Meta Gods War 3 by B. Miles (the ebook reader txt) 📕

Brice said. “The damned wolves have been extremely clever. Or… at least their commanders have been.” She gave Cam a meaningful look.

Cam did his best to ignore it. “It doesn’t matter,” he said. “Trap or not, Haesar and his men aren’t any help to us if they stay within the Mansion walls.”

“That is exactly what we were thinking,” Miuri said.

“Marching on a fortified position will be tricky,” Key said. “You have numbers, but not by much.”

“My father believes it’s possible,” Miuri said.

“And this is an opportunity.” Cam leaned forward over the map and tapped the spot where the smaller wolf encampment lay. “If Haesar can take the wolves here, they can sweep up along this pass.” He moved his finger along the thick, textured parchment paper. “And hit the wolves from their flank here.”

“That could solve a lot of our problems,” Brice said. “We might be able to turn and stand.”

“I still want to cut them off from the north,” Cam said. “Break their supply train. If they can’t get reinforcements, and they can’t get supplies, they’ll get desperate.”

“And then what?” Theus asked. “We wait for them to starve?”

“It’s a big valley,” Key said. “Lots of game. Lots to eat.”

“It’s big, but not that big,” Cam said. “We’re talking thousands of hungry wolves.” Cam leaned back in his chair and stared at the maps before looking back up at his assembled men. “The original plan isn’t working. The wolves didn’t take the bait, so we have to adapt. The new strategy will be simple. We keep marching north, keep chewing away at the wolves as they stalk and shadow us. We wait for Haesar to break the smaller force. Then we’ll turn and make a stand.”

Grim faces stared at him. Cam knew what he was asking. Before, their plan meant the army would get to sweep up from behind and smash a vulnerable foe.

But now he wanted them to fight a formidable enemy head-on.

Thousands of men and women would die.

He knew what he was asking.

But now that Lycanica seemed to be in control of the army, he needed to put her in a position where her clever tactics didn’t matter. Brice was right, they needed to turn and fight.

Sooner or later, it would come down to strength of arms.

Cam leaned over the table and traced a path along the valley on the largest map. Such a simple thing, and yet those miles meant all the difference in the world.

“We survive until Haesar can join us,” Cam said. “If we allow the wolves to catch up, they’ll overrun us. Without Haesar’s men, we’re at a disadvantage. So now the game’s a little different in the long run, but it doesn’t change much for us today. So go speak to your troops, make sure they’re getting what they need, and prepare to move out in the morning.”

His general staff stood and filed out. They spoke in low tones to each other. Cam thought he saw some flash him angry looks but he tried to ignore them.

Key came to him, kissed his cheek. “You’re doing good,” she whispered and tried a smile, but it looked hollow.

He took her hand. “You need to rest,” he said.

“No rest for me,” she said. “I’ve got a bunch of road-weary warriors to manage. This’ll be over one day, and then I can rest.”

Cam squeezed her hand and released it. He knew she was right, and if she were just another General, he wouldn’t be so worried.

But this was Key, his Key.

She turned and left the tent. Brice and Theus followed.

Miuri lingered in her chair.

Cam leaned back and looked up at the tent roof. “When did things get so hard?” he asked.

“They were always hard,” Miuri said. “But before, you weren’t the one shouldering everything.”

“Now I wish I hadn’t killed Remorn.”

Miuri laughed. “You liar. We both know that was the right thing to do.”

“Sometimes I wonder.” Cam looked back down at Miuri. “How’s Galla holding up?”

“She’s doing well,” Miuri said. “Restructuring the Wardens into more of a police force. Lots of people don’t like that.”

“I can imagine.”

“But she’s keeping everything together, which is what she wants.”

“And your father? Gwedi?”

Miuri raised an eyebrow. “Asking about Gwedi?”

“I know she hates me, but she’s been around a lot. Just curious how they’re holding up.”

“They’re fine,” Miuri said. “We keep our distance in the Mansion and avoid your people as much as we can.”

“That’s probably for the best, even if it shouldn’t be.” Cam reached a hand out and Miuri took it. “I told Brice about Lycanica.”

Miuri chewed her lip. “About what you saw with Sirrin?”

He nodded. “I think she’s running the army,” he said. “It’s the only thing that makes sense. Before, they were fractured and barely cohesive. Now they’re setting traps and working as a unit.”

“You might be right.” Miuri squeezed his hand. “All the more reason to fight them.”

“I feel alone out here.” He stared into Miuri’s eyes. He almost forgot how she made him feel when she was around. It was like having a second body, a second skin, like he knew no matter what she’d be there to pick up where he left off.

“You’re far from alone.” She smiled and tilted her head. “You have Key and Felin.”

“They’re both busy,” Cam said. “I need them working. Theus is training to become a shaman and—”

“Theus is training to become a shaman?” She sat up and frowned.

“Oh, right.” Cam pulled his hand back and gestured. “I have this idea, maybe it’s stupid, but I’m starting with him. I can imagine an army of shaman, fighting the wolves. If they have Lycanica, then we’re going to need magic to protect ourselves.”

Miuri drummed her fingers along the table. “And you’re sure that’s a good idea.”

“Not at all,” Cam said. “Sirrin seems to think it’s a horrible mistake. But I’m starting with Theus and I’ll go from there.”

“Just be careful. What you can do… it’s dangerous in the wrong hands.”

“I’ll be careful,” Cam said. “You sound just like Sirrin.”

She smiled and shrugged.