Dragon Heartstone > Chapter 18–Planning

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Banoch paced outside the tent. The she-witch had kept him stewing for nearly an hour already. What was the point of summoning him to an emergency meeting and making him wait? The tent flap flew open, and a tall, black hooded figure emerged. Banoch, despite himself, shivered from the creature’s unwanted attention.

“The mistress wants to see you,” it hissed in a raspy voice.

Banoch slid past and dipped inside. On the periphery of the room, at least two more Shatain lurked in the shadows. In the center, Faline stared down at a map table.

After waiting without recognition, he finally cleared his throat. Faline’s attention shifted to him.

She spoke immediately, “I need to brief you on our objective.” He nodded. She pointed to the map and the city of Keihl. “What are our chances of taking Keihl?”

“Not good,” Banoch answered. “Particularly without siege equipment or some means of overcoming the secondary walls of the city. We could try, but losses would be heavy. Then we would be too weak to conquer the rest of Bretagne.”

He expected a protest from Faline, but instead, she nodded. “What does the terrain look like from Keihl to Landros?”

Banoch pointed to a series of blue lines scrawled on the map, leading away from the Black Shadow Mountains and across their line of march. “A lot of rolling countryside, with several medium-sized rivers to cross. Most have bridges, and some are fordable. Unless we meet serious resistance, they can be crossed without too much trouble.”

“That works both ways, though,” Faline replied. “If a relief force from Landros tried to reinforce Keihl, they would have the same problem. Especially if a blocking force positioned itself along those rivers.”

Banoch nodded, but then he pursed his lips. “Are you saying a relief force is on its way?”

Faline shrugged. “The governor of Keihl has sent a request for help but has not received a reply. But when we try and take the city, I don’t want a relief force to show up before we have a chance of success.”

“I have already said that taking Keihl is not advisable, but an attempt will require all our troops if you insist. Diverting even a small force to block the road from Landros will weaken the main effort too much.”

“I know what you said,” Faline shot back. “The walls of Keihl are not a problem and will fall in due time, but I don’t want Edwyn showing up in the meantime.”

“Understood. We could significantly delay a relief force by positioning men behind the rivers.”

Faline smiled. “Good, I see we are on the same page then. Surround Keihl but send a force south to block Edwyn’s approach.”

Banoch nodded. At least he had made his concerns known. How she intended to overcome Keihls’ walls was still a mystery, one he hoped he didn’t have to solve.

“You are dismissed,” Faline threw out to him, waving him away. He did so, brushing past a Shatain who ventured into the tent just as he left it. Let her keep company with these monsters as long as they keep their distance from my troops and me.

* * *

The Shatain approached the map table. Faline spoke without looking up, “Parthos, take Narcius and push south toward Landros. I need to know where Edwyn is and what his forces are like. Have Urual contact the Nagun. I have a job for them and tell them to hurry. I don’t want to spend months trying to capture Keihl. The sooner it falls, the sooner we can make for Landros.” Parthos nodded his hooded countenance, then, along with his companions, he turned and silently disappeared out of the tent.

Faline exhaled and collapsed back on the daybed. The extended effort of the past few days continued to dog her steps. She had to get extended rest. Catnapping was not sufficient. Pulling her robes close about her, she curled up and closed her eyes. Yes, a few more hours of sleep would do wonders. Everyone had their orders, so she had nothing more to do anyway.