Chapter 120 Calm Before The Storm 2 (2/2)
14. Hyelin
15. Tambolt
16. Zero (Healer)
Commander: Amaraline
Team:
1. Vrald
2. Gerald
3. Lovina (Healer)
4. Douglas
5. Qin Yun
6. Crudgel
Commander: Lowis
1. Grandma Moppo
2. Zoe
3. Sekkin
4. Coux Van Doux
5. Hua Tuo (Healer)
Commander: Mitchnew
Team:
1. Roovan
2. Gweshr
Evacuees:
1. Latitia
2. Leon
3. Jacqueline
4. Rima
5. Karris
”I'm assuming Mitchnew's team will be leading and guarding the evacuees?”
Wiser nodded. ”We're going to use them as a bait to lure the Count and his knights down.”
Zenobia felt her heart drop. ”That's too dangerous! They're only children!”
Wiser scowled. ”Do you have a better plan? From what I see, every single member of the village is needed to win this. I know that they are children. Karris is also pregnant. That's why we're using them to become bait. It's nothing dangerous, Mitchnew will get their attention as a distraction while they hide away in the secret rooms in the tunnel and wait till everything is over. Gweshr and Lowis' team will be in the tunnels. Roovan and Mitchnew will cut down the numbers from outside so we're looking at only the Count and maybe eight knights in the tunnel. They would be split up so it's easier to deal with them there.”
Zenobia didn't want to admit it but it was a plan better than what she thought about.
”Can't we have them hide in trees or something?”
Wiser deadpanned. ”And have the Count burn the trees while they're trapped up there? Good idea.”
The chieftess growled. She didn't like being insulted even if Wiser was right.
”Calm down lady. It'll work. Besides, I've taken into consideration Amaraline's vision about Lowis' death and assigned Hua Tuo to be in their party. We're not losing anyone. Also, if Karris should start giving birth there, Hua Tuo will be with them.”
Zenobia calmed down a little after listening. ”We'll go with this for now. What about the adventurers? Don't you think we have too many people there?”
Wiser smiled. ”That's right. We not only have many people. We have powerful ones there. It serves two purposes. Firstly, they will stop the adventurers from coming into the village, especially the mage. I'm talking about ten minutes, tops, for them to be subdued. After which, they will rejoin the main force to cut down numbers and give Mitchnew some time to sneak into the tunnels.”
Zenobia hummed. ”How long to subdue the main force? Wiser gave her a funny look.
”Less than a minute once Lovina arrives? You don't want them dead so the only other option is to put them all to sleep. Literally. Cleo has that sleeping powder that might take out half of them when they're off guard but the rest? Magic should do the trick.”
Zenobia nodded. That should work. ”Will we join them in the tunnels after?”
Wiser shrugged. ”Depends on what happens on that day. It's your decision but I don't suggest cramming everyone in it. Less space to fight means more injuries. For all we know, the Count might be dead already and we won't need to send in any reinforcements although I doubt it. Knowing Carrabas' nature, I wouldn't put it past him to bring in something sneaky at the last moment.”
Zenobia agreed. Carrabas was a despicable person but for all the flaws he had, there was something Zenobia respected. The man was always cautious and had many plans. That was only to be expected from someone who spent all his time scheming but Zenobia saluted the man for his effort.
”Alright, it sounds decent. We'll hold the warrior meeting later so that we can hear their opinions. We need to talk to Hua Tuo about it too. I'm not sure if he wants Zero in the busiest part of the battle.”
Wiser laughed. ”Busiest? If you're talking about tying eighty people up, I'll call it busy. If you're worried about his safety, you don't have to be. That's why I have Roovan patrol near them. If anything happens to the tree, Roovan will save Zero. Don't worry, the kid will not be in any real danger. Arrows won't reach the top of the tree and Zero can even toss rocks down if he wants.”
Satisfied that the brunet was in no real danger, Zenobia gave her approval to the plan. Now all that was left would be to get the consent from all parties.