NOVEL NEXT Chapter 28: Launching A Counterattack
Candles burned till daybreak, their fumes lingering as Augustus continued to scribble away at pieces of paper— ideas and counters, conditions and reactions. Anything he could think of.
The more he thought, the faster Augustus scribbled. He rolled some pieces into balls, tossing them into the pile by his feet, then stared at some others, "Invade their palace?"
Augustus shook his head, picking up the piece and tossing it into the pile, "This one says I could install spies of my own. This one says use the grand spirit against Rachael."
He narrowed his eyes, then heard a knock at the door. Augustus lifted his gaze to the door, frowning, "I said I wouldn't be seeing anyone till noon, did I not? Bug another guy."
"This is important!" Lily's voice came from behind the door, causing Augustus to sigh loudly, his train of thought halted. Her tone had too strong a sense of urgency to ignore.
He stood to his feet, dragging his feet to the door and unlocking it. Lily stood with her brows furrowed and her left hand on her hip, her hair ruffled and clothes ripped to shreds.
"Did you get mauled by a bear?" Augustus frowned, eyeing his sibling. She sucked her teeth, clenching her grasp around her dagger with blood dripping to the floor from its tip.
"Worse, I got attacked by raks. I didn't expect them to have gathered round the stream, but that's not the issue here." Lily calmed herself, "I saw a small group deep in the forest."
'Raks? Impossible. Aaron cleaned them all up long ago. The group on the other hand— Were they stray bandits? Random people? Or army scouts?' Augustus narrowed his gaze.
"Did you confirm their identity?" He asked sternly, stepping out of his messy room to join Lily outside, locking the door behind him, "Did you check if there were more there?"
"I did confirm their identity, but they circled up the forests with sharp wooden stakes so I couldn't get any closer." Lily explained with a deep scowl, stepping back for Augustus.
'A barricade? For what weird reason would anyone—' Augustus paused, narrowing his eyes, 'They must be trying to keep us from evacuating while they prepare for something.'
He paused, casting his glance to the side, his pupils gleaming, 'The traps in the wastes must be a factor. They're keeping us trapped while they prepare the area for an invasion.'
"Augustus, you're doing that thing again." Lily lowered her hand from Augustus' gaze, leaving him blinking. Her tone was mocking, "I'll bet you'd catch an arrow in that state."
"Don't humour me." Augustus' face gleamed as he threw his arm around Lily's neck, pulling her closer to him, "Lily, they must have a lot of stuff. Let's go burrow from them."
"Lucas said stealing is bad." Lily giggled nefariously, then she was hit by nostalgia. It came in waves, "Remember when we all tried to steal Lucas off his chariot of fire? Haha!"
"Only when you get caught." Augustus added, thinking back to the same moment. The only ones who got punished were those Lucas grabbed off the ground in his demonic form.
——
"They must be so stupid, am I right?" A loud voice cackled.
"Don't they have scouts or something?" Another voice joined.
"I heard that they have only ten people in the village." The loud voice replied.
The silence was violated by roars of laughter, the birds on the trees scattering for fear of getting attacked by some wild beast. Tents were under the trees, bustling with activity.
Outside the tents, a total of five in a group of threes and twos, was a battering ram for city gates. A lookout sat atop the battering ram, whispering sweet nothings to his full cup.
As he gulped down the cup full of bear, burping after a huge swallow, a tiny rock flew through the air and knocked into the back of his head. He blinked, and then tumbled over.
The laughter continued as a shadow fell atop the battering ram, staring down at the fallen man with pity, then rolled over to land on the earth, dashing for the nearest tent.
"And then— and then he said we should sharpen up the stakes!" the loud voice started.
"Like, who needs sharp stakes for old men and starved childre—" the voice was cut off halfway. Shouts of shock started, but all were silenced with the sounds of clashing blade.
The laughter grew to a halt, and the soldiers in the other tents ran out, eyes sharp as they scanned the area. Before they could move in, a nimble shadow darted out of the tent.
They swung their blades around furiously, trying to cut down the shadow before it got to them but it was fast, reaching the men in the blink of an eye and cutting their throats.
Soon, bodies fell to the ground, grasping for their neck as they bled out. Lily marched into the light, lifting her hand then dropping it, watching as more shadows rushed forth.
They carted away everything, burning down the tents and bodies. Lily narrowed her eyes, watching as the group rolled the wheeled battering ram on the village forest path.
——
Augustus walked with his hands behind his back, pacing around the village. Everyone flashed him polite smiles and respectful bows, all looking so glade, oblivious of the threat.
'Aurora. She is strange in this run, and I'm worried.' Augustus thought to himself, his brows knitted. Aurora's healing ability would be useful in the battle, but she was hiding it.
He'd hoped she'd be baited by the concept of greater power, but so far no reaction. She also refused to use anything of the sorts even when at the edge of death with the goblins.
Augustus tapped his feet on the ground, taking in a deep breath. The sun was blazing hot this afternoon, and he felt overwhelmed with energy, "Is there something I missed?"
Just as he lifted his hand to hold his chin in thought, a loud bang sounded from far off into the village, causing him to raise his head and frown-- it was an explosion in the village core!