The changes were inevitable on a battlefield, and in war, one could never be faulted for being too careful. When Drayce and the others talked about their return trip, they knew that their initial plan would not work anymore. With their small number, to escape the full brunt of the joined forces of Hatha and Thevailes would require changes to their previous escape plan that was formed inside King Armen's study.
In the initial plan several days ago, Drayce had pointed out the difficulty of returning to Abetha.
"We can't return the same way, or else we will have to face Hatha in front and Thevailes behind. We will have to use the terrain to our advantage and follow the mountain range to reach the Thevailes-Megaris border," Drayce told the officials inside the King of Abetha's study back then.
"Then there is only one way. Megaris," King Armen stated as he studied the map. "The trip will be longer, but the rescue squad will be safer."
Drayce nodded.
Abetha's Military General, Carvois Losio, suggested, "When we save His Highness Prince Cian, the enemies will surely pursue us. Most of our people will be tired by then. We will need additional support."
Drayce pointed towards a wasteland shown with rows of rocks on the map. "We have to bring them here. I will inform my army in Megaris to send several troops to? handle our pursuers."
General Cavrois had doubts regarding Drayce's proposal. "Your Majesty, pardon my words if they offend you, but this location is still far from the Megaris-Thevailes border, and we will need many soldiers. Depending on where Prince Cian is kept, we will be fighting against an entire battalion or, perhaps, a regiment. Though Megaris is known for their battle prowess, won't it be dangerous for them to face thousands of Thevailes soldiers? Besides, several troops mean hundreds of men. It won't be easy to move them inside Thevailes without being noticed."
"By then, their main army would have been too busy dealing with my army at the border," Drayce replied with a calm face. He had already considered that issue. He pointed towards the mountain ranges between Thevailes and Megaris. "This side of the mountain range is dangerous, but my soldiers can cross it. No one will notice them as Thevailes did not station an army here."
Before leaving for Abetha to attend the engagement ceremony of the Second Prince of Griven and the Second Princess of Abetha, Drayce had considered many possibilities as per the information he acquired through his spies inside Thevailes and Hatha Kingdom. He had already prepared his military at Thevailes border, and only one message from their King was enough to let them conduct the decided plan.
The rest in King Armen's study pondered silently as they examined the young king's proposal.
"Once Megaris soldiers reach there successfully, it will be easy for us," Sir Berolt finally said.
Arlan agreed with the return route. "From here, once we enter Megaris, we can return through Griven. I'll make sure you all will rest nicely," Arlan grinned playfully. His words were an assurance that they will be successful by all means possible.
However, now that they found Cian in the frontier of Hatha instead of Thevailes, that plan had to be changed.
The territory of Marquis Percy belonged to the northern part of Hatha, and there was quite a distance from the fortress to the planned meeting place in the Megaris border, which was in the east of Thevailes. The distance between Barknor Fortress and Megaris was more than twice as far as the distance between the fortress and Abetha.
A long journey with enemies surrounding them on all sides would needlessly endanger their group. More so, they needed to shorten their travel time and take more breaks in between due to Slayer's condition.
When Drayce and Arlan entered the physician's lodging to see Slayer, Cian stayed outside with his men. He got the information about Slayer from Sir Berolt and understood how important it was to save that knight. Though Cian didn't personally know Drayce and his knight, they were the people who came to rescue him. The Kingdom of Abetha had to return this life-saving favor, and as its crown prince, it was his responsibility to get them back safely.
After Drayce and Arlan stepped out to convene with everyone, Cian proposed changes regarding their return route. Thinking about Slayer's condition, Drayce approved the new scheme without further changes.
The vice-commander of the royal knights from Megaris was appointed to lead the decoy team that would be heading to the border. It was Azer, one of the knights who was always accompanying Drayce together with Slayer.
"Azer, you will lead them to that land. Our soldiers are already here. With your fastest speed, it will take you till early noon to reach there. You can do whatever you want," Drayce instructed.
"Rest assured, Your Majesty."
"Make sure that Godfrey Percy is out in the open. Tie him to a horse and let the enemy scouts see that we are going to parade him on the way to Megaris," Cian added.
"We will need another cart too. Can't leave out the main part of the show," Arlan laughed.
In less than an hour, their group was ready to leave. Before they headed off, Drayce called for Azer. "You know what to do with that marquis."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Azer replied and glared at the old man tied on the horse beside him.
Once they left the fortress and crossed enough distance from where no one from the fortress could see them in the dark, their group divided into two parts. The decoy team left northeast for Megaris, while the rest moved south towards Abetha.
Under Cian's leadership, the second group moved fast and encountered little hindrance. Among Abetha's military officials, he was the most familiar with the terrain of Hatha as not only was he the commander of Abetha's Northern Fortress, but he had also earned a lot of military credits during the time when Hatha and Abetha fought with Thevailes together.