Chapter 104 A friend or a foe
Ruel's POV
“The spies are back. I've got everyone waiting for you in the meeting hall.” Elric says, leading the way with confident strides.
“And when did they arrive?” I ask, matching his pace.
“Thirty minutes ago. I only just left them under Cortis's watch. I can assure you nothing's been leaked.” He says, understanding my worry.
“Do we have all three of them safe?” I ask, taking the last bend with him.
“Yes, Ruel. They are all safe as far as I can see.”
“Good.” I nod, walking faster. “They better have something worth the risk.” I say over my shoulder before entering the meeting hall.
My shoes echo as I move straight to the head of the long table, the fireplace making the hall warm.
Everyone, including the three spies, snap to attention the moment they see me.
I nod, silently giving them the permission to ease out.
Torren the tallest of the spies pulls out a paper from his pocket and hands it over to me. Scarface's gaze follows the movement too closely.
Gav the shortest of all three, yet the smartest, sits quietly beside Lira, the only female spy we've ever had.
Lira perches on the edge of the bench at the far end. Her hood remains up, shadowing most of her features, but I can see the steam curling from the tin cup she cradles between gloved hands.
She looks colder than the rest, lacking her initial enthusiasm when I'd sent them off.
I plant both palms on the head of my chair, my gaze focused on the spies and not the rest ten people seated.
"Report," I say. "I want all of it. There should be no omissions, and definitely no guess statement dressed as facts."
Torren clears his throat speaking up first. "Three nights ago, Commander, we crossed the river into their border. It was a new moon, so it was completely dark. But we realized they had no torches lit. We also didn’t see any patrols…"
“Which was really weird.” Gav mutters with a frown.
“It was barely a spy mission. There was literally no one to hide from. Almost as though we could have freely gone through the gate without facing any obstacle.” Lira scowls.
“But there was something strange.” Torren adds. “There were about three ravens almost at every turn we made.”
“So we split up. Warlocks are known to use birds to their advantage.” Gav says. “When I snuck into their training ground, it was empty. There was literally no one there.” He says and I fold my arms, realizing the strays must have known they had spies in their midst.
“Although there is a house that's most secured there. I believe that's where the last strays are hiding.” Torren says.
“And what did you find there?” I ask, needing something tangible… anything that tells me what to expect.
“About thirty men on armor. There are several pups and teenagers so we're suspecting an underground grooming.” He says.
Gav nods. “And although the training ground was empty, the equipments didn't look dusty or worn out. I also noticed obvious footprints. They must have known we were coming and…”
“You are all incompetent!” Scarface states in fury, glaring at the men. “You can't blame your carelessness on linked information. You failed to disguise yourselves and now you've wasted our time here!”
“Sergeant Scarface, I didn’t grant you the floor. If I want your opinion, I’ll ask for it. Until then, you will remember your rank.” I say firmly , turning back to the spies before me. “Carry on.”
“Although we couldn't gather much Commander, I suggest we don't take these people for granted. They didn't look the slightest bit scared. They seemed oblivious to what's about to happen.” Gav says.
“What do you think?” I say, giving an open room for discussion.
“So they are trying to play nonchalant so we are enticed to come barging in meanwhile they have a whole army waiting for us.” Elric hisses.
“That hasn't been proven yet.” Scarface says. “We've eliminated majority of the strays. I suggest we take them now. We don't have to wait anymore. We already know the best route to take and the plan to execute. The earlier we do this, the faster we please the alpha king and secure better opportunities for ourselves.”
I shake my head at his stupidity. “They want us to see weakness. Want us to come charging in blind." I add, my glare on Scarface. “The free entrance, the zero hindrance, the empty training grounds… It's only a trap dressed as opportunity.”
I turn around, reach up and pull the big parchment map down from its rack on the wall. It unrolls with a dry rustle. Then I spread it across the table, putting four small metals on its corners to hold it flat.
My finger lands on a red line used to circle the river my men crossed way too easily. "If they pretend to be scattered and weak, we give them the show they expect. We'll push hard here, act as though we've been fooled." I tap the narrow pass squeezed between two steep hills. "Frontal assault. Make it look desperate. Force them to break north..."
I trace the line. “Then the second force waits at the far mouth. Concealed high in the cliffs. All archers will let loose first. Then when they shatter, we close with steel."
Elric studies the map for a long moment. “This works” he says.
Torren nods his head. "It's risky but it's worth the try."
Gav nods. "We can scatter caltrops on the approaches. Maybe the first attack should cripple their horses, preventing further escape."
Scarface hums, “If that's the case then we need more equipment or else we can waste tools on animals.”
I glance up, sweeping my gaze across the room. That is when I catch it.
Bukasvad leans against his chair with both arms folded, his face carefully blank now. But I could have sworn I caught pure, boiling rage in his gaze.
How do I assure myself I wasn't just thinking it when the instant our stares locked, he wiped it clean, looking neutral.
But why will he be upset when we are discussing eliminating our enemies?
My gut twists but I keep my expression stoic. Perhaps I'm allowing my distaste for him cloud my judgement.
Elric moves closer to the table. He points at the northern approaches. "What if they anticipate the trap? What if they split their numbers? Send half to swing wide north and close in on the first set, using our trap against us?"
I nod. "It is possible. That is why the ambush group will ride quietly and stays mounted. If they try to circle, we cut them off before they can link."
The room falls into hushed murmuring as I roll up the map.
Deliberately, I swiftly lift my eyes again, zeroing in on Bukasvad.
There's no rage there.
It had to have been in my head.
But as I turn to Elric, I catch how tightly Bukasvad’s hands are fisted.
Shit, he can't be trusted.