I called upon seeing my next victim, a Pegasus stallion. He was speaking with one of his subordinates, but they looked like they were finishing up.

"What can I do for you Commander?" he bowed slightly.

I didn't respond immediately, but I pulled him aside away from the crowd of bustling Ponies.

"We have a spy in our midst." I whispered in his ear. He jolted.

"Wha-? But how-" he started.

"The Earthbreakers. They're in formation. They were waiting for us." I said calmly.

"I... See..." Comet nodded softly.

"But they don't know our exact attack plan. Which means they're one of the rank and file."

"You're trusting me because-?" Comet trailed off.

"The only Ponies who the Earthbreakers will trust will be their fellow Earth Ponies. I don't want you hunting for them, I just want your Pegasi to watch for anypony trying to sneak away or somehow get a message to the Earthbreakers."

"Understood." the stallion nodded.

"Good, dismi- Oh wait!" I stomped slightly in frustration.

"Yes?"

"It shouldn't need saying, but keep this quiet."

"Understood Ma'am." he smirked.

"Excellent. Dismissed."

He left to deal with his duties, leaving me to find my next target.

"Iron Plate!" I greeted loudly, seeing my fellow former Apprentice.

"Luna!" He greeted. "What you need help with?"

"I need you to make sure all the workshops are set up, I don't know how long we'll be here and we might need them at any moment."

"Figured, they should already be half done." he nodded sagely.

"Excellent." I grinned, moving to continue with my chores.

"Oh! Uh..." he suddenly reached out. "W-would you mind if I joined you for dinner?" he asked.

My spine suddenly stiffened.

I’ve been so lonely without my late wife…

"Uh... S- Sorry Iron, I'm busy later." I gently pushed his hoof away.

"Oh..." his ears fell. "Well if you ever change your mind..."

"I'll keep you in mind." I nodded, perhaps slightly too eagerly.

"Alright then... Uh... See you around then?"

"Yes." I kept nodding.

He beat a hasty retreat.

Oh Moon! What the hay was that?!

I shivered.

The thought of a stallion touching me down there...

"Nope." I said out loud, turning away and doing my best to forget that Ironplate apparently had... Feelings about me.

Ugh...

Was there anything else for me to do? To distract myself at the very least?

Nothing immediately leapt to mind...

"Great." I murmured.

Well, guess I could just sit here and look over the fortress while the Sun's still out...

I trot forward, looking for a stack of firewood I could commandeer.

A group of soldiers nearby were busy speaking with each other around a fresh campfire, clearly not on duty.

"May I have some of this?" I asked, gesturing towards their pile.

"Sure, go ahead." a stallion waved, not even bothering to look in my direction.

"Thank you." I said as I lifted a few logs in my magic, leaving the Ponies be.

I soon had a meager fire burning on my chosen outlook over the ridge.

I wasn't cooking anything, nor was I using it for warmth, but I let the fire burn as I went over every inch of Casúrdomhain that I could see.

Yeah... I could break these 'Earthbreakers'.

The vibe!
https://youtu.be/FptJLI8r5lQ?si=xCOnehPgIAO5vynl