Ridgebrook woke before sunrise.
Not to horns.
Not to screams.
But to the heavy, unnatural quiet of a village that had slept with fear pressing on its chest.
No birds sang.
No wind stirred.
Only the faint crackle of Warguard torches burned somewhere deep in the forest.
Lira poured water from a half-filled jug and frowned when the stream splashed too lightly.
"We're running low," she whispered. "If they tighten the dam again…"
"We'll get through it," I said.
She didn't reply.
I didn't blame her.
The Summoner's Ledger pulsed behind my eyes.
[WATER REMAINING: 61%]
[FOOD REMAINING: 72%]
[DAYS UNTIL NEXT SUMMON: 15]
[HOSTILE FORCES: HOLDING PATTERN]
Fifteen days.
It felt less like a countdown and more like a sentence.
The villagers gathered in the square as Orin stepped forward, her voice calm but grim.
"The Warguard have begun rationing their torches," she said. "That means they're settling in for a long siege."
In other words, they weren't leaving.
Borrik rubbed his beard nervously. "Chief… our smokehouses are full, but fruit and grain won't last forever. We need a plan."
I nodded. "We have one."
All eyes turned to me.
I took a breath. "We starve the wolf."
Confused murmurs spread through the crowd.
Orin raised an eyebrow. "Explain."
"Vantor expects us to collapse because our supplies are limited," I said. "But his army needs food, water, wood, and rest just like we do."
I pointed toward the forest.
"Every day they sit out there, they burn resources. They rely on supply wagons. They need that creek. They need safe routes."
Vlad nodded slowly. "Sieges drain both predator and prey."
"The wolf can starve too," I said.
Lira tilted her head. "So… how do we starve them?"
"We break their supply lines."
Gasps echoed across the square.
Orin leaned forward. "With who? We don't have soldiers to spare."
"No," I said. "But we have something better."
Every head turned toward Vlad.
He grinned.
We moved into the longhouse for privacy. Orin spread out her field map, marking patrol routes and supply paths.
"These areas are lightly guarded," she said. "Mostly at night. If someone could disable supply wagons or block routes—"
"No poisoning," Lira cut in sharply.
"It would save us time," Vlad said calmly.
"It's murder," Lira replied.
"Yes," Vlad agreed, unconcerned.
I raised a hand. "No poisoning. But sabotage is fair."
I pointed to a narrow ravine at the edge of the map.
"They move wagons through here."
Orin nodded. "Steep terrain. Easy to block."
"If their wagons stop," I said, "they start rationing. Morale drops. Pressure builds."
Vlad tapped the map once. "I will go tonight."
Lira stiffened. "Alone?"
"Of course," Vlad said. "I do not need help to work in the dark."
She shivered.
I sighed. "Fine. But no unnecessary bloodshed."
Vlad didn't argue.
He also didn't promise.
By midday, the siege tightened again.
Warguard soldiers returned to the creek with tools and lumber, reinforcing the dam. The flow slowed to a weak trickle.
Lira grabbed my arm. "Liam…"
I saw it.
Children stared at the water in silence. Villagers whispered nervously.
I raised my voice. "No panic. We planned for this. Once their supplies are hit, the pressure eases."
Vlad studied the dam for a long moment. "I could deal with this as well."
"No," I said instantly. "If you're caught now, everything falls apart. We need their attention elsewhere."
He smiled faintly. "You are learning."
"Shut up," I muttered.
As evening fell, Ridgebrook entered the most dangerous phase of any siege:
Waiting.
Cooking fires burned low.
Conversations became whispers.
Children slept lightly.
The watch rotation doubled.
The village could feel the noose tightening.
I stood on the barricade, staring at the torches flickering between the trees.
Vantor wasn't attacking.
He was waiting for us to break.
Lira joined me, leaning just enough against my shoulder to steady my breathing.
"Do you have any ideas that would beuseful?" she whispered.
"Not for now," I said. "We'll think of a way to escape of our situation."
She laughed weakly, then grew serious. "Liam… if they catch Vlad, or anyone involved…"
"I know," I said softly. "That's why this has to work."
The forest rustled as night settled in.
Vlad stepped into view, his silhouette sharp against the torchlight.
"I will leave now," he said.
I nodded. "Good hunting."
He smiled, and the look sent a chill down my spine.
"For them?" he said. "Always."
Then he vanished into the trees.
Lira tightened her grip on my arm. "Do you trust him?"
"No," I answered honestly. "But I trust what he's good at."
We watched the forest swallow him whole.
The siege tightened like a patient hand around Ridgebrook's throat.
And for the first time since Vantor arrived—
We were striking back.