The Song of the Keepers

Chapter 27 Planning of a Mission

Friday morning a group of sixteen Keepers, including the four of us, met in a private chamber for the official mission briefing. Some of those present I knew, while others I had only ever seen in passing. The chamber was small with an enormous oak table that dwarfed the room in the center. There were no chairs so we all took up a standing post. Comfort was clearly not the objective here.

"For those of you who don't know, I am Keeper Marx and I'll be in charge of this mission."
A burly man with a bald head said from his place at the head of the table.

He withdrew a rolled-up parchment from under his arm and spread it out. It was a detailed map of the outlands just beyond the wall, with red X's marking enemy villages and outposts.

"We have a unique opportunity to attack the village of Revara, which has previously evaded our efforts due to its strategic mountainous location."
Marx tapped his finger on an X in the center of the map.

"These people were smart, or lucky when they chose to build their homes here. There is no clear place to set down a jet within twenty miles and attempting to parachute in has proved disastrous in the past. The only safe place to set down a platoon puts you downhill from the village, allowing them a strong position of defense in an attack. We lost forty Sentinels and two Keepers on our last attempt, six years ago."

I gulped.

"There have been three unsuccessful raids on Revara, all which came with a loss to our side. So why are we attempting a suicide mission once again?"
Evangeline spoke up.

A very good question.

"Because of these new recruits."
Marx replied, pointing a finger in our direction.

All eyes fell on the four of us and the room suddenly seemed uncomfortably warm.

"We'll be taking four planes, with two separate assault teams. One team will come in from below, while the other team will come in from the high ground."
Our leader continued.

"How is the high ground team going to get into position? You said yourself parachuting in has proved disastrous in the past."
A woman with short-cropped blonde hair questioned.

"Keeper Hadassah is the key to this conundrum."
Marx answered as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"I am?"
My voice embarrassingly squeaked when I spoke.

"Yes, who needs parachutes when we have a Wind Wielder?"

"You want me to safely get a platoon of warriors from a plane to the ground?"
I clarified.

"Yes, how many people can you handle in one jump?"

Suddenly some of the exercises we had been practicing recently made more sense. At least I could give Marx a clear answer.

"Five."

"Hmm. Less than I was hoping for, but it will have to do. How many can you take up?"

"Only three, gravity will be working against me."

"We'll be keeping you busy then."
Marx decided.

"Our high ground platoon which we will call Team Hawk will have the element of surprise. Our low ground platoon, Team Jaguar, will have Nyx."