The Son of Artemis and Fenrir

Chapter 39 - Cursed Twice

I was semi hanging from the sheer cliff face overlooking the fort. I had a set of claws dug into the very stone as I was once again looking through my binoculars at the fort. The time had come to attack, I just had to figure out which way I wanted us to do it.

Two on the wall, two below. They were moving like clockwork. The four atop the nearest tower were all huddled around a small fire, it looked like they were playing a game of cards. Their weapons laid out of arms reach. The back of the front gate did not have it's brace attached meaning that there has been movement recently. Or they are expecting something? There was minimal cover around the outside of the wall. The only way for us to sneak in would either be through one of the towers or from all of us trying to get over the wall in rapid succession.

Six scrawny horses began to approach the front of the fort. Once they got close enough, the gate was opened. Once they were within the walls of the fort, the gate had it's brace put on. There were less guards in the second front tower. We could split up and sack a tower each, burning them down. Could cause enough chaos to catch the rest of the forces off guard. Would make it easier to dispatch of the forces. Or alternatively set fire to the towers as a distraction whilst we sneak round back and free the Dire Wolves and then dispatch of the forces.

I sighed as I rubbed my eyes. They were all solid plans and yet I could not think of which one to choose. They would all work.
"You made your mind up Stephen about how we are going to do this?" Robyn asked. I swapped hands so that I could face her.
"I think so. I believe that if we do it quietly for as long as possible. Take out the towers silently and then systematically go through each building, clearing it out." I explained as I looked across to Taylor and my children, Rowan and Rennie.

"Me, Rowan and Rennie will take the tower on the left whilst Robyn, Luna and Taylor will take the tower on the right. Sparks, you will stay further back. Wait until either our cover is blown or the fort is cleared before coming down to help burn it." I explained as I pointed at each of the towers.
"If you don't mind me asking, and with no dew offence intended, how are Rennie and Luna going to get up into the towers?" Taylor asked curiously as he lifted up the front part of his helmet.
"Taylor, you know we have claws right? We will just climb up, same as you." Rennie replied as she shimmied closer to her brother.
"Well if that's all that sorted, let's get this done!" I exclaimed as I leapt off the cliff and landed at the bottom. Not a minute later I had been joined by the others before sneaking up to the base of the fort.

We had had to do it in rows. Taylor and Robyn went first, swinging to the right so that they were underneath their tower. Then Luna darted over to them.
"Go!" I whispered to Taylor and Robyn as they got their climbing claws before jumping up and gripping onto the wooden logs. Luna easily leapt up and followed behind them.

I then turned back to face my children.
"Get ready to run, I will be right behind you." I calmly instructed as I patted their backs. A moment later they bolted across the gap between us and the wall, easily making it through the small window. I waited tensely as the next set of guards passed. The minute they were gone, I was like a shadow as I glided over to them. We then shimmied round the wall until we were beneath our tower.
"You ready?" I asked as I grew my claws.
"On your go, Dad." Rowan said as he copied my actions. I then looked at Rennie who nodded in conformation.
"Let's go then." I said as I hoisted myself up onto the wall. I then turned to offer Rennie a hand up but she was already up climbing just above Rowan.

We easily climbed to the ledge of the tower. I silently peered over the edge and counted six guards, all facing the other way. For now.
"I count six guards so we are going to have to do this very silently. Rowan you take the two on the left, Rennie you take the two on the right. I'll take the two in the middle." I instructed before we silently climbed over the ledge. We sneakily snuck behind a pillar each, waiting for their first targets to be in range. Rowan's moved first. The minute he had walked passed the pillar, Rowan covered his mouth as he jabbed his neck with the snap blade.