199 Exit Strategy (2/2)

”None of which will matter if it eventually secures him the Patriarch's seat,” I countered.

We were all silent again, and this awkward silence would last until Azuma broke it with a question.

”So, what are we going to do about it, Commander?” he asked.

I took a long glance at the map I kept sprawled over the table and took a few moments to consider our options. Eventually, though, the lightbulb inside my head lit up once again and the makings of a plan floated on the surface of my mind.

”Qwipps, As soon as I'm gone, I want you to order Pike to take half of the Talons and travel to the oasis we'd kept hidden from everyone else,” I ordered.

”The one in the Pilgrimage's map?” Qwipps grinned. ”Gotcha.”

”Secure the oasis in case we need an escape route,” I pointed at the oasis that wasn't on any other map but ours and then dragged my finger south. ”This oasis is the entrance to a narrow ravine that leads back south to Lover's Embrace territory and away from Garm's clutches, and it's just the right size to fit a company as big as ours.”

”An escape route is good but isn't that a worst-case scenario?” Ashley asked. ”Tell me you've got other backup plans in mind.”

I picked up the cup in front of me and began to chug down the water inside it before I asked them another question.

”What do you guys think of Redbull and Llewellyn?” I asked.

”Only you, Aura, and Edo have actually met Llewellyn,” Luca reminded me. ”But Redbull seems like a stand-up guy… he seems to like you too.”

”He's at least crazy enough to let you go through with your foolhardy plans,” Ashley added. ”And it only cost him half his army this time.”

There were a few nods at this comment. Only Aura seemed to be shaking her head.

”If you're thinking of flipping either of them to our side, I'm afraid it won't be easy if at all possible,” Aura declared.

”Redbull may appreciate our value and that's why he's a good general, but he's the most stubborn satyr I know and they're all stubborn — he won't betray Garm for no reason and he's probably very loyal to him,” Edo expounded on Aura's statement.

”As for Llewellyn, well, she's a brilliant strategist and Garm's most trusted advisor so it would be very likely that he has already taken her into his confidence regarding any possible betrayals,” Aura added. ”The same could be true for Redbull…”

I leaned back on my chair feeling a tiny bit frustrated by what they'd said, and although I knew it was a long shot, I hoped we might have a chance at turning one or both of them to our cause.

”So… it would be too risky to approach either one of them,” Luca pondered.

”Yes,” Aura nodded. ”We'd be tipping our hand…”

”We'll need a distraction in case we need to make a getaway,” I said. ”Azuma, work with Zarz on this and tell him it might be time for Grog soon…”

Azuma nodded although he didn't know what I meant. He would at least have an inkling of what kind of distraction we'd need.

”We'll work with the other independent units for now, although I'm pretty sure we're all being watched already,�� I reasoned.

”Yes, there is most likely already a spy among the soldiers General Redbull lent us,” Thom suggested. ”I think a restructure is in order.”

”Ashley, this will be your task. As a shieldmaiden you can ask questions without anyone suspecting you outright,” I explained. ”Take a survey of the new guys and find me any irregularities… we need to know who we can take with us if necessary because I doubt everyone's a spy.”

”Understood,” she said right before her brow furrowed. ”And once I identify these irregularities?”

”Don't do anything to tip our hand but mark them for what they are,” I answered.

It was around this time, a minute or two to dawn, when Varda finally returned with new orders from the Great General himself.

”We've been ordered to sortie, Commander,” Varda offered me the scroll in her hand. ”It'll be a surprise against the Dominion while they're recuperating from their losses last night…”

Luca rose from his seat. ”Garm's aware that Dean won't be around until twilight, right?”

”He can't use the anchoring ring consecutively,” Aura added as she too rose from her seat.

”I said that to the messenger who'd given me the order but he said the Great General doesn't mind if the Commander is taking a break because he believes the unit can manage without you, Commander,” Varda revealed. ”And that's not all…”

I pulled open the scroll and read its contents out loud. One thing really stuck out.

”The Foolhardies will be moved to Garm's central army vanguard,” I said, feeling my voice waver with each word. I raised my eyes toward the others who were all standing now and looking back at me. ”Damn, he's got us…”