It was the next day, and Kael sat in the dining hall with Lucas and Rhys.
Kael had turned the idea over in his mind more than once, but strategy wasn't exactly his strength. He could picture the broad strokes, yet the details slipped through his fingers. That was why he needed Lucas and Rhys to fill in the gaps he couldn't see, if they even thought the plan was worth considering at all.
"So," Kael began, tapping his fingers on the table, "what do you think about hunting the shadowfangs?"
Both men stared at him as if he'd just told a joke.
"Hear me out. An elite team, mounted on horses. We track the shadowfangs, I do the killing, and your job is to protect me."
Rhys still looked like he was waiting for the punchline. Lucas's gaze drifted to Kael's mark before he asked, "How much has your power increased?"
Rhys blinked, even more confused now.
"A lot," Kael said, lacing his fingers together. "At least three times the mana."
Lucas looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding slowly. "That could work. I can support you, while the others keep our backs safe." A faint smile tugged at his lips. "We can cull their numbers. Bit by bit."
Rhys was still confused, "What am I missing?" Looking from Kael to Lucas and back.
Kael was relieved that Lucas approved of the plan. It made far more sense to meet the shadowfangs in the open, where his magic could be used freely, than to wait for them to strike the village under cover of night.
The walls had once been their best defense, but for him, they were a hindrance. Out there, he could strike first. Cut down beasts before they even knew he was coming. Inside the walls, his sight and reach were limited.
Before, he had been forced to conserve every scrap of mana. Now, he had enough to unleash real damage before even needing to think about restraint. It wasn't much by any greater measure, but for him, in this situation, it was enough. With the support of an Oathbound knight, it was the best chance they could hope for.
They spent the next hour going over the plan in detail.
The plan that Lucas and Rhys settled on was simple. Scouts would ride ahead, searching for any trace of shadowfangs. Once they found signs of a pack, the scouts would circle back and signal the main group. With the position and a rough estimate of the enemy's numbers, they would move in and strike.
Kael would be the one dealing most of the damage, with Lucas supporting him. The others' task was to hold their position and keep them safe. The plan was to strike quickly, kill a few shadowfangs, then retreat before being overwhelmed. Once Kael recovered his strength, they would repeat the process again and again until the packs were whittled down or forced into attacking the village.
It was far from a perfect plan, but culling the shadowfangs before the inevitable attack was better than hiding behind the walls. The more they killed, the less they would have to worry when the attack came.
They hoped that if they thinned the packs enough, the shadowfangs might avoid the walls, or that they could wipe them out entirely. Still, the chances of that happening were slim.
"So… anything else you want to add?" Kael asked, a relieved smile tugging at his lips. At least the plan seemed functional.
"That should be it. I'll gather our best guards and the fastest horses."
Fuck, he thought. He didn't actually know how to ride a horse. Sure, he'd had a tutor back at the Count's manor, but proficiency had been… lacking.
"So… I don't really know how to ride a horse," he admitted, running a hand through his hair, "at least not in battle." He laughed awkwardly.
Silence settled over the room. They just stared at him, not a word spoken.
Then Lucas cleared his throat. "You can ride with me," he said, his voice a little awkward.
"Yeah… that could work," Kael replied, glancing down at the table, trying to hide his relief. I need to work on that, he thought.
And with that, the meeting ended.
Kael walked along the palisade, watching the work being done all around him. Since arriving, he hadn't even had the chance to stroll through the village, to see how the villagers lived. He hoped that once the shadowfangs were dealt with, he might finally have that opportunity.
He didn't hate being sent here; trouble had followed him since the moment he arrived. Yet, despite everything, he felt a quiet satisfaction. The threats had pushed him to confront his past—the hardest thing he had ever done—and though the pain had resurfaced, he had pushed through it. He had honored his oath, refusing to let the past hold him down.
When the current danger was dealt with, he would find ways to improve the village. Make life better for the children, make the place worth living in.
He felt a gentle tug from his oath, as if acknowledging his intentions.
A small smile tugged at his lips. His oath seemed to approve when he truly gave his best to honor his vows.
The villagers were courageous, hard-working, and resilient. They had volunteered to help tackle the shadowfang threat, working tirelessly through the night to reinforce the defenses and even taking on the risky task of harvesting wood for the walls.
They exceeded every expectation Kael had held. That was why he was determined to do everything within his power to protect and support the village. The feast only deepened his appreciation for them after the disaster that was his embarrassing speech.
After two hours had passed, Kael made his way to the stables. This was what they had agreed on. Upon arrival, he found seven guards waiting, along with Lucas and Rhys. He recognized most of the guards, or at least had seen them fight before. As for volunteers, none were present for obvious reasons. When the group noticed him, each of the guards offered a slight bow in acknowledgment.
He overheard Lucas and Rhys reviewing the plan with the guards who were present.
"We circle back," Lucas said, gesturing as he outlined the maneuver.
Behind them, in the stables, villagers were preparing the horses, checking saddles, tightening straps, and making sure everything was ready for the operation.
They reviewed the plan several times to make sure there would be no mistakes. Everyone joining the operation was visibly nervous, hands gripping sword hilts or spears, feet tapping restlessly, but no one complained. They were all committed. Everyone of them wanted to reduce the danger looming over the village, no matter the personal risk.
They moved steadily toward the forest, Rhys riding at the front, behind him, Kael and Lucas shared a horse, the awkward rhythm of their movements making Kael shift uncomfortably with every step. The remaining guards followed in a loose formation. Three scouts had gone ahead, and they were waiting for their signal to engage the shadowfengs.
Kael felt painfully awkward riding on the same horse as Lucas. Everyone else had their own mounts, except him. But for the sake of the village, he had to push past it. The guards glanced his way occasionally, saying nothing, which only made him feel worse.
He was supposed to be the one dealing the most damage, yet he didn't even know how to ride properly. He laughed silently to himself at the irony.
Kael shifted uncomfortably on the horse. "This is… kind of awkward."
Lucas let out a soft, casual laugh. "You'll get used to it, my lord."
"I should definitely learn to ride a horse properly," Kael muttered.
"You'll manage," Lucas said with a grin.
"I don't exactly have a friendly history with these beasts," Kael said, dryly, shifting uncomfortably on the horse. "Back at the Count's manor, the most I ever managed was a few minutes in the saddle before getting thrown halfway across the courtyard. Horses and I… don't really see eye to eye."
Lucas chucled, "If they could talk, that horse would have already sent a strongly worded letter to the Count."
Kael laughed wholeheartedly, and his sudden movements unsettled the horse, which tossed its head and snorted nervously.
"Yeah, I guess even this one is judging me," Kael said, tightening his grip on Lucas.
A few minutes later, the scouts rode back, their faces grim.
"There are at least ten shadowfangs about three hundred meters ahead," one reported.
A hush fell over the group. Men adjusted their grips on swords and spears, checked the straps on their armor, and shifted nervously in their saddles. Kael felt the air thicken with the mix of fear and determination. Every man here knew what was at stake.
Lucas straightened in his saddle, his voice carrying just enough to cut through the clatter.
"Get ready, men," he said. "We strike hard and fast. Don't give them room to breathe."
The guards gave sharp nods, their nerves settling into focus.