We rode silently through the night as I mulled over our next course of action. The deer were the wrong approach. A useful test, to be sure, one which would be quite useful once I finally started transforming the dogs, but I did not need control now, not truly. I would return to my original idea. Something big to rampage through enemy ranks, and as this test proved, something to distract the enemy mage, lest my monster be turned to cinders before it achieved anything.

  I felt reasonably confident in achieving the former. The latter might prove trickier. As his swift retreat proved, the enemy sorcerer did not seem to be of the arrogant kind.

  The option to just use two monsters was likely the simplest. Place one in their path. Once their scouts spot it, they’d likely call the sorcerer to deal with it. Then strike with the other monster.

  There were a few issues with that plan, unfortunately. If no one else, the sorcerer was bound to be suspicious of any further monster appearances. Once he’d examined the mutant deer, he would realise what they were. Any other monsters will naturally be met with suspicion.

  The other big problem was sneakily manoeuvring around their army. The first monster could be prepared in advance and put to sleep, but then I would have to move and hide near their forces. Doable, yet to cast the Double Cross while more or less inside enemy lines would be foolish. The enemy might not be the most competent, but the risk was too high.

  I ran my fingers through the horse’s mane, thinking.

  A single rampaging monster was already risky enough. Breaking the enemy without the involvement of my soldiers was ultimately an unrealistic pipe dream.

  More mundane guerrilla tactics would do at first, leaving the monster as a final, unexpected blow before their demise.

  A relatively simple plan, but one that’d likely work considering the composition of enemy forces. Once fortune started turning, I doubted most of the mercenaries would stick around for long. I would refine it further once I had more information.

  I brought my horse to Isengrim, “Faoiltiarna,” I greeted. The elf had noticed my approach and was now appraising me with a calculating gaze. I could only hope to have met his expectations.

  After a few seconds, he nodded, returning my greeting.

  “How familiar,” I said, “Are you with guerrilla tactics?”

  Slowly, a disturbing smile bloomed on his scarred face.

  We talked quietly while on the move, the scarred elf surprising me with his insight and suggestions. On one hand, I was quite happy to have someone who could effectively direct such efforts under me, on the other, I was once again left disturbed by Ida’s insight.

  Could this truly be just a coincidence? Did she manage to guess that I would have to contend with a more numerous enemy and make her choice accordingly? Or, was there more at play?

  The frankly pathetic state of the elven race and the nature of human mediums and seers had made me dismissive of any claims of reliably seeing the future, but, perhaps, with enough information and intellect, even glimpses could be turned into actionable intel.

  It was still possible that Ida Emean aep Sivney was just a particularly intelligent and far-seeing person, but in the end, which option was true likely did not matter much.

  The conclusion was the same. My efforts to pursue a closer relationship with her had been a stroke of genius.

  Our new course set, I focused on scouring the forests with my magic, wary of potential ambushes. Tonight, we’d shelter in a nearby abandoned keep that Isengrim informed me of. Then, the real work would begin.

  Isengrim rode in silence, his mind occupied by the short battle and the similarly short sorceress.

  Though his face was carved from stone, his mind was disturbed.

  Zireael or not, Tanya von Degurechaff was far too strange. Too ruthless, too knowledgeable.

  Isengrim shuddered to think what would happen were she ever set against his kind. While entire armies of dh'oine would be stymied by forests and traps, the Iron Wolf did not think even Brokilon could withstand the ruthless attention of this child.

  She would poison the earth, set the forests aflame and divert the rivers, then she would watch dispassionately as his people burned.

  He understood Ida’s intention in sending him here more. The girl had potential, perhaps far too much of it. She might prove instrumental in the future of their race, or she could be its doom.

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  Isengrim shook his head before approaching Aevinne. The black haired elf regarded him with wary eyes, which he noted with satisfaction. While dashing the naive dreams of the young brought him no pleasure, he would not suffer such delusions in his subordinates.

  “Aevinne aep Glas Arda,” he spoke, “We have a new mission from our benefactor.”

  Aevinne stayed silent, her eyes urging him to go on.

  “From tomorrow onwards, the Nazairis will not have a single uninterrupted night of sleep. Any scout who strays too far will be captured,” Isengrim paused, looking Aevinne in the eyes, “and their screams put to good use. Every water source in their path will be fouled, game driven off, false trails laid, and traps set. Hit-and-run attacks or ambushes will be kept to a minimum, as Degurechaff fears enemy sorcery,” he finished.

  Isengrim stared into Aevinne’s now wide eyes for a moment, “Relay this to Caerith and Ithilven. Tomorrow, Degurechaff will formally give me command of this entire force, while she will move on to prepare the rest of the army.”

  She blinked, “To you? Won’t that…” She trailed off awkwardly.

  Isengrim tilted his head in agreement, “The dh’oine will grumble,” he admitted, “But we have a near parity of numbers. We will inform our people of this tonight and present a united front tomorrow. Together with Degurechaff’s word, I doubt there will be too many problems, especially once she makes it clear that insubordination is paramount to treason.”

  “Huh,” Aevinne let out a breath.

  Isengrim nodded.

  We reached the keep a few hours later, though calling it a keep was perhaps a tad charitable. The place was close to ruins and rather small, but still possessed reasonably intact stone walls. Getting my entire force of over two hundred and their horses inside was unfortunately not feasible, but the extra security would still be helpful if we were attacked.

  A good place to camp for the night.

  There was, however, one issue. The knight standing in front of the place. The figure wore a blue-black plate, with a helmet stretched to resemble a dog's jaws, though it was impossible to see more than the figure's eyes.

  I spurred my horse, a couple of my bodyguards following.

  “Greetings, ser,” I began, lifting my visor, “ I was unaware that this place was inhabited. I am Tanya von Degurechaff, sent here on a mission by the Queen herself. Who might you be?”

  The figure examined me, their gaze remaining on my staff for a conspicuously long time.

  I cleared my throat. Their head snapped towards me, while their hand reached for their sword.

  “Business?” The figure questioned in a surprisingly soft, if recognisably male, voice.

  “It concerns a foreign incursion onto our lands,” I explained, watching him carefully.

  The knight relaxed, “Is that so? For how long do you wish to make use of my humble abode?”

  “Half a day,” I watched his change in demeanour curiously.

  The man nodded, “Do not enter my personal quarters.”

  With that, he turned around and left, never even introducing himself.

  I stared after him, before giving the order to prepare the camp. It was nearing morning, but the troops needed rest. We would depart before noon.

  After I left my horse with some feed, I searched out Isengrim. I found him talking to two other elves, a male and a female.

  His eyes flitted to me, “Caerith, Ithilven, that will be all. Ithilven, do not rush, the first batch needs to be high quality. It won’t matter after they wizen up.”

  The two elves saluted before departing.

  “Faoiltiarna,” I greeted, “I thought this place was abandoned?” I kept any accusations out of my voice, but I did not like such surprises.

  The elf moved his hand in a so-so movement, “We spotted tracks around it. I had thought it inhabited by brigands or the like.”

  “And you had not thought to mention this?”

  He shrugged, “They would have run once they spotted us, were that the case.”

  I frowned, “No harm done, but inform me next time. Any idea about the identity of our host?”

  Isengrim inclined his head, “I’ve heard tales of an Urcheon living inside this keep, but had thought them simple rumours spread to discourage others from coming here.”

  “Urcheon…” I mumbled. It meant nothing to me.

  “A mystery for another time, perhaps,” I continued, “Our host has caused us no trouble, so it is only proper that we do not bother him unduly.”

  “It is good to respect the law of hospitality,” Isengrim concurred, with an amused tone.

  I still did not like the situation, but I had more urgent things to worry about.

  The next day, after getting a good rest, I took a short walk through the crumbling courtyard. Spotting nothing amiss, I exited the tiny keep, entering the camp where the majority of the force currently rested.

  There was no sign of the so-called Urcheon. The man was likely waiting for us to leave, for which I did not blame him. I wouldn’t be happy if someone parked a warband on my doorstep either.

  In the next few hours, the camp was packed up and my force once more readied to move out.

  “We will be splitting up,” I announced, “Twenty will ride back with me to join up with our main force,” Twenty of the more troublesome humans, “While the rest will remain to harass our enemy under Commander Faoiltiarna’s leadership.”

  As I spoke, I examined the arrayed soldiers, quickly picking out my twenty bodyguards. The illogical racial hatred present in my ranks was annoying, but I couldn’t do much now. However, if my troops thought I’d forget once our enemy was defeated, they were sorely mistaken.

  After one last glare, I was satisfied. Isengrim was capable enough. If he had to execute a couple of men, then that was a price I was willing to pay. He might never be liked amongst my troops afterwards, but a commander did not need to be. Fear and respect worked well enough.