It was night again, and it was the last camp before Elah.

Elhanan brought Beniah and Abishai and a few other leaders together, as the men were having their final camp fire song before death.

From his hands came a weathered scroll shaped case. Elhanan carefully unwrapped it and pulled an ancient and precious map out.

The others mouths dropped at the priceless artifact.

There was of course maps amongst all of them. But this one was ancient, and detailed and weathered. It was a piece of art and a relic and historic, with colors and designs.

It was also accurate.

"Who made that?" One of the warriors asked.

"It was passed down from long ago," Elhanan said, smiling at his most prized possession.

"Whose was it?" Abishai asked.

Elhanan gulped.

"Our former king gave it to me. It was made during the Giant Wars," Elhanan eventually said.

Abishai assumed enough.

He pointed at Elah, a small outpost on the corner of the map.

The rivers in front of it and the mountains behind it.

"I've been thinking of what we should do. I have a plan, if I may share it," Elhanan gently spoke.

"Why shouldn't you?" Beniah asked.

"I'm not in charge. You are, technically," Elhanan said, nodding to Beniah.

Amongst the Elite, there really was no hierarchy. Beniah was underneath Abner, but Joab had been leading and all were fine with that with the suicide mission.

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Once they had split, the task just went on. And with Joab missing, nobody brought it forth.

"Your plan, whatever it is, is gold to me," Beniah said. "You are one of the few who have been there."

"Indeed. Okay. We don't have many men. But we have the best. And we'll have surprise, for about a minute. We split in two. The bravest attack from the front, from the river. As they do, the other group attacks from behind. Scale the walls from the mountain side. That's our best chance. Here and here."

Elhanan pointed.

All watched in silence. No one disagreed, but no one liked it either.

"Do we know how many they have?" Abishai asked.

Beniah shook his head. "We haven't been in a battle with them for ages. The occasional fight, yes. But numbers? No. You would have a better number in your head, from all your exploits."

Abishai thought about it, but didn't say a number.

"We can assume Gath will be there. And possibly the brother of Jalut. I don't know who was at The Unknown. There are some warriors on their side that none of you have encountered. There are some who have never been seen. We could be going into an easy fight or a massacre," Abishai spoke in hushed tones.

Beniah sat in silence, then spoke up.

"I must have the head of Gath."

The whole group looked and turned to him and started to laugh.

He laughed as well, but nodded. "I'm serious."

Elhanan chuckled. "I'm not going to ask."

"Thank you."

The men spoke of a few more things and strategy.

One of the elder warriors around them was a former holy man, and told them he would bless all of them one last time.

The elder stood at the fire, and all bowed, praying. He prayed to the Creator, and to the one to come, and for strength, mercy, and such warfare that had never been seen before.

As he ended the prayer, the growls of one of the beasts roared.

All turned and pulled their weapons and looked into the darkness.

No one could tell if the beast was scaring them, or was hungry and starving, or was feasting on something.

It just growled and roared in the darkness.

They stood for what seemed an eternity, waiting for it to break forth.

It never did.