The sun hung high in the sky, casting long shadows over the village of Ashenridge as Aric gathered his most trusted warriors in the meeting hall. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, a mix of tension and excitement as they prepared for their next challenge—raiding the bandits who had plagued the nearby hills for too long.
Aric stood at the head of the table, his keen eyes scanning the faces of those gathered around him. The deputy chief, an elite-level powerhouse named Ealdred, sat to his right, his rugged features set in a serious expression. To his left were two squire-level warriors, Alia and Thane, both seasoned soldiers who had proven their loyalty and strength time and time again. The three outstanding recruits—Joren, Elys, and Garret—who had taken down the Level 1 Magic Wolf were also present, eager to prove themselves once more.
Aric began the meeting with a brief overview of the situation. "The bandits have been a thorn in our side for too long," he said, his voice steady and authoritative. "They're holed up in the hills to the east, a defensible position, but not impregnable. We've identified at least three main groups, each with its own leader. Our goal is to eliminate them swiftly and efficiently, taking as many resources as we can in the process."
Ealdred nodded, his stern gaze fixed on the map spread out before them. "Their position on the hills gives them an advantage, but they lack discipline and strategy. If we strike fast and hard, we can overwhelm them before they have a chance to organize."
Aric agreed. "Exactly. We'll divide our forces into several groups. The main assault force will consist of 15 soldiers, including myself. We'll approach from the south, using the cover of the forest to get as close as possible before launching our attack. Ealdred will lead a secondary group of 10 soldiers from the north to cut off any escape routes. Alia and Thane will each lead a smaller unit of 5 soldiers for the flanking maneuvers from the east and west, respectively. The remaining 15 soldiers will stay behind to defend the village under Finnian's command."
Alia, a sharp-eyed woman with a reputation for her quick thinking, spoke up. "What about their lookouts? They're bound to have sentries posted around the perimeter."
"We've already identified their likely positions," Aric replied, pointing to several spots on the map. "We'll send in a few of our best scouts to take them out silently before the main attack begins. With their sentries gone, they'll be blind to our approach."
Thane, a burly man known for his brute strength, grinned. "They won't know what hit them."
Ealdred raised an eyebrow. "15 to defend the village? Are you sure that's enough?"
Aric nodded confidently. "Finnian knows the terrain well, and the village is fortified. We've also left traps and alarms in place. Besides, the bandits aren't the type to launch a counterattack—they're too scattered and disorganized."
The discussion then shifted to the benefits of taking down the bandits. Aric knew that his warriors needed more than just victory to motivate them—they needed to see the long-term value in their efforts.
"Taking out these bandits does more than just rid us of a nuisance," Aric explained. "We'll gain valuable resources—armor, weapons, supplies—that can be used to equip our growing army. And any bandits who surrender will be put to work rebuilding the village and strengthening our defenses."
Alia chimed in, "We're also dealing with a population deficit. If we can turn some of these bandits into productive members of the village, it'll help us in the long run."
Aric nodded in agreement. "Exactly. This raid isn't just about wiping out an enemy—it's about securing our future."
As the meeting drew to a close, Aric looked around the table, meeting the eyes of each person there. "We've come a long way since Eamon's death, and we've faced many challenges. This is just one more. But if we work together, stay disciplined, and trust in each other's abilities, we'll come out of this stronger than ever."
Ealdred, Alia, and Thane all voiced their agreement, as did Jorin, Elys, and Garret. The plan was set, the forces were ready, and the raid would commence in a few days' time, after final preparations had been made.
The afternoon sun was beginning to dip toward the horizon as the warriors dispersed, each heading off to their respective tasks. The next few days would be crucial for their success, and Aric knew that every detail mattered.
As he watched them go, Aric couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. They were more than just soldiers—they were the future of Ashenridge. And with each victory, they were one step closer to turning Eamon's dream into reality.
As the afternoon sun began to wane, casting long shadows over the village of Ashenridge, the atmosphere grew tense with the weight of impending conflict. Inside the village hall, Aric and his key advisors gathered around a large wooden table, its surface marked with a roughly sketched map of the surrounding hills.
Ealdred, the village's deputy chief and a elite-level warrior, stood next to Aric, his arms crossed over his broad chest. His weathered face bore the marks of years of battle, and his keen eyes scanned the map with the precision of a seasoned strategist. Beside him were Alia and Thane, both squire-level warriors, whose loyalty to the village was only matched by their determination to protect it. Across the table, Jorin, Elys, and Garret, the three outstanding recruits who had distinguished themselves during the recent hunt, stood ready to contribute.
Aric broke the silence, his voice steady and authoritative. "The bandits have become a thorn in our side, and it's time we deal with them once and for all. We've identified their hideout on the eastern hill, but we can't underestimate them. They may be disorganized, but they're numerous and desperate. We need to be strategic."
He pointed to the map, tracing the route from the village to the bandits' hideout. "We'll divide our forces into several groups. The main assault force will consist of 15 soldiers, including myself. We'll approach from the south, using the cover of the forest to get as close as possible before launching our attack. Ealdred will lead a secondary group of 10 soldiers from the north to cut off any escape routes. Alia and Thane will each lead a smaller unit of 5 soldiers for flanking maneuvers from the east and west, respectively. The remaining 15 soldiers will stay behind to defend the village under Finnian's command."
Ealdred nodded, his expression thoughtful. "A solid plan. We can catch them in a pincer movement, forcing them to fight on multiple fronts. But we need to be careful. If they have any scouts or lookouts, they might spot us before we get close."
"That's why we'll send out decoys," Aric replied. "We'll have a few soldiers create a distraction in the open fields to the west, drawing some of their forces away from the main hideout. Once they're engaged, we'll move in swiftly and take them down before they can regroup."
Alia glanced at the map, her brow furrowed. "What about their leader? From what we've gathered, he's a cunning one. If we don't take him out quickly, he could rally his men and turn the tide against us."
Aric met her gaze, his expression resolute. "I'll take care of their leader. The rest of you focus on the rank and file. If we stick to the plan and execute it with precision, we'll minimize our losses."
The room fell silent as everyone absorbed the gravity of the task ahead. The tension was palpable, but so was the determination. This was more than just a raid; it was a test of their strength, unity, and resolve.
Aric then shifted the focus to their training. "We'll spend the next few days preparing. We need to sharpen our skills, strengthen our defenses, and ensure that everyone is ready for what's to come. We can't afford any mistakes."
The training sessions began the following morning, with Aric leading the charge. The soldiers were divided into their respective groups, each focusing on the tactics they would employ during the raid. The main assault force practiced stealth maneuvers, moving silently through the forest, using the terrain to their advantage. Ealdred's group drilled on quick, decisive strikes meant to cut off any fleeing bandits, ensuring none escaped to warn others or regroup.
Alia and Thane's units worked on flanking techniques, honing their ability to strike from the sides with precision and speed. They practiced moving in unison, their movements fluid and coordinated, a dance of death that would catch the enemy off guard. Finnian oversaw the village's defenses, reinforcing weak points in the walls, setting up watch rotations, and ensuring that the remaining soldiers were ready to defend their home with their lives.
Joren, Elys, and Garret, though newly promoted, took to their roles with vigor. They sparred with seasoned soldiers, learning to channel their newfound strength from the magic cores they had absorbed. Their movements became faster, their strikes more powerful, and their confidence grew with each passing day. They were determined to prove themselves once more, to show that their victory against the magic wolf was no fluke.
The training was intense, pushing everyone to their limits. Sweat dripped from their brows as they practiced, muscles ached from the strain, but no one complained. They all knew what was at stake. This wasn't just about survival; it was about securing the future of Ashenridge.
As the final day of preparation drew to a close, Aric gathered everyone for one last briefing. The soldiers stood in a semicircle around him, their expressions a mix of anticipation and resolve. "Tomorrow, we strike. Remember everything we've trained for. Stay focused, stay sharp, and watch each other's backs. We fight not just for ourselves, but for our families, our village, and our future."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the group. They were ready. The bandits wouldn't know what hit them.
As the soldiers dispersed to get some rest before the raid, Aric lingered for a moment, looking out at the horizon. The sun had set, and the first stars began to twinkle in the night sky. He knew that the coming battle would be tough, but he had faith in his men and in the plan they had devised. Ashenridge had faced many challenges before, and they had always come out stronger. This time would be no different.