General Cassius Cornell stepped out of the tent and stretched. The cool morning air and calm blue sky refreshex his soul, almost as much as his night of pleasure with the slave girl sleeping in his bed. He strapped on his gear and marched to greet the captains. "Hail, brothers, and a fine morning to you!" he bellowed. The captains stood to attention and beat their chests with a resounding "hoo rah."

Captain Magdalee, a tough brunette from the south, rolled out a battle map on the grass. "You're just in time, Commander. We were debating how to cross the mointains without getting slaughtered by the ballista turrets. They collapsed our tunnels, shot down our catapulted missiles in mid-air, and destroyed our siege engines. We just can't seem to get a clear shot at them."

Cassius folded his arms and studied the map. At this rate, infiltration seemed to be their best shot. Unfortunately, they hadn't stored any elf armor and could not effectively disguise themselves. What other options did they have?

"General," called Captain Promagnus.
"Yes?"
"I think we've been overlooking our lucky break."
Intrigued, Cassius gave the captain his full attention. "Do tell."

"Well, our scouts came back with the usual enemy strength reports, and I noticed that the number of troops on one of the inner forts had doubled. The other scouts reported increased patrol activity. If the elves are anything like us, doubling security is a giveaway for the presence of a high-ranking official."

General Cassius laughed. "That makes this an excellent opportunity then, despite the potential costs. We still have no clear idea how their leadership is structured, since no one has ever been inside Aetherion, and we can't pass up this opportunity to capture one of them. We must prepare a sacrifice and pray to the gods for aid. Do we have any suitable offerings?"

The leaders picked through the slave lists in their minds. Then Magdalee spoke up. "What about the slave in your tent?"
Cassius snapped his fingers. "Yes! I like your thinking. She'll make an excellent sacrifice. Guards, prepare the offering."

Soldiers cut down trees and built a wooden altar while the guards dragged the young slave girl bound and gagged out of the tent. They strapped her to the altar, and the priest brandished a knife.

"Isn't this exciting?" Cassius crooned as the priest flayed the girl alive. Magdalee nodded, a broad grin on her face. "It's very satisfying. Can't wait to taste her young blood. Wasn't she from the former Dragon Kingdom? I hear their blood is sweet."
"It is. It has this unique flavor resembling elvish blood, highly saccharine, but not overly so. We'll be able to taste the difference later today, eh?"
The two fist-bumped as the priest lit the fire under the altar.

"General! A dispatch!"

A messenger ran up to Cassius and handed him the note.
[i]Lanik Wintergate was assigned to your legion, General Cornwall. Be ready to attack the elves after he arrives.[/i]
"Yes! The gods have accepted my sacrifice! Oh, this will be a glorious day. Make ready the troops!"