Tuesday Excerpt, "Crucible"

On the desk, Linvin found the orders to which the goblins on the bridge referred. Linvin already knew most of the message. One point of interest came at the end when instructions were given to shoot a flaming arrow into the sky if Linvin’s party was spotted. Then they were ordered to retreat and hide while the ‘main body’ of the army drove them to the sea and would annihilate them there.  

The news was ominous to Linvin. Even if his plan was successful and they left the depot unnoticed, he was in a race to the sea. If the Mandrean armies arrived there first, he would be in for a fight he wished desperately to avoid.

He left the barracks and checked the other three buildings to make sure there was no one lying in wait for them. Once he was confident the compound was secure, he left to summon his party.

As Linvin hurriedly strode down the center of the road, the General in his brain began to formulate a plan with benefits and risks taken into consideration. Though the walk was short, the time was sufficient for the decisive leader to crystallize his orders.

When he saw the bridge appear at the end of the road with the goblins still sleeping upon it, he stopped and called out. “It is safe. Come to me.” His four companions walked their horses out of the trees and eagerly waited for news about the depot. Linvin was quick to respond. He put his arms behind his back and began to pace in front of the others like he was addressing his soldiers.

“Just ahead there is in fact a small base and storage depot,” Linvin began. “There are five buildings in the compound. On the left are a barracks and stable. On the right are three storage facilities. I have seen to it that the Sergeant on duty there does not wake before the others. He is sound asleep in the barrack. Do not enter that building.

“Rander, find a branch in the woods that has already fallen. I do not want evidence of a freshly broken tree limb to raise suspicion. As we advance, use the branch to grate the soil on the road and hide our tracks. When those guards awake and return to the depot I want them to believe no one has been down this road.

“It will be tempting to take our time at the base. We cannot afford to do that. It is part of their messenger network with a crossroad in the middle of the compound. We must go in, get what we need and leave quickly without leaving evidence of our presence. Only then will my plan work.