While Makom and the other council members in Wintera secretly arranged a small detached unit of the allied troops which they plan to send under disguise into Ataxia without the knowledge of the enemy troops, Vedon and his one hundred thousand warriors had camped on the coastal line of the silver sea that stretches a quarter mile from Ataxia. His troops had significant routes as well as supply passages entering the island totally cut off and blocked in order to prevent troops from the other sects coming to the aid of the Agekians. After distributing some of the rations they had taken with them among the warriors, Vedon and the generals of the army went into the main tent to plan the next phase of attack which they will commence immediately after sunrise.
They had spent many hours during sunlight erecting a lot of tents, made of black cloak, on the coastline which made them look like a dark scar on the green vegetation close to the mountains. Inside the main tent where more dry animal skin covered and layered the inner wall of the tent and which was lit up by flaming torches illuminating and gently warming the dried surfaced of the tent as well as the scrolled map which lay on a small covered platform amidst Vedon and his four warlords who sat around it feeling cozy coupled with some small amount of warmth.
"Gasius, you'll lead your troops of twenty thousand using our shape shifting spell of dark ravens as a means to convey them to this part of the island in order to prevent any reinforcement from the other sects where it is a perfect spot of landing their troops in the island. So you must be on alert to anticipate their move as you keep them at bay while the remaining divided troops continue to plunder the whole island", Vedon said pointing to the western part of the island as indicated by the map which had been prepared by Harus when he went to spy out the whole island.
"I'll surely carry that out my liege", Gasius replied with a respectful bow,,
" As for you Taimus", Vedon said and continued,"You'll take the eastern side with your twenty thousand troops and attack from that area to the central part where I will commence attack with another twenty thousand troops while Sarvox and Maravox will also attack simultaneously, both from the northern as well as the southern end of the island, so that they won't escape from the mass slaughter unscathed",
"We'll see to it that all your plans are carried out by sunrise as we'll descend on each part that was assigned to us in scary forms of black ravens which will obstruct and eclipse the clear sunlight, indicating the beginning of a new era in the realm", The four warlords chorused at once before Vedon.
"That's good to hear and I can see that your morale is now flowing in high spirits which is essential for the fighting spirit of our troops", Vedon replied and said," Since I have assigned your individual roles to be carried out at sunrise, which is vital for each one of you to perform that'll decide the outcome of this first battle. So go and relax your strength until tomorrow sunrise",
"Yes master, we shall swiftly obey your command even if our lives is in peril since our lives depends on you at all times", They answered and left the tent, leaving Vedon and a bodyguard behind named Dianysus who was covered in his dark armor, that had been standing beside Vedon while he listened without interrupting the strategic meeting between Vedon and his warlords.
"Dianysus, go and fetch me Harus from the storage unit. I have a secret assignment for him and he needs to carry it out tonight, so hurry now", Vedon quickly ordered as he sat down upright feeling the gentle heat which was emitted by the flamed torches at corridor, next to the entrance of the dark tent.
"Yes master, I'll go fetch him right away", Dianysus replied and left the tent while Vedon awaited patiently for both of them to arrive. Dianysus came back fifteen minutes later together with Harus following behind him as both of them entered into tent where Vedon sat down waiting patiently for them to arrive.
"Yes my liege, I heard you sent for me to carry out a secret task, please tell me what this is about", Harus quickly said immediately he entered into the tent and sat down on one of the warlord's seat while he gazed on at Vedon,
"It's a good plan I've come up with in getting the lost sword without searching tirelessly for clues which I believe is currently in the hands of the enemy, making it difficult for us to retrieve it. Here's what you gonna do in order for us to get to the sword before they do",Vedon said as he adjusted himself on his seat and peered at his face ,
"Okay master, I'm listening attentively", Harus replied with a serious look across his face, perceiving an uphill task that would be different from the previous one he completed not long ago.
"This is what you have to do in order to snatch it away without their foreknowledge. According to my spies in Wintera, the council is about to trained those who will embark on the journey to find the lost sword which you will infiltrate secretly and train along with them under same guidance with the others until you are selected to embark on the journey where you will steal it and send it to me. You will also have to frequently send me periodic reports on how they plan to engage us in the war but be very discreet when you want to send such info", Vedon explained and gestured at Dianysus to bring out a red Jade bracelet from a small box which rested on a black chest near the soft wall .
"Take this bracelet and wear it on your left arm. This bracelet will help seal your true identity as one of the dark members and you could freely transform with out any interference from the bracelet", Vedon said as Dianysus took the bracelet to Harus who quickly received it and wore it on his left wrist.
"Alright master, I'll do as you have commanded me to do.I think I'll leave now in order to hasten our plans", Harus replied staring at the beauty of the bracelet which seems to glow every minute.
"And remember that the final outcome of this war will be determined by your success and failure in acquiring the sword", Vedon added and continued, "You are now free to leave us right now in order to complete the task at hand",
"I'll take my leave then, master", Harus responded and left the tent to his cell where he arranged five cloaks with his dark armor which he neatly put on inside a widespread green cloth meant to convey his small clothes to Wintera. After soughting them out and folded them inside, he left his tent and walked away into the darkness where he changed into att beautiful red Figon which had little wings that surprisingly conveyed him very fast towards Wintera.
Meanwhile, the detached unit arranged by the council in Wintera, luckily slipped through one of the blockade which led them secretly into the island at the western section where the Redeaters lived in the red forest besides the western front of the island. Moving through the dark forest discreetly in utter silence, they put on five flaming torches which helped them to see the nightcrawlers and other small creatures hanging loosely from each branches of the dead tree. As the allied forces consisting of fifty venture deeper into the dark forest, they began to feel weary of the journey and some of the them advised the leader of the group to set up camp where they will rest their tired knees and legs. At first, he didn't comply with their request as he continued to press forward but he eventually gave in to their demand as his armor on his body started weighing him down including his crew members.
They set up their camp quite near to the red forest which were densely inhabited by the Redeaters that doesn't entertain any stranger likewise any other creature that isn't part of their group. The Redeaters are very wild and dangerous who can't be controlled by any sect using any known spell except the Agekians whom found a way to tame their wild nature by using series of playful gestures combine with an high level cultivated power spell which they put on its head after tricking it with series of playful dance steps. Fortunately for them, Helek had personally taught them the technique used in controlling the beast which had been their sole aim when they entered into the island in order to forestall the attack of the Zek warriors until the main troops arrive to aid the Agekians.