12 Dark Bane Crew 2

"The assault will be at midnight" Said Sky Mask,"Blue mask will stay in the camp to defend it. The rest will attack the mine."

There were seven troupe in the crew, each under a warrior captain and fifty strong. The troupe were arranged according to the colour of their mask, which were poorly made out of wood and painted with a cross. The troupes were - Blue, Green, Brown, Black, White and Yellow. Most of them were poorly equipped with spears or old swords, which were provided by Sky Mask. Those who had brought their own gear were given command over some bandits in the troupe.

"Captain Edoras," said Sky Mask,"tell us the result of your troupe scouting report."

Being a nomad had an advantage. They were natural scout, trained from childhood to mind their surroundings and environment and to be as silent and quiet during travels. The brown troupe was sent to the mine to scout the rival crew hideout. Even now, some were in the area monitoring the movement of their rival.

"Yes sir," Said Edoras, bringing out the dried bladder on which he had drawn the map with coal,"According to our knowledge, the number of the Dark Bane crew amounts roughly to a hundred. Their leader is known as Eric the Knightsbane and is rumoured to be a former Knight. He is a rank 5 Earth warrior and is a skilled fighter. But he is the one of the only three warriors, the other two being his lieutenants. The rest are regular bandits."

"The battle will be easy peasy," Said one of the captain(Edoras recall his name was Dorlock, an Ashuran)," We have six Earth Warriors and two Sky Warriors. Our number is also superior. I bet only four troupe can take them ou..."

"Silence," Shout Sky Mask in a reprimanding voice,"Let the captain finish his report. Continue Green Mask."

"Our numbers, both warrior and regular may be superior but they have advantage in gears and terrains," Said Edoras,"Their hideout is inside the mine and the entrance is defended by a wooden palisade and a watchtower. However, that's only the facade. The real defence is a fortified wooden gatehouse at the end of the entrance tunnel."

Edoras paused and look at Sky Mask and then the Chief. Neither of them look surprised. Then he look at the captains. Most of them were looking a worried except for Dorlock, who said,"We will just rush it in with number."

"Novice," thought Edoras,"he had probably never fought a real battle."

"Go on," Said Sky Mask curtly.

"Ahem..."Edoras cleared his throat,"That's all we know about the layout. As for their gears, they has pretty good armors and weapons. They usually round up the villagers by turn and make them mine for ores. These ores are used in making gears by several blacksmith living there, who had been kidnapped by the bandits from the surrounding area.Also,the crew has around a dozen mounted bandits including the chief and the lieutenants."

"Well, it will be a hard one to crack," Said Surfi, the captain of the Black troupe and a Zephyrian,"Why don't we negotiate with them instead, Chief. It will be more beneficial."

"Ha, you Zephyrian," Said Dorlock, Captain of the Yellow troupe with a sneer," always run from a battle, coward as you are. I, however as an Ashuran will rather fight."

"Says an Ashuran," Said Surfi, glaring at him, "weren't it you guys the ones who beg us for mercy during the last war? So who are the cowardly dogs huh?"

"You," shout Dorlock, gritting his teeth,"I will..."

"Enough," said a voice, cold and calm,"Stop your bickering before I cut you down and hang your corpses outside like the former crew who lived here."

The two of them stop. Everyone had seen the cruelty given to the Moorland Dogs, whose corpses were impale on stakes outside the palisade of the camp, each and everyone of them in terrible shape. Only a cold, heartless monster was capable of handling out that act of defilement on dead corpses.

"Thank you, Captain Edoras for your valuable information," Said the Chief, finally standing up with a proud and firm form nearly reaching the height of Dorlock, who was the tallest in the room," As for your input, Captain Surfi, I don't intend on negotiating. I aim to eliminate all the crews in the south and become the sole ruler of the region."

He paused and looked at everyone. Most of them were trying to process his words.

"More importantly, the battle will be ours without much loss," he continued," because there are two secret routes through which we can infiltrate the camp. Sky Mask."

Sky Mask brought out a scroll and unfurl it, revealing a detail map of the mine.

"This is a map I acquired from a merchant in the castle,"Said the Chief,"there are two secret tunnels out of the mine which were made in case of the cave collapse. Here, you can see the two tunnels."

The Captains strain their necks to get a better view. The chief was right, there were two secret tunnels that led out of the cave, one in the south and one in the north while the entrance was in the East.

"Here is the plan," Said the Chief,"brown will take the North tunnel, black will take the South and yellow and white will storm the entrance with me in charge. Green will be in charge of lookout and will be stationed here," pointing to a hillside overlooking the mine in the west,"Blue will remain here guarding the camp."

"Black and Brown will be led by Sky Mask," Said Chief,"your job is to capture the mine from inside while we, the frontal assault team distract the enemy from the front."

The Captains nodded in agreement.

"Kill if you must, capture if you can," commanded the chief in a stern voice,"but I warn you, do not harm any civilians captured by the Dark Bane crew or else, you will suffer my wrath. Any queries."

Nobody had any.

"Then off you go,"commanded the chief," ready your troupe, we march before dusk."

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