The night sky was clear, and the stars shone down on Padrino's army as they moved with silent precision through the dense forest. Every step was calculated, every movement careful. Elda's cloaking spell worked wonders, enveloping the group in a shroud of invisibility that bent the light around them. Fort Ormellan, an imposing stronghold surrounded by thick stone walls and towering watchtowers, loomed ahead. The fortress was dimly lit, with patrols visible along the battlements, though the soldiers inside had no idea of the approaching storm.
Aelin, moving beside Padrino, spoke in a hushed voice. "The fortress is well-defended, as expected. They have archers positioned at the ramparts and two guard towers overseeing the main entrance. The moment we breach, they'll rain fire down on us."
Padrino nodded, his mind working through the plan once more. "We'll have to be fast. Once we're inside, we make our way to the supply depot. Destroy the food stores, and their weapons cache. Without those supplies, their border defenses will collapse within weeks."
Niko appeared from the shadows, his presence barely noticeable even without the cloaking spell. "The diversion's working. Gaelen and his troops are drawing their attention to the south. The fortress commander is pulling soldiers away to reinforce that area. It's now or never."
Padrino inhaled deeply, feeling the weight of the moment. He turned to Elda, whose concentration was evident in her furrowed brow. "Are you ready?"
Elda's voice was soft, but determined. "The cloaking spell won't hold once we attack. The element of surprise is our only advantage."
Padrino knew she was right. Time was running out. He raised his hand, signaling his forces to halt. The few dozen men and women who made up this elite strike force crouched low, awaiting orders.
"Once we breach the walls, we scatter," Padrino commanded. "Each unit has its target—go for the supply depots, destroy the weapons, and then retreat. No heroics. We're here to cripple them, not win a war in one night."
Aelin pulled out a signal horn from her pack and handed it to Padrino. "I'll lead the main force toward the north gate. Once we make it inside, we'll use the tunnels beneath the fort to reach the depots. If anything goes wrong, use this to signal retreat."
Padrino took the horn, feeling its cold metal in his hands. "Let's hope we don't need it."
With a silent nod, the group moved forward. Niko scouted ahead, leading the way with his unmatched agility. His dark cloak blended into the night, making him nearly invisible as he scaled the outer walls of the fortress with ease. From the top, he dropped a rope, signaling the others to follow.
One by one, the strike force ascended the wall and slipped into the fortress without detection. The interior of Fort Ormellan was a maze of stone buildings, armories, and barracks. The soldiers inside were largely oblivious, many having been deployed to reinforce the southern front where Gaelen's diversionary attack raged.
Padrino's heart pounded in his chest as they silently navigated the courtyard. The air was tense, every shadow a potential threat. He could hear the faint echoes of soldiers talking in the distance, but for now, their path remained clear.
They reached the first supply depot, a large stone building guarded by only a few soldiers. Niko took care of them swiftly and without noise. Padrino, Aelin, and the others followed him inside.
Rows of barrels, sacks, and crates lined the walls. This was the heart of Galdros' war effort, filled with food, weapons, and supplies meant to fuel their military for months. Padrino motioned to his troops. "Plant the charges. We don't have much time."
Elda, using her magic, helped speed up the process, placing enchanted explosives at strategic points around the building. Aelin directed the soldiers with precision, ensuring that every key area was rigged to detonate.
Suddenly, a shout echoed through the courtyard. The alarm had been raised.
"We've been spotted!" Niko hissed, drawing his daggers.
Padrino cursed under his breath. The element of surprise was lost. "Finish setting the charges! We hold them off until it's done."
The sound of rushing footsteps and the clanging of armor grew louder as soldiers from the fortress poured into the courtyard. Aelin and Niko took positions by the door, prepared to fend off the incoming wave. Padrino joined them, sword in hand, his mind racing.
The first soldiers rounded the corner, only to be met with a flurry of arrows from Padrino's men. Aelin swung her sword in fluid, deadly arcs, cutting down enemies with precision. Niko moved like a shadow, his blades flashing as he weaved in and out of the fray, taking down soldiers before they even knew he was there.
Padrino fought alongside them, his movements calculated, each strike meant to disable or kill. The clash of steel rang out in the night, echoing off the stone walls of the fortress.
Inside the depot, Elda finished placing the last of the charges. "It's done!" she called out.
"Fall back!" Padrino shouted.
His forces began retreating, fighting their way back toward the wall they had scaled to enter the fortress. The courtyard was now in chaos, with more Galdros soldiers spilling out of the barracks, shouting orders and trying to organize a counterattack.
As they reached the outer wall, Padrino blew the signal horn. A loud, piercing note echoed through the night, signaling the retreat. His forces scrambled up the ropes, retreating the same way they had come in.
Just as the last of his men made it over the wall, a series of explosions rocked the fortress. Flames shot into the sky as the supply depot was engulfed in fire. The ground shook beneath their feet, and the screams of Galdros soldiers filled the air.
Padrino watched from a distance, breathing heavily. Fort Ormellan was in chaos, its supplies destroyed, its forces scattered. For the first time in weeks, a glimmer of hope flickered in his heart.
They had won a crucial victory, but the war was far from over.
"Let's move," Padrino said quietly, leading his forces back into the cover of the forest. The shadows of Ormellan would forever bear witness to the turning tide of the war.