“Perhaps, Sir Ethan,” the General says far more cordially than before. “You would be willing to hear our plan before we listen to your suggestions. Just so we both have the same understanding of our current position.”

“Of course,” I reply.

No need to be an ass about this sort of thing.

“We are planning a concentrated assault,” says the general. “The reason we have been able to hold this position is because of archers. The chasm affords us the distance we need to shoot down the orcs before a critical mass can reach the walls.”

Exactly,” interjects his lieutenant. “We need to use range to our advantage.”

The general points at a circle on the map. “There is where we need to get to. We push the orcs back to this. It’s a large, open space. We surround the orcs there and deliver a crippling blow.”

“And how do you get the orcs there?” I ask.

“We will force them back. With the full weight of the army engaged we shall outnumber the orcs and force them to retreat.”

I can tell why the princess didn’t like this idea. It’s high risk all the way. If the orcs don’t fold, or if they break through goblin attack, that’s it, there’s nothing in reserve and the goblins will be out in the open, away from their wall.

“Have the orcs done much retreating lately?” I ask, trying to sound as innocuous as possible.

The general scowls. “We are now concentrating the army in one stroke.”

“And what of their army? How many orcs are there and what reserves do they have?”

Silence around the table.

Nobody knows.

“There is another problem,” I say. “A dragon has returned to the mountain.”

That gets the table whispering.

“I know it sounds outrageous. But not all the old gods are dead and with the arrival of the sorceress some have come back.”

“That’s insane,” an officer whispers.

I turn to him, keeping my cool. “It is. I agree. But many things are crazy in this day and age, like a man wielding the power of magic. Or a dryad rising in the elven woods. Yet these things have occurred and I fear more will still.”

Silence around the table.

“Astria has fallen. The strongest kingdom has crumbled before the sorceress and the last Tower of Magi along with it. I do not wish to see the goblin kingdom follow in its wake. I fear that this strategy, bold as it is, could very well fail. And then there would be nought to stop the orcs from running rampage over these mountains.”

“We trust in the Maker,” and officer says stiffly.

“Good, then trust in me. For I am the Maker’s chosen and I believe He has sent me here. And I want to help you rid your mountain of the orcs.”

Now the table murmurs again, but the general squelches the discussion. “What is your plan then, Sir Ethan.”

I take a breath and try to remember the details of the strategy as it was given to me.

And there is also the dragon now.

“We need to bring the orcs to us. As you say, this is a very defensible area and the most success you’ve had against holding against the orcs. Why would you abandon that?”

“Because we cannot advance,” says the general. “We cannot defeat the orcs by staying here and eventually they will find a way to crack us.”

Exactly,” I say. “That is why we need to lure the orcs here for a battle that can shift the tide. A big enough victory and we can advance upon the orcs again.”

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

“So what is your strategy for drawing the orcs here?”

“The strategy is me.”

“You? I don’t understand.”

“Well, not exactly me, I guess not anyway.”

I’m making this up as I go along. Al little bit anyway. We didn’t discuss all the details earlier.

“The dryad was obsessed with me. She knew I was a threat and tried to discourage me from attacking. When that failed she tried to kill me, then to persuade me to join with own forces, and then try to kill me again. If I reveal myself to the orcs, then the dragon may order an attack to capture me.”

“May?” An inquiring goblin officer asks.

“I won’t be alone,” I add. “I’ll be part of a smaller strike force, a targeted attack against the orc’s positions. But it will fail. They should send orcs after us to secure their victory. They may even take their chance to storm the wall again. Hoping we will be disorganized after the route. When that attack comes we will bring the ceiling down upon them.”

“The ceiling?” General Zargog asks.

I glance at Iagz. The general catches it.

“Colonel,” he says curtly. “You know something of this?”

The colonel stands. A little nervous. “I do, sir. I spoke with the tunnelers, and they believe it’s possible.”

“Do they know? Are they aware that this scheme may not work? That we may not get all the orcs?”

“Yes, General, But as Sir Ethan said, we don’t need all of them.”

“And at the end of it,” continues the General. “There is still this mythical dragon.”

“I’ll take care of the dragon,” I interject. “And it’s something we’ll have to face either way. Trap or direct assault.”

“And you’re sure this dragon-god is in charge,” the general persists.

“Do the ors suddenly learn tactics and teamwork themselves?” I ask. “After centuries of disorder and infighting they can spontaneously challenge the disciplined goblin army? I think not.”

Nods of agreement extend around the room.

“But all that intelligence also gives us an opening.” I continue. “It means the intelligence can be tricked. We can move out as if we were attacking with strength and then retreat, encouraging the orcs to pursue our fake route. That way they think they’ll have the decisive victory when it will really be us on the verge of victory.”

There is silence around the room with the goblins appearing thoughtful and introspective.

They’re not sold quite yet.

“What’s the worst thing that can happen?” I ask. “That we are back here, stalemated, just as we are now.”

“With more goblins dead,” says an officer.

“Goblins will die either way,” says another. “Our plan or his. His gives us a better chance of success. With fewer deaths hopefully.”

They’re starting to come around. I can feel it.

“How long would it take to organize this plan?” asks the general.

I look to Iagz.

The goblin stands again. “We need only send word to the tunnelers. And pick the members of the strike force of course. Admittedly that is the most dangerous part of the plan”

The general raises an eye. “But I assumed that would fall to your regiment, Colonel. You do seem to be the most familiar with Sir Ethan’s proposal.”

There is an edge to those words.

Does the General suspect a plot? Does it matter?

Iagz only bows. “Of course, General. Does that mean you have approved of Sir Ehtan’s plan.”

The general smiles thinly. “It does not.” He looks over the table, at his subordinates, loyal goblin officers one and all. “Do you all approve? Are there any objections? If there are, voice them now.”

The goblins look from one to the other, each looking, waiting, for someone to object. I steal a glance and Myran and Cyrus who are standing silently along the back wall. Myran even sends me a quick wink, which I take as a sign of encouragement.

The silence abruptly ends, broken by General Zargog himself. “Very well then. My subordinates can find no objections.”

He looks me right in the eye. “There are some at court who think I’m too rigid. Too inflexible.” He clasps he on the shoulder. “If we live through this you better give that Princess a talking to for me.”

I open my mouth but he continues.

“Oh, there’s no need to deny it. I’m not so dense as she thinks. Now, let me know when you are ready move-out. I’m going to organize the archers to buy you some cover.”

The general exits the room and the other goblins follow out after him. Many pause to shake my hand or give me words of encouragement. There is something inspiring about the faith and dedication of these officers. It’s a passion of sorts, like the strength of the mountains flows through their bones.

“Well,” Myran says next to me. “I think that went well. Or as well as can be expected anyway. The goblins have an unreal intensity. I was tempted to jump in and start telling a few forest jokes. Just as well I didn’t though.”

“We’re not done yet,” adds Colonel Iagz. “I’d like to show you the route I suggest, Sir Ethan. The way to the orcs. If you have the time of course.”

I laugh despite myself. “Colonel Iagz. This is the only thing I have time for at the moment.”