Chapter 132

Arran felt a moment of apprehension when Snowcloud asked him what to do . He was anything but a strategic genius or a seasoned commander, and he felt a moment of doubt at his ability .

Yet after the series of disasters Stoneheart’s group had suffered, it was clear that they could not be trusted to lead — perhaps they had learned from their defeats, but Arran wasn’t willing to take that risk . Not when his life was at stake .

Snowcloud, meanwhile, knew even less of tactics than Arran did . For all her power, she lacked experience in real battles . And, seemingly aware of her limitations, she had now put the burden on Arran .

Arran clenched his teeth, suppressing his anxiety . Of all of them, he was probably the best choice to come up with a strategy — something that did not bode well for their chances .

“The clearing,” he said, turning to Stoneheart . “Does it have any exits other than the valley?”

Stoneheart shook his head . “The surrounding hills are too steep, and the woods too dense . Perhaps a small group could make it out, but…” He didn’t finish the sentence, instead casting a gaze at the dozens of recruits and villagers in the camp .

“Right,” Arran said, silently cursing Stoneheart for placing his camp in a natural trap . “So we must fight . Snowcloud, take a position at the back of the clearing, along with any archers among the recruits . The moment our foes emerge from the valley, hit them as hard as you can, and kill before they’re able to reach you . “

“That won’t work,” Stoneheart cut in . “There are too many of them . We’ll be overwhelmed in moments . “

“We’re not joining her,” Arran said . “You and I will take up positions ahead, along the side of the valley . As the raiding party passes us, we’ll flank them and attack from the side . Those in the middle and the back won’t make it to the clearing — and if they do, it won’t be fast enough to make a difference . “

“That’s suicide!” Stoneheart objected loudly . “The two of us can’t take on all of them by ourselves!”

Arran groaned . “The valley is narrow,” he said, controlling the anger he was beginning to feel . “And dense with trees . They’ll have to spread out to get through, and we’ll hit them just as the first few reach the clearing . There should be too much chaos for most of them to even find us . “

“Then wouldn’t it be better if we attacked from a distance?” Stoneheart asked . “Get up on the hills on the side of the valley, and attack them from range?”

“No,” Arran replied curtly .

“Why not?” Stoneheart insisted .

“Because they’re Body Refiners, you granite-headed moron,” Arran snapped . “If you stand on a hill and pelt them with fireballs, one of them will eventually get the right idea and put an arrow through your thick skull . “

Arran’s sudden outburst caused Stoneheart’s recruits to look at him in shock, and even Snowcloud appeared startled .

Stoneheart himself, however, was merely silent for a moment, then nodded . “You’re right . So what do we do?”

“We charge into their midst,” Arran said . “As long as we create enough chaos and confusion, they won’t be able to group up and overwhelm us, and they’ll get in each other’s way when they attack us . Those who make it to the clearing will be killed by Snowcloud, while we take care of the rest . “

Stoneheart was quiet for several moments . “It will be dangerous,” he finally said, a thoughtful look on his face .

“There are several hundreds of Body Refiners coming to kill us, and we’re trapped in here . ” Arran let out a sigh . “Of course it’ll be dangerous . If any of you can come up with something that isn’t dangerous, I’d be glad to hear it . “

He looked at Stoneheart and the recruits surrounding them . Although they looked uncomfortable, none of them spoke, and after a few moments of silence, Arran turned to Snowcloud .

“You’ll be the meat grinder at the end of our trap,” he said . “You’ll have to hit them with a barrage of attacks until the attack breaks or they’re all dead . Can you handle that?”

She nodded . “I just have to attack any who make it to the clearing, right?”

“Right,” Arran said . “But you can’t let up for even a moment . The entrance to the clearing needs to be a massacre — if they get a chance to gather their wits, they’ll group up, or attack you from range . “

He knew well what an arrow fired by a Body Refiner could do to a mage, and Snowcloud would be their most obvious target . Yet hers was the most important role, and while Arran himself was too weak to handle it, he didn’t trust Stoneheart enough for the task .

“I understand,” she said, resolute despite the anxiety in her voice . “But what about you? I know you’re strong, but you’ll be right in the middle of it . “

Arran shrugged . “I have my sword and my armor . As long as I only face a few at a time, I should be fine . “

That wasn’t the entire truth, of course . Although he thought he had a good chance of surviving in the middle of a group of panicked Body Refiners, he knew that a single mistake or even a bit of bad luck could cost him his life — and if both he and Stoneheart fell, the battle would be lost .

But there was nothing for it now but to fight with all the fury he could muster, and he pushed aside any doubts and hesitation he still felt . Right now, distractions like those would not serve him well .

“Do you have armor?” he said, turning to Stoneheart . The tall man was dressed in ragged robes that would do him little good in battle .

“I don’t,” Stoneheart replied . In a soft voice, he added, “I lost my void bag in the first battle . “

Rather than punching the man as he wanted to, Arran reached for his own bags, then took out the robe Jiang Fei had given him long ago . Although it wasn’t the strongest armor he had, it was the only piece that would fit Stoneheart .

“Wear this,” he said . “It’s enchanted, and it will offer you at least some protection . “

Stoneheart did as Arran said, putting on the robe . Although it was wide enough to fit him, on the tall man’s frame it looked comically short, barely reaching his knees . Still, it would be better than nothing .

Snowcloud had already put on an armored coat of her own when they first headed to the burned village — a bulky brown thing that did not seem to fit her particularly well .

“Ready?” Arran asked, looking at Snowcloud and Stoneheart .

Snowcloud nodded, and Stoneheart did the same a moment later .

“Snowcloud, you attack the moment you see the first enemy . Stoneheart, you attack when you hear either me or Snowcloud attack . And whatever you do, keep moving, and cause as much damage as you can — don’t give them a chance to group up . “

“I guess this is it,” Snowcloud said .

“Good luck,” Arran replied . Then, he gestured to Stoneheart . “Let’s go . We’ve already wasted too much time talking — it won’t be long before they arrive . “

They set off at a run, Stoneheart following closely behind Arran .

“Are you strong enough?” Stoneheart asked as they neared the entrance to the clearing .

“I suppose we’ll find out soon enough,” Arran said . If he wasn’t, they would all be in trouble .