Brandubh’s head was as foggy as the early morning mist that engulfed the campsite, since receiving the mysterious package he had lain awake pondering over its message and the value and validity of its words.
Delay one day more and you shall have Dún na Rí and Ardgal both. At tomorrow’s dawn Milesia will have its desire fulfilled.
The hawk that had delivered its contents was no ordinary beast. He had managed to evade any watcher’s eyes and had waited patiently until Brandubh had opened and read the letter before finally flying out unseen once more. Druaidíi were well known to have a certain way with animals but Brandubh had begun to suspect the true nature of their relationship with the forests animals went far deeper than some natural affinity. There was much they had likely kept hidden but the attack at the clearing had shown they enjoyed some peculiar manner of control over the animals. If not complete control then enough to move them into attacking their own enemies, a rather impressive skill. The hawk’s visit had intrigued him further, certain questions will need to be asked... if any are left standing to question.
He looked back to the elegantly scribbled note. All words of promise, and yet doubt remained, could it be a ruse? A last desperate ploy to allow the Druaidíi more time. By the words of those sent to scout and guide the reinforcements to the camp they claimed that Brandubh’s reserves would arrive at midday along with the new siege engines. The Milesians support would arrive later in 3 days hence but the General intended to waste no time on calling the attack. It had been difficult enough holding him back after the meeting, he would not lie idle another day. With the field artillery they would batter the walls and inner portion of the city relentlessly and only then send in a fresh ram and ladders to finish the attack. Even with the Giants and Daeden the Druaidíi wouldn’t have enough to repel fresh soldiers and a whole new array of weaponry.
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Yet if they did as expected and fought on until their inevitable end then they would do so only after inflicting heavy damage on their attackers. He had already lost too many men for his liking especially with things as they stood. He stood on a shaky path, if he could not demonstrate the value of being in friendship with the Milesians then his head would be the first one being called for by the people and Earls of Aileann. Victory was not enough, returning home with severe losses would not do. I must win and win convincingly. If not any future plans would lie in ruins.
Sieges made even the bravest question themselves, the slightest doubt or misgiving magnified out of all proportions. Perhaps Ardgal does not have as firm a grip on his people as he believes.
The stir of men rousing themselves from their sleep broke Brandubh from his thoughts as the changing of the Guard began. Brandubh resolved there and then to convince Maximo to hold back the attack one day more, he had grown more and more difficult as the days passed by, the significant weight of Milesia's expectations and perception of the Druaidíi was taking its toll no doubt. This time he could not keep secret his intel, it would need to be used as his point of persuasion. He would need to tread carefully, fortunately after a lifetime of practise, that seemed the only way he knew how.