CHAPTER 11
General Yukio filled the remainder of the week with secret meetings with his troops where he explained in detail his plan of attack. He also worked feverishly on investigating the events leading up to the brutal murders. He spent the day after the council meeting trying to discover the magic that had been employed in the bedchambers. He knew that magic leaves its mark for only three days, so he only had that day to figure out what happened. The only thing he discerned was that Bronwen was using his magic to conceal himself, which confirmed his suspicions that his wife knew Marek was up to no good. What puzzled him was the presence of magic so powerful that he could not begin to guess who it was or what their purpose for being there was.
After the first day of investigation, Yukio concluded that Bronwen and Kira had an understanding that General Marek was the assassin. This realization only infuriated him more when he thought of his last conversation with his former friend before the tragic event occurred. He had given Marek specific information that he then used for his own evil designs. He had assisted the scum by giving him the perfect secret location to commit the murder of his wife without the possibility of being discovered. The poor chairman was an innocent bystander who merely got in the way. At least there was swift justice for that treacherous villain.
On the fourth day after Yukio's meeting with the council, Commander Favian arrived with the remainder of the army sanctioned by Queen Daria for the protection the high elves. The united troops began their final preparations for the siege during the cover of night. The newly arrived men had to hide themselves during the day because General Yukio did not want to raise any suspicion among the home guard or cause the people to panic at the sight of reinforcements. They may worry that they are going to be attacked and react in a way to threaten their plans. The general also wanted to keep the element of surprise as one of his weapons in this tactical strike. The members of the army who were hiding during the day had the task of setting traps for anyone who would try to escape during the attack. They also set up a perimeter around the southern and eastern sides of the mountain to protect against an attack from the elves or Queen Kishi.
The day before General Yukio's army was to lay siege to Alanderas, a last-minute meeting was called to make final preparations. The general gathered together outside the western outer wall with his commander and captains. This would be his final meeting with them before their plans were put into action. He wanted to make sure everyone was on the same page as far as the assault was concerned, and he also wanted the captains to ask any questions the troops may have brought to their attention. This would show that he genuinely cared about everyone in the army and that he also valued their insights.
'Men, thank you for coming,' Yukio welcomed them.
'Thank you for calling us together, General,' Commander Favian replied.
'Right, let us get down to business then. Behind you is a secret entrance that will take the troops into the courtyard of the royal palace. It is placed to the left of where the wall meets the mountain. This passage is large enough to take horses and some heavy equipment, so that is exactly what we are going to do. Commander Favian will lead his men tonight through this hidden path so he can spring the trap at high noon tomorrow,' explained Yukio.
'Will we be able to take the large siege weapons?' asked Commander Drujien.
'You will be able to take the arrow launchers but not the catapults,' replied Yukio.
'Is there a room large enough within the mountainside to hide us until wait to spring our trap?' queried Favian.
'Yes, there is enough room to gather within the mountain. There is an area that I had created for a different purpose that will suit our need now. During the night, I will need to have you lay out some traps and drag some oil lines. This way we will maximize the amount of confusion when we set the oil ablaze. The smoke will lead many of the high elves to the traps you laid and allow us to gain the upper hand in the battle and enable us to crush them swiftly,' Yukio said as he slammed his fist into his other hand.
'What will be the signal to attack, and who will lead the men from the outer wall?' asked Commander Favian.
'I will have Master Aiden send a volley of arrows at the home guards protecting the main entrance. He will lead the main body of the army into battle while I take care of the council members,' he explained. At the mention of Master Igrol's name, a collective intake of breath was heard from the group gathered together around General Yukio. They did not understand how this master of the sword could do such a thing since he was back in Nairi. They all feared and revered the master and were excited at the possibility of his help in the fight.
'How will Master Aiden reach us in time to lead the army?' asked one of the captains. Aiden walked out of the rock wall where the secret entrance was supposed to be as if the question was his queue to appear. More gasps of amazement came from Yukio's leaders. It was clear that some of the captains were having trouble processing the ever-changing situation.
'General Yukio, I have come as fast as I could. I take it from your councils thus far that I am in time to fulfill your request,' Master Aiden said solemnly.
Yukio bowed before the master, recognizing his abilities as a swordsman and as a warrior. The rest of the group quickly bowed themselves following their general's example. Many were too surprised still to say anything. They simply stood there with their mouths open in awe. Aiden had a long, violent-red goatee that was braided with gems. His bald head shone brilliantly in the sun as he stood before them. He was shorter than the general, but not by much. He had a much more muscular physique than any other warrior and was as powerful as Yukio himself. His legendary sword, Keahi, was strapped across his back in the custom of master swordsmen. The blade had been imbued with the power of fire by dwarves and was of such fine craftsmanship that it looked as if it had never been used.
'As Aiden just demonstrated for us, the passageway is not sealed and does not have to be opened. It is camouflaged with a concealment charm to make it look like the rock around it. The opening is actually ten feet high and is thirty feet across. All you have to do is walk straight at it, and you will gain access to the secret path,' explained the general.
'It should be noted that it is very cold in the passageway and chamber our general created, so dress warm,' added Commander Favian.
'Good point, Commander. I had almost forgotten to bring that up. Thank you,' said General Yukio graciously. 'Now, Master Aiden, you must keep the attack on the homes at the south end of the city as quiet as possible. Our goal is to wipe out the residents before we even engage the home guard.'
'Do you want me to begin the attack tonight?' asked Aiden.
'Yes, that sounds like a good idea. That way you will be able to use the darkness of the night to give you additional cover. I can guarantee a night of black cloud cover. I have spoken with the goddess Kana, and she has informed me that she will cause a thunder and lightning storm that will drive everyone into their homes,' Yukio said with a sly smile. The men in the circle all smiled with great delight at the news that the Elemental was backing them in this campaign. These men will believe anything I tell them.
'What else did the goddess of wind and fire say?' asked one of the captains eagerly.
'She informed me that my assumptions about the murders were correct and that she would back our attack as long as we wipe them all out. She feels betrayed by this treachery and the high elves' high-mindedness. She will assist us in any way needed to punish the fools properly,' said the general confidently.
'It would appear that the immortal elves are no longer favored by the guardians. It is the time for man to lead the lands of Tuwa,' said Master Aiden darkly. His bejeweled goatee sparkled in the afternoon sun as he spoke.
'You are right, Aiden. Kana feels that it is the time for man to rule the lands. The defeat of the high elves will be a sign to the rest of the races that it is our time, and the people of Nairi will lead the way into a new era,' Yukio continued.
'Now, let us get to work. There is much to do before the sun sets. I need to get ready for my performance in the council chambers tomorrow, and you all have preparations to make in order for us to be successful. If we follow
