Ashar stood at the head of his newly formed war council, his brow furrowed in concentration. The maps were spread across the table, showing the strategic positions of the Orc supply lines, their camps, and the routes they had to take. The plan was clear: they would hit the Orcs where it hurt the most—by cutting off their supplies and destabilizing their command structure. But now, as the day of the raid approached, Ashar could feel the pressure mounting. This was not just another skirmish; this was their opportunity to cripple the Orcs' ability to fight back.
"Time is short," Ashar said, his voice steady but carrying the weight of leadership. "We move tonight."
Rylah, standing to his right, glanced at the map. "We have enough fighters, but our scouts report that the Orcs are more alert than expected. If we delay, we risk giving them time to prepare."
Ashar nodded. "We move under the cover of darkness. We can't afford to waste time. If we strike now, we hit them before they realize what's happening."
The general beside him, a grizzled veteran named Garik, spoke up. "We'll need distraction forces to draw the Orcs' attention away from our main targets. A small diversion, just enough to make them believe they're under attack in multiple places."
Ashar looked around the table, locking eyes with each of the commanders. The tension was palpable. They all knew the stakes. If they failed, the Orcs would regroup and retaliate with a vengeance.
"We'll need volunteers for this," Ashar said. "I want small, elite teams moving in and out quickly, taking down supply depots and sabotage points. We'll use the terrain to our advantage, striking from unexpected angles."
Rylah added, "The distraction teams will draw the Orcs into the open, allowing us to strike from the shadows."
Garik nodded. "We'll send two teams to the eastern supply route and another to the southern road. They'll be tasked with creating confusion and leaving behind as much chaos as possible. But we'll need to move fast. If the Orcs catch onto our tactics, they'll be ready for us."
Ashar considered the plan for a moment, then looked at the map again. "I trust you all. We strike swiftly and decisively. We can't afford to give the Orcs a chance to regroup."
He stood, clenching his fists, feeling the surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins. "Let's give them a war they won't soon forget."
***
The night of the raid arrived, and Ashar's forces moved swiftly, their silhouettes blending with the darkness of the forest. The air was cool, a welcome relief from the heat of the day, but the stillness felt oppressive. They had no time to waste. The Orcs were close, and their retaliation would be brutal if they were allowed to reorganize.
Ashar rode at the front of the main force, his sword strapped to his side and his eyes scanning the forest ahead. The trees loomed like dark giants, their shadows stretching across the path. Every step felt like it could be their last, but Ashar was determined. He couldn't let the fear show. Not now. Not when they were so close.
"Stay sharp," he whispered to Rylah, who was riding beside him. "We can't afford any surprises."
She nodded. "We'll hit them hard, Ashar. They won't see us coming."
The plan was simple. Their main force would approach the Orc supply depot from the west, while the distraction teams would move to the south and east. The goal was to split the Orc forces, draw them out, and create as much chaos as possible, while the main team targeted their supplies.
It was a calculated risk, but Ashar had learned that the key to winning a war was not just strength, but cunning. The Orcs were powerful, but they were also predictable. They relied too heavily on their brute force. If Ashar could outsmart them, they could win.
As they neared the Orc camp, Ashar's heart began to race. He could hear the faint murmur of voices, the occasional clink of metal from the Orcs' patrols. They were close, but not yet aware of the approaching human force.
"Ready," Rylah murmured, her voice low and steady. "We move on your signal."
Ashar nodded, taking a deep breath. He gave a single, sharp motion with his hand, and the first wave of fighters surged forward, disappearing into the underbrush like shadows. Ashar followed closely behind, keeping a tight grip on his sword.
The raid was swift and brutal. The humans moved like phantoms through the Orc camp, slashing through sentries and taking out watchtowers with precision. Ashar's team, led by Garik, struck first, hitting the supply depot with ruthless efficiency. Within minutes, fires had started to rage, and the Orcs were thrown into chaos.
The distraction teams had already done their job, causing confusion in the surrounding camps. Ashar's force moved quickly, setting fire to supply crates and sabotaging the Orcs' weapons storage. The Orcs, disoriented and outnumbered, scrambled to regroup, but Ashar's men had the advantage of surprise.
"Move out! Move out!" Ashar shouted, leading the charge toward the heart of the Orc camp. "We take their supplies, then fall back. We're not here for a prolonged fight."
The battle raged for a few minutes, the humans striking in short, sharp bursts before retreating into the forest once more. Ashar's forces were outmatched in raw strength, but they had the element of surprise on their side. Orcs fell, their roars of fury echoing through the night, but the humans were already slipping back into the shadows, disappearing before the Orcs could retaliate.
Rylah's voice crackled through the communication system. "We've hit the supply lines. They're in disarray. We've got about ten minutes before they regroup."
Ashar glanced at the chaos unfolding in the distance. Smoke billowed into the night sky, a signal of their success. But even as they celebrated their victory, Ashar knew this was just the beginning. The Orcs would not let this go unanswered.
"We've done what we came for," Ashar said, his voice cold. "Fall back. Now."
His men, weary but triumphant, obeyed without hesitation. The retreat was as swift as their attack, and within moments, they were back in the forest, already moving toward their stronghold.
As Ashar and Rylah made their way back to camp, the adrenaline of the raid began to fade, leaving a heavy weariness in its wake. But there was no time to rest. The Orcs would be coming for them soon, and this was just one battle in a much larger war.
"We've struck a blow," Rylah said, her voice low, "but the Orcs won't forget this. They'll come for us."
Ashar met her gaze. "Let them come. We'll be ready."
The night air was thick with the promise of more battles to come. Ashar's heart beat with determination. The fight was far from over, but for the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of hope. They were striking back. And they wouldn't stop until the Orcs were driven from their lands.