"Team Two Vera, Mikael, Dain, and Nigard goes to the supply depot in the western quarter." Vera circled the location. "Plant charges among the alchemical compounds. When those go up, half the fortress burns."
Boom!!!
"Timing is critical." Mikael pulled out a pocket watch. "Both teams need to plant their explosives and reach the extraction point before detonation. We’re estimating fifteen minutes from entry to blast."
"What’s the extraction point?" Liz asked beaming with utmost ignorance can you atleast give us a brief .
"Here." Vera pointed to a section of the northern wall. "Blind spot in their patrol coverage. Guard rotation leaves it unwatched for exactly four minutes during shift change. We go over the wall there, get clear of the blast radius, then move east toward Ashveil while the fortress burns behind us."
Marcus studied the plan. Risky. Multiple points of failure. Relied heavily on timing and the guards not noticing six people who definitely didn’t belong in their fortress.
But better than fighting two hundred soldiers head-on. Life’s mostly about sense and strategy.
"What about reinforcements?" Marcus asked. "When the fortress goes up, won’t the main garrison send troops to investigate?"
"Yes." Vera’s expression was grim. "Which is why we need to move fast. The main garrison is forty miles east. Even with fast horses, it’ll take them hours to respond. By then, we’ll be at Ashveil."
"And once we’re at Ashveil?" Liz’s voice was quiet but intense.
Vera met her eyes. "Then we find Corvin. And we get answers. But more importantly, we stop the ley line energy access to Ashveil. The fortress is their supply checkpoint and coordination hub.
Destroying it will slow down their entire operation."
"Ashveil is swarming with corrupted creatures." Tobin added grimly. "Without the fortress providing support and reinforcements, they’ll be cut off. Weakened."
"Exactly." Vera nodded. "The fortress isn’t just blocking our path. It’s the lifeline keeping Duskhollow’s Ashveil operation running. Cut the fortress, and we cut their supply chain, their communication network, their ability to move troops and specimens freely."
Marcus looked at Liz, his expression serious. "I just want to lay waste to this place and at least save your home’s memory from this corruption. By the meantime, get stronger while doing so. And I get the feeling I’ll achieve something while doing so."
Liz’s eyes widened slightly, something softening in her expression. "You’re doing this for Ashveil?"
"I’m doing this because it needs to be done."
Marcus’s tone was matter-of-fact. "And because you deserve to see your home freed from whatever Duskhollow’s turned it into."
The group fell silent, each processing the plan and their role in it.
But!!!!
Nigard broke the silence. "One question. These explosives you’re planning to use. Where are they?"
Dain grinned and patted a pack beside him.
"Already have them. Vera’s been stockpiling alchemical compounds for two months. We’ve got enough here to level a small castle."
Marcus kept his expression neutral, but his thoughts were skeptical. Literally trusting someone we met out of the blue. Although, we don’t have a choice. It’s extra workforce.
Still, they needed the numbers. Six people against a fortress was barely manageable.
He’d keep an eye on Nigard. If the man proved useful, good. If he proved to be a problem...
Marcus’s hand drifted unconsciously toward where Dagon waited in his inventory.
Problems could be solved.
He paused, then added, "This is a step toward making Veldrath a nicer place. Deleting people like Duskhollow by liberating Ashveil from him."
Liz looked at him, surprise flickering across her face. "Thought you weren’t into character development."
"It’s just something that needs to be done."
Marcus’s expression remained neutral. "Some may die, but it’s for the greater good."
"The greater good." Liz repeated softly, something unreadable in her eyes. "Coming from you, that sounds almost hopeful."
"Don’t get used to it." Marcus turned away, heading toward his spot to rest. "I’m still just here to get stronger."
But even as he said it, the words felt less true than they had a week ago.
The group dispersed to their respective tasks. Dain checked his arrows. Tobin inspected his shield and armor. Mikael organized his notes and supplies. Vera began preparing ritual components for emergency healing.
Liz stood apart from the others, staring into the forest toward where Ashveil lay hidden in the darkness.
Marcus approached her quietly. "You ready for this?"
"I don’t know." She answered honestly. "Seeing those specimens earlier... it brought everything back. The screaming. The blood. Watching people I knew get torn apart."
"And tomorrow you’ll face it again." Marcus didn’t sugarcoat it. "The fortress will be dangerous. Ashveil will be worse. If you’re not ready—"
"I’m going." Liz’s jaw set with determination. "Ready or not. My mother died there. I need to be at peace. And my people might still be suffering there."
Marcus nodded. "Then stay close. Watch my back like you did with the convoy."
"And you’ll watch mine?" A slight smile crossed her face.
"Always."
Marcus patted her head.
Liz swatted his hand away, but she was smiling. "I’m not a child."
"Could’ve fooled me with how you froze earlier." His tone was light, teasing.
"Shut up." But there was no heat in it.
They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, looking toward the east where their destination waited.
The firelight cast shadows across Liz’s face, softening the hard edges combat had carved into her features. Marcus found himself studying her the determination in her jaw, the quiet strength she carried despite everything.
"Marcus." She turned, catching him staring.
"Yeah?"
"Don’t die tomorrow." Her voice was soft, vulnerable. "We still have a lot to figure out."
Something unspoken passed between them in the darkness. Understanding. Promise. Maybe something more.
"Just stick by me." Marcus’s voice was equally quiet. "I’ll be lost without my guide."
Liz smiled faintly. "Wouldn’t dream of it."
Neither moved away. Tomorrow would bring fire and blood and answers. Tonight, they had this moment. This peace.
And somehow, that was enough.