[center][img]http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab20/XxKayla36xX/Kyla.png[/img][h2]&[/h2][img]http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab20/XxKayla36xX/Felix.png[/img][h3]War Room, One Day Earlier[/h3][/center]

The lieutenants, captains and generals sat in the small meeting room awaiting the return of Captain Kyla and Cynbel’s troops. 

“I look forward to hearing the good news of the success of the ambush.” One of the Unseelie Captains said, confidence in his voice. The other Captains and Lieutenants of the Order looked at one another in silent talk. The doors opened with Kyla and Sean walking in with slight limps to their step. 

“I look forward to the good news you two.”

[color=teal]”Which you will not hear from us. The ambush went awry half way into the battle.[/color] A few from the order whispered to each other while the rest stayed silent. Kyla stepped forward to debrief all those there.

[color=teal]”We waited above the trail in the treeline where we were expecting the ambush to happen however as per usual, information was either withheld or misinterpreted as they came in the opposing direction of where we were expecting the attack. Improved defense tactics were made in record timing but we did not calculate on dealing with Highhill dwarven artillery in the distance.”[/color]

“So what of our troops?” Questioned a general, looking over at Sean.

“Originally we had 35 total for this mission.”

[color=teal]”We returned with less than half.”[/color] Her eyes met those at the table.

[color=teal]”We have to send in another reconnaissance team to acquire better intel. I suggest in a few days we do that.”[/color]

“Very well.” Nodded a commander.

[color=teal]”For us to get close enough we will need a distraction.”[/color]


Felix, who had remained silent for some time observing the meeting raised his hand and spoke up. 
[color=gold]”I know just the distraction...I will request that Garax sends in some from his clan to assist. We will go on the offensive and attempt to seize here.”[/color] He placed his finger on the map on a Seelie outpost about 15 miles away. [color=gold]” This seems to be a good position to take and give us the upper hand as it is one of the main routes for men and weapons. If we take this we can put a dent into their resources for a little while. Cynbel?”[/color] He looked to the faerie general for his input. 

Cynbel nodded. He quietly stared at the map with his hand stroking his chin. [color=lightgray]“Here.”[/color] He pointed to the section of the map just east of the outpost. [color=lightgray]”We will have a separate troupe from the fighters. When the front line has drawn out the Seelie, they will swarm in and torch the buildings. We have a few quick and talented fire mages, maybe even an elemental fey.”[/color] He nodded again. [color=lightgray]”I like the idea of taking out their resources…. Weapons, healers.”[/color]

[color=gold]”But at the same time we could use this to our advantage as it could also push the lines back for the Seelie army. We could send some extra troops after its taken and make it a forward base of operations for our own.”[/color] Felix retorted.

The faerie swayed his head back and forth and tapped his fingers along the table, weighing the options in his head. [color=lightgray]”That could work…. But…. I’d rather know the extent of their forces before doing something so bold. Depending on what other hidden allies they have at their disposal, we might not be able to hold it. If we burn it down, there is no risk of them taking it back.”[/color]

[color=gold]”[i]If[/i]  they even have hidden allies. It is a risk for a reward”[/color]

“But a risk that General Cynbel isn’t willing to make as you can hear.” A captain of the fey quipped. The human commander sent the captain a look before turning his attention back to Cynbel.

[color=gold]”Say we go with the idea of torching the place and say you are wrong. We would have had a great missed opportunity to get one up from the Seelie. There’s a possibilty that it will be to our favor.”[/color]

[color=lightgray]”You are more than welcome to send your men off on whims of [i]possibile opportunities[/i]. We have a much better offense than the Seelie, it is their defenses that we need to grind down. The more that we can take off of the table, the better.”[/color] the general stated coldly. The other Unseelie nodded in agreement.

[color=gold]”You’re not thinking strategically…”[/color] he sighed.

Cynbel raised both silver brows at Felix’s words. The general leaned forward, tenting his fingers up on the table. He was still calm, but his eyes showed the anger inside. [color=lightgray]”Is that so?”[/color] he asked rhetorically. Felix looked up with a quizzical look before cursing himself mentally for the slip of the tongue. The slight smile toying on the general’s lips stood in stark contrast to the look in his eyes. [color=lightgray]”I have been leading this army for the better half of a millennium, but please, [i]human[/i].”[/color] it was his first time using his race as a derogatory remark, [color=lightgray]“Tell me how to lead them.”[/color] 

He slammed his fist on the table. [color=gold]”Don’t patronize me, [i]Commander![/i]”[/color] His voice rose and hardened yet he still regarded him by his title out of respect for rank. [color=gold]”For half a millennium that may have worked but this isn’t just the [i]Seelie[/i] and [i]Unseelie[/i] war! No, this is a war that has a [i]high[/i] chance of being a war on two fronts that...if we don’t take advantage of it now, [i]will[/i] be the death of the Unseelie and all who live within this realm. I am trying to strategize with tactics I have learned over the years while you resort to what you know. What happened to the Unseelie code, [i]Change is Good[/i]? Allow a change in tactics and see where it takes you.”[/color] slight exhaustion in his voice with the slightest hint of plea.

Cynbel crossed his arms over his chest and let out a low laugh resulting in a somewhat confused human commander. [color=lightgray]”Hmhmhm… you’ve got some balls, using our words against me.”[/color] He was actually smiling now. [color=lightgray]”You are right, change is good. That is the line I struggle with most… we will try this your way, Commander.”[/color]

Felix sighed in relief as his anger subsided, unconsciously nodding his head. [color=gold]”Very well. I have heard that you acquired some goblins in the earlier part of the campaign. How have they been holing up?”[/color] He looked around the room.

“They haven’t seen action for a bit. We have had no major use for them yet.” Felix nodded.

[color=gold]”We will use them now. Have the goblins put up a smoke wall in front of their main gates. They should then expect an attack from the front. We will use volleys of arrows and what not to put them in a panic, focusing their attention to the smoke. Once they make that their primary focus. We will move in here, from the east, and flank them with the orcs. They will take the brunt of the attack but they should manage with Garax. Then we’ll send in the cleaning crew to finish them off. A few of your mages and ours to secure the outpost and then keep our main defenses there fortify here to here. Northwest to northeast. We will then bring in a few captains and other officers to put some input of their own but we can then move a portion of the main force forward. What do you think?”[/color] Felix looked at him with a thin smile.

[color=lightgray]”As I said, we will try this your way. The plan sounds solid enough. When shall we rally the troops?”[/color]

[color=gold]”Seven days from now. We have to make sure that they are well aware and prepared for this.”[/color] 

Cynbel agreed with a nod [color=lightgray]”Will Sulleykaar and Kiara have returned by then, do you think?”[/color]

Felix shrugged. He honestly had no clue. [color=gold]”I wouldn’t count on it...But she would definitely be safe with him. If what was said before about her being trained...She won’t be back anytime soon.[/color]

Cynbel chuckled [color=lightgray]”I’m not worried about her safety, she hardly needs anyone’s protection. I am sure she will be sad to miss the fight. Perhaps Sulleykaar will stand in as advisor and commander at a later date. We will make this call without him, then.”[/color]

[i]Not concerned with the safety of his daughter?[/i] Felix thought with a perplexed look. [color=gold]”You haven’t trained with Suls before, have you?”[/color] He deadpanned.

[color=lightgray]”Will that be all, then, Commander?”[/color] he asked Felix, speaking up for the room to hear clearly, completing ignoring the silly question. Why ask something that you know the answer to? [color=lightgray]”Shall this meeting be adjourned?”[/color]. Felix looked around, silent for a moment before he nodded and stood up straight.