The wind blew gently through the camp as Kayl walked along the newly reinforced palisade. The smell of fresh-cut wood filled the air, and the sound of hammers echoed as the peasants worked tirelessly to fortify the walls. Over the past few days, the camp had begun to feel more like a small fortress than a humble settlement, and yet, there was still an undercurrent of tension that ran through everyone.
The bandits were out there. And they were coming.
Kayl leaned against the wooden wall, his eyes scanning the tree line. The scouts he had sent out had yet to return, and every hour they were gone only added to his unease. He had learned that the bandits were more than just a small gang—they were a ruthless and organized group, growing bolder with every settlement they destroyed.
They wouldn't stop until they had taken everything.
I need more information, Kayl thought. He had made steady progress reinforcing the camp, and the Wooden Barracks had produced a handful of better-trained soldiers, but he needed more time—more manpower, more resources, and more intelligence on the bandits' movements.
Duran approached from behind, his expression grim. "The scouts haven't come back yet. Should we be worried?"
Kayl sighed, keeping his gaze on the horizon. "Not yet. They'll return soon. We just need to be patient."
Duran crossed his arms. "I don't like waiting. We know they're coming. We should be preparing for a fight, not sitting here hoping for good news."
"We are preparing," Kayl said, turning to face him. "The Militia is stronger than before. The palisade is nearly complete, and the traps are set. But I don't want to rush into a fight without knowing what we're up against."
Duran grunted but nodded in agreement. "You're right. Still… I hate sitting idle."
Kayl placed a hand on his shoulder. "Trust me. We're going to be ready when the time comes."
Training and Tactics
Kayl spent the rest of the morning overseeing the training of the Militia. The barracks had been a crucial addition to the camp, allowing them to house more soldiers and provide proper training. The Militia had grown stronger, more disciplined, and Kayl could see the improvement in their movements.
The soldiers were practicing formations, basic swordplay, and defensive maneuvers—skills they'd need if they were to survive the coming fight. Duran had taken charge of their training, and his leadership had made a difference. He was a natural commander, barking orders and pushing the Militia harder than Kayl ever could.
"Keep your shields up!" Duran shouted at the group. "I don't want to see a single gap in the line! If you break formation, we're all dead."
The soldiers grunted in response, their movements precise as they formed a tight defensive line with their shields.
Kayl watched from a distance, his mind focused on the strategy. We have the defenses, and the Militia is improving. But we need to think beyond brute force.
He opened the system interface and began reviewing the Advanced Defense Blueprint. There were still options he hadn't explored—additional fortifications that could make a difference.
"Available upgrades: Reinforced Gate, Spike Barricades, Fire Traps."
Kayl's eyes lingered on the Fire Traps. They were expensive, requiring a large amount of wood and oil, but the potential to slow or even destroy groups of attackers was tempting.
He considered it for a moment, then decided against it. Too risky. Instead, he focused on building Spike Barricades along the outside of the palisade—rows of sharpened stakes that would prevent attackers from easily reaching the walls.
"Rael," Kayl called out, waving him over. "I need you to gather more wood and stone. We're going to add some spike barricades to the defenses."
Rael nodded eagerly. "I'll get the peasants on it right away."
As Rael hurried off to gather supplies, Kayl allowed himself a small moment of satisfaction. The camp was coming together—stronger than ever. But as he glanced toward the horizon, a shadow of doubt crept into his mind.
Would it be enough?
Scouting the Bandits
That night, the camp was quiet, the only sounds being the occasional crackle of the fire and the rustling of the trees in the wind. Kayl sat by the fire, his mind racing with plans and contingencies. Every detail mattered—where to place the soldiers, how to deploy the traps, what to do if the walls were breached. He needed to be ready for anything.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching from the forest.
Kayl's heart leapt as two of his scouts emerged from the tree line, looking tired but unharmed. He quickly stood and made his way over to them.
"What did you find?" Kayl asked, his voice low and urgent.
The lead scout, a wiry young man named Fen, wiped the sweat from his brow and took a deep breath. "We found their camp. The bandits—they're organized, more than we thought. It's not just a few raiders. They've got a real force. At least fifty men, maybe more. They're armed, and they've been raiding settlements for supplies."
Kayl's stomach tightened. Fifty men. His Militia was strong, but nowhere near that size. The odds were worse than he had anticipated.
"How far are they?" Kayl asked.
"Two days out," Fen replied. "They're moving slowly, taking their time looting the smaller camps along the way. But they're coming for us, no doubt about it."
Kayl nodded, his mind already racing with ideas. "Good work. Get some rest. We'll need you ready for when they arrive."
The scouts saluted and made their way to the barracks. Kayl stood alone by the fire, the weight of the news settling heavily on his shoulders.
Fifty bandits. It was an overwhelming force, but Kayl wasn't about to let fear paralyze him. He had two days to prepare—two days to turn his camp into a fortress.
A Plan Takes Shape
The following morning, Kayl gathered the core members of the camp—Duran, Tessa, Rael, and the scouts—around the fire. They sat in a tight circle, the tension in the air palpable.
"We've got two days before the bandits arrive," Kayl began. "They're organized and heavily armed. We're outnumbered, but we've got the advantage of knowing they're coming."
Duran crossed his arms, his face set in a hard expression. "What's the plan?"
Kayl pulled up the map of the camp, marking key locations where they would set up defenses. "We're going to use every advantage we have. The Spike Barricades will slow them down. We'll position archers in the guard towers, and the Militia will hold the line at the gates. I want traps set up just outside the walls—pitfalls, spike traps, anything we can build in time."
Tessa leaned forward, studying the map. "What about a fallback plan? If the gates are breached?"
Kayl tapped a section of the camp near the center. "We'll fortify the inner circle. If they get through, we'll make our stand here. The Wooden Barracks can serve as a last line of defense."
Rael glanced nervously at the others. "And if they breach the inner circle?"
Kayl looked up at him, his eyes determined. "We don't let that happen."
There was a long silence as the group considered the plan. It was risky, but it was all they had. The bandits would come with overwhelming numbers, but Kayl had spent his life playing strategy games, and now those skills were about to be put to the ultimate test.
"Get to work," Kayl said, his voice steady. "We've got two days to prepare."
The group dispersed, each taking on their tasks with grim determination. Kayl stood alone, staring at the map and thinking over every possible scenario.
The bandits were coming. And this time, there would be no turning back