Thankfully there were no attacks on the camp during the night. Or rather there were none that actually made it to the camp. As I learned early next morning Tortho's rangers intercepted two head hunters that tried to get at us. They dealt with them quietly and swiftly. By now everyone know how I felt about these crazed cannibals. They shared my view as well. If anything the dark elves among the scouts probably hated their man eating cousins even more than anyone else. Either way the gross of the army had a good nights worth of sleep, which was especially important for the wounded. Medicine and magic could speed up their recovery but restful sleep was still important.

Once the sun rose I actually ordered some cooking fires to be lit. I wanted everyone to have a warm meal for a change. Our current position wasn't exactly a secret anyway and next to the giant smoke column hanging above the still burning forest the smoke of our fires would not garner much attention. Thus we had some warm broth for our morning meal. It might seem of little consequence but it lifted our spirits, including mine, nicely. Afterwards we got to work filling in the moat, or rather the section of the moat used as a mass grave for our fallen enemies. It was hard work that took some time and had us sweating profusely but it was something that had to be done.

I had no idea what the actual funeral rites of the elves of the east were like but we paid them some respect anyway. Except for the head hunters. Their remains were draped in the skeletal, burnt remains of the once lush trees and left for the carrion birds. Everyone who would happen to pass by would be able to see what was in store for these rotten children of the Devourer. At least for a while. Everyone who wasn't busy moving earth, and we organized shifts for that to make sure no one would be too exhausted, took the chance to take care of their gear. That was something I needed to do as well. My scale mail needed some cleaning after yesterday's battle and the same was true for my glaive. I had to be especially careful with the latter. I didn't feel like accidentally killing myself while cleaning the weapon's blade after all.

In the end we didn't move out until a little after noon and another quick meal of reheated broth, with some extra bread and salty meat in it. That was okay. I had no intention of moving far today. That way the elves who had hopefully fled their home before the flames reached it would have some time to spread the news. And in doing so they would also spread the seeds of fear and terror. In the meantime I caught my gaze wandering towards the burnt remains of the trees to the side of our slowly advancing marching column. It was not a nice sight. And in addition the fire was still raging further to the south. Maybe it was too much to ask for but I really hoped I wouldn't have to torch too many other groves.

I felt a little, and really just a little, bad for the elves. They weren't the only creatures whose life would be turned upside down by my actions though. These forests were home to many other creatures as well after all. Creatures like my sister's familiar. Oh yes, the little feline would probably take he claws to my face again if I were to make a habit of burning perfectly fine forests. That thought finally managed to cheer me up a little, despite the depressing, charred reminders of the destruction I had wrought. Hopefully I would get to see my sister and the little rascal again soon. I raised my head, searching for the barely visible, waxing moon in the sky above me before sending a silent prayer to the Maiden to watch out for my sister.

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Our scouts had already found us a spot for the next camp while we were still underway, when Yath'zur and his company finally caught up with us. He brought news about Kaele and our supply situation as well. Apparently my sister had already arrived at the mountain pass fort and negotiated a deal with the smugglers. Yath'zur expected her to catch up with us sometime tomorrow, possibly once we had reached Gothol'gul. She would be accompanied by a first supply caravan as well. That did bode well for us. We still had more than enough to support us for a while but I didn't want anything that we needed to come close to running out at all if we could help it.

With the help of the giants and trolls we had our camp fortified almost in the blink of an eye as well, once we stopped for the night. The moat was deeper and the earthen ramparts higher than last night as well. A sensible precaution since the chances of a retaliative attack against us grew with every day that passed. Sure, most seasoned warriors probably were with the army at the gap but given enough time the nearby communities, or possibly even ones from a little further to the east, might be able to muster a force capable of striking at us. Our scouts and rangers were our first line of defense of course and as long as they stayed sharp no enemy would be able to surprise us, but I was afraid that I might run them ragged despite a clever rotation system in place.

I sent out gatherers in small groups into the burnt forest as well. Much of the forest was nothing more than ashes but parts of it, especially some of the bigger trees, had turned into charcoal instead. I had them gather some of it to provide us and especially our wounded with some warmth during the night. That might not sound like much but at times little things like that could make all the difference. The coal fires burned with low flames thus the chances of them giving us away was pretty slim, especially as they all burned well behind our earthen walls to begin with. Coal produced less smoke than plain wood as well.

As night fell I retreated to my sleeping place once more with everything else taken care of. It would be another night spend sleeping in armor. That wasn't the most restful kind of sleep but I would have to endure. I expected no less from my troops after all. Tomorrow we would reach the first noteworthy, fortified human settlement. I was counting on the Wall Breakers for that engagement. With a little luck Kaele would be with us by then as well. With her help my cavalry should be back in fighting shape by the time we were done with Gothol'gul. I expected to be in need of the lancers at their best again before long. Once the kings of the Council heard that I was burning my way through their lands, as soon as the learned that I was intercepting their supplies, they probably would detach some real soldiers from their main army. Thoughts like those haunted my dreams as I turned from one side to the other during my few hours of fitful sleep.