The dawn was still faint when Selene and her scouting team assembled at the gates. Clad in light leather armor for mobility and armed with bows and daggers, they were prepared for stealth and speed. Leon stood before them, his face grave.
"This isn't just a scouting mission," he said, his voice firm. "You're our eyes and ears. Whatever's out there, we need to know everything—numbers, weapons, leadership, and intent. Be cautious, and if there's any danger, don't engage. Your safety is the priority."
Selene nodded, her calm demeanor masking the weight of the mission. "We'll return with answers."
With that, the team slipped into the forest, disappearing into the dense foliage.
The Forest's Secrets
The eastern forest was a labyrinth of towering trees and twisting paths. Sunlight barely penetrated the thick canopy, casting the forest floor in perpetual twilight. Selene led the team with practiced ease, her eyes scanning for signs of movement.
Hours passed before they found the first clue—a trampled path leading deeper into the woods. The trail was fresh, the marks indicating a large group had passed through recently.
"Bandits?" one of the scouts whispered.
Selene knelt to examine the tracks. "No. Too organized. These are soldiers."
They followed the trail cautiously, their movements silent. As they drew closer to the source, the faint sound of voices reached their ears. Selene motioned for the team to halt.
"We're close," she whispered. "Stay low and move carefully."
The Encampment
The trees thinned as they approached a clearing, revealing a large encampment. Tents sprawled across the area, arranged in neat rows. Men and women in dark armor patrolled the perimeter, their movements disciplined.
Selene's sharp eyes caught sight of the banners flying above the largest tent—black with a crimson serpent coiled around a sword.
"Mercenaries," she murmured.
One of the scouts whispered, "Why would mercenaries be gathering here? They're usually hired to protect, not invade."
Selene's mind raced. This wasn't a random group of bandits; it was a professional force. The question was: who had hired them and why?
Gathering Intel
Selene signaled the team to spread out and observe from different angles. Each scout took a position, documenting what they saw.
She focused on the largest tent, where the mercenary leaders seemed to be gathering. Through a narrow gap in the fabric, she glimpsed a map spread across a table.
On it, several locations were marked, including Leon's settlement.
Her heart sank. "They're planning an attack."
She noted other key details: the mercenaries' numbers, their equipment, and the presence of siege weapons being assembled at the edge of the camp.
A Close Call
As Selene crept back to regroup with her team, a twig snapped underfoot. The sound, though faint, was enough to draw the attention of a nearby guard.
"Who's there?" the guard barked, unsheathing a sword.
Selene froze, her hand instinctively gripping the hilt of her dagger. The guard moved closer, his eyes scanning the shadows.
Before he could spot her, one of the scouts whistled softly from the opposite direction. The guard turned toward the sound, giving Selene the chance to slip away.
Once the team regrouped, she whispered, "We have what we need. Let's move—quietly."
The Journey Back
The trek back to the settlement was tense, every rustle of leaves putting them on edge. But Selene's team was skilled, and they avoided detection. By the time they reached the gates, the sun was setting.
Leon was waiting for them, his expression a mix of relief and concern. "What did you find?"
Selene didn't mince words. "It's worse than we thought. A mercenary army is gathering in the eastern forest. They're well-equipped, and they're planning an attack. Our settlement is one of their targets."
Preparing for War
The council convened immediately. Selene detailed her findings, drawing a rough sketch of the mercenary encampment on the table.
Garrick slammed a fist on the table. "We can't wait for them to come to us. We need to strike first."
Myra looked worried. "But their numbers are greater than ours. A direct confrontation could be disastrous."
Fenrick added, "We'll also need to fortify the settlement. If they have siege weapons, our walls won't hold for long."
Leon listened to their arguments, then spoke. "We'll do both. Garrick, start preparing the army for a defensive battle. Fenrick, focus on strengthening the walls and building counter-siege weapons. Selene, I want you to lead another scouting mission to find weak points in their defenses."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room. "This is our first real test. If we survive this, we'll prove that we're not just a settlement—we're a force to be reckoned with."
The System's Guidance
After the council meeting, Leon retreated to his chambers to consult the system.
[System Notification: New Quest Unlocked – Defend the Kingdom]
• Objective: Fortify the settlement, train the army, and repel the mercenary attack.
• Reward: Advanced Defensive Structures Blueprint, 1000 XP.
[System Recommendation: Utilize New Blueprint – Ballista Towers]
Leon's eyes lit up. "Ballista towers… That could turn the tide."
He immediately called Fenrick to discuss the blueprint. Together, they began drafting plans to integrate the towers into the settlement's defenses.
Rallying the People
The next day, Leon addressed the settlers.
"We face a grave threat," he began, his voice steady. "An army is gathering to attack us. But we are not helpless. We've built something strong here—something worth fighting for."
He looked out at the crowd, seeing fear in their eyes but also determination. "I won't lie to you. This will be difficult. But if we stand together, we can protect what we've built and show the world that we will not be conquered."
The crowd erupted in cheers, their fear replaced with resolve.
Countdown to Battle
As the days passed, the settlement became a flurry of activity. Walls were reinforced, ballista towers were constructed, and the army trained tirelessly. Scouts kept a close watch on the mercenaries, reporting their movements daily.
Leon knew the battle was coming, and he was determined to be ready.
The shadow of war loomed, but in its darkness, Leon saw the opportunity to cement his place as a true leader—a king in the making.