Arcadia's Ignoble Knight: Dark Elf Arc

Chapter 84

Elincia and Caspian returned to the camp several hours after entering Imperium Prae. Maddison and Valen, who had been waiting for them, looked more than a little relieved to see them come back safely. However, those expressions of relief soon became far more serious when they saw how serious Caspian and Elincia were.

"We have some important information to share with you two," Caspian said.

Valen nodded slowly as he heard this. "In that case, let's move further back and you can tell us what you discovered."

After ordering some of his men to watch the fortress for signs of movement, Valen led Caspian, Elincia, and Maddison a little deeper into the forest. He found a stump to sit on, and then looked at the three of them.

"What did you discover?" he asked.

Caspian and Elincia sat down on the forest floor, while Maddison found a tree to lean against. Once the two were paying attention, they told Maddison and Valen about what they had discovered, how the dark elves were overseeing the fortress, how they had taken Silvaguarde hostage, and their plan to defeat the forces at both fortress and city at the same time.

When they were finished, neither Maddison nor Valen spoke for the longest time. The two of them looked like they had been struck by lightning.

"That's a pretty ambitious plan," Maddison said at last. "Splitting our forces like that is going to cut our strength by half. Also, are you really sure we can trust that the Peacekeepers will do as you requested? What if they betray us?"

"I don't think they will," Elincia said. "Currently, the Peacekeepers are in a bad situation. If someone offers them a way out of it, I think they will take it, even if it's a little risky."

While Elincia was being positive, Caspian did understand there was a chance that this could lead to their forces being led into a trap. At the same time, he also knew there were very few alternatives. They couldn't kill the humans at the fortress. That would negate their entire purpose for leaving Fas Sheras.

"Even if there is a risk in following this plan, I believe it's the only one we can take right now," Caspian added after Elincia spoke.

"Well, I get that we don't have many options here..." Maddison admitted with great reluctance.

"I believe this plan could work," Valen said after having been silent for the entire explanation. He crossed his arms and tapped his left foot on the forest floor. "Since this Gerald has already agreed with your plan, I believe we have no choice but to follow through with it. That said, I do wish you two had at least conferred with me first."

"Sorry," Caspian and Elincia said at the same time, causing Valen to sigh once more.

Since their plans were ready, Valen ordered his men to get some sleep. The attack would start tonight. He wanted all of his forces to be ready for this night raid. Furthermore, he split his forces in half, with one half whose job was to attack Imperium Prae with him and Maddison, while the other half traveled with Elincia and Caspian to Silvaguard.

His forces accepted their orders easily enough. Once they had been assigned to one operation or the other, they all did their best to relax. Some fell asleep, others chatted with their comrades, a few ate from their stock of provisions, and some even worked on their hobbies like wood carving to settle their nerves.

Caspian and Elincia had found a large tree, which they fell asleep against. The young elf rested with her back against Caspian's chest as she sat between his legs. Her breathing was slow and even, and the warmth of her body was enough to lull him to sleep as well, though it didn't feel like he'd slept for very long when Maddison woke him up.