246 Reinforcements??? (1/2)

Everyone made sure to release their beast companions, passing the time together and strengthening their bonds little by little. Though they had given the command to stay quiet and vigilant, the beasts had no problems with that. If anything, it helped to have their highly attuned senses keep everyone on edge in the case that they were discovered.

The only beast that had to go back inside of storage was Appa, who would've been easily noticed given time. He was well fed and then sent back in until the time came for them to leave or there was enough space to roam free.

Passing the time together with Bowzer and the other beasts definitely helped Jack loosen up. He still had some worries, but Jack was able to overlook those while watching Bowzer and the Flame Tiger wrestle. Neither of the two beasts could use their flames but the two seemed to be getting along better and better by the hour. By dinner they seem to be best friends, always wrestling and testing each other when they least expected.

That night Rydel took the night watch once again. Both he and Jack would take turns in order to make sure they were always at peak awareness.

After the sun was long set a message woke up the newly slumbering Jack. 'I'm to the northeast of camp. Hurry over here.'

Not wasting a moment Jack scrambled to his feet and hurried to find Rydel, was high in the trees overlooking the makeshift path toward the army within the mountain pass.

Once Jack was at his side, Rydel began to recount what happened up to that point. 'It seems a small group is making their way to the mountain pass. There are only three of them but they're scattered about thirty meters apart from each other. It's likely that their delivering supplies without risking extra troops, at least not until the army has the supplies to move on its own and meet the other troops elsewhere.'

'So you think the reinforcements are camping somewhere else?' asked Jack.

'That's exactly what I think. They don't know who caused that disturbance and they don't know how large of a force we have. It makes sense for them to resupply and gather elsewhere, somewhere we wouldn't know about.' Rydel grabbed the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. Light groans were made as he pondered and pondered about where the reinforcements might be.

Jack began to feel tense but he also noticed that the veteran hunter was even more riled up than he was.

After a couple of minutes, Rydel's eyes shot open. 'If I were them I would want to meet somewhere not too far from the border yet still hidden. It has to be somewhere they can access quickly. I'm guessing that they're not too worried about us finding them within a few days, but rather immediately…'

'I'm not sure. It would have to depend on the general's decision. If he's cutthroat, then yes he would be willing to. Sadly, I didn't have much time while in disguise and wasn't unable to learn enough about him to be sure of that.'

'Then should we take out these three?'

Rydel shook his head. 'I don't think so. For all we know they're not even carrying anything and are only testing us. If we attack them, we'll be revealing our location and may become subject to an ambush. I'd much rather find the reinforcements before they gather.'

Jack scratched his head. 'Then what should we do about this army? Do you think we should just leave it be?'

'Why not set a few traps and see if we can stall for more time?' reasoned Rydel. 'We wouldn't need a lot of them. We'll only need to set a few magic formations that are large and explosive. So long as we set enough to guarantee that at least one trap goes off, then the army will be forced to delay further and scan the area for more traps before departure.'

'Not bad… We can get Daliea after this and have her get started immediately,' stated Jack.