NOVEL NEXT 33. Subterfuge
"Here's what I propose," Kivamus began, his voice low. "As I said earlier, we'll need to send a contingent of a dozen guards with the caravan, but not all of them need to be seasoned veterans."
He held up a hand to forestall any objections. "Hear me out," he said. "We'll select half of those, that's five men not including the guard Pydas already has, from our trained guards, to escort the caravan and provide genuine protection. These will be the veteran defenders we already have here at the manor."
"Now, for the remaining guards," he continued, his voice dropping to a whisper, "we primarily need bodies - men who can convincingly appear to be trained guards from a distance."
"Think about it," he continued, upon seeing the uncertain faces of others, "bandit scouts would typically observe their targets from afar, usually from the fringes of the forest bordering the road. To maintain their element of surprise, they're unlikely to get very close to the caravan unless they are going to attack immediately." He added, "And if all the guards, both seasoned and green, are outfitted with similar leather vests and armed with swords, shields, and bows, they'll present a formidable appearance from a distance."
"What I'm hoping with this," he added with a hint of optimism in his voice, "is that the bandits' scouts, upon seeing a dozen guards protecting the caravan, will deem it too well-protected to attack it and will move on. It's all about deterrence, not necessarily about having the most skilled fighters."
Kivamus cast a wary glance around them, ensuring their privacy. "As for Pydas," he added, "we'll simply tell him that we're sending just a few new guards alongside the veterans as a training exercise so that they can gain experience, just in case any of the newer recruits are... less discreet about their recent addition to our ranks."
He continued, "But he doesn't have to be told the exact number of veterans and new guards. All he needs to know is that we are sending at least a dozen guards with the caravan."
A thoughtful silence descended upon the group as they thought about the subterfuge.
Gorsazo chimed in with a measured response. "My Lord," he began, his brow furrowed in concern, "while I understand the logic behind your plan, it does seem like a rather audacious gamble. "There's always the chance the bandits might see through the facade, and then the caravan could be in a dangerous situation."
Hudan said, "I can't say that I support the idea of sending untrained men to escort the caravan either. But since we barely have a dozen trained guards in total, it is necessary to keep at least half of them here to defend the manor." He paused for a moment, then added with a hopeful note, "But if the Goddess smiles upon us and it does work, my Lord, it would be a brilliant stroke of strategy. We would be able to protect our much-needed grain, and assuming we can deter an attack from happening at all, we would also prevent any casualties in the caravan guards."
"Indeed," Duvas conceded. "But we'll be stretched thin on manpower to defend the manor if we send half our trained guards with the caravan. However, the alternative is certainly unthinkable. We desperately need those grain supplies to see us through the winter. We simply cannot afford to have it fall into the hands of bandits."
Kivamus offered a resolute nod. "I understand your reservations, Duvas. But like you said, the grain is essential for our survival. As for the manor's defenses," he continued, "we'll still have six of the trained guards remaining in the manor. Hudan will be here as well, along with the new ones that we will start training from today or tomorrow."
He looked at Hudan. "Assuming we get enough new applicants by evening, those who show a good aptitude for this, we will put on duty from tonight itself to man the gates. One new guard paired with an experienced one on every shift. Of course, the best six of them will go with the caravan tomorrow, but the others can be put on duty immediately to give them some experience."
Hudan confirmed, "I will select those who look dangerous," he said with a determined glint in his eye, "and can learn how to act tough by tomorrow to send with the caravan. As for the rest, I will start their training as soon as I have enough men."
"Good," Kivamus said approvingly. "Hopefully, by the time Pydas returns in a week, we will have enough guards here who at least know the very basics of fighting."
He then turned to Duvas. "Do we have enough armor and weapons to equip them?" he inquired.
In a less than enthusiastic voice, Duvas offered, "I can't say that our extra equipment is of top quality, my Lord," he admitted. "However, we should have more than enough to equip at least those six new guards we'll be sending tomorrow."
"My Lord," Hudan reminded, "we also have the spoils of our recent victory at Helga's inn." A triumphant glint flickered in his eyes. "We seized a decent amount of equipment from those bandits - seven swords and five well-worn leather armors. While their quality is far from great, they'll serve our purpose."
A hint of a smile played on his lips. "Equipping the new guards on the caravan with the looted armor will create the impression of seasoned fighters. From a distance, bandit scouts won't be able to discern the true quality of the equipment anyway. All they'll see is a caravan well-guarded by men who appear battle-hardened. But if they do come a little closer to observe, then because the armor bears the marks of previous battles," he reasoned, "it will lend an air of experience to the new guards."
"This, in turn," he concluded, his voice firm with conviction, "will significantly enhance the illusion of strength we're trying to create, deterring any potential bandit attacks. We can reserve our higher-quality equipment here at the manor for the new guards we'll be training, my Lord."
Kivamus, a smile spreading across his face, offered a nod of approval. "Excellent thinking, Hudan," he commended. "That will indeed support the illusion of a well-guarded caravan."
He cast a glance at the group, ensuring everyone was on the same page. "Now, listen closely," he began, his voice laced with urgency. "Pydas departs with the caravan at dawn tomorrow. We need to be prepared to send the guards by then. Ideally, we should have at least eleven guards ready to escort the shipment, and more if possible."
He turned to Hudan. "You have a single day to assemble this contingent. Scout both the servants within the manor and any potential recruits from the village who would have applied. By nightfall, I need you to identify the most suitable candidates for this. Prioritize those with prior fighting experience," he instructed, his voice firm. "But in their absence, select strong individuals who can convincingly pass themselves off as trained guards."
Hudan acknowledged the task at hand with a curt nod. "Consider it done, my Lord," he affirmed. "We'll send at least eleven guards with the caravan tomorrow, and the rest will start their training here under me." He looked at Duvas. "I'll let you have the final say in the selection, Mr Duvas, to verify which of the recruits can be trusted inside the manor." Duvas gave a nod as a reply.
Gorsazo interjected with a question. "But what about Feroy, my Lord?" he inquired. "Shouldn't he remain here to assist with the training of the new recruits?"
"No, it'll be better to send Feroy to accompany the caravan," Kivamus declared. "We need a trustworthy individual to keep an eye on things. And if needed, they can take shelter at Helga's inn for the night. After all, we can certainly trust Feroy with the keys to the inn."
"Indeed, my Lord," Hudan replied. "I'll go and find someone to make the announcement in the village." With a newfound sense of purpose and a plan already in place, Hudan hurried off.
The weight of the plan hung heavy in the air. The fate of the grain shipment, and potentially the well-being of the entire village, rested on their ability to pull off this elaborate bluff - a daring gamble that hinged on creating a convincing illusion of strength. It could ensure their survival through the harsh winter, or leave them exposed and vulnerable.
