บท 12: March
The sun was barely up and yet Five Cave Village was already very noisy.
Shouts came from all over the village.
"Hurry up and load the food the cart!" Shouted one man.
"Where are the arrows? Do you expect them to fight without ammunition?!"
"Rinat, did you check the cart? They'll be in trouble if it breaks on the way."
The only ones who had time to enjoy the morning were the children who were amused by the commotion.
During this time Chris and his subordinates had a final meeting before leaving. This time a new face joined them. Cid was finally well enough to walk around and resume his duties as guard captain and leader of the defense forces.
This was an immense relief to Chris as he needed someone in charge during their absence.
Everyone was looking at the map ( https://ibb.co/dAtJ97 ) as Titus detailed their itinerary.
"They camped southwest of here, just north of a small river. The road there is straightforward and is mostly a downhill walk, unlike the Kunalls who will have to cross hills and a river in their patrol. If it comes to a fight, our troops should be in a better condition than the Kunalls."
He pointed a little south of the refugee camp. "We spotted, from the vantage point, a clearing around here. It should make a good spot for an ambush."
"Good." Chris was satisfied with the briefing. "Once there, we'll split into two groups, Ferlin will remain behind with the main squad. Berling, Titus and twenty hunters will follow me to their camp."
"With a little luck, someone will recognize Bergy as a general from the Old Kingdom, which will probably help us." Continued Chris.
"What about me?" Asked Titus. "Why am I coming along?"
"You'll serve as eye candy." Chris paused and added. "And as a shield if they start showering us with arrows."
Chris didn't give Titus time to retort. "Cid, is your condition good? Can you handle your tasks?"
Cid gave a military salute, it seems he was the serious kind. "Yes, sir! We'll have the camp packed up and prepared to move at a moment's notice!"
"Good. Carl assured us the road to the new campsite is mostly safe. I am counting on you and your men to protect our people!"
After Cid's recovery, they decided to prepare Five Cave Village for the move to Molten Valley as soon as possible. However, they would still have to wait for the results of this expedition, but they would at least be packed up and ready.
"All right, everyone is clear on their job?" Asked Chris.
"Yes, Sire!" They answered in unison.
A soldier came and murmured a message to Berg.
"My Lord! Everything is loaded on the cart, and all preparations are done." Announced Berg.
Chris took the opportunity to do a quick visual check.
A cart hitched to two horses was parked in front of the caves. Those two horses were the only ones Five Cave Village had left.
[Let's see... Bows, arrows, poison, and traps, check. Food, water, and medicine, check. Clothes and tents, check.] Chris was satisfied. [That should be everything we need for the trip.]
There was enough food and water for a four-day trip. They could hunt on the way, but Chris wanted to be safe in case there were complications.
The poison was stored in airtight earthen jars to prevent oxidation. The jars were not perfectly sealed, but it was the best they had.
The cart had seen better days and had clearly been patched up many times.
"Hmph." Rinat finished her inspection and stooped up near Chris.
"Will it hold?" He asked.
"I fixed it up well the past few days. It should hold as long as you aren't too rough with it." She reassured him.
"Good. I noticed the traps in the cargo. Good job on those."Complimented Chris.
"Thank you." Rinat bowed as she accepted the praise.
"Huhu. This will make for a nice surprise for the Kunalls." Chris was looking forward to testing them out for real.
"Indeed." Said Berg as he loaded the cage of hornets onto the cart.
"Hm?" Chris noticed something. [Not good... Where am I going to sit? The cart is too dangerous with the weapons, poison, and hornets. And my feet will crumble before I can do a full day's march.]
"Haha don't worry my Lord. We aren't going to make you walk alongside us or sit in the cart. Titus has found a solution!" Said Berg.
Chris had a bad feeling.
"My Lord! Here is your ride!" Shouted Titus.
Titus showed up, leading Dalahan.
[That's your solution?!] Thought Chris.
Titus had a rascally smile. "What's wrong my Lord? Donkeys are an excellent ride. Very comfortable, and very resilient." Explained Titus.
[You idiot! It's not about the quality of the ride! I'll die of shame if I ride that!] Shouted Chris in his mind.
"That's moot anyways right? He only allows women to touch him. He is never going to let me ride him." Said Chris.
Titus' smile got wider. "Actually, it turns out he really likes my daughter and she convinced him to allow men to touch him. Right Dalahan?" He asked as he brushed Dalahan's mane.
"Pfrrtft"
"See? Perfectly safe. He might even make a better arrow shield than me." Said Titus.
"Fine," grumbled Chris. [Is this payback for what I said earlier?]
Chris looked at the donkey. [Dalahan? Isn't that way too cool for you?]
He approached Dalahan and reached out with his hand. As it was promised, Dalahan did not oppose his touch. But he certainly did not seem pleased.
[Look at that disgusted face. Be prepared to be used until exhaustion on this trip! You damn donkey!]
Suddenly a sentry came running. "The signal! They lit the signal!"
This was, of course, the signal that there was movement in the Kunall scout camp and that a patrol was about to leave.
[Right on time.] Thought Chris. He jumped on Dalahan's back... It was easier than he thought as Dalahan really wasn't that tall.
"Everybody, it's time." Shouted Chris with red cheeks. "Remember, our goal is not to intimidate! This is an honest and formal invitation to join together and build our future! They are our fellow humans. Act accordingly!"
"YES, LORD!" Everyone shouted.
"And not one word about the Kunalls until I say so!"
"YES, LORD!"
Chris looked around, and if everything went according to plan, he would not return to Five Cave Village for a long time.
For this mission, he brought with him the two hundred hunters available, one cook, eight scouts and of course Berg, Titus and Ferlin. They were all ready, looking at him eagerly.
On the side, he saw Cid giving a military salute. Behind him were the men and women that made up the guard forces. They were lined up in order with a strange glint in their eyes.
[Is this... Envy?].
They too wanted to kill Kunalls. They wanted payback for the loss of their loved ones, for their kingdom, and for their past life.
The rest of the village was looking at them standing next to the caves. Chris was surprised that there were very few people crying. He remembered video footage of troops leaving for war, and the cameras always focused on the crying women and children. But all he could see here were resolute faces.
"Tough life and tough people huh..."
"Everyone! MARCH!" A loud shout followed Chris' order as the troops left in high spirit.
***** *****
Somewhere south of there, at the Kunall Camp, a similar order was given.
"Let's go! You stupid bastards!" Ordered Krag, the leader of that scout patrol.
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Pastare
Pastare Editor: LtBeefy
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Next up: New Arc! Dalahan goes to war and defeats the Kunalls all by himself!
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