Chereads / Gem Dream / Chapter 21 - 20 What to do

Chapter 21 - 20 What to do

When we each had a drank of water and were focused on the prince, he seemed to not knew what to do. His mouth would open and close over and over like a fish lying on the ground gasping for air. Eric, Arch and Goldy didn't know what to do so just glanced at each other trying to figure out what to do.

Finally he loudly cleared his throat, then started to talk about the options brought up from his many advisors. First off all agreed that it was a no win situation, the fact that the beasts had not been able to get inside so far was a miracle in their eyes. Our intuitive thoughts and fast actions had prevented this from happening so far.

His advisors recommended that we secure the goods we had been able to obtain and order the troops to do a suicide run. Hopefully some would be lucky enough to escape. The prince and a select few would hold up inside the secure area until help could arrive via bird notification.

With luck in less then a week they would be able to come rescue them and the beasts would leave due to lack of food and their presence. No people no reason to hang around right. Of coarse it would still be only a slim chance to live depending entirely on whether his father would risk going against a mob of beast just for him.

The prince doubted that the king would come quickly it would be safer for them to wait till several months had passed then send in a group. In addition he had embarrassed his father and he did have five more sons that could take his place. Even if rescued if the rest of the party had to die it would bring dishonor for just a few to live.

Last they suggested that they create a huge array within the camping area and set it to explode when activated. This would make the cave unusable but if we could kill most of this invading beast pack it would be worth it. This would probably require all the remaining gems held by the mages and close to all the small gems recovered during their trip.

Both these plans would basically result in all their deaths. Unless this small group could give them another option. Finally he stopped talking and looked at them with a pleading look as if asking for a miracle. It was our turn to sit with our mouths wide open.

Arch was the first to talk, "Is there no other exit from this encampment. I mean everyone knows that you should have several exits in these types of permanent structures. Even a rabbit builds two or more exits when building its burrow, a mice might even build a dozen or more."

"We checked that, there was one but very unfortunately it suffered a tunnel collapse a few hunts back and no one wanted to waste time excavating it. The scouts suggested that the stream might lead to an exit but as it went underwater they had been hesitant to explore it any further," replied the prince.

"How long would it take to build the array?" asked Goldy. The prince looked shocked, "How did you knew we would go with that plan?" She replied, "Simple logic from what you said before. The first plan is suicide no one will make it away only death awaits and a slow one if you wait on your father. Next at least if you all die in the explosion your families will receive rewards and a good life without losing respect.

Now how long do we have before your people finally kill us all?" Eric and Arch finally realize from what I had just said that the parties would not be told about this plan. Instead they would be used till the last moment to block the beasts from entering until they were ready. Basically so no one would panic and continue to hold up till the end just to become bait then boom.

Eric shouted, "you son of a b..th", and grabbed the prince on his fancy collar easily holding him off the ground by at least two feet. Shaking him repeatedly the princes face turned red then started towards purple before Goldy's words got through to him. Only then did he notice Arch hanging off his arm as well trying to loosen his grip.

Slowly he placed the prince back on the ground and loosened his hold. Goldy cast a small healing spell on the prince to reduce the swelling and redness around his neck. Arch helped him stay on his feet until he was able and standing study once again. After a few minutes he was able to tell me two days was all we had.

"Shit, we don't have time to argue we need to figure out something and fast, Arch go get some of your friends that knew how to swim and we will meet up with you where the stream goes into the ground. Eric bring Melissa and Crow they are the best at search magic and we need information now." Eric instantly followed Goldy's directions even though he hated Melissa as much as she hated them.

Lastly she looked at the prince, "You owe me so your job is to get them to wait till we get back with a plan. We can live for way more then two days don't kill us all off yet ok. Tell them no and don't let them push you into making a bad decision. You are the crown prince and can become a king but to be a great or even a good one you need guts."

With that she hurried out to get some information from her forest friends about the cave in and it's possibility to be dug out. Maybe it was only a few feet or even a hundred feet was doable with the help of magic and a little bit of time. Hell, with their life's on the line miracles had happened before and could happen again as well.