Planning, my dear reader.

Planning.

That is what makes something work quite exquisitely.

Hmm?

You know all about that?

Well... truly, we shall see about that.

Tell me, dear reader, truly, riddle me this.

If a man finds himself trapped in a storm of endless fire, and a brave man at that, what would he think?

Would he choose to alleviate the situation, or... find the cause?

Hmmm...

I see.

You believe it depends on the situation.

But... dear reader, would you say that it is perhaps wiser to aim your bow at the cause rather than the result?

Yes... but of course.

It only makes the most sense.

And of that, I full heartedly agree.

But... tell me, dear reader...

... what do you think a normal man would think to do in such a situation?

Mmm... yes.

Truly understandable.

A normal man would think to end the flames.

Yes.

That makes the most sense.

A more normal man may even run for his life.

Yes.

But in this case, yes, in this very case, these brave men fought back.

Indeed!

These brave men did indeed start to consider it.

Hmm?

I call them brave?

Why... yes.

Know ye not that it takes bravery to think of such in these situations?

Why... perhaps a bit of elucidation is required.

These men are not brave because of the thoughts they bore.

Nay.

These men are brave because of their ability to think of something else in a crisis, for it takes a truly brave soul to take one's mind off something they fear. Even more, of impending doom.

Going along...

... ah yes, it would appear I got a bit, how you say, off topic.

What I was trying to say is this

Would it not make sense for the men of Vesturia, the knights most especially, to come up with some sort of plan?

Why... yes.

Of course.

In the midst of the blazing flames, as many a man stood, each doing all they can, even to find the simplest of solutions to the ever marching fire, there alone did indeed stand a few impeccable men who rose to the occassion.

One such man...

Voice: We mustn't tarry, borthers. These flames are not of a natural order.

Name: Jebadiah Morningstone

Age: 35

Description: Muscular man with a burn mark on his face

Occupation: Knight, patrol, rank B

Weapon of choice: Halberd

Threat level: B

Fact: Has seen some truly horrifying things on the streets of Vesturia, indubitably.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

And with that, many a knight answered him affirmatively.

Yes, that is the power that comes with a higher rank.

Not just submission, but also trust and respect.

Hmm?

You know a bit about that?

Why... of course you do, dear reader, of course.

That being said, these valiant men travelled on foot to find the cause of the flames threatening to engulf their beloved nation and burn it asunder.

Yes, with valour and great might, these men did indeed run.

And run they did, running amok at a terrifying speed, their eyes on the look out for any suspicious entity.

Whatever looked out of place.. yes... that simply had to be it.

So... dear reader, may I ask you this..?

How do you think the knights will find the shinobi?

Surely at this point, at has occurred to you, that a nation as great as Vesturia, must have had some sort of defence prepared.

Yes.

A defence.

A defence that would serve to protect the people be there a failure in the nation's towers.

And of that, you would be absolutely correct.

Yes, indeed.

There was yet another defense.

Those being, the nation wide ballistae, which were several towers around the city, each well armed with arrows thick enough to tear a full grown man in two, the smaller, yet equally efficient archer towers, also strategically situated around the castle, each with an archer man intent on firing at any who dare oppose Vesturia from within its walls, and finally, the knights.

Ah, yes, the knights.

The most powerful force in all of Vesturia.

Truly, nothing comes even a bit close to the knights in terms of defending the nation.

With speed faster than many an animal.

Strength great enough to smash many a mass of minerals.

Yes.

Truly, the knights of Vesturia are on their own league.

These mighty men served as a wall to defend the people of Vesturia from many a threat.

Be it animal, or beast, or monster or man.

These men would remain undaunted.

Yes.

The mighty knights of Vesturia.

So... then, one would ask, if such a wall to terror did indeed exist, then... why...?

Why is it that the nation now finds itself under siege.

Why is it now that, in all senses, the nation seems to be quivering in fear of the enemy?

That, my dears, is the power of planning, truly, in its purest form.

Planning?

Why... yes.

Planning.

Riddle me this, dear reader, is it not fascinating how Vance has chosen his attack?

Truly, as a shinobi, it makes sense.

However, as a leader, more sense even then, it makes.

How dareth one attack a great nation?

Even better, how dareth one attack a great nation with such a small group.

A mere 8?

Why... some would even go so far as to be insulted by such disrespect.

A mere 8 would never be enough to do such a thing.

Would they?

Well... to the untrained eye, such an obstacle looks impossible to overcome.

Nay.

Dare I say.

It looks truly as though an act over man's own capabilites.

But... what if I told you that there is more to a man than that of which he is able with his hands and feet?

Yes, even with his chest and eyes.

Yes, even with his fingers and toes.

Yes, of that I speak, the mind.

The mind?

Why, of course.

All due dilligence done and dealt with, the human mind is a truly powerful thing.

Hmm?

More powerful than muscles.

Yes.

Even more powerful than swords and blades?

Why... yes.

After all, is it not a man that uses a blade to cut a tree?

True.

But, it is also a man's mind that is used to cut a tree.

Hmm?

Ahh...

It doesn't make sense?

Well... dare I ask...

... how would one do something, without first having the mind to do it?

Yes.

It is oh so simple indeed.

The easiest way to a man's weakness, is to his mind.

Yes.

The easiest way to destroy a man, is through his mind.

If you destroy the body and destroy his belongings, even those close to him, then tell me this...

... if he simply refuses to surrender even after this.. what is one to say of you?

Truly, the greatest battle is of the mind.

Yes.

The battle begins in the mind.

And as a skilled tactician, Vance Hessenger did indeed know of this.

In fact, he went as far as to plan around it.

Truly, it is in the way of shinobi to attack where someone least expects it.

And also, to attack where it would hurt the most.

As for the plan.

Yes, a truly wise one it was.

A four pronged strike with a flame around the city to cause fear and confusion.

More fires in the city walls to strike even more confusion unto them.

Yes, and even more, more confusion amonsgt the knights.

Who did this?

Whi is responsible?

Is this a man, a beast, a monster or something else?

These doubts in the hearts of thsee men.

These fears...

With them would our shinobi work hand in hand.

Yes.

They would work hand in hand with their fear, hiding in the shadows, avoiding the knights so as not to spark their curiosity, only coming out when necessary.

Yes, indeed.

Even the Hessengers by the name of Derrick, Fin, Jason, Kyle, Thorton and Ray.

Even in these two man cells....

Fin and Kyle, as they pillaged the empty and abandoned houses, ...

Fin: Remember to make haste brother, we do not have much time.

Kyle: Agreed.

Jason and Thorton, as they harrassed the villagers, ...

Ah yes... harrassment of the townsfolk.

Truly, an art as old as the age of war itself.

Hmm?

Quite harsh, you say.

Well... I do indeed understand your compassion for those who have not taken up arms to defend themselves.

Yes.

Truly, a pitiful bunch.

But... perhaps that is simply human nature.

Pain.

Thorton: (to a young woman) You truly are quite a beaut.

The man by the name of Thorton Hessenger did indeed have a woman in his arms.

This, of course, was not by gentility, but rather, by force.

Yes.

Holding the maiden against her will.

Maiden: Please, sir.... I.....

Name: Abigail Darlington

Age: 23

Description: Truly a beaut indeed.

Occupation: Housemaid

Weapon of choice: Broom

Threat level: F-

Fact: She takes very good care of the children under her.

However...

Jason: Thorton, we do not have time for this.

And, almost as though his senses soon returned...

Thorton: Agreed, sir!

Without a second thought, he held the woman by her neck and simply effortlessly snapped it.

And she fell without a second thought given to her, and a second mind to look upon her.

... and finally, ...

... Derrick and Ray, who simply set fire to all that lay around them.

Ray: Ensure that ye have not too much fun, brother

Derrick: Agreed.

As they burnt and torched the houses, all of them laughed and smiled.

As they spread misery, truly, they all laughed and smiled.

Truly, the human world is a fascinating thing.

Hmm?

Blaming them?

Oh, heavens no.

Humanity is not of my business.

My business?

Well... that is to be decided later, wouldn't you agree?

For much is yet to come.

Yes, much still is yet to come.