53 – The plan
The rain fell steadily, a relentless rhythm that drummed against the earth, like a melancholy song echoing through the village. Even beneath the thick canopy of trees, the droplets found their way through, sliding down the broad leaves, collecting in the grooves of bark, and ultimately reaching the ground. It was as though the forest itself wept, the rain soaking into the earth, creating a symphony of soft, persistent pattering. Each drop seemed to carry the weight of the battle to come, a prelude to the storm that awaited us.
We were gathered in Lydia’s guest house, a modest structure of stone and wood nestled at the edge of the village. The warmth of the crackling fireplace did little to dispel the chill that hung in the air. The rain tapped against the windows, a constant reminder of the outside world, the storm echoing the tension that filled the room. The cozy confines of the guest house contrasted sharply with the grim conversation unfolding within it.
Lydia sat with us, her presence a grounding force. She had been crucial in rallying the village after Morthos’ defeat, and now, with the council’s support, she was prepared to lend her warriors to our cause. Her eyes, sharp and unyielding, flickered with the firelight as she listened to the strategy being laid out.
Leona broke the silence first, her voice tinged with concern.
“Hubby, can’t you use your large-scale Spell Breaker again? It worked so well against Morthos… maybe it could take out Volkos’ undead army too?”
I shook my head slowly, keeping my eyes on the flames.
“I can’t. That spell requires an immense amount of preparation and mana. Setting it up in the middle of the enemy’s stronghold is too risky. It needs time to work, and we won’t have the luxury of that in a place like Helsgate. And besides, Volkos is no Morthos. The undead he controls will be far more complex. Or at least that's my guess. I can't say since he's someone I never met, but just because Morthos used such inferior undead, it’s better not to assume that Volkos is surrounded by the same type. I doubt a simple Spell Breaker would be enough.”
Rose, who had been quietly observing the rainfall through the window, turned her gaze to me.
“Then how do we approach this, Magnus? Charging through the front gates would be suicide. The castle will be heavily guarded, and Volkos will be expecting us.”
“Indeed,” I agreed, my mind racing through possibilities. “A frontal assault would draw all of his attention. If we tried to fight our way through, we’d be overwhelmed long before we reached him.”
Saphira leaned forward, her mischievous grin barely visible in the dim light and straightened her glasses. “What if we didn’t go through the front gate at all? We could create a diversion—something big enough to keep his minions busy while you sneak inside.”
“A diversion…,” I mused, the idea taking root in my mind. “That might work. If the rest of you attack the front gate, make it look like we’re coming in full force, Volkos would focus his defenses there.”
Lydia, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up, her voice calm but resolute. “With the council’s support, I can lend you the village’s warriors. We’ll join the frontal assault, drawing as much attention as possible. Volkos will see an army at his gates, and he’ll be too preoccupied with that to notice your movements.”
It could work. These people might get hurt and I can't guarantee there will be no casualties… but they trust me to this extent. I can't disappoint them.
Leona’s eyes lit up with understanding. “And while we’re causing a ruckus, you can slip inside undetected. But how do we get you in?”
“The intel from lady Naja and the council mentioned old passages beneath the castle,” Saphira added thoughtfully. “Sewers, perhaps? It’s risky, but they might be our best chance to get you close to Volkos without raising the alarm.”
I nodded, the plan beginning to take shape. “Exactly. I’ll use those passages to get inside. If I can reach Volkos without being detected, I might be able to catch him off guard. We can’t afford to let him rally his forces.”
Rusalka, who had been quiet until now, spoke up with a hint of worry in her voice. “But what if Volkos senses you, Master? What if he’s expecting this?”
I met her gaze, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on me.
“That’s a risk we have to take. We’ll need to rely on the element of surprise. If Volkos senses me, then you all need to make sure he’s too occupied to do anything about it.”
Lydia nodded, her expression serious.
“We’ll handle the diversion. My warriors are ready to fight, and with the council backing us, we can muster enough strength to give you the opening you need.”
The rain outside seemed to intensify as if echoing the resolve in the room. The warriors of this village had seen much suffering, and they were prepared to face even more for a chance at freedom. Lydia’s offer wasn’t just a tactical move; it was a declaration of trust, a commitment to our cause.
Saphira’s voice cut through the tension, calm and steady. “We’ll need to coordinate our movements carefully. Timing will be everything. Magnus, once you’re inside, you’ll need to move quickly. Volkos won’t stay distracted forever.”
Leona nodded, her usual bravado tempered with a seriousness that mirrored the storm outside.
“We’ll hit the front gate with everything we’ve got. We’ll make sure Volkos is too busy to notice you slipping in.”
Rose chimed in, her playful tone masking the concern in her eyes.
“Just be careful, alright? We’ll do our part, but don’t go getting yourself killed in those sewers.”
I smiled at their determination. Despite the danger, they were ready to face it head-on. And so was I.
“The same goes for you. If the danger is too great. Retreat, regardless of what happens to me. That's an order. Got it?” I said, my voice firm.
“Yes!” (x4)
“We’re all in this together. I’ll get to Volkos, and when I do… we’ll end this.”
Lydia’s eyes met mine, her gaze unwavering. “We trust you, Magnus. Just as we trusted you to save us from Morthos. Volkos is our true enemy, and with you leading us, we might just have a chance.”
I nodded, grateful for the support. This village had seen enough horror, and now, they were ready to fight back. The rain continued to fall, unrelenting, as if the heavens themselves were determined to cleanse the world of the darkness that awaited us.
But deep down, I knew that no matter how well we planned, the fight ahead would test us in ways we couldn’t yet imagine. The rain, with its cold persistence, felt like a warning—a reminder that nature itself couldn’t wash away the blood that was about to be spilled.
“Rest up,” I finally said, breaking the heavy silence. “Tomorrow, we move on Volkos.”
With that, we settled down for the night, the sound of the rain our only lullaby. As I drifted off to sleep in Lydia’s guest house, surrounded by my loyal companions and our newfound allies, I couldn’t help but wonder if, by this time tomorrow, the rain would be carrying our blood away, too.