The tall figure scrutinized the camp before him. His smartly dressed figure cut sharply against the dim light of the moon. His immaculate suit was reminiscent of a butler. Despite his position as a manservant, the veterans of the Silver Dragon unit bowed their head defferentially in his presence. In his hands was a runic artifact, a spyglass that was imbued with the ability to magnify distant objects as well as the ability to see in the dark.
Snapping the artifact shut, he turned to the young man beside him. His voice, smooth and velvety yet strangely stern. “Young Lord, the banner they fly belongs to the Blade camp. I approximate the number of combatants to be 80.”
They had set off after obtaining information on their quarry as well as an experienced tracker. The fluid preparations causing Tavak to grudgingly admire the City Lord of Xuclea. He was a competent man despite his character.
Before Tavak lay a beautifully lit camp. A beacon in the darkness. The torches and sentries merely serving as advertisement giving away their location to predators. The camp was sparsely defended, the number of sentries numbering a mere 10. 1 to the north, 2 to the west and east and 5 to the south, facing the desolate. Tavak smirked.
“Niles, it seems that they are not our prey. Though we still need to check.”
“Young Lord, what makes you think that they are not the enemy?”
Tavak smiled with confidence. “The first reason is the number of sentries. The location they are camped at is merely a day into the desolate, 3 hours by our units standard. They are experienced and thus know that beasts in this area are few and far between. Most likely hunted harshly. Thus they made the decision to place only 10 sentries. In other words, they do not expect danger in these parts.”
Tavak continued, “Military law commands the placement of sentries at equal distance around the entire perimeter. This is done under the assumption that enemies could attack from anywhere at any time. Disregarding this is punishable by death. Mercenary rules are far more lax and unenforced. Thus their placement can indicate the direction they are most concerned about. The south, the region occupied by beasts. Thus the placement of the sentries is the second reason.”
“Thirdly, the amount of ground they have covered is pitiful. They left from their camps outside the city, while we left from Xuclea itself while spending the time to track them down. They are clearly not hurried and are taking their time. Who would tarry when they face the edge of a blade?”
Niles simply chuckled. “Young Lord is correct. But there are a few things you missed. For example, the enemy may be competent, setting only a few sentries in a preordained pattern to catch us off guard. In this way he may cause us to leave or to charge in unprepared for an ambush.”
Niles continued his lecture, “Or for example, the criminal may not even have knowledge of our pursuing him. In which case the enemy would not be cautious and act as he would any other day. If we don't consider this possibility we may leave here and have let the enemy escape. Haha, both he and us will be none the wiser.”
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“Or for example, the enemy may not be the leader of the Mercenary band or even be a person that can make decisions for their pace. They may just be a regular hired sword. In this case their movement speed does not represent the will of the enemy.”
His voice stern, “Or for example, the enemy may hope that the pursuer merely enters the camp and leaves after checking the inhabitants runes. This is the course that you would have chosen.”
Tavak frowned, “The telepathic went to great lengths to transmit the appearance of the rune. As long as we have them activate it, then any synthetic methods to hide its appearance will be useless.”
Niles replied sharply, “Young Lord, just because you don't know of a method to change the appearance of a rune without resorting to dyes and to an extent that it remains camouflaged during use does not mean such a method doesn't exist. In fact there are countless techniques to do so. Utilized mainly by assassins for obvious reason.”
“Young Lord must also have desired to only check those of age. Young Lord must not forget that there are geniuses that form their rune before 16 and those that lack talent, forced to bear till a later date.”
Tavaks brows were now furrowed in thought.
Niles smiled before carrying on, “Young Lord, this mission is different yet similar to destroying enemy armies or units. It is the capture or killing of an individual. In this matter, Young Lord does not have too much experience. In fact Young Lord is thinking too much.”
Tavak looked at Niles with surprise. This man had raised him and ingrained countless tactics, strategies and a unique view towards matters into him since he was a child. Rarely was he told that he was overthinking a problem - in fact most times he was forced to approach a dilemma from multiple perspectives.
“Young Lord, the mercenaries have neither military power or political might.”
Tavak laughed in realization, “That's right, the matter of discovering the criminal was so simple.”
Turning he strode towards where his unit waited patiently. Their polished armour carrying a slight glint, their postures as straight and unyielding as a spear. Numbering 500, their training was evident in their silence, their patience and dedication to orders.
His tone no longer had the bearing of a student. Now his voice was regal and majestic, his voice alone filled with a subtle strength causing the listeners to instinctively lower their heads.
“Kill. Men, women and children. Even the animals. KILL!”