Wyndy left Cloyd. She and her senior officers headed back to where the others were waiting at the makeshift command table they’d set up.

She knew they didn’t have much time. If Histel was correct, the Vatharians were about thirty minutes from reaching Bastian’s Bend, a narrow place in the road, with rocky crags on both sides, and certain things the Pelsan forces had prepared in case of any invasion. That meant she needed to give the order within the next ten minutes.

The princess considered just leaving the decisions to the military officers. Garaxas outranked Histel, so she could just let him make the plan, while she watched. It would be easier for her, and she wasn’t at all sure of the best plan to take. If she let Garaxas decide, she knew that most of the invading humans would probably die, but there would be few or no losses of her loyal creatures. Or, she could take an additional risk, give the orders to Garaxas and Histel, and try to prevent the deaths of all those young men, while hoping the restraint by her forces didn’t cost them. She knew her parents ruled by virtue of being seen as very reasonable and fair, avoiding force and bloodshed where possible. Coupled with the backup plan of extreme violence if reasonableness failed.

Wyndy looked around the table at her officers. In addition to the orc and buggebear commanders, there was her sister standing next to Major Adane and their personal guard, the werehyena Helnae, currently in human form and wearing her silk travel dress. They had been examining the map and looked up as Wyndy approached.

She decided to proceed as she’d seen her father do: Ask for everyone’s opinion, let them say their piece, then decide for herself and do it.

“Well, everyone. We do have a wizard we need to take out first. And as for their morale, it is as Helnae predicted: According to the guard sergeant, the human soldiers are already close to turning around and running away. This has pushed my own thoughts toward the second plan, but I am still considering both options. Before I make my decision, I want to get your last thoughts and advice. We need to move quickly, as we only have a few minutes before we need to leave for the ambush point. Let’s start with Major Adane.”

“Of the two possible plans that have been discussed, while I think both are prudent and represent sound military thinking, the VFM plan to scare them away rather than kill them is preferable. We should seek to keep this an isolated skirmish, and not provoke a full war with Vathary,” said Adane. “Nobody would benefit from a full war.”

Histel raised his paw and said, “Yes, but they have already provoked us by invading. If we attack with full force as per the BDA Plan, we will make them rethink ever invading again. We also minimize the risk to our own forces. We are outnumbered almost two-to-one. Even with the advantage of surprise, and that our warriors are superior, it could be a tough fight, if the humans show the courage to fight us. We need to hit them hard from the beginning, before they can react.”

Helnae looked over to Adane before saying “I understand the danger, but I will second what Adane said. If they are not frightened by the VFM plan, we can always pull-back and attack with deadly force later. Attempting first to scare them off does not close any options for later.”

Myla had been looking at the sky for a moment while the others spoke. “You know, I was leaning toward the plan to attack to kill, but I just spotted Scarlett between clouds, so I think I know how to add something more to the VFM plan. I’d go with that, with the addition of Scarlett...”

Adane looked surprised at her suggestion. “Ah, okay, but, Scarlett? I mean, it's Scarlett. We don’t need to involve her in this battle. It is really okay. We’ll be fine.” Histel and Garaxas nodded inappropriately vigorously in agreement.

“What is wrong with Scarlett? I mean, she is actually an officer in the Pelsan Air Force. Isn’t she?” said Myla.

“Well, yes, yes she is. But that is the Air Force. They think a battle is dropping a rock from four hundred yards up. They hardly like to get within crossbow range. And the officers in the Air Force put Scarlett in charge of the uniforms and ‘community outreach,’ which I’m still waiting for them to explain to me,” Adane said, a look of slight disgust crossing his face with every reference to the Air Force and especially to community outreach. “They themselves won’t let her near a battle.”

“No, Scarlett is clever and strong, major. She will be fine,” replied Myla. Wyndy nodded and tried to look supportive of her sister, but she did share many of Major Adane’s doubts.

“Scarlett gets squeamish hunting for sheep. The tame sheep we herd toward her family’s keep,” noted Garaxas.

“Yes, well, that is true. But still, she can help us!”

Garaxas made a slight bow. “I will defer to you, Princess Myla. If you can convince her to join the attack, I support it. You have to make sure she doesn’t fly away when things get going though. That would just embolden them, and we’d have twice the fight on our hands.”

“I can do it. I will talk with Scarlett, and she will join us and fight hard, whichever way it goes. I think she will help, and it makes the VFM plan stronger. It will succeed!”

Garaxas put his hand over his heart, in the form of the loyalty pledge of the army to the king and queen. “If both sisters are of the same mind, it is clearly a sign from the gods. I will obey whatever you say, but, if you ask my opinion, I agree with Princess Myla that your VFM plan is the better way to proceed.”

Wyndy nodded to Garaxas to acknowledge his pledge and comments. She had just one more thing to ask.

“General Garaxas, you know my parents well. What would my father do in this situation?”

“Your Highness, I think he would do just as you are, and take the risk to try to prevent deaths, even if they are invaders.”

“And what would my mother do?”

Garaxas squared up his shoulders, opened his mouth as if to speak, paused, and then answered. “Princess Wyndyn, I think you already know that your father has the heart of a diplomat and an organizer. He believes everyone can get along, and he is usually proven correct. Sometimes he encourages people to get along by threatening to incinerate them if they don’t, but that is the exception, not the rule. Now, with your mother, you may not have seen it, as we’ve been at peace for so long, but your mother has the heart of a warrior. While her land and people are safe, she is calm and trains and builds. But when either is threatened, she strikes fast and hard. I have served with her in battle. So, I can confidently say that if your mother were here, the invaders would already be dead. Their bodies would be reclaimed by the soil to serve as food for the worms, trees and flowers. Not a man would escape, or even make it ten paces before being struck dead, once her attack began. And her attack would come from behind and by surprise.”

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Wyndy blinked three times. “Right, yes. I’ve seen some of that approach to clutter in the castle. Yes. I thank you all for your thoughts. I have decided how to proceed. Commanders Garaxas and Sir Histel, please give the orders for Operation Very Frightening Monsters. Hold Rassler and his men here and proceed with the escape of the Keley city guard and the scouts at your discretion. Let’s head out. I will see you at the ambush point, in the positions we discussed.”

As they walked from the table, Myla said to her sister, “So we are trying to be scary, right? Should I change my appearance? I could be bigger and ugly.”

“No, save your magic for controlling the tree roots. You are ugly enough anyway.”

Myla barred her fangs and made a rude gesture to Wyndy, but smiled.

Wyndy hissed back, then asked, in a more serious tone, “You can handle that area, from that distance, with the roots, right?”

“I can’t say I’m sure. But I think I can do it. I’ve managed larger areas in practice. I’ll get at least some of them. Will you be okay? Can you summon that much force?”

“It is just like you said. I have done it in practice, and the gods know our father makes us practice enough. I’m adding something to it though. It will be a little more complicated, but I’m pretty sure I can do it.” Wyndy smiled. It was a forced smile though. “You be careful now. Don’t come in too low, and you know what crossbow range is, so watch it!”

Wyndy gave her sister a hug, and then searched the sky. “You will call Scarlett now? Will you go with her?”

“Yes, I’ll signal her now. Fluffy can help you all. I’ll ride on Scarlett. If she stays low enough, I can still lead off with my roots and vines trick, before you do your thing. You be careful yourself!”

Wyndy called Shadow, mounted up, rode over to her soldiers, and led the group toward the meeting point. Shadows eyes glowed silver, and a shimmering translucent silver armor covered the wolf, with plates of force reaching up to cover and protect his rider.

“See you after the battle. It looks like we’ll be late getting home!” said Wyndy to Myla as she departed.

- - - -

Myla had a certain whistle that she used to signal her best friend so that they could go hang out.

Myla had seen Scarlett flying nearby earlier. She guessed Scarlett had probably heard about the invasion and was looking for her and would certainly still be about. Myla whistled, waited a minute, and whistled again. She spotted Scarlett, a beautiful dragon of a color befitting her name.

Hearing the whistle, Scarlett made a quick turn and came in for a landing in the small clearing in which Myla stood. She also saw that her dragon friend was wearing her new scarf. She looked great in it, and Myla was sure her design would catch on among the younger, hipper dragons.

As Myla ran over, Scarlett asked “What is going on? I heard three humans were near Grendom, but then I flew down here and I saw at least forty on the road. All with weapons!”

“Yeah, the day didn’t go like we planned. We are now well behind on delivering the invitations. My parents are going to be angry. At the moment though, I need you to help me repel the Vatharian invasion. It shouldn’t take too long, if Wyndy’s plan works.”

“Wait, what? We are repelling an invasion? That isn’t really my style. Girl, you really expect me to start frying the humans?”

“No, there is a trick to it. Wyndy wants to repel the invasion without killing anybody, even the Vatharians, if we can help it. We are going to try to frighten them into surrender or running away.”

“Well, you two are the princesses. I hope you know what you’re doing, hon. Try not to get us all killed, right?" Scarlett's voice quivered. She'd not been in a proper battle before.

"Wyndy's plan seems good to me, and the officers liked it, so it must be okay. It will be only a little dangerous, I promise. Your scales can deflect arrows, right?"

"Maybe, I mean, I'm not that old of a dragon. And that wasn't exactly the most confidence-building question I've ever heard, you know princess? Can't you shield us with your shiny green magic shield spell thingy?”

“My shields aren't really very strong. My mother says that I need to concentrate more…”

“Then concentrate girl! And Myla, hon, anyway, I don’t think I’m really that frightening. I’m more of a fashion monster. Look at my new nails and tell me I’m a frightening monster!”

Scarlett stretched out her arm and extended her long claws, which were painted a pleasant light blue. It must have taken quite a while. The nail salon in Lagar’s Haven was set up for a very diverse client base, and generally did quality work, no matter what the species. Myla thought them a bit on the expensive side though.

“Your nails look great! But for today, think of them as Tactical Assault Nails.”

“But, oh, please no, I don’t want to get blood all over them. Do you know how much these costs? And my father would ask questions.”

“Lady Scarlett, you know, if we are very frightening, the humans will run away and you won’t get any blood on your nails. And give yourself some credit already. You really can be frightening when you want to be. It is possible to be fashionable and still be fierce – I’ve seen soldiers spend hours pressing their uniform pants and jackets and trimming their mustaches – most of those army uniforms are more complicated and ornamented than my ball gowns. Certainly a lot more ribbons and dangly things. The elven officers are particularly bad. They have garters for their socks!”

Both ladies paused to consider the implications of military officers wearing garters to hold their socks up.

Myla continued “They put on their full-dress uniform and strut about the city, to show everybody how fashionably fierce they are. They think it impresses the women.”

This seemed to somehow reassure Scarlett. “They certainly look like colorful birds. Does it impress the women? Is that what you humanoid chicks go for?”

“Well, they are at least entertaining, and it is nice that they try, I guess.”

“So, I’m supposed to be fashionably fierce? Good-looking, yet scary?”

“Yes, exactly like that. Channel the anger of women of the ages! Angry women can be plenty scary. That should do it,” said Myla.

“Should we make this SFAC’s new branding?” asked the dragon.

“Well, if we win this battle, we can use it on our ads at the festival,” replied Myla.

Myla wrapped the great scarf around the dragon’s neck and her own legs and waist to act as a harness and prepared her binding spell. Scarlett checked to see that she was secure and spread her wings to take off.

"Right, that is a good idea, princess. I am so channeling the spirits of angry women! Hold on, here we go!"

As they launched into the air, Myla said “We need to pass over Bastian’s Bend quietly at first so that I can do my thing with the roots and vines. Approach at tree level and try to stay below the ridge line. On Wyndy’s signal, we fly up, and you can do a big fire show. Then land near them. Make it as impressive as you can. Maybe try to say something scary to them in your best loud dragon voice. Don’t burn anybody though. Unless the humans stand and fight.”

“What will Wyndy’s signal be?”

“I will tell you when she signals. But you’ll know it when it happens.”

As they turned toward Bastian’s Bend, Myla waved at Count Rassler below. He watched the girl as she rode off on the dragon to give battle to the small army chasing him.