" Are you insane?! We were replying on the our two prong attack thinking one team would be able to wipe and attack their flank but that team got annihilated! I have to inform the boss and tell him about the situation." The leader was adamant of not giving in to his cheap provocation.
Even of they were in business of robbing, that doesn't mean he was willing to let the sacrifices of his brother go to waste so easily and more importantly, he wasn't going to let his men willingly go to a meat grinder just for the stupid noble's vanity!
" Fine but we can't decide it on our own. Let's put it on to vote, let everyone else decide what they are going to do." Commander Sablethorn proposed a different solution.
Since he was being so headstrong, he was willing to appeal to his men and reason with them. If they still don't comply, they could kiss goodbye to their freedom.
A bunch of crimals thinking they could boss him around? He knew about their weakness, the mysterious black powder. Without it they would be sitting duck in front of his hundred strong knight army!
He could use them as meat shield to get what he wants since he was running out of time. His lust for Mera's affection started to erode whatever small humanity he had, thinking of extreme scenario just to have his way.
Since she didn't want to surrender, he could only force her out in the open. In his eyes, he was only trying to help but, it's too bad that she didn't share the same sentiment!
He might not be the most powerful in terms of strength but there was a reason why he was maid commander of house despite not being the eldest son. It was all because of his prowess of leadership as well as his charisma in battlefield.
Even for a hereditary position, one had to display sufficient skill and enough prestige especially when it came to commanding an army. He wasn't going to let this setback affect him.
He took his fellow senior knight as well as the mercenary leader to meet everyone. He stood at high ground where they could see him as his men proceeded to shout to let everyone aware of his presence.
His back was straight as he looked down on everyone, every thief bore a gloomy appearance knowing just this morning they were sitting beside their friends laughing about the mission. No one gave much credence to their enemy, it was a mere tiny village at the top of a lonely mountain.
They didn't have any safe supply route or numbers to confront their superior numbers, the only threat were mindless monsters roaming the forest without them, they might have already conquered the target!
But now, the whole camp was in a mourning phase having lost many of their friends and family under the hand of the enemy. It would have deal even more powerful blow of they knew those fifty people were just against a bunch of kids and one man!
Sablethorn understand clearly what might be going through their minds. Unlike his knights who were battle hardened, these people had only months to train. They might have been successful during their previous missions, many times it was a one sided massacre so this loss might be the first for them.
He knew what he wanted to do as he began his glorious speech," My fellow brothers! I stand here as a reminder that tomorrow will be different!" He loud voice woke them up but they mood was far from good.
" I know many people here have joined the thieves guild hoping for a better life but I have to remind you that would be impossible!"
" Oye-"
" Don't you dare." Sablethorn men pulled the leader back when he tried to object to Sablethorn's ridiculous claims. How dare he sully the name of his guild?
" You have to follow the process." The senior knight reminded his while tugging on his sword. Without his weapon by his side, the leader was helpless as he listened to the young Sablethorn put forward his case.
" You might be wondering why? I am sure as a noble myself you might find it hard to believe me after all, many of your villages and town were razed to the ground because they chose to flee when Seracin invaded but-" His eyes darted in every direction briefly pausing on only his skeptics.
" But what about those nobles that fought hard just so you can escape? The eldest princess is still fighting but do you think that she could succeed? No. The capital is ruined, within a year the Seracins would control this whole island. What do you think would happen to nobles? What do you think they would do to theives?"
His words were presice and effective cutting deep into their psych. He spoke loudly, like profound leader demanding respect as well as exuding an uncanny valor.
" Silver might been paying you good money but would that be enough? If we fall back now, will your guild have any place to hide? Your brothers sacrificed their life to get valuable information. Would that be in vain? I will not stop anyone from going back but think about your future. With how much effort we put in clearing the forest last day, if we really leave they would multiply again in a staggering pace. The remains of your fallen brothers would become food for their expansion, do you want it to happen?"
The camp started heating up, they knew if they left the bodies in the forest in few days they might not even recover bones of their friends much less any momento.
" Give me two days! In two days, I promise we will march with full force to wipe our enemies once and for all. If you want to go with me to take revenge, you van stay if not you are free to leave. I will not hold anyone accountable because it's a dangerous mission!"
In the end, the result was certain. Sablethorn smiled looking at everyone cheer loudly to show their support. By the dusk three days from now on, he will have Mera by his side!