Ancient Pasts - Tbate

Traitorous Scheme

Cathan Leywin Pov

"How many troops do you need?" King Blaine asked as we all looked down at the detailed map spread across the round table.

"Three—no—two divisions should suffice," Arthur answered.

"General Arthur. The western coast is where we need to be allocating most of our forces," Rahdeas countered, placing his finger near Etistin and Telmore City. "Sending nearly twenty-thousand troops up north will make this area too vulnerable."

"I have to agree with Elder Rahdeas," King Alduin added. "There are several battles near the coast that have been going on for days. Withdrawing even a single division would tip the balance in their favor."

Queen Priscilla rolled the transmission scroll she'd been reading. "We are still evacuating civilians from both Telmore and Etistin. If we withdraw the forces on the coast, then the Alacryans will push back our troops, and the battles will take place in the cities."

"Commander, we can perhaps send some elven troops stationed near Asyphin City down toward the edge of the border, but two divisions seem feasible," Queen Merial advised, brows knitted in concern.

"What do the seven of you think about this?" Virion asked the other lances.

"The brat—General Arthur's vague suspicion based on loose evidence of what 'he saw' doesn't justify sacrificing a city or two," General Bairon near spat out.

"Bairon's nasty tone aside, he makes a good point. Moving that many troops a few hundred miles will take time, even with the help of teleportation gates," said Mica, the female dwarven lance that looked no older than my sister.

"General Aya, General Varay, General Olfred, General Alea, General Cathan. Do you all agree?" Virion asked.

"I also agree that it isn't wise," Aya replied.

"Sending a single division would be more than enough risk. I'm sorry, General Arthur." Alea stated.

"I disagree with General Arthur. Sending a battalion to the grand mountains is risky, and we can't afford to take that risk." I replied.

That was part of our plan. Virion, Arthur, and I planned to send the dwarven lances alongside Arthur and Sylvie to the grand mountains to what they thought was looking for a scythe or retainer. That's what everyone thought, but this mission was to determine if they were really planning on betraying us.

"If General Arthur's claim is true, it'd be the right choice to send that many troops—if not more—up north," the lance answered curtly.

Well, that's not good. If the others started listening to Varay, they might send troops instead of the two dwarven lances. Let's hope a six to two vote is enough.

"General Varay is right. If what General Arthur claims is true, we need to send troops. After all, there have only been two retainers since the war started. If a retainer and a scythe were leading this next attack, the damages would be catastrophic without appropriate measures." Virion took advantage of Varay's suggestion.

"I propose we send two lances along with General Arthur to investigate the possibility of a retainer and scythe." I proposed.

"The lances are the center figures for the divisions out in battle right now. With them gone for too long, morale will decrease, and if a retainer or scythe show up in battle—" King Glayder started.

"King Glayder, with all due respect, the lances don't partake in every battle. Our main duty is defeating the strongest enemies, so sending three lances to deal with a scythe and retainer is our best course of action." Alea interrupted respectfully as the red-haired king remained silent.