The Warrior's Pet(47)

"We should march on Vigdis immediately and crush his black heart. He's obviously gone insane. We must stop him from doing it again." Bram punched the table with his fist.

"I don't know what manner of weapon he used but we can't let him use it on the innocent again." Kagan said grimly.

Something wasn't right. Giselle racked her brain as she looked at their strategic map. Several things were off about the situation. Not only did the fighting formation they planned look archaic, but the terrain was wrong, and that was the least of the problems that swirled in her mind attempting to congeal. Then it dawned on her as she glanced back at the Toufik wringing her hands. "Empty Death." It was not the senseless act but a thing, a weapon. Giselle's fingers tightened on Kagan's shoulders. She had to talk to him but didn't dare in front of these men.

"I need to speak to you." She whispered into his ear.

"It'll have to wait." Kagan huffed a little more aggressively than she expected.

"It's important."

"Look we are planning to go to war. The concerns of a female pet can wait. Hurry off to the Daimio's tent." Cyprian said.

Giselle straightened up and looked from Cyprian to the other warriors who also looked annoyed with her. Kagan's face looked conflicted. He didn't seem to appreciate what the warrior had said to her and yet he didn't contradict the male either.

Giselle debated going to her tent and letting the fools get themselves killed, but then she thought of the faces of all those people who had already died senselessly.

"Damn your pride!" Giselle whirled on Cyprian and the other warriors.

"Empty Death, it's not a sentiment but a thing, a weapon." Giselle said.

"Fine yes I gather Vigdis used some kind of new weapon. Jeezelle let us do what must be done and plan this distasteful campaign." Kagan said in frustration.

Kagan wasn't a fool, he just didn't know what she knew, and he was too close to the problem to be truly objective.

"The weapon could only be used once. The Jurou Biljana sold it to the Scelus Cadi. I heard them talking about Empty Death in the auction tent. They made that same hand gesture."

"Then all the more reason to go in and annihilate them without fear." Bram insisted.

"NO!" Giselle said adamantly with a vigorous shake of her head. She walked to their table and pointed at the map. "Vigdis is baiting you into coming to him. Look!" Giselle tapped the Scelus Cadi position on the map. "This would position your army so that your back is at the swamp with little or no means to fall back if necessary."

"Our armies are well matched." Cyprian said looking offended.

"Even you suggested bringing in more man power and Dagaa thinks Vigdis is as well. What if he already has after all he planned this massacre?" Giselle tried to point out the logic of what she was saying. "When did you last check how much of the Scelus Cadi army was gathered there?"

"During yesterday's battle." Dagaa nodded thoughtfully.

"Then I suggest you look into it because I'd bet my right arm there are more men than last time."

"We cannot." Kagan shook his head. "The drones are manned from Nazario, the recent attack has left us blind."

"And so Vigdis' attack served two purposes. You should go help take care of the dead. Get the city secured since it holds such an important position. This will only lead to more death. It's a show stopper I guarantee it." Giselle waved her hand.

"Are we to take the advice of pet and run with our tails between our legs?" Bram nearly growled.

"Jeezelle, what if you are wrong and Vigdis did not have just one weapon and we miss this opportunity to take him out?" Kagan asked.

"Weapon or no weapon it is laid out in front of you. You go in fighting as you show here." Giselle indicated the formations of men much like how the British fought during the Revolutionary war, lacking in all stealth or single element of surprise. "The moment Vigdis sees you coming he could easily launch a second weapon if he has it, which I'm almost certain he does not." Giselle reasoned. "Vigdis did the unspeakable and blinded you in the process. He's goading you into an unfavorable position where you think you're equally matched."

"Jeezelle let us have a minute."

"Fine, I just wanted you to know what I knew and point things out from an outsider's perspective."

Giselle turned away from the warriors' recriminating expressions. At least Kagan didn't look at her as if she was a stupid scared female, he just looked conflicted and stressed to the breaking point. She hoped he took her advice as unfavorable as it was.



Kagan quo Rordan

"Five contingents will go with me to Nazario, the rest guard the border and await word."