Having taken her leave of Vlos and Bohma, Urdin's female aide flew to the soldiers' barracks to see how things were going there. She was confronted by the usual sights: healers coming and going; soldiers being prepared for treatment, and their muffled screams and prayers in enduring one--with more of them being brought in by the hour, and even those discussing of their loved ones. Thankfully she could sense no dissent.

Tough guys as they are, we often get to see their softer side in times like these... no different from the general.

And yet... these are the same men I'd promised I would launch a raid with. Tonight, if at all.

She approached a group of soldiers waiting for their turn to be treated.

"Major Senna," one of them greeted after his comrades had fallen silent, apparently aware of her other position. "Any help we could render you?"

"Where might I find Brigadier Nu'man?"

"He could be in consultation with the others on the status of our defenses, Major, in his private room. You're welcome to try. Our regards to him."

"Your name, soldier?"

"Ren, my lady."

"Ren... and the others. Wish you all a speedy and healthy recovery. May your swords stay sharp. May our cause be allowed to prevail."

The soldiers thumped their fists on to their chests in silent acknowledgement.

***

As Senna made her way to where the brigadier was, she recalled being summoned into Urdin's presence for the first time in her active service in that same castle, supposedly for some friendly advice. It had been no easy moment, for the man already was gaining renown for his fiery temper and sharp tongue; no different from his old man, some said.

Urdin had been standing alone when she was ushered in.

'Sen,' he had begun softly, without turning, 'you are the first female ever since my father's days to serve in active military service, do you know?'

'I am... not aware of this, sir,' she had replied with some surprise, lowering her gaze. 'Pardons.'

'Look up when I'm speaking to you!'

That fiery tone again... but when she complied, if timidly, she could not sense any hint of anger from his expression.

'Do not think to ever misplace my trust, or any other's. You have trodden a path few of your sex in this period could hope to even see, Senna--do not give them cause to feel inferior, for we are not created without rights.'

'Sir.'

Her commander had then sighed, approached her, and laid a hand on her armored shoulder. She had not flinched nor tried to back away.

'I may not be the most pleasant man to work with, quite unlike my brother; so if you are dissatisfied with me at any point in your service, feel free to say so. I shall act accordingly.'

'Sir! Why would I be, when you are the one directly responsible for my being on this path?'

'Just in case.'

'Sir--'

His gaze had implored her to hold back, and she did--though not without a hint of that very dissatisfaction that Urdin had fathomed; she had not dared to put it to words, however. The arm that touched her shoulder had pressed a little before letting go.

'That is all I have to say to you. If there's nothing else, you may take your leave.'

She had painfully resisted the urge to hug him then, for such a subtle display of understanding. 'Sir. Viva Hospodia.'

He had acknowledged it with a nod, remaining silent.

***

"Ah, Major Senna. How may I help you? I have a feeling I shall be consulted, sooner or later."

At length she found the brigadier, not in his room poring over reports, but appearing to have returned from someplace.

"Your sense seems to have sharpened, Brigadier, and sunset is still hours away."

Nu'man chuckled, stroking his own profuse beard. "By sunset today I reckon we'd be performing something big. It's already been sixty days of seaborne raids and stamping over ones who got too close to our walls, after all, and I cannot imagine a person like you would just let it slip by."

My point exactly. "I think your personal study would be better for this kind of talk, sir."

"Please follow me."

"Some of the men afield sent you their regards," she reminded cheerfully along the way. "You're that respected, huh?"

"As are you, Major, don't miss out on that part. Besides, one needs to have trust in one's commander if victory is ever to be achieved. Oh, and while we are speaking of victories..." they turned at a fork, "might I ask who is to be in charge of... whatever plan you have in mind?"

"Yours truly, of course. Why do you ask?"

"I've heard whispers," Nu'man replied, "that if this trend continues, our young liege may have the appearance of a puppet ruler."

Her expression hardened as she walked. "Who would dare say so to Hospodia's heir? What has been done about this?"

"Calm, Senna, you know I don't tell you this to merely to unsettle you. Heir to Hospodia? Let's not forget that Urdin has that honor too, as the former lord's brother... and he is more mature. Yet he is also distant at present, and we have a real war looming. Who then could we count on? You, who outwardly pledged your loyalty to a fallen House's cause? Or... that kid?"

They both halted, as if on cue.

"I warn you, Nu'man, don't go beyond this. You darn well know we all serve Prince Vlos here, and are aiding him in his attempt to restore his ancestral House's name!"

"Then he should be with us, leading the way as his uncle does!"

"You're really asking too much of the child. If anything foul were to happen to him--"

"'Child', did you just say?" Nu'man sneered. "Ah. So that's how even the likes of you are regarding him, instead of a proper liege. Why, then, would I serve someone I know I can't rely on for leadership?"

"You have me."

"Where do you think your supposed 'authority' comes from? Huh? In case you missed the point, you are only the female aide to a fallen general presently leagues away in a foreign city, doing who-knows-what."

Senna's fist clenched and she could feel her blood rising, boiling. "You can be sure the mayor will hear of this, and he will definitely consider it in weighing your achievements. Now, shall we continue with the discussion, or shall I proceed without even consulting you again?"

That stunned her interlocutor. "I am this city's head garrison--"

"For what you just said alone, the mayor could see you replaced. Huh?"

At length, after mentally weighing his options, Nu'man decided to proceed, muttering apologies all the while.

***

"Shall we begin?" Nu'man laid the point of a short stick on the laid-out scale map depicting the regions around and between Balaras and Arenda. The forest of Mirdas was highlighted in part on the lower parts of the map. Senna and the brigadier's pair of aides were soon poring over it, casting their shadows on said part of the forest.

(Hospodian battle plans)

After a full minute staring at the map, Senna hummed, awestruck.

"The fact that we have a map of such details," she commented, "begs the question: why had any land-based raid not been conducted on our part until now?"

"This map came into my possession only recently," came the reply.

"From what source?"

Nu'man looked at his aides one after the other as if inquiring, before his gaze returned to Senna.

"You may recall that our current mayor is the former aide to one for whom taking Arenda might have been a lifetime's obsession. Plans were drawn, schemes made, possibilities explored... In sum, this map is here to aid us in fulfilling such a vision, under new banners.

"So," Nu'man once again tapped somewhere on the map to regain his audience's attention, "as you can see here, this area highlighted in red is the scope wherein we can effectively respond to the enemy's land raids--if they would care to launch any. This 'Ingur Point'--" he pointed to a fort-like structure not far from Balaras, "--is our core outpost. Lose it, and we'll be forced to fight with the Sarsan Strait to our backs."

"Not very convenient," the younger of Nu'man's aides, Sirka, pointed out, "what with Arendan sea raids as of late..."

"Indeed," his superior acknowledged. "Now, beyond this outpost and the Ramisa Plains, only the wilderness of the Mirdas Forests awaits; though as you see, there are several clearings through which we could attempt to stage our own raids. For practical purposes let's designate these clearings as 'lanes'..."

The silence in the room was almost palpable as each conferee considered their options. The brigadier gave them some time before continuing.

"The first lane is by far the most obvious choice. In fact, this was the path cleared by the late Lord Hospodia as part of his attempts against this city. This lane also offers the shortest, most direct route from the plains... though no guarantee could be given whether it is also the safest. Once our raiders enter the lane, they might have to contend with enemy ambushers lurking on the surrounding hills, with almost no way back. Not to mention, the Arendans had built an outpost of their own to better safeguard the route--the Tuvka Point."

Exactly where I had advised Mayor Yasnar to keep an eye on, Senna thought warily.

"As for the second lane, it has a wider clearing followed by hilly terrain. Beyond this is the Arendan Citadel, so taking this lane may provide the advantage of secrecy... if the party involved is daring enough. We could expect this is where the Arendans least suspect an assault, as this is by far the hardest route. Take your pick."

A briefer silence followed.

"This may explain why our adversaries are reluctant to take any of the land routes against us," Nu'man's elder aide Navka interjected, "and they are right, considering the perils."

"Well, Sen?" the brigadier asked. "If whatever plans you have is to be done tonight, you better make it clear which lane we shall enter."

Senna nodded. "What of this city, Ardis?"

"Forget it. That's just your common little town, doing business in peace by chopping all the woods around it, with the Arendans securing half its profits every three moons. Besides, there's no way into it..." the brigadier halted. "Are you..?"

"For Prince Vlos' cause to prevail, and this part of Hospodia to be reunited, the rebel-infested city of Arenda must change its banners no matter which lane we take. If that requires creating a new lane, well..." she winked, "we must see to it, as Urdin had in the case of the first lane. Any objections?"

"But, lady..." Navka joined, "that would mean..."

"No worries," she smiled. "Brigadier, if you have any objections to my actions after this, feel free to refer to the mayor."

"Won't you at least allow us knowledge of this... new move?" Nu'man inquired. "Our cooperation might be needed."

"If Yasnar deems it necessary, you will be; until then I would prefer operating at my own discretion. Good day, gentlemen."