10 Gobo Hunting and Royal Decrees (1/2)
Matthew raised his eyebrow and bellowed.
”Sounds good.”
Just like that Matthew went inside the barrage and picked fifteen archers and five crossbowmen. The group then marched to Highkeep. When they reached Highkeep, it was already dark. As such the newly arrived troops used the tents stored up to set up a camp.
The next day Matthew, Boris, Martin, and Ludwig set up a meeting. The first person to speak was Matthew.
Sir Matthew stood proudly and said.
”Alright Boys I am Sir Matthew and I will lead the Barons Men. So what is the plan?”
Boris Nodded and said
”The plan can wait I think we should first get acquainted and understand what resources each of brings to the table. I am Boris o Prasinoktonos and I will lead Sir Galahads militia and This is Martin my second in command and a local in the area.”
Ludwig then said.
”I am Ludwig Ergon I am also a local and the leader of the hunting party.”
Boris nodded and said.
”Now that we have finished the introductions I shall explain the current plan. We will leave from Highkeep early in the afternoon. Mister Ludwiv and his men will show us the way to the camp. After that, we will surround the voblin camp and wait out the night. When the first light breaks we will use our superior firepower to take them all down nice and easily exterminatinv the whole of them. If any survivors manave to survive the onslaught and reach the encirclement, we will take them down in melee combat. Every man should be able to best a voblin in single combat after all. After that, we shall withdraw leaving behind a sinvle hunter to keep watch. From that point on we shall rotate the watcher every two days. And at the same time, scout the other areas close by were other such camps might exist.”
Sir Matthew nodded and said.
”This seems like a good plan and the rest of you should have already agreed to it. Then let's not delay further this afternoon we shall start the operation Daybreak.
Martin then said
”Your lordship we haven't named the op...”
Sir Mathew gave Martin a ”friendly smack” in the back leaving the poor fellow breathless before bellowing.
”Every operation needs a name. It would not be proper any other way.”
As such the men gathered up their forces. In total, they were ten militia five hunters and twenty-one of the baron's men. They decided to split the men into four groups two militia groups led by Martin and Boris and two army groups led by Sir Mathew and Ludwig. Each group had a Hunter. the militia was split half and half while the army groups were split unevenly where Ludwig will lead the archers and Matthew the crossbowmen. The reason for such a split is that the crossbowmen generally were less mobile than the archers and Matthew could act as a shield of sorts if the goblins survived the initial volleys. While Ludwig knew the area better and as such would be better at commanding a more mobile force. The commander role fell to Boris as he was the Eldest and the most experienced in dealing with goblins.
Meanwhile, Sir Galahad was holding another meeting with a short thin middle-aged man wearing decent clothing.
Sir Galahad smiled and simply asked.
”Mister Aristiadi, How do you feel about the mine's prospects.”
Mister Aristiadi put his hand over his heart and said with a calm and deep voice.
”Honestly Sir Galahad you were quite lucky to find the mine since it is not a surface deposit. In other news, the vein is quite small but it should produce at least a ton or two of copper before it is exhausted. My plan is to return to inform my client her holiness. From there on out it is yours and my clients business on how you plan to exploit the asset.”
Galahad simply nodded and said.
”Alright, then you can use one of my carriages to get back to Gragon.”
With that matter over Galahad retired for the day. While operation Daybreak was in full throttle.
When the troops arrived nearby their first moves was to carefully slowly and methodically encircled the camp. From there on out it was a waiting game until daylight. The midnight hours were rather tense but nothing went seriously wrong. They were a couple of close calls though. One man struck his leg on an exposed root and almost screamed in agony. But thankfully his companion was quick enough to muffle his scream alerting only some sleeping birds nearby.Later at the early hours of the morning, an ophidiophobic man almost screamed in fear when he saw a snake. But thankfully he managed to hold himself together. Before a nearby hunter quickly dispatched it.
When the first light broke through the canopy, the men became active once again. Five minutes later the signal arrow was fired by Ludwig and then all hell broke loose. Most of the goblins were confused and still half asleep. Some of them woke up from the pain of getting shot, others didn't wake up at all having their life harvested while sound asleep. Others woke up from the agony filled screams of their compatriots only for them to stand up and immediately get turned into a porcupine. Some lucky green rats actually managed to survive the initial volleys and quickly organized into small groups with one goal in mind. To break through the encirclement alive.
While Goblins are relatively weak, they are also small and agile and as such, they proved surprisingly hard to hit after they exited the designated kill zone. Those severely diminished groups when they reached the perimeter of the encirclement. Were quickly dispatched by the better trained, rested and equipped humans with minimum loses. After the battle concluded a post-battle meeting was called.
The overall general commander Boris asked.
”Any casualties?”
Matthew smiled and said.
”No wounds for the men under my direct command commander.”
Ludwig added.
”Only some minor injuries for the men under my command.”
Martin nodded and said
”The same applies for me too. Only two of my men had any wounds, and those were superficial.”
Boris nodded and said
”That is vood. Then Ventlemen we shall loot their camp and take our leave. Our men do need sleep after all and staying deep in the forest for longer than it is required is a bad idea.”
Matthew nodded and said.