Chapter 48: The War Council
Arthur hadn’t seen much of Elliott lately. Not since Beatrice had started calling him "big brother" while also sharing his bed. The knight-captain’s jaw was clenched, his hand resting on his sword hilt with white knuckles.
"Sit," Arthur commanded, taking his place at the table’s head. His supernatural senses picked up everyone’s emotional state—excitement from most, anxiety from Elliott, and something else... He filed it away for later. "Hawklight, brief them."
The commander stood, manipulating Arthur’s projected map with practiced ease. "Bloodfang Stronghold. Three hundred defenders, mostly green warriors. Their chieftain took his veterans south for a succession challenge. We have a seventy-two hour window."
The 3D projection zoomed in, showing the mountain fortress in detail. Arthur’s enhanced reconnaissance had captured everything—guard positions, structural weaknesses, even the kitchen schedules.
"Three-pronged assault," Hawklight continued. "Sergeant Klaus leads a diversionary force to the main gate. Makes noise, draws attention. Captain Morris takes climbers up the north wall here—" he highlighted a blind spot, "—while the defenders rush to Klaus. Once they’re inside and chaos spreads, His Majesty enters with the reserve force."
"What about their shamans?" Morris asked, studying the cliff face she’d need to scale. "Orc magic’s nothing to sneeze at."
"Five shamans total," Arthur answered. "Two are apprentices. My presence will... discourage their casting." He let a hint of his aura leak out, just enough to make everyone shift uncomfortably. Even enhanced, they felt the predatory weight of his power.
"The goal isn’t destruction," Hawklight added. "We’re testing a new doctrine. Conversion over conquest. His Majesty believes we can recruit the orcs."
Klaus whistled low. "Recruit orcs? That’s... ambitious."
"They respect strength," Arthur said simply. "I’ll show them strength. Those who kneel will be enhanced. Those who don’t..." He didn’t need to finish.
"Equipment?" Elliott spoke for the first time, his voice carefully neutral.