Fallen

Chapter 4

General Xie Dingyuan's tent was filled with the lieutenants and captains for each division. Lieutenant Luo Xian of the main ground infantry was in discussion with the captain of the left vanguard, Wang Yichen. Two of the three Dragon Scout captains were looking over the map and were in discussion with the captain of the right vanguard. A number of other lieutenants were speaking to General Xie about the most recent strategy report from the war council.

Wang Yibo was the last captain to arrive, coming directly from completing a scouting mission. In the months that he had been here, he had led a number of reconnaissance missions into the neutral territory and along the borders of the Western Water Kingdom. So when the captain of the Lightning Dragon Scouts was gravely injured, it was no surprise that Wang Yibo was promoted to interim acting captain of the squad. Upon entering the tent, he immediately bowed to the General and the lieutenants to make his presence known. He exchanged nods with his brother, Wang Yichen, and could see the relief in his brother's eyes to know he was back safely from his mission.

General Xie cleared his throat to get the attention of the room. "I have the most recent strategy report from the war council," he said. "The Emperor has sent an edict demanding we end this rebellion once and for all. There will be no room for failure. I have shared the report with Lieutenant Luo and we have  agreed that the strategy put forward is risky, but will put an end to this war if we succeed." He moved towards the map and pointed to a location marked with a red dragon token. This token symbolized the former general, who was once known as Fa Jiangjun but was now aptly renamed Rebel Fa.  "From our reconnaissance reports and from what we know of the Rebel Fa, we believe he will be commanding his forces from this location. Our mission will be to capture the Rebel Fa and force him to surrender. The Heavenly Emperor would like us to bring him back alive, but if the former general does not yield, then we have been given permission to kill him."

Lieutenant Luo stepped up to speak next. "As we know the former general is familiar with many of our strategies and formations. The war council has decided to use this to our advantage."

"We will begin our attack with ground infantry advancing onto these two locations. Warrior dragons will engage from the air from here and here," General Xie announced, pointing at two forward sections of the enemy forces. "When the infantry attacks, Rebel Fa will be expecting an attack from the sides by our Dragon Scouts. So we will give him what he expects. The full forces of the Thunder Dragon Scouts will attack from the left and Titan Dragon Scouts will attack from the right."

Wang Yibo glanced up in surprise as nothing was said about where his Lightning Dragon Scouts would be deployed.

"Rebel Fa will think he has guessed at our strategy and will have reinforced his left and right flank. Once they are engaged and Rebel Fa is distracted by what he thinks will be his victory, then we will launch our surprise attack," General Xie continued to say.

"Captain Wang Yibo, I want you to split your squad into two and each group will reinforce the Scout Dragons attacking on the sides. Rebel Fa will have to send more of his forces to support his flanks. However, I want you and two of your fastest scouts to remain behind," Lieutenant Luo addressed him directly. 

Yibo frowned at the idea of splitting up his forces and then being asked to remain behind.  He wondered at the reasoning behind this strategy.  The lieutenant continued on to answer Yibo's question before he could even ask it. "Embedded in our infantry, will be archers who will aim to attack any enemy ground troops that are launching projectiles at our dragons from below. Once they attack you will fly to where Rebel Fa is commanding and capture him."

"Just three Scout Dragons?" Wang Yichen asked. Everyone in the room knew he wasn't speaking out in concern for his brother, but more so because the likelihood of three Dragon Scouts being able to take out the guards and capture the former general was highly unlikely.