A Dark Path by Stuart Thaman

Author:Stuart Thaman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Nef House Publishing
Published: 2019-07-02T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

“Unfortunately, we don’t know much. Actually, we basically know nothing.”

My generals, none of whom had any experience commanding troops in battle or orchestrating a full-blown invasion defense, were just as terrified as I was. We sat around a rectangular kitchen table scavenged from one of the larger houses not far away. As we tried to figure out a plan, the warlocks were busy torching the nearest ring of houses to give us a better line of sight from the citadel.

Xollmomath didn’t feel like he was cut out for tactics and planning, so I had let him leave to see to as much defensive preparation as he could.

That left the war counsel to just four of us. Xia was eager for blood and carnage, and I had the benefit of tempering her opinion with the more conservative ideas of Helvegen and Geirr. Honestly, I didn’t know exactly where my own mind was settled on the matter. Part of me wanted to charge out to bring the slaughter directly to Echelon, using the element of surprise to gain the upper hand. At the same time, holing up in our fortress felt like it would give us the best chance of survival.

As our resident engineer, Geirr was determined to influence us toward a defensive posture. “If we set lookouts on the road and watch the city gates from Echelon, we can ambush them on the road. Guerilla tactics. Hit them quick, then run back to our walls,” he said.

“Our walls aren’t strong enough to hold against an attack!” Xia countered.

Geirr leaned further over the table. “That’s why we hit them on the road first! Thin their numbers, then fall back to defend.”

“And if they settle in for a siege and call for reinforcements? What if more fighters from Echelon arrive to make up for the attack?” Helvegen served as a bit of a neutral position between the two options, and she brought up a good—albeit terrifying—point.

When I spoke, everyone quieted down. “You’re right, Hel. If we hit them on the road and they send word back to the city for reinforcements, our advantage will be gone. If we hit them at all, it has to be decisive. A sure victory. Leave none alive.”

Nods all around. “What do you suggest? If they move against us with a full force, we can’t take them,” Helvegen said.

Of course, she was right. I looked to Geirr. “Anything creative rustling around in that brain of yours?”

The man thought for some time. “Perhaps there are things we can do if we move quickly,” he said. “I’ve taken account of our supplies and tools. With enough hands working quickly, we might be able to dig a pit in the road and cover it, disguising it, and then trap our enemies within.”

I could tell the man had to modify his speech a little due to the language barrier between us. I wondered how Helvegen had learned such fluid English when he hadn’t, but all my questions about his past would have to wait.

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