The sky brightened slightly as dawn light filtered through the window frame, casting dappled shadows on the floor.
[Daily Intelligence Refresh]
1: The Lord of neighboring Gargoyle City has dispatched an envoy, arriving in three days, to invite you to discuss "Joint Border Defense."
2: A group of Serpent's Minions appeared silently in northern Silver Moon Territory. Due to the local lord focusing his forces on neighbors and silver mine defense, several villages were slaughtered, with hundreds of casualties.
3: A group of about fifty refugees will arrive tomorrow. They claim to be from villages destroyed by the Serpent's Minions. Among them are a few skilled craftsmen seeking asylum.
4: Old Man Martin from the North Farm reported to the sheriff that his neighbor Hans's scarecrow was seen dancing in the fields at night, trying to steal his radishes.
5-6: [Routine details]
7: Large-scale conflicts have broken out between territories on the border of the Sun Kingdom and the Thunder Dragon Duchy. This may escalate into total war, affecting the price and flow of strategic materials like weapons and grain.
8: The atmosphere in the nearby Poplar Viscounty is eerie. The Lord has frequent contact with unidentified personnel. Spies reported whispers of "sacrifice" and "power," likely related to the remnants of the Serpent Church.
9: A rare plant called "Dragon-Tongue" grows atop Firmament Peak in the eastern Blackstone Mountains. Its fragrance attracts magic beasts and fierce aerial predators.
10: The Blood Wolf Mercenaries reached an agreement with their secret backer to double the bounty for destroying Blackstone Territory. Their main force will arrive tomorrow evening. Since their last defeat, their home base is currently extremely vulnerable.
The Blood Wolf Mercenaries again? Secret backer?
Leylo pondered and quickly formed a plan. He summoned his core members to the breakfast table.
"First, latest intelligence: the main force of our old rivals, the Blood Wolf Mercenaries, is expected to arrive tomorrow evening," Leylo stated.
"They dare return? Was the last lesson not enough?" Ed asked.
"They want to catch us off guard, so we'll give them a bigger 'surprise.' Passive defense has never been my style. Since they've moved out in full force, we'll take this chance to wipe out their nest!" Leylo explained. "With the mobility of the Pegasus knights, we leave after breakfast. We can crush their base and still return in time to defend the town."
It was an aggressive plan, but a viable one. Leylo stood up. "I will lead the team personally. Ed, you and the Pegasus knights will follow me. Let those sewer rats know that from today on, the tides have changed—we are the ones on the offensive."
"Yes, My Lord!" Ed stood up, radiating confidence.
"Bolin," Leylo turned, "you and Mayor Old Buck will handle the defense of Blackstone Town. You have over a day to reinforce the walls, organize the militia, and prepare stones and hot oil."
"Rest assured, My Lord," Bolin promised solemnly. "As long as one of us stands, no mercenary will set foot in this town!"
"Instructor Barrett," Leylo added, "your task is the heaviest. Train the recruits while assisting Bolin. You will command the remaining Pegasus riders and all squires and apprentices in the training camp."
Half an hour later, twenty Pegasus knights stood ready. Leylo, wearing light leather armor with a longsword at his hip, stood before them. "Depart!"
They flew for nearly eight hours, the landscape shifting from familiar hills to the desolate, jagged peaks of the deep Blackstone Mountains. Finally, Moonlight patted the head of Leylo's Pegasus. They circled over a hidden valley and spotted it—a massive cave opening halfway up a steep cliff, obscured by vines.
"It seems the intel was correct; their main force is gone," Ed whispered after observing.
They landed in a concealed forest clearing a few miles away to rest and feed the mounts. As dusk approached and the light turned grey, Leylo looked at his men.
"It's time. Prepare to mount! Remember the goal: penetrate the cave at maximum speed and eliminate all resistance! Ed, your First Squad is the vanguard. Second Squad, follow me."
"Yes!" The knights responded in a thunderous low chorus, their Pegasi beating their wings in anticipation of the strike.