In the command room, Nikolai was working out a plan of attack accounting for any and all possibilities from the ape men. Rilitar was impressed by Nikolai’s knowledge of ambush and baiting tactics. Even Desmond and Aurora were impressed. Desmond knew about Nikolai’s genius in training, but it always amazed him watching Nikolai think out every possibility in simple language for all to understand. Desmond always wondered why Nikolai was still a private and then he would instantly remember Nikolai’s young age and lack of physical prowess.

  Nikolai adjusted his glasses as he looked at the roughly drawn, outline of the cave and clearing near it. Desmond sat back thinking about all the possible bad outcomes. Aurora was thinking about where the archers and gunners should be. Nikolai wrote down rough estimates of distance and went back and forth at a topographical map of the area calculating something in his head. He always had that intense thoughtful face whenever he was accounting for something.

  Nikolai said happily, “If the books you gave me were correct, then we have to safely assume they are intelligent enough to use basic counter tactics… Then again they were efficient, though reckless, when they ambushed us. Also, they did methodically empty out the fort, but they didn’t take the supplies… Interesting?”

  “So what are you trying to extrapolate from this,” Rilitar asked. “I may have an idea, but I want to hear your opinion.”

  “Well, we need to thoroughly investigate and scout out the tree line to see if you could place a good amount of your rangers up there to saturate them if they charge out. We also need to bait them all out… Can smoke them out, but it’s safe to assume the cave is large enough to hide more, so they could be anticipating this. We also have two untouched canons and ammo to use as well. We can set up and thin out the herd so-to-speak… You did mention in the past that they tend to be honorable if challenged outright?”

  “In the past… But that was about a hundred years ago since the last recorded encounter with the rangers.”

  “If we can challenge them, then possibly we can spot the leader and take out the majority if possible. The two canons will help.”

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  “Ah,” Rilitar exclaimed. “Take out the leader and the rest will surrender or give up or become easy straggler to take out… I like it.”

  “But no guarantees. It’s all a gamble… They have aligned with the Dark One, so the latest books says along with the black sigil they left on the front gate. So they may fight to the last man, or ape really. I’m just hoping that we won’t sustain casualties… Anyway, archers and gunners in the trees just along the edge of the tree line facing the entrance if possible… Second group can be set… Here by this outcropping of boulders as a temporary firing position and good spot for the canons and sharpshooters. If they get overwhelmed, then the second group can fall back to the trees. Our squad can spread out here in the center with a handful of your elves backing us up. We’ll be the bait,” Nikolai said looking at Desmond and Aurora for approval. “If that’s alright with you?”

  “Sounds good to me. Let’s get it in motion then,” Rilitar said as he pulled his hood over his head and headed out the room.

  Desmond and Aurora nodded. Desmond leaned onto the wall looking at Light Wielder as he felt his right hand go numb slightly with a slight burning sensation that immediately disappeared. He wondered what that meant. However, he was more focused on the ambush and the long journey ahead.

  Aurora said to Nikolai, “Thank you. Go tell the others and we’ll move out once all is ready.”

  “Sir,” he said excitedly as he ran out the room. She laughed to herself, “It’s ma’am, but whatever.”

  Desmond picked up his gear and asked quietly, “You okay?”

  “Of course… Why?”

  “You know why,” he said looking at her with concern.

  The sudden freezing and anguish at putting her horse down bothered Desmond. She silently stared at him with determination masking her anger overall. She also was silently communicating that she was okay and in control of herself despite her overall tense and wound up body language. Desmond was silently trying to communicate to her that if she lets her anger take over her, then death may occur.

  He did not want to argue with her over this, so he sighed to himself, “Alright, let’s load up and get ready.”