Chapter 132 Preparing for Battle (1/2)
Arran felt a moment of apprehension when Snowcloud asked hienius or a seasoned commander, and he felt a moment of doubt at his ability
Yet after the series of disasters Stoneheart's group had suffered, it was clear that they could not be trusted to lead — perhaps they had learned fro to take that risk Not when his life was at stake
Snowcloud, meanwhile, knew even less of tactics than Arran did For all her power, she lacked experience in real battles And, seely aware of her limitations, she had now put the burden on Arran
Arran clenched his teeth, suppressing his anxiety Of all of they — so that did not bode well for their chances
”The clearing,” he said, turning to Stoneheart ”Does it have any exits other than the valley?”
Stoneheart shook his head ”The surrounding hills are too steep, and the woods too dense Perhaps a sroup could make it out, but…” He didn't finish the sentence, instead casting a gaze at the dozens of recruits and villagers in the ca Stoneheart for placing his caht Snowcloud, take a position at the back of the clearing, along with any archers ae from the valley, hit them as hard as you can, and kill before they're able to reach you”
”That won't work,” Stoneheart cut in ”There are too many of them We'll be overwhel her,” Arran said ”You and I will take up positions ahead, along the side of the valley As the raiding party passes us, we'll flank them and attack from the side Those in the— and if they do, it won't be fast enough to make a difference”
”That's suicide!” Stoneheart objected loudly ”The two of us can't take on all of theroaned ”The valley is narrow,” he said, controlling the anger he was beginning to feel ”And dense with trees They'll have to spread out to get through, and we'll hit the There should be too much chaos for most of them to even find us”
”Then wouldn't it be better if we attacked from a distance?” Stoneheart asked ”Get up on the hills on the side of the valley, and attack thee?”
”No,” Arran replied curtly
”Why not?” Stoneheart insisted
”Because they're Body Refiners, you granite-headed moron,” Arran snapped ”If you stand on a hill and pelt theht idea and put an arrow through your thick skull”
Arran's sudden outburst caused Stoneheart's recruits to look at him in shock, and even Snowcloud appeared startled
Stoneheart himself, however, was ht So what do we do?”
”We charge into their h chaos and confusion, they won't be able to group up and overwhelet in each other's hen they attack us Those whowill be killed by Snowcloud, while we take care of the rest”
Stoneheart was quiet for several htful look on his face
”There are several hundreds of Body Refiners co to kill us, and we're trapped in here” Arran let out a sigh ”Of course it'll be dangerous If any of you can colad to hear it”
He looked at Stoneheart and the recruits surrounding theh they looked uncomfortable, none of them spoke, and after a few moments of silence, Arran turned to Snowcloud
”You'll be the rinder at the end of our trap,” he said ”You'll have to hit thee of attacks until the attack breaks or they're all dead Can you handle that?”