Chapter 300: Unwelcomed arrival (2)
"You just got here and already you want to have your knights march out tomorrow to pick a fight? If this is to prove that you are big dog-"
"You said there was unusual movement before we arrived, like they were preparing to attack. We should move out to be one step ahead of them. What sense does it make to sit here and wait for a sighting of them to move out?" Rafael asked.
Rafael sat in a tent with Martin, border guards chosen by Martin to be present, and a few of his knights.
"My knights will lead while your guards follow behind us. We plan to sneak a group behind them for a surprise attack. I need any paths you think we can take to get there unnoticed," Rafael said, placing stones he gathered on the map provided by Martin to show where they needed to be.
"If we had a path to get to them, we wouldn’t have called for help. They always spot us each time we try to get to them. We’re trying to find the paths they use to enter the kingdom and return home. If you want to take a risk, your best bet is here," Martin said, picking up one of the stones to place it where they had the most success.
"I will send ten of my knights and ten of your guards. Pick your best men who can be silent and take on a lot of their warriors. This is a possible death mission so be sure to warn them they might not see another day if they mess up," Rafael said.
"I don’t need to tell men that. We don’t make mistakes since we all want to live. Tell me about this plan you have to attack them first. I heard you were asking for our drawings of their leader. Do you plan to take him out? He’s no easy man to defeat even at his age," Martin said, picking up a bottle of wine to pour into his glass. "Wine?" He offered Rafael.
"I don’t drink and I am not a fool to drink the day before I am heading out to war," Rafael answered, hoping his words would convince Martin to not drink, but they did not.
"I will be fine when morning comes. It’s a little tradition for me to have a nice glass of wine before I run right into danger. It might be my last so I want to savour the taste. It used to be a little glass of something strong, but now I am sticking to wine. You should try it. It will help calm your nerves," said Martin as he grabbed another glass to pour wine for Rafael.