Grand Game 395: A Daring Scheme (Patreon)

EDITING NOTE: I've made some changes to Ghost's familiar data for balance reasons, and reposted chapter 390 and 390. You might want to skim over them when you can!

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“I have a few ideas on how to go about that,” Elron said.

I studied him curiously. “You do?”

Elron laughed. “Of course. Before today my hands were tied. But now… now, I know there aren’t any external threats. That leaves me free to concentrate my forces.”

My eyes narrowed. “You’re thinking about launching a direct assault.”

“I am,” the marshal agreed. Stepping away, he yanked open the door, and shouted, “Algar! Get in here.” Turning back to me, he explained, “Algar isn’t just any officer. He is also my aide and right-hand man.”

The human captain—broad-shouldered, squat, and built like a fighter—stepped back into the room, his eyes darting curiously from Elron’s jubilant grin to me. It was not hard to read the question in his eyes. “What did you do to my commander?” they seemed to ask.

“Taim has brought great news,” the marshal said.

“Sir?”

“The archlich has been defeated, the way out of the dungeon lies open, and for good measure, he’s sent the void packing too!” Elron bounced back and forth on his heels. “You know what that means, Algar, don’t you?”

To his credit, the captain did not doubt his commander. “Yes, sir,” he replied, the light in his eyes brightening until they matched Elron’s. “When do we begin the assault?”

“Soon,” Elron said, reseating himself. “But first, bring Taim up to speed on our plans.”

Snapping off a salute, the captain swiveled around to face me. “We have companies loyal to the marshal encamped all over the city. Of course, the greatest concentration of our forces are here in the southern district, but we also have men ready to move in the eastern, northern, and western districts too. The plan is to smash Cilia’s loyalists in those quadrants before moving on her stronghold.”

“What sort of numbers are we talking about?” I asked.

“Ignoring the councilors’ personal guards, city militia, and other household outfits that usually supplement the city’s defenses during emergencies, the New Haven regular army numbers thirty thousand soldiers, and ordinarily, they all report to the marshal, but...” Algar’s gaze darted sideways to Elron as if fielding the question to him.

“But these, of course, are not ordinary times,” the marshal finished for him. “Not every company commander has openly declared his allegiance—for Cilia or against. Some, rightly or wrongly, fear repercussions from whoever emerges victorious out of this and have chosen to play their cards close.” He grimaced. “Unfortunately, it makes getting a firm count problematic. However, I’ve received assurances from enough men whose word I trust to believe we will outnumber the enemy.”

Algar nodded in agreement with his superior’s assessment. “We expect minimal resistance in the outer districts. With both surprise and numbers on our side, we will roll over the enemy quickly, no question. Once we’ve secured the city at large, we will converge on the main district and lay siege to the central fortresses.”

I pursed my lips. “Won’t delaying the assault on Cilia’s stronghold give her and Castor time to prepare?”

“It can’t be helped,” Algar replied. “We have to clear the outer city first or risk exposing our flanks. And given what the possessed are capable of, we can’t afford being distracted at an ill-opportune moment.”

That much I understood. Still…

“The situation is even worse than that,” Elron interjected. “As you know already, each councilor has their own stronghold. We will have to divide our forces to lay siege to their fortresses. If one—or worse yet, all of them—chooses to sally forth, we will face simultaneous attacks from multiple fronts. On their own, the four fortresses make capturing the central district a strategic nightmare. We can’t risk making a bad situation worse by giving Cilia and Castor additional avenues from which to counterattack.” He shook his head. “As much as I hate to admit it, moving on the central district before the rest of the city is secured will be a mistake.”

My brows rose. “Then you believe it is not just the Cecilia we face, but the entire council?”

Elron shrugged. “I don’t know. The information coming out of the fortresses is sketchy.” He glanced at Algar. “Tell him.”

“The dwarves have locked down their fortress. Word is that Thane Stormhammer is missing, but the dwarves won’t speak to anyone and are unwilling to confirm or deny the rumors. The situation with the orcs is similar. Chief Lorn is refusing to grant audiences and not even the servants are being let out. As for the human contingent…”

Pausing, Algar eyed me sideways—was that because I was a human or because he was? “High Lord Sienna has accepted the marshal’s overtures,” he continued, “and has secretly pledged her support for our cause even while she freely comes and goes from Cilia’s fortress.”

“Needless to say,” Elron added, “I don’t trust anything coming from the high lord’s mouth.”

“I wouldn’t either,” I said, remembering how closely Sienna appeared to hang on to Cilia’s words.

“Given the situation, we have no choice but to assume the councilors are also allied with Cilia.” Elron concluded.

I inclined my head, agreeing with him on that point.

“That then is the plan,” Algar said. “Or its broad strokes anyway.” He glanced at the marshal who nodded.

“What do you think?” Elron asked.

“I think...” I said, articulating my thoughts slowly, “I think… it will take too long.”

The marshal frowned. “What does that matter?”

“I’m on a timetable,” I replied quietly. “I have to leave New Haven in three days. A siege, I fear, will take longer.”

“Three days,” Algar exclaimed. “That’s not nearly enough time!”

I agreed and glanced at Elron to see what he made of my response. The marshal’s face had gone blank. “Then we can’t count on your support?” he asked stiffly.

I shook my head. “On the contrary, you can. But we will have to amend the plan.”

✵ ✵ ✵

“Amend how?” Elron asked, his eyes narrowing.

“We cut off the head of the snake,” I replied promptly. “Castor and Cilia. With them dead, there’s no reason for your arrest or for further conflict. The rest of the council will fall in line afterwards.”

“Don’t bet on it,” Algar muttered under his breath, low enough that I didn’t think he meant me to hear.

Ignoring the captain, I addressed Elron, “How many possessed does Castor have with him?

“Fifty,” the marshal replied. “All of them will fight tooth and nail to protect Castor.” He rubbed his chin. “You’re talking about a surprise attack, I presume?”

“I am.”

He shook his head. “It won’t work. Taking on fifty possessed will require the entire army, and there is no way we can conceal the movements of that many soldiers. Cilia’s spies will warn her the moment we begin our march, and by the time we reach her fortress, the First and her allies will be ready and waiting.”

“You’re right, of course,” I said mildly. “Which is why I’m not suggesting we use the army.”

“Then how do you propose we deal with the possessed?” a confused Algar asked.

Saying nothing, I kept my gaze locked on the marshal who, from the thoughtful frown on his face, was beginning to realize my plan. “He intends on killing them himself,” Elron replied softly. “Aren’t you?”

I nodded mutely.

Algar’s eyes widened. “That’s preposterous!” When only silence greeted him, he asked in a smaller voice, “Isn’t it?”

Elron studied me searchingly. “I don’t know. Tell us, Taim, is it?”

I didn’t shy from the marshal’s gaze or the silent accusation they contained. If this was a feat I was capable of, he seemed to ask, why hadn’t I dealt with the possessed more directly before?

“I’m not powerful enough to take on fifty possessed in an open fight.” I snorted. “That would be suicide. But I am a moderately good sneak, and I believe I can reach Castor and Cecilia without sounding the alarm—” I paused—“and kill them.”

“You’re an assassin!” Algar cursed.

I shrugged. “I can be.”

Elron looked less perturbed by the revelation. “Have you forgotten Castor is an elite and you fell afoul of his wards before? He will not leave himself unprotected in Cilia’s stronghold.”

It didn’t surprise me that the marshal had heard of my misadventure in the Mages’ Guild. “I’ve come some way since my last clash with Castor,” I answered vaguely. “He will not catch me unawares again.”

Still looking doubtful, Elron stayed silent for a drawn-out moment. “You’re sure you can do this?” he asked finally.

I smiled. “There are never any guarantees. You and I both know that.” I exhaled. “But I am confident enough of my chances to take on the challenge. And don’t forget I will have surprise on my side. Only Gamil, Algar, your two guards, and yourself know I’m in the city. Castor and Cilia won’t be expecting me.”

The marshal nodded slowly. “Very well. If you think it can be done, we’ll try it your way. What do you need from us?”

“Information for starters,” I replied. “Floor plans for Cilia’s fortress, the location of her chambers, and that of the underground tunnel entrance.”

Elron glanced at Algar.

“We have all that,” he confirmed.

“Good,” the marshal said, turning back to me. “Anything else?”

“The names and descriptions of Cilia’s most trusted people, especially those who frequent the fortress often.” I pursed my lips, thinking. “Also, it might be helpful if...”

✵ ✵ ✵

Hours later, just as it was approaching midnight in the city, Elron, Algar, and I were done scheming.

The plan was simple. I would kill Castor and Cilia. After which, a small force under Algar’s command would sweep into the fortress and overrun the councilor’s remaining adherents. Elron, meanwhile, would stay in the southern district so as not to arouse the suspicions of any watching spies.

The marshal would not, however, be idle. While Algar and I were dealing with the more immediate threat, he would correspond with the other New Haven leaders and make sure the city was ready for a smooth transition of power from the old regime to the new.

First, though, I had to accomplish my own part.

Which, while doable, might not be as easy as I’d made out to be. Much would depend on me retaining the element of surprise. If Castor and his cronies learned I was coming, things would get complicated fast. Practically, I knew I would only get one chance. If I failed, there would be no going back to the drawing board; we would have to fall back on Elron’s plan. And that I can’t afford.

Glancing up, I saw my destination up ahead: the large central square at the heart of the city. It was time to set things in motion. Turning my head fractionally, my eyes found Algar on the opposite side of the street. Making a fist, I gave him the pre-arranged signal.

The captain who’d been discreetly tailing me as I made my way across the city nodded, acknowledging the order, before disappearing into a nearby building. There, he and the squads he brought along, would wait for the signal to move in.

Veering left, I turned off the main road and into a side street and inspected the surroundings with my mindsight. No one else was about. For the moment, at least, I was the street’s only occupant.

Excellent.

Closing my eyes, I drew on my stamina.

You have cast lesser imitate, assuming the visage of Minakawa. Duration: 1 hour.

Your facial disguise enchantment has been dispelled.

Between one step and the next my visage changed from Egan’s to Minakawa’s. It was not just my face that changed, though. This time, the illusion that settled on me was more complete, causing even the appearance of my limbs and torso to match that of my dark elf subject.

It turned out the captain I’d traded words with on the south wall was one of Cilia’s most trusted soldiers and was often spotted frequenting her fortress. Minakawa was currently asleep in one of the city’s southern barracks, but no one at the fortress was likely to know that.

Relying on a tier two spell—lesser imitate—for such a crucial mission was not ideal. I would have much rather preferred using the higher-tiered spell, facial disguise. However, it was not up to the task in this instance. Only lesser disguise could so completely transform my appearance as to make me look like a dark elf. And unfortunately, of all the subjects Algar had suggested, Minakawa was the best fit and, whether by happenstance or not, the one I was most familiar with.

Still, I didn’t intend impersonating the dark elf captain for long. Once I was through the fortress’ outer gates, any number of other guises would lend themselves to use.

Running my hands across my shoulders, I casually swapped out Egan’s lieutenant’s badge for Minakawa’s captain tabs. My disguise complete, I turned right at the next intersection and strolled boldly into the central square sitting at the heart of the city.

Four fortresses bordered the open space. Cilia’s to the north, Sienna’s to the south, Stormhammer’s to the west, and Lorn’s to the east.

Orienting on the northern castle, I made directly for it.

As I drew closer to the fortress, recognition crossed the faces of the two guards on gate duty. “Min,” the first greeted. “What are you doing here?”

Min?

My pulse quickened. The familiarity of the soldier’s greeting suggested the pair knew the dark elf captain well. How well? I wondered, my thoughts racing. Would my disguise hold up to scrutiny?

I didn’t know and that worried me. But there was no turning back now; I’d passed the point of no-return.

Firming my steps, I walked up to the gate.