He glanced at the distant horizon, his sharp gaze sweeping across the rolling hills and dense forests. Somewhere beyond those trees, Gorrok was gathering his army. The thought sent a shiver through him. He was no stranger to battle, but this was different. This wasn't a skirmish or a single ambush—it was a war of survival, and the stakes had never been higher.
Footsteps echoed behind him, drawing his attention. Rylah approached, her arms crossed against the cold morning air.
"You've been up here all night," she said, her voice tinged with concern.
"Couldn't sleep," Ashar replied. His tone was neutral, but his expression betrayed his inner turmoil. "I keep thinking about how unprepared we are. Gorrok's numbers dwarf ours. Even with the traps and defenses we've set, I'm not sure it'll be enough."
Rylah leaned against the stone parapet beside him, her eyes scanning the same horizon. "You're doing everything you can, Ashar. More than anyone else would. That's why we follow you."
Ashar allowed himself a small smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Thanks, Rylah. I just hope it's enough."
Reports from the Scouts
A horn blast echoed from the gates, signaling the return of the scouts. Ashar and Rylah hurried down the stone steps to meet them. A trio of riders dismounted, their horses lathered with sweat from the hard ride. One of them, a young man named Kalen, strode forward and saluted.
"Report," Ashar said without preamble.
Kalen nodded, his face pale but resolute. "We've confirmed Gorrok's main force is on the move. They number around nine hundred, with another three hundred in smaller detachments patrolling the outskirts. Their main camp is a day's march from here, but they've begun sending scouts ahead."
Ashar's stomach tightened. "And their leadership?"
"Gorrok himself is with the main force," Kalen replied. "But his second-in-command, a brute named Durnak, is leading the vanguard. He's ruthless, but reckless. If we can isolate him, it might give us an advantage."
Sorin, who had joined them in the courtyard, frowned. "What about their supply lines? Are they vulnerable?"
Kalen nodded. "Yes. They've been relying on foraging parties to sustain themselves, but their supply wagons are heavily guarded. It won't be easy to disrupt them."
Ashar's mind raced as he processed the information. The odds were worse than he'd hoped, but there were opportunities to exploit.
"Good work," he said, clapping Kalen on the shoulder. "Get some rest. You've earned it."
The War Council
The strategy hall was filled with the low murmur of voices as Ashar's core group of commanders gathered around the central table. A crude map of the surrounding region lay spread before them, marked with the latest updates from the scouts.
"We need to act quickly," Sorin began, his voice steady but firm. "If we let Gorrok's forces reach the stronghold unchallenged, we'll be overwhelmed. Our only chance is to weaken them before they get here."
"Agreed," Ashar said, his gaze fixed on the map. "We'll target their foraging parties first. Without food, their morale will plummet. Then we'll move on their supply wagons. If we can force them to spread out, it'll be easier to pick them off."
Rylah tapped the map where the scouts had marked Durnak's position. "What about their vanguard? If we can take out Durnak, it'll throw their advance into chaos."
Sorin shook his head. "It's a risk. Durnak's vanguard is strong, and we'd be exposing ourselves to retaliation."
"But it's a calculated risk," Ashar interjected. "If we can draw them into a trap, we'll have the upper hand."
Leona, the trapmaster, spoke up. "We've set snares and pits in the forest leading to the stronghold. If we lure Durnak's forces into the woods, we can cripple them before they realize what's happening."