The atmosphere in the war room was thick with tension. Padrino stood at the head of the long wooden table, his hands resting on the surface as he surveyed the commanders who had gathered at his request. Maps of the Kingdom of Galdros lay sprawled before them, marking key strategic points, enemy encampments, and fortifications. Every pair of eyes in the room was focused on him, awaiting his plan.
Commander Aelin, now seated to Padrino's right, had a stern look on her face. Her sharp gaze took in every detail of the maps, mentally calculating every possibility. Niko leaned against the wall nearby, his daggers at his waist, his expression unreadable but his eyes sharp as ever. Elda, still pale from the effort expended in the last battle, sat across from Aelin, quietly observing the gathering.
"We've been on the defensive for too long," Padrino began, his voice calm but carrying the weight of leadership. "Galdros is emboldened, growing stronger with every victory we allow them. But their strength has a weakness—pride. They believe we can only respond to their attacks. It's time to prove them wrong."
A murmur went through the room. Captain Gaelen, still bandaged from the last skirmish, spoke up. "We've lost many good soldiers, Padrino. What you're proposing… attacking Galdros directly… it's a risk we can't afford."
Padrino met Gaelen's gaze, understanding his concerns. "It is a risk," he acknowledged, "but every battle from this point forward is a risk. We can't afford to keep bleeding men and resources defending our borders. If we don't make a decisive move, Galdros will wear us down until we have nothing left to defend."
Niko stepped forward, his voice steady. "Padrino's right. We can't win this war by reacting. We have to go on the offensive, strike at the heart of their power before they can strike us down."
Commander Aelin nodded slowly, her brow furrowed. "You mentioned taking the fight to Galdros. Do you have a specific target in mind?"
Padrino pointed to a spot on the map, a city near the northern edge of Galdros' territory, heavily fortified but also a crucial supply hub for the kingdom. "This is Fort Ormellan, their central military supply depot. It's heavily guarded, but if we can take it, we cut off their lifeline. Without supplies, their forces along the border will crumble."
Gaelen frowned. "That's a fortress, not a simple encampment. They'll have walls, siege engines, and hundreds of soldiers. Attacking head-on will get us slaughtered."
Padrino smirked, a glint of strategy in his eyes. "That's why we won't attack head-on. We'll use a diversion."
Aelin raised an eyebrow. "A diversion?"
"We send a small force to the southern border, make it seem like we're planning a full-scale assault on one of their outlying villages," Padrino explained. "Meanwhile, our main force circles north and hits Ormellan when they're unprepared. We only need to hold the fortress long enough to destroy their supplies and retreat. We don't need to win a prolonged siege."
A silence fell over the room as the commanders mulled over the plan. Finally, Aelin spoke, her voice thoughtful. "It's bold… but if it works, it could cripple Galdros for months. They'd be forced to retreat and regroup, giving us time to strengthen our defenses and perhaps even push deeper into their territory."
Gaelen sighed, rubbing his forehead. "It's a gamble."
"All warfare is a gamble, Captain," Padrino said quietly. "But this is one we can win."
After a long pause, Gaelen nodded, conceding. "I'll lead the southern diversion."
Aelin straightened in her chair. "I'll command the northern force. We'll need stealth and precision if we're to pull this off."
Elda, who had remained silent throughout the conversation, finally spoke, her voice soft but firm. "I can provide magical support. I've been working on a cloaking spell that could conceal our northern force until we're right on top of the fortress."
Padrino looked at her, impressed. "That could tip the scales in our favor."
Niko folded his arms, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Looks like we've got ourselves a plan."
The room buzzed with a renewed sense of purpose as the commanders began to work out the details of the upcoming mission. Padrino stepped away from the table, allowing his mind to focus on the battle to come. He knew the risk was high, but he also knew that without decisive action, their rebellion was doomed to fail.
Later that evening, as the camp settled into a tense quiet, Padrino stood on the edge of the camp, staring out into the darkened woods. The weight of leadership pressed heavily on his shoulders, and for a moment, doubt crept into his mind. Could they truly pull this off? Would they survive the coming battle? He had led men into dangerous situations before, but this felt different. The stakes had never been higher.
"You're thinking too much," a voice said behind him.
He turned to see Niko approaching, his face lit by the faint glow of the moon. The thief-turned-warrior had an uncanny ability to read Padrino's thoughts.
"I can't afford to make a mistake," Padrino said quietly. "If this plan fails…"
"It won't fail," Niko interrupted, his voice firm. "You've led us this far, Padrino. We trust you. The men trust you. And Galdros… well, they're about to find out what happens when they underestimate us."
Padrino chuckled softly, appreciating Niko's confidence. "You're right. We've come too far to turn back now."
The next few days passed in a flurry of preparation. Soldiers gathered supplies, weapons were sharpened, and plans were finalized. The atmosphere in the camp was tense but focused. Everyone knew the risks, but they also knew that this was their best chance to strike a blow against Galdros that would change the course of the war.
Finally, the day arrived. Under the cover of darkness, the forces split—Gaelen leading the southern diversionary force while Padrino, Aelin, and Niko took the northern route. Elda's cloaking spell shrouded their movements, making them nearly invisible as they moved silently through the forest.
As they neared Fort Ormellan, Padrino could feel the tension in the air. The time for planning was over. Now, it was time for action.
The moment of reckoning had arrived, and there was no turning back