Chapter 120 Calm Before The Storm 2 (1/2)

”Report. What are their numbers?”

The werewolf kneeled on one knee and bowed.

”Greetings, Chieftess. Roovan and I circled around their camp twice. Count Carrabas is taking part in the charge this time. He has with him twelve knights, thirty militaria, fifty conscripts and five adventurers. There is one mid-tier magician in the adventurers and one mid-tier ranger. The other three adventurers are fighter-types. They look like a decent party with lots of experience.”

Zenobia frowned. ”Didn't he engage some mercenaries?”

Gweshr shook his head. ”Roovan went to confirm the rumours. There was some dispute with the mercenaries so Carrabas engaged adventurers even though it was more expensive. What's the plan, Chieftess?”

Zenobia sat down and sighed heavily. Wiser hasn't come up with a solid plan yet and she was getting all kinds of weird information from different villagers. As the chieftess, Zenobia had the responsibility to lead the village and ensure everyone's survival. However, Amaraline's words were heavy on her mind. They would lose Lowis in this battle. She wanted to prevent Lowis from taking part in this battle but with the latest report on the enemy's numbers, it would be impossible to win without the help of her head warrior.

”Thank you, Gweshr. You may rest. I need some time to think over this. Please get someone to gather the battle council for the meeting this afternoon.”

The werewolf bowed and left swiftly. Zenobia massaged her temples. Hua Tuo and Zero were still in the village and as per the agreement with Hua Tuo, she couldn't involve either of them in this battle. Hua Tuo had made his stand clear that he wouldn't be involved in the battle but he would treat the injured. The chieftess had no issues with that. In fact, she was glad that Hua Tuo would be taking the children along with him when the battle begins.

Thereafter came another piece of news that had Zenobia's mind reeling. Zero managed to heal Grandma Moppo's knees and Amaraline's sight. It was a miracle and with the addition of two more fighters on the team, Zenobia didn't know if this was a sign from the Gods that Half Moon village wouldn't be abandoned. The lady was ready to give up on fighting with the Count and evacuate the village completely in search for new lands in order to save everyone. Zero may not know the impact of what he had done but Zenobia did. In her prime, Grandma Moppo was a hunter who once battled three mountain wolves and won. She knew the terrains here best and with her on the field, Zenobia had another commander. On the other hand, while Amaraline was going to participate as a commander during the battle, Zenobia had to ensure that she had at least one strong warrior to guard her during the battle. That meant one less person during the war and manpower was something Zenobia sorely needed. Now, Amaraline had her sight back and didn't need a guard. Zenobia saw some hope.

”That child has to be a gift from the Gods... who knew that he was such a terrifying doctor?” Zenobia mused.

There was a knock at her door and the chieftess leapt out of her chair to open it.

”I'm here,” Wiser stated and walked in calmly. Zenobia noted how her advisor was no longer hacking his lungs out and was surprised.

”You're cured!”

Wiser scowled. ”Thanks to the two crazy doctors. What kind of doctor would manhandle their patient and force them to swallow medicine?! I swear I saw the borders of hell back there... They just came in without warning and force-treated me!”

The half-beastman giggled. She could imagine the look of shock and outrage her advisor had when Zero and Hua Tuo did that. Instead of teasing her fuming right-hand man, Zenobia patted his shoulder.

”At least your cough is gone. It's a good thing they did that too. We can't afford to have you coughing and giving away our advantage when the war starts.”

Wiser sighed. He knew that Zenobia was right. Still, a part of him was sore from being treated that way. Wiser wasn't a child. He knew when to seek treatment when he needed to. It wasn't going to kill him so he was going to postpone it for a bit and get it treated before the battle begins.

”Anyways, I believe you've heard the news. The numbers are in for both our forces and the enemy's forces. Grandma Moppo is practising her swings and Amaraline is practising her archery with Mitchnew this morning. Speaking of Mitchnew, did you know that the she-devil has offered to teach Zero how to stitch? If we could recruit that boy into our numbers, this war will be a piece of cake to win. All he has to do is to charm that she-devil into slaughtering everyone.”

Zenobia smacked Wiser lightly on the arm. ”Don't say that. She's left her past behind her when she came to the village so I expect you to respect that. I'll also be very disappointed if that is your war strategy.”

Wiser made a face. ”Don't even start. It hurts my pride to think about how low my intelligence would be if I formulated such a plan. Shall we get started?”

Zenobia smiled and ushered him over to her study. There, Wiser took out a parchment and spread it out across the table.

”This is the map of our forest. I've marked out the places where we could potentially set traps and ambush our enemies. The main battle will take place here, here and here. We're dividing their forces this time into three because the adventurers are not easy to deal with.”

Zenobia nodded. She had something similar in mind too. The open clearing where the children normally played tag was a good place for the main battle. She looked over to the circled part across the river and agreed. There was only one bridge there and a battle there would give Half Moon village the advantage. However, the last location was something she hesitated.

”Are you sure you want them to know about our underground tunnels?”

Wiser grinned. ”It's not an issue. Dead men cannot speak.”

Zenobia sighed. ”I don't like killing. Those conscripts are probably farm boys who'd barely hit puberty. They probably joined for some easy money to feed their starving families so I want to avoid slaughtering them.”

Wiser sighed. ”I can't understand your sympathy for humans. They should just become extinct in my opinion but I figured you'd say that so no, the people dying are not the conscripts. They will be on the main battlefield. I'm talking about Carrabas and the knights. We'll hold the adventurers at the bridge, lure the conscripts and militia to the clearing and Carrabas and his foul knights into the tunnels.”

Zenobia thought about it. ”Sounds like a good plan. Who are we appointing as commanders?”

Wiser took out another parchment and unrolled it. Zenobia took a look at the names and raised an eyebrow.

”We're having four groups?”

Wiser grinned. ”Of course. You won't be leading any because you need to coordinate attacks and fill in the gaps. I will be leading the command on the main battle. Amaraline will be leading the battle at the bridge and Lowis will be in the tunnels. I need Mitchnew to take command of the special forces.”

Zenobia looked apprehensive.

Commander: Wiser

Team:

1. Camie

2. Chowkah

3. Titor

4. Yxaan

5. Xvyal

6. Cleo

7. Soon

8. Manny

9. Peter

10. Vishnu

11. Gweshr

12. Clowis

13. Raj