Chapter 42: The First Idea

A blade meant little against an opponent who refused to stay wounded.

"No. I don’t think so." Areus shook his head as he answered Benign. "It was stated that you clearly went for espionage. Setting an explosion of that size must’ve been a slip of the hand."

Benign’s frown deepened. The sarcasm dripping out of that pale face made his eyes twitch.

Suera tilted her head. "The explosion isn’t a wrong move in any way, brother. It cut him almost nothing and aided us greatly. But they’re already watching him. They wouldn’t be surprised like that again."

"Exactly." Areus folded his arms. "Which is why he should disappear for a while."

Benign frowned. "Disappear where? They’re already hunting me. Do you not listen?"

"Anywhere but their doorstep."

Suera nodded lightly. "That part I agree with. Going to them would be foolishness."

Benign looked between them. "Foolishness?" Their choice of phrases was infuriating. "Do you two rehearse every condescending line to offend in an argument?"

"What? No."

"Frequently."

Benign rolled his eyes. At least the sister was honest.

Rox quietly watched the exchange before speaking for the first time. "He won’t run no matter what you say."

Four pairs of eyes shifted toward her while she looked directly at Benign.

"You had opportunities before, and you’ve taken them so far. Is there even a reason to ask when you know what you’ll do?"

Benign shrugged. They were a team now. Everyone could drop their two cents, and he decides how he wants to pay. "Running works when it helps the mission. Sometimes retreat is the correct strategy."

Suera nodded once. "A tactical withdrawal isn’t cowardice."

"Sometimes," Benign repeated. "But when your enemy expects you to retreat, don’t. It might seem repetitive, but if the plan never failed, why change it?"

Areus frowned, clearly turning the last sentence over in his head. "I dislike how much sense that makes."

A small chuckle escaped Suera. Before either of them could continue, Lady Alana raised a hand.

The room fell silent. Her gaze passed over each member of the squad before settling on Benign. She leaned forward slightly.

"The decision has already been made."

Benign raised a brow. If a decision had already been made, there was no need for the discussion. The protectors might only want to eradicate the closest problem.

The General wasn’t the problem. Neither were the other three. The Warlord was. Then there was Castrius, who could have been one of the generals but had less bitterness toward him.

The Warlord who sent Castrius to find the Hero would be much scarier.

"What decision was made?" Areus asked.

Lady Alana rested both hands upon the armrests. Her gaze settled on the squad.

"The Protectors had suggested striking the enemy General before she regains the initiative and attacks again."

Silence lingered across the hall.

Benign lowered his eyes thoughtfully before nodding. "Reasonable, but I don’t think she’s frightened enough for that to matter."

The twins looked towards him.

Benign continued with his arms folded. "She withdrew, but she didn’t lose confidence. She lost supplies. Her next attack will bring revenge."

Rox raised her head. "And she’ll be waiting for you."

Benign met her gaze. "I know."

"Which is why the Council rejected that direct assault." Lady Alana’s fingers tapped the throne once. "We agreed that gathering information is the wiser option."

"Espionage," Areus nodded.

"The enemy expects that." Lady Alana countered. "Forests surround their previous camp so sneaking through the trees won’t work."

Benign rubbed his chin. "What about watching them instead? We might not enter the camp, but we can observe from a distance."

"That was our second thought." She sighed. "But they relocated before dawn, and their new camp stands in open grassland nearly two thousand metres from here."

Benign’s brow rose. "No trees?"

Lady Alana nodded. "They removed every obvious hiding place. They learned from yesterday."

She looked towards him.

Benign almost smiled. He would have done the same.

Lady Alana continued. "They’ve also moved farther away from the shelter. Their attention has shifted."

The smile wiped off Benign’s face. He already knew the answer. "Us."

Lady Alana nodded again. "They will attack the headquarters next."

Silence lingered in the room.

"Our messengers contacted Olien to request cooperation from their allies forces," Rox mentioned. "But no reply has returned."

Benign remembered the Olien spy that invited him to meet the King after his accusation. If Olien truly intended peace, their silence made little sense.

The soldier looked back toward Lady Alana, as an idea brewed in his head. "How long would it take them to reach us? Will they be attacking on foot?"

"It will take forty-five minutes. And they have cheetah mounts."

"Cheetah mounts?" Benign repeated softly. The first animal he recognized from his own world. He also knew what the animal was known for.

"That is too close. If they begin charging, we’ll barely have time to organize. Do we have any advantage?"

"Visibility," Rox said.

Suera turned to Benign. "We’ll see them coming."

"But we won’t stop them," Areus finished.

Benign remained silent. His fingers reached for the Blade of Ages by his waist. Ammunition. Troop strength. Terrain. There were too many unknowns. One thing mattered.

If he couldn’t stop the army, he could slow it. To move close to the headquarters in short notice was terrifying. Their mounts were really fast. He snapped his fingers.

Lady Alana exhaled, as if she had been waiting. "What is your idea?"

Benign looked up with a faint smile. "If we can’t stop the soldiers directly, we slow what carries them."

The room stayed quiet.

Benign continued. "Their mounts."

Areus frowned. "You mean kill their mounts?"

"I do not like the idea of killing innocent animals." Suera mirrored her brother’s frown.

Benign shook his head. "No, no. I mean make them useless at the right time. Can the headquarters spare medicine that affects animals?"

Lady Alana answered. "The Karnak medics will have something. They possess knowledge of animal medicine and biology.

Areus finally understood. "If the mounts can’t run, they won’t reach headquarters in forty-five minutes."

Lady Alana leaned back. "A practical solution that can buy us time and make our enemies start adjusting their plans."

Suera looked away from the rest. "I still dislike the idea of hurting animals."

"They’re enemy soldiers, sister," Areus answered. "Save your pity."

Lady Alana rose from her seat. "Meet Zina for the medicine. Do you know how you plan to get the medicine to them?"

"Yes, I will need to take my Firewing to deliver the gift."

"Horrible idea." Rox declared like she had been waiting to say that.

"What?" Benign shot a glare at her.

"You will be shot down along with your pet," Rox added with a slight scowl.

"Firewings are very common military partners to Karnak warriors, so the General has ways to intercept them." Lady Alana explained more calmly. "If you need aerial support, Areus can assist you."

Benign dragged his eyes from Rox to the boy, who also turned to him. "You can fly?"

"And make anything fly."

—

The medical station spanned almost as large as his military camp dorm. Benign turned front to back, calculating the absurd distances between a building that should be connected. He looked forward when Areus disappeared behind a wall.

"Another portal?" Benign sighed before stepping in. The thick scent of dried herbs hit his nose on entry. "What–" he waved in front of him desperately, but the scent filled the entire room.

Zina looked up from sorting bottles on the shelves the moment Benign entered. A smile spread across her face before she hurried over. "Benign! You’re awake!"

Her eyes searched him quickly while he fought for his knives beside the windows, still waving frantically. "How are your injuries? Do you feel better?"

Areus pushed a mask into the soldier’s palm. Seeing the young man wearing one, Benign strapped the mask on his face immediately. He nodded to Zina’s question. "I’m alive." He exhaled. "How about you?"

"I’m fine." She nodded quickly. "Everyone keeps talking about you, and how you cut off the General’s hand. Even about your sword that only answers to you. Really amazing when you think about it."

Before Benign could answer, Areus stepped between them.

"We need medicine."

The girl blinked. "Oh," she glanced at Benign before stepping back. "What kind?"

Benign looked the boy over before answering. "Something that makes large animals sluggish, sick, and for long hours."

"Uh... I have powders that cause nausea." She walked towards the shelves. "Usually for livestock."

Benign exchanged a glance with Areus. "Perfect."

He waited to see if Areus had anything else to say to the girl after the interruption. However, the moment Zina handed the powder to them, the young man snatched it from the table and hurried away. "Let’s go, Benign."

A pause. Benign turned to the girl who looked like she had questions.

"I just met him, so I can’t say if this is how he is, but don’t take it to heart. Thank you for your concern earlier."

He waited for a positive reaction — Zina’s smile — before walking off.

The portal he walked out of led to the nearest woodland, which lay nearly 1,700 metres from the enemy encampment. The position was far enough to remain unnoticed. He cracked his fingers as he walked out.

"Okay," he removed the mask from his face. "Let’s get to flying, shall we?"

Areus unstrapped his robe from his shoulders.

"Ready when you are."