The last of the Dragons-Set 2

319

 The Next Day

     "Ma'am! Ma'am!" Sir Ivan shouted as he pushed aside the cover to the entrance of my tent.

I looked up from my charts of the area, Bailey standing at my side as Sir Ivan approach with three other men at his back. I stood up and nodded to him. He returned the nod.

"What can I do for you?" I asked.

"If I may, the officers and I have worked to devise a battle plan." He said.

I cocked an eyebrow. Bailey and I had been trying to do just that for several hours. I motioned for him to sit at the table with me.

"Alright then, speak your mind." I said as I stepped to the side.

He nodded again, and sat down at the charts Bailey and I had been looking at.

"Right then. So we let them come to us. That's the best plan of action in my opinion." He said.

I cut in before he had a chance to speak again, taken off guard by what he'd said.

"You suggest we wait for them to back us into a corner against the cliffs?" I asked in protest.

He nodded eagerly.

"Just so. Yes. We know these lands, they don't. You fly them, they don't. We can set up the line of catapults in the rear, with a cavalry charge out in front. Backing them will be the foot soldiers, standing strong as a shield wall should any enemy soldiers get past the cavalry. It's fool proof." He said.

I shook my head, unsure if I agreed with the plan or not.

"You don't suppose we ride out to meet them? Perhaps only using the catapults as a backup if they get through?" Bailey cut in.

He shook his head.

"I reckon we hold our ground here. The dragons will certainly give us an advantage in the field no matter where the field may be. We may as well keep the field as one we are familiar with. Look, here's how we'll do it." He said as he pointed down to the charts.

"We set up three ground forces here. One large force in the center of the battle field, and two smaller ones covering the flanks on each side. What we'll be able to do in the event that the cavalry can't defeat them in the field, is our main foot force will engage in hand to hand combat, while the other two hide off two the sides. We'll then signal for the two smaller formations to close in on either side behind the bulk of the enemy soldiers, trapping them on all sides. After that, they'll all be sitting ducks. If you'll have it, I believe that this is our best chance at victory." Sir Ivan said.

I cocked my eyebrow as I turned to Bailey. She shrugged her shoulders, seemingly neutral on the matter.

"How do you suggest we utilize the dragons in the most efficient way possible?" Bailey asked Sir Ivan.

"That would be up to our Queen." He replied.

I sighed, pondering.

"Doron on his own is a force to be reckoned with, but Magar and May are both very lethal. The issue is, May likely won't stray far from Magar during the fight, and Magar will be partially focused on protecting May as opposed to doing as much damage as possible. The two of them will put the other at considerable risk." I said, before pausing.

"May's broken away from her mother before, why wouldn't she do it again?" Sir Ivan asked.

I shook my head.

"She's two of the four dragons she grew up close to shot down and killed. She'll be much more cautious than she has been in the past, and Magar will likely be far more protective based on what she's seen happen in the past. If I'm right, Magar will do everything she can to keep May close to her side." I said.

"So what are you suggesting then?" One of the officers asked.

I sighed.

"I suggest that Doron and I fly into the battle with our army, but Magar and May stay behind. There's no sense in risking them both. They'll get each other killed." I said.

Bailey shook her head.

"No, no,no, just, no. I don't care what anyone says, Magar and I will fight the battle along side you. I'd rather I die and save your life. You're dragon is bigger, and more powerful. His death would be much more devastating than Magar or May's. I'm coming to protect you, whether you want me to or not." Bailey said firmly.

I locked eyes with her, judging her level of legitimacy. After a few seconds, I sighed and shrugged my shoulders.

"Sir Ivan, I accept your battle plan. All three dragons will fly in with the first cavalry charge, and fight to the last dragon, and the last man. Relay my orders to the rest of the army, and have the ready to fight at a moments notice. They could come within range any day now. You're dismissed." I said.