BXBX NOVEL Chapter 448 - Preparations
Once Marcus returned to where the rebels had set up their temporary base, he made sure to give every detail possible he had found out about the city\'s defenses.
"Lyra what do you think." Marcus asked her once he had told them everything he had learned.
"They have definitely increased the presence of the kingdom\'s army by a wide margin. Before my parents were executed, there was only one base in the city, and the rest of the security was handled by a local militia and the knights that had sworn fealty to my parents and their subordinates." Lyra said with a concerned expression on her face.
She then pulled out a very detailed map of her home city and circled all of the barracks that used to house the city\'s militia.
"Yeah, most of these building have been occupied by the kingdom\'s soldiers and it looks like the local militia has been cut down in size and relegated to just these six barracks."
Frowning, Lyra was certainly not happy to hear how here city was basically under martial law.
"Also, they have set up around a dozen more installations that are filled to the brim with soldiers. Luckily most of the are greenhorns of around level ten or so, which should not be much of a problem in the grand scheme of things."
Circling the areas where the kingdom had set up addition barracks, Lyra now had a map that detailed the locations and relative strength of the kingdom\'s forces within the city.
"Okay. Let us go around and inform the other captains about what we have found." Lyra said as she rolled up her map.
Though Marcus was a bit confused, since he wondered why they were not going straight to Marek.
"What about Marek?"
Looking around lyra made sure that the two of them were truly alone, before using telepathy to say, \'The chief is currently busy making preparations to use a new unique skill he acquired around three weeks ago. I do not know the details about it, but it is apparently not easy to use, and he needs to take at least a few hours a day to control.\'
Once she had finished telling Marcus this, she beckoned him to follow her so that the two of them could give out the information they had gathered to all of the other rebel leaders.
Quickly, all of the rebel leaders were given maps similar to the one Lyra had, each with the military targets circled.
And by the time they had finished that, Marek, had come out of his seclusion.
"Woah what the hell happened to you!?" Marcus said as soon as they entered Marek\'s tent to meet with him.
Unlike normal, the tough old man who usually exuded an aura of strength and wisdom, looked his age and was breathing heavily while soaked in sweat.
Breathing heavily, Marek said, "It is nothing. Just some intense training to make sure that I am prepared."
He then shakily sat up and waited for Lyra and Marcus to explain the situation.
"I see. This is both disconcerting but also poses an opportunity. Edek is strong and could be a problem, but this is a good opportunity to deal with one of the kingdom\'s strongest fighters. Jadzia and Jed. I would like you to gather all of the other captains for a meeting in eight hours. Now if you would not mind, I need to rest." Marek said as he laid back down, obviously exhausted.
Leaving Marek\'s tent, Marcus and Lyra went their separate ways and informed all of the other captains about the meeting Marek had called.
Once that was done the two of them got some rest themselves, as they waited until it was time for the meeting.
"I am glad to see that everyone has arrived safely. Now it is time we assign each squad to a specific area."
Marek then pulled out one of the maps that had detailed the kingdom\'s troop placements, and each of the captains were given an area to cover and targets to takeover.
"We need to move fast and hit at the same time, to ensure that bloodshed is kept to a minimum. Most of the soldiers in the city are just rank and filers and probably only joined the army to have enough food to eat. If we can avoid it, I would like not to have to kill thousands of people. Now, we do know that Edek is staying in the castle. Argus and Francis, I want the two of you to apprehend him. Take your best men who are at least level forty and take him down. I do want him alive is possible though. Many of us know Edek, and he is a good man, he is just following who he believes in. However, if it comes down to it, do not hesitate to kill him if it seems capture is impossible, or would endanger your men."
Quickly the rebel\'s plan of attack was ready down to the last detail.
"So, we will strike just after dawn tomorrow. Now, take the rest of the day to inform your men and women about the plan. Make sure that all of your equipment is in working order and get plenty of rest. This may be the last chance we have to sleep comfortably until the war is over." Marek said, ending the meeting.
After that everyone went their sperate ways to get everything in order, and make sure their troops were ready.
"Here take this." Marcus said to Lyra as they headed back to their camp.
Looking at the small potion vial in Marcus\' hand, Lyra wondered what it was for a moment before recognizing the contents of the potion.
"Marcus where did you get this?" Lyra said unable to contain her astonishment.
"I took it off of Teivel during our battle. I want you to have it since my regeneration abilities are already pretty high. I would feel a lot better if I knew you had it." Marcus said as he pushed the vial into Lyra\'s hands.
A bit hesitantly, she took the true elixir that Marcus had handed her and looked at it in awe for a bit until storing it away into her item box.
A true elixir could heal almost any wound or dispel any sort of negative effect. It truly was the strongest medicine that could be created and was beyond rare.
And while the lesser version was more readily available, the effects could barely be compared as a true elixir was easily twenty time stronger.
Marcus then proceeded to surprise Lyra even more and pulled out an adamantine band and handed to her.
"Go ahead and send some man into it." Marcus said to Lyra as he tossed it to her.
Doing as he asked, Lyra sent her mana into the band and quickly it formed into a sturdy shield.
Though Lyra frowned a seeing this and said, "As much as I appreciate this, you know I fight with two weapons, so I cannot effectively use a shield while fighting."
However, Marcus countered her and said, "Naturally I know that. This shield is special. Now use the command word protect."
Looking at the shield with interest and confusion, Lyra said the command word and the shield detached from her arm and began floating around her.
"I originally made this for myself using the leftover adamantine I was given, but I want you to have it. It is based off of a shield that my master made, though in comparison to his it is not as good. Still, it should help to protect you.. Now I have a few last-minute tests I need to perform so take some time to familiarize yourself with that shield while I am gone."