Chapter 352: The War of Nobles (4) The Pincer Began
Lyan’s forces moved with the silent grace of predators. The cold air of the night brushed against their skin as they slipped through the narrow cave passages, their footsteps muffled by the rocky ground beneath them. The moon was high in the sky, casting a faint glow over the hills that surrounded Hektor’s stronghold. Lyan, at the head of his soldiers, kept his gaze sharp, every sense attuned to the subtle signs of movement around them. His mind, as always, was focused on the task at hand. There could be no mistakes.
The plan had been simple enough—Wilhelmina’s forces would lead a frontal assault, drawing Hektor’s attention while Lyan’s forces moved in from the rear. They’d catch Hektor’s army in a deadly pincer, crushing them between two fronts before they had a chance to react. It was a strategy Lyan had used before, but tonight the stakes were higher. Hektor, humiliated after the defeat at Grafen, was desperate. He would fight harder than ever, and desperate men were dangerous.
Surena, who was leading the vanguard, halted just ahead of him, her hand raised in a signal. Lyan’s forces came to a stop behind her, the quiet rustle of armor the only sound that filled the cave. She turned, her expression unreadable, but her eyes gleamed with the thrill of the hunt.
"We’re close," she whispered, her voice barely a breath in the cool air. "No sign of patrols. Hektor’s focused on the front."
Lyan nodded, his eyes narrowing as he thought through the next steps. "Good. We’ll keep it that way. How far until we emerge from the caves?"
"Just a little further. We’ll be right behind them," Raine replied, glancing over her shoulder at the small flicker of light from Hektor’s campfires in the distance.
Lyan’s heart quickened as he felt the moment approaching. Victory was close, and the anticipation of it thrummed through his veins like a pulse. He turned to the men behind him—his soldiers, trained by the Valkyries, hardened by the battles they’d fought at his side. Their eyes gleamed with the same quiet determination.
"Remember," Lyan whispered, his voice carrying just enough weight for his troops to hear. "No mercy. Hektor thinks he can rebuild his forces. We’ll show him he’s wrong."
The men nodded silently, and Lyan’s gaze flickered to Abraham, who stood a little further back, cloaked in shadows. The assassin was always quiet, always calm, but there was an intensity in his eyes tonight. His mission was clear—eliminate Hektor’s commanders, cause chaos in their ranks, and weaken the leadership. Abraham caught Lyan’s gaze and gave a slight nod. He knew what had to be done.