The retreat and subsequent artillery from the wall of the City was something of a shock. Not many died as the Wizards reacted fast enough, but we had to back out. It was a quick battle that lasted only a few hours but was deadly. Many human and beast-kin bodies lay dead, and my mana was half spent moving through their back line.
My body was drenched as I walked back, and the army was already cleaning up the battlefield.
After the first two battles, the barbarian forces knew what they were about, and under the guidance of the Elite army, they listened. That could only be a positive as I did not want any disease to start to spread throughout the army. That would be something that we could not handle when at the front door of our enemy's largest fortress.
Cleaning up, Wizards were casting magic to help their fellows as the lack of water was still serious. We needed more rations, and nights like tonight would not help. We would have to work through the night if this was going to work. The day was several hours away, and people would only get a partial rest. Still, Many made their way back to tents with the previous watch on confirmation.
People needed rest, and that was absolute.
The previous watch was still on, and they dragged their exhausted bodies to continue cleaning up. The Human bodies, it was already to be known, were going to be added to make a makeshift wall at least ten to twenty feet out before we could bury them. We had no time to dig the holes at this point for a mass grave, but the bodies of our brethren were brought back for proper burial when possible.
In the meantime, I used mana to wash off my body and clothes, and soon, I was back in a meeting with the Elders and the War Chief with a freshly rebuilt tent. As I walked in, the Elders were looking a little roughed up, with the exception of Queen Mira. She looked fine, and the way that she was looking at me told me that she had not had her fill of Sexual energy yet.
"The night raid, we successfully pushed them back. How are the casualties?" Elder Lily said, her voice even.
"Elder, With respect, our losses were not that bad. The problem is the mana expenditure." I told her, and grim nods replied back. "I know I used more mana than I should in that last fight to break the wizards in the back line to break the attack sooner. Although I can fight, It would be more in a role I am not as strong in.
Unless I want to go for mutual destruction spells," I said, and many grimly nodded.
No one wanted to talk about the indiscriminate spells that many knew. It was an unspoken rule not to use spells that would kill friendlies and enemies without care. That limited the spells somewhat, but people didn't mind standing beside you when casting them. It was quite the trade-off.
"We have more issues than that, too," Elder Lily said, "That was a probe last night to our forces. Thankfully, they felt Queen Mira may be here and," Elder Lily turned to her and bowed a little, "Thank you for putting up the illusion that we were hiding more strength than we had. As we clashed, I felt the mana of at least another wizard, whether one or two, I am not sure.
We will need at least five A rankers on the front to be able to attack, if not more." Elder Lily told us.
Elder Leon nodded before adding, "That was only a probe, and they were looking to see our resolve. I do not believe it will be the only probe either."
I looked at them and saw the serious implications of our current situation. It was horrible. Terrible and just downright bad. I closed my eyes and decided to think of the positives we had. "Okay, They are going to start a probing campaign, and we need to think of our answer. We do know we are getting reinforcements soon.
Maybe not enough, but reinforcements. What we need to do is stop that attack from being a surprise," I said, and the War Chief nodded.
"Getting men and women out of bed to fight decreases morale. We need to be able to let at least them prepare before sending them to fight. The morale is still high, and I will not even start on deserters. We have had virtually none, as our people are not cowards. No one is forced to be here either. That doesn't mean that if this keeps up, we might not start seeing some," The War Chief added.
"Correct, So we need to make scouting and supplies our priority. We will have a force entering our position currently, but I think I would like to back away from the walls a little further. Make a retreat path and enchantments to go along with it. This is not going to be a short siege, it seems.
We don't know if the Empire will reinforce either or what is happening on their end." I said, and I looked over the map, "Anyone have a problem with what I said or anything to add?"
"Retreating back might give them more notice that we are going to attack when we do. It is also a sign of weakness," Elder Lily said, her tone not liking the sound of that.
"Honestly, I would rather they come out and attack us again and again," I said, my voice contemplating. Others looked a little shocked, but I shook my head, "They are on a wall and with Wizards casting down at us. Up on that wall, they will kill us three to one, no problem. Do we have a large enough force to break it at this moment?
Not sure, So for now, if they want to get off that big enchanted wall to attack us," I shrugged, "Better than killing them up on that damn wall when we have to."
Understanding clicked in people's minds, and I looked over the defense and smiled. "Who would think," I suddenly said, and all looked at me, "We march into the Empire, walk up to one of their major cities, then immediately set up camp outside of it and make a fortress. Cut off major farming routes to sit here and not attack.
I wonder how bunkered in we can get while waiting for enough forces and supplies to attack?"
Understanding started to take over the small group of people, and I grinned. "Your idea is unique, and I like it. I put my word behind yours," The War Chief said suddenly, "The main army won't like it, but playing defense here might get us more than attacking like we initially thought. Still, The Empire might use this time to come up with something more."
"Isabelle, We have fortresses still behind us. We have clean-up operations. We have food to pillage and loot from the enemy. We have a lot of things to do while sitting here and fortifying." I grinned, "Why wait for the Empire to do things? Let's literally build a road back with our forces while building a fortress. Let us spit in the face of the Empire and see what they do about it!"
Around the table were sharp smiles, and people were on my side. They were all attacked-orientated just the day before. We would have probably attacked the City with our current forces if they didn't raid us. Now, I finally got the Elders and the War Chief on my side. It's a defensive game where I can buy time to secure the things we need.
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