240 Whats the Plan? (1/2)
Rydel was walking behind Tralon with a relentless fire burning in his pupils. He remained silent as he and Tralon sat down across from Jack at the table while the girls were still sleeping.
”So… What do you think we should do?” asked Jack.
Tralon stroked his beard. ”First I'd like to hear what you originally planned to do, as well as both your thoughts and Rydel's on the matter. You two are much more familiar with your party and can better assess what you can and cannot do.”
Given the invitation to speak Rydel took the initiative. ”I think we should infiltrate the camp and assassinate the general. It's the simplest strategy and the most effective so long as we pull it off. Plus, we may be able to blame the Sandros soldiers for that with Daliea's help.”
It was hard for Jack to refute the passionate Rydel but he sighed, ”Wouldn't that also put the entire party in immediate danger? And how would we exit camp after the general is dead and everyone turns on us?”
”That's what we came here to do, right? We signed up for danger so why not?”
”What if we destroy their rations? And, maybe we can start some contention between the two nations?” Jack suggested.
”That would only delay the inevitable.”
”But delaying is what we came here to do in the first place.”
”True, but they can order food to be brought with the next batch of soldiers. And without anything big, like the assassination of a general, then I wouldn't count on contention amongst the ranks to be very significant,” added Rydel as stern as ever.
Jack opened his mouth but hesitated. ”Well… All we need to do is cause delays, so wouldn't it be better to be more covert and have the mission last a couple of days more to stay safe? If we get caught, then there's no telling--”
”Just wake up, Jack!” The cheap wooden table creaked and rocked as two fists pounded nearly splintered the tabletop. ”Some of us may die. Accept that. Right now, we need to stop that army in its tracks before it leaves for Trodar.”
”Calm down you two,” Tralon chimed in, making sure that Rydel didn't run away with conversation in a flurry of passion. ”Both ideas have some merit so there's no need to demean each other.”
The wise mage also saw a broken determination behind Jack's façade. ”Before you to two discuss this any further, let me fill you in on a couple of things.
”First off, you need to know that according to my intel not only does this army not exist but Limneer's other forces still remain intact and unchanged. Now that Limneer has an extra army and they've rallied quicker than I would've expected, I'll need at least five days, three at the very least.”
Tralon continued, ”Trodar's military assets have already been divided into three and we're barely able to hold on at the moment. Facing an extra army right now is one of the worst possible outcomes. I had estimated that they might be ready to attack within a few weeks, but after seeing what I just saw they could cross the border within a couple of days.
”Luckily, though I'm not allowed to fight I am allowed to magically transport the army. There's no telling how many people we can gather together in just five days but I can transport them here at a moment's notice if needed,” added Tralon.
”No matter what you feel would be best, I beg of you to stall this army. If this army is ready to invade then that means the others are as well, and if there's an army left within Trodar without anyone to hold it back, then that could mark the turning point in the war.”
The passion in Rydel's eyes was curbed and the determination in Jack's eyes was gradually restoring. In the face of a dire situation they were lucky to have Tralon there to wake them up, at least a little bit.
”Which of the two strategies would you recommend, Tralon?” asked Rydel with a hinting smile at Jack.