398 HELLO BROTHER

IVAN POV

As the night deepened, we gathered around a crude map spread across a makeshift table. With the light of a single lantern illuminating our plans, we discussed strategies, debated tactics, and shared our knowledge of the enemy's movements. Every detail mattered for the fate of our people rested on our shoulders. We had planned that we were going to attack in the middle of the night. It was going to be the best time to attack because they won't see us coming and besides it wasn't what they anticipated.

What we had made them believe was that only Harald was going to surrender himself and come to save his wife. What they don't know is that there would be an army behind him, also they won't expect us to attack by this time. This was it, this night determined everything! I thought to myself as I stared into the faces of my men.