It is time. Amaranth and Foros are ready to watch the skies, and the army will be there within a day. If we are going to remove those blockades, we must go now.

Using Pammon’s vision, Kaen could see that a few more had been added closer to the border of Luthaelia.

Whenever you are ready, head down. I will see how much stronger this bow is against something like that.

Pammon snorted as he angled toward the ground.

We both know what it can do. Stop trying to act like you need a reason to test it out.

Kaen smiled at Pammon’s humor. Both of them were doing what they could to keep their minds relaxed, as the first day of troubles had already been stressful enough.

Stop thinking about that mess. No one knew the carts would break down and block the pass that bad.

Logistics… all those books spoke about how much they matter during battles. I now see how right they were. We should be a few miles ahead.

Be thankful there has been no rain in the last seven days. The roads are in good shape, and people are making good time. Now, focus. Do what we can, and let us not worry about anything else.

Unhoooking his bow from its spot, Kaen pulled out an arrow. Looking up, he could barely see the shape of Amaranth high above them. Knowing where to look would have made it harder to find her if it wasn't for his connection.

They are fine. Ava is doing well, Amaranth says. Now, let's do what we can.

Looking at the first barricade, Kaen placed the arrow and began to draw back. His lifestone was burning, and its power flowed into the arrow.

Feeling how far he had to pull back the bow still felt slightly different after all those years of using the one his father had made him.

Letting go, the arrow sped toward the barricade, its white tip ready, headed to where Kaen had aimed.

As they flew over it, an explosion erupted underneath them, but Kaen didn’t pay it any heed, instead preparing for the next one ahead.

That worked well. Most of what was there is gone.

Tomorrow, we will be at the opening to the battlefield. Are you three ready?

We will be fine. Remember, this part of the battle does not concern you two. Focus on your goal and bring Pammon home safely.

Kaen could feel the fine thread of concern in Amranth’s tone, but he resisted the urge to tell her the same thing about Ava.

You have seen the fires burning at their armies. They need to be smart. I stopped counting at thirty siege weapons designed for us.

And the tips on them all look like the two arrows I have.

It would appear we did find where all that ore had vanished to. Stioks has not been wasteful with the time that he was given. Let us show him tomorrow that we have not been wasteful with ours.

Very well. Let’s return to Aldric and update him on what we have seen.

“That is a lot more siege weapons than we had hoped for,” Aldric declared as he looked at the army Kaen had sketched out that they would fight. “How do you suppose we can get close?”

“That is a question for you and your commanders, my King.”

Aldric frowned at Kaen’s statement but gave him a simple nod. The tent was filled with his seven advisors as well as Hess.

“All I can tell you again is that they are prepared, and once you cross this line, their siege engines will reach you,” Kaen said as he tapped the line he had drawn on the map he had created from above.

“And there is still at least thirty thousand in their army?”

Kaen began drawing small squares, returning his pencil to the enemy lines.

“How is Stioks making this happen? I have no idea. There is a massive build-up of orcs, goblins, and ogres on both outer edges of the army. In the middle are the people of Luthaelia. Behind them are more ogres and orcs. I assume that the orcs are keeping the people pinned, unable to leave, and forced to fight.”

“This would mean a weak middle section, which would explain why the fortifications they built in the middle of the field are stronger and more dangerous.”

Kaen nodded, tapping the three furthest barriers the enemy had built from them. “These are their range markers. Somewhere around here, they will attack with their long-range siege weapons. This next spot,” Kaen said as he circled a few other barriers, “is probably where their archers will attack.” Kaen made one more circle of a fortification and then tapped it a few times. “I’m going to assume that if you manage to get past those two things, they will rush you from the higher ground. The elevation isn’t terrible, but it is enough to make things very difficult.”

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“What about our horses? Can the calvary squad do anything?”

Kaen and Aldric turned to look at one of the older advisors, who had been studying the map more closely than the other six.

“Not in a head-on attack. They would be destroyed long before they got within range. Even our best casters can’t reach as far as their long-range weapons.”

The advisor nodded. “Permission to come closer and point out something.”

“You’re fine, Lester. Come and show us what you are thinking.”

Aldric winked at Kaen and motioned slightly with his head as the bald-headed man approached. “Lester has been with me since I was a boy. I have learned a lot of tactics and battle plans from him.”

“The King is too kind,” Lester said as he moved to the side of the map. “He just likes to tell people I’m very old.”

Aldric chuckled, and a few of the other advisors laughed as well.

“Here. You could send the calvary this way, through this section, and have them come up out here. That would put them slightly behind the army and to the side. If they can get a full charge in with the element of surprise, it would open up the right side of the battlefield and remove a few of the siege weapons.”

Kaen tapped his pencil against the table, looking at the spot Lester had pointed. “Someone get me the larger map that shows more details,” Kaen said suddenly. “I need to see if that spot is actually what I think it is.”

People began to move around, looking through maps and occasionally bringing one to Kaen. Finally, the third map one of the advisors got was what he needed.

“What is your name?”

The woman holding the map gave a slight bow. “Penepole, sir. Advisor to the King.”

“Thank you, Penepole. Can you hold it over here for a moment so we can all look at the map side by side? Feel free to point anything out that you might notice,” Kaen said before turning and looking at the other five advisors watching him. “In fact, if any of you feel like something jumps out, don’t hesitate to say something. Aldric and I might miss something you have seen.”

Penelope and one of the other advisors held the map as Kaen asked, and a crowd formed around them.

“See here, this is a trail,” Lester pointed out. It’s not anything more than perhaps a logging trail, but if it is old enough, the path should be safe for them to travel on.”

“Unless it’s been trapped or is being watched,” Penelope added. “If they are prepared for someone to use that path, they would be trapped on all sides.”

“Both of you are right,” Aldric replied. “If that path is clear and safe, it wouldn’t take but a few hours for them to make it to the backside of the army. We only have fifty men and horses. Can we afford to lose them?”

Lester chuckled and shrugged. “What is fifty men and horses versus eleven thousand? Can you risk the entire army's lives on a path that will cause many to fall and not be willing to risk a few to save more?”

Frowning, Aldric nodded. “This is why I keep him around.”

“He’s right,” Kaen replied. One of the dragons could scout the path tomorrow morning to see if anything is there and return, dropping a flag to tell you if it is safe.”

“It’s a shame their siege weapons are pointed in all directions, or we could send a dragon to try and attack from the side,” Hess said as he looked at the markings on Kaen’s map. “If the calvary succeeds, their main objective should be these two siege weapons. Removing those would open that side for Foros to attack.”

We cannot get close to shoot arrows, either. I’m afraid, as I already mentioned, those weapons could possibly reach us.

Kaen grumbled silently as Pammon reread his thoughts on that matter.

If Hess is right and those two weapons were taken out, could Foros do anything there?

Pammon studied the section of the map everyone was focused on.

It’s possible. He is small enough and, without a rider, could fly in such a way. There would be just enough space, and he has enough fire inside him to create chaos if he is successful.

Are you willing to allow him to take that risk?

The real question had been asked, and Kaen felt the weight of that decision resting on Pammon’s mind and heart.

If this is the only way he is willing, I will not say no. Let him choose on his own.

I will leave that discussion to you and him then. As long as I can tell them his decision by tomorrow morning, they can adjust accordingly.

Kaen felt Pammon begin talking with his son and turned to focus on the men and women watching him.

“Sorry. Pammon is talking with Foros. Hopefully, we will know soon enough if he can attack there.”

Lester and Hess both started to point at the same spot.

“Go ahead,” Hess said, motioning to the older man.

“If the dragon cannot help there, we must focus here with the cavalry. Either way, the risk provides us the greatest chance for the least casualties. If they can take out this siege engine and turn on the group we believe are the archers, it would clear a wide path that our men could advance on.”

Lester glanced at Hess, who nodded and smiled. “I was thinking the same thing.”

Aldric nodded and tapped the last piece to discuss. “Phillip, is he okay with being in the middle?”

“Sometimes, one doesn’t get the luxury of being okay with something. We all know that our choices will affect the lives of many men and women and their families. Phillip is committed to that as well. He knows the danger and the risk. I trust him to do what must be done.”

“Very well, unless someone has something else to say, we are finished for now.”

No one said another word, so Aldric dismissed everyone except Hess and Kaen.

“I wish you luck tomorrow. Do what only you can,” Aldric said as he held out his hand.

Shaking it, Kaen gave the King a smile. “We have come a long way. This ends soon.”

A slap on Kaen’s back came from Hess, who then leaned against his son. “No matter what happens on that field tomorrow, you take care of what you must. Trust us with this.”

Kaen nodded.

He will do it.

Are you certain?

It was his choice. He and Phillip discussed it, and they both agreed that there was no other way to defeat this army without risking so many lives.

Tell your son I am grateful for his courage and strength. I will tell Aldric the news.

“I’m not sure if that is good news or bad,” Aldric said when Kaen’s eyes moved from nowhere to his.

Kaen’s face was hard, a slight frown pulled tight at how he knew his friend and partner felt. “Foros has agreed to attack that area if the cavalry can break through and destroy those siege weapons. The expression I currently wear is a father who can’t imagine what it is like to risk one’s son for a battle he could easily fly away from.”

Both men stared at Kaen for a moment, each grimacing slightly at the truth of that statement.

“Somehow, someway, I promise I will try to repay Pammon and the rest of the dragons for what they have done for us. It may take the rest of my life, but make sure they all know that.”

Kaen smiled and nodded. “Good luck tomorrow, you two. If you’ll excuse me, Pammon and I have someone to find.”