"What are those things!?" A guard yelled out, clutching onto his sword and standing in front of the closed gate.
"Calm yourself, these are but humble animals that have been found and taken from the enemy camp. They will benefit us greatly." Cadin explained to the scared guard, opening the gate after hearing his explanation.
Inside, prisoners stopped working, gathering around the horses, looking in amazement and questioning what it was.
"These are horses, they shall greatly help us and make our camp, and all of you work faster and easier." The people slowly became excited upon hearing it.
"Joken, may you call Poltan? I need the two of you for a short meeting." Cadin called on a few guards while dismounting the large steed.
"Guard these animals from the people." He ordered. The guards surrounded the group of horses, periodically looking back at them.
Cadin walked inside his home, he grabbed a few pieces of paper and the quill, setting them in front of him.
"Poltan is here my lord." The two quickly stepped inside the home, walkimg up to the table while awaiting Cadin to speak.
"Joken, can we request for permanent guards this time?"
"Indeed we can my lord, but we need to trade with them. We can try lumber, fish, or weapons."
Cadin looked at Poltan, "Poltan, check our storage for any excess material we may provide, that and begin making plans for a large fenced area outside our camp for those animals outside."
"It will be done my lord." Poltan ran out, passing through the crowd of people clammoring to see the horses.
Joken and Cadin stood around the table, silent and thinking to themselves.
"How plausible will it be to hold the camp from this distance?"
"It shall be quite difficult my lord, but with the new path found it would be simple, the only problem we have now is moving from camp to camp." Joken explained.
After a few minutes, Poltan came back, breathing heavily.
"Our people chopped down a few more logs of would than expected my lord."
"Joken check the logs outside and see how many guards can it provide. And bring that paper & quill with you." As the last word left his mouth, the two headed back outside, shutting the door behind them.
Cadin looked around silently, starting to notice a small black puff of smoke on the other side of tje table, gradually getting stronger and stronger.
As it became large enough, the demon popped out of the smoke.
"Hello again Cadin, i see that you have mighty steeds and far more prisoners outside." The demon laughed, impressed by his work.
"Indeed, the attack on the camp was a moderate success. Say, can you corrupt those prisoners as well?" The demon giggled.
"Well of course, they shall be under our boot in a few days or less if the influence is strong."
"Will it still work if i return them to their camp?"
"It will.....Just not as strong with the lack of influence you left there, though if you stay with them for a good amount of time, they will become loyal warriors and workers in a few days."
"Very well then, thank you."
"Glad to be of help my candidate, continue spreading carnage and bloodshed in the path of conquering all!" The demon dissapeared as quickly in thick black smoke, dissipating rapidly into nothing.
The door creacked open after, the two entered through.
The amount of excess logs may grant us a dozen or more guards my lord, a few more if we add some fishes."
"Very well, Joken write a letter to the camp leaders for a trade of guards, this time permanent, once they arrive, we shall return the requested soldiers to them, that and the lumber with fish." Joken, without a word set the piece of paper on the table, beginning to write down Cadin's request.
"As for you Poltan, like i said earlier. Begin making plans for the fenced area outside." Cadin ordered in a clear and firm voice. Poltan left the house, outside the people were slowly heading back to work. The guards still standing in their post.
After a few minutes Joken finished the letter.
"Finished my lord."
"Very well, let us both head back to the camp. I wish to see what has happened to it."
With nothing else to do now, Cadin and Joken headed out. Cadin mounted one of the horses, gesturing Joken to do so as well.
Joken struggled to get on, but eventually he managed to get his left leg above it, mounting the giant steed.
"Guards continue protecting these animals. We will head off for now."
The two began setting off, Joken clearly having issues with moving the horse.
Noticing this, Cadin tied the rope to Joken's horse.
"Just hold onto the lead and it will move by your command." He spoke to Joken, understanding quickly.
Outside, soldiers and prisoners stood around in silence.
"Soldiers, you may return back home in a few hours. But thank you for your support in the attack." Cadin announced.
The two were off, heading on the path back to their main camp.
Joken's horse followed behind Cadin's, staying calm with little issue.
"Say my lord, these magnificent creatures are rather impressive. Have you mounted these before?"
"Many times, before i was found by the leader. I have seen many of these animals. Just do not anger them as much and let them walk forward.
The forest was calm as the sunny heat and cool breeze brushed over them. The horses still moved quietly with no problem while they trotted.
In an hour, they found the camp, people were readt entering inside it carrying crares and other items in their hands.
"Ah, it is the battle advisor!" The guard at the gate recognized him.
"We have a word with the leader, may we enter?" With a simple nod, the guard quickly opened the gate to them.
"Leave the steeds here, they should not stray far." The two got out of their horses.
"Guards, please protect these animals." They agreed, moving closer to the steeds, questioning what it was.