35: A Party Before The Battle

Mr. Barley grinning wide, elated to give his finest creation for the party. "Hmph! There's nothing better than a sweet and tangy mead before the fight. Leave it to me, Chief!"

Darius nodded, and then he turn to Lady Revna whose gaze seems very confused about Darius' decision to throw a party while the enemy was about to arrive at the bay.

"Darius, are you sure about this?" Says the middle-aged lady.

"Very. I know what's in your thoughts, Lady Revna. Trust me, this is the best strategy that we could perform against a stronger enemy. Me and Mathilda can fight them alone by ourselves. But there's no guarantee that the enemy is going to focus on us all the time." Darius replied briefly.

Mathilda stood by Darius' left side, giving some input of her thoughts. "As you all might know already, Baron Roger Von Gill is after Maria's Flame Heart for whatever reason. To dominating the kingdom upon attaining the power of a Roseflame? More likely so. However, I firmly believe that he will not spare us even if we present her heart on a silver platter. He will kill everyone in his sight and shove his atrocities under the rugs."

"Therefore…" Darius put some pieces of charcoal and pebbles on the table. "We need to deceive them by pretending that we're unaware of the invasion."

"I-I see…" Lady Revna was infatuated by Darius' brilliant minds.

"Lady Revna, Aunty Esther, Secure the provisions as many as you can and lead the elders, women and children to safety. I'll persuade Old Fang's pack to protect you all behind the wall."

"Old Fang? You mean the Snow Wolves' Alpha?" Lady Revna quipped. The other villagers who heard his remark were also stupefied. Meeting the Alpha is already miracle, let alone asking a favor to the Alpha.

Darius raised his hand to turn their voice down. "Let's save the conversation for another occasion. I have his favor, but time is not on anybody's side."

Lady Revna turn to Aunty Esther who put a gentle tap on her shoulder. "U-Understood."

Thus, Lady Revna and Aunty Esther shuffles through the villagers and issuing commands to the women secure the provisions, and soon enough, the Village Hall was occupied by Darius' most trusted individuals only to make things easier for him to strategizing without any hindrance.

While the incredible women were at it, Darius drew a map on the table which vividly depict the surrounding terrains.

"Bjorn, how many able men at our disposal?" Darius asked.

The burly and tall warrior steps closer on Darius' right hand side. "Including me and Skallgard, we have 50 men that are ready to fight on the frontline. We also have around 20 non-combatants who choose to support us in the middle."

Skallgard, the mute archer, leaned his body frontward, he studied the map in a single glance and pointing a very strategic position. He then speaking with a very simple yet effective sign language to Darius.

"You want to bring out ten best archers and hunters that you well-known of outside the wall to ambush them from behind? Hmm, that's not a bad idea."

"Fine, bring them with you. But be careful, aim for the easiest target first."

Skallgard nodded a couple of times and left the Village Hall to gather his men.

Darius turn to the burly warrior on his right side. "How about you, Bjorn?"

"I'll see the bonfire is ready for the party." He remarked, perching the big war axe on his shoulder.

Not so long after, Andhrimnir, the butcher, appeared in the hall with a terrified face. "C-Chief, the Snow Wolves is here!"

"About the damn time."

Once he stepped outside, he found multiple warriors who's under Bjorn's command brandished their weapons against the humongous Alpha Snow Wolf. Old Fang, meanwhile, let out a low and deep growls, staring daggers at the humans below him. Twenty male snow wolves bark ferociously behind the alpha, ready to rip their heads clean.

"Stand down!" Bjorn shouted aloud, sending a strong gush of wind towards his subordinates.

On the other hand, Old Fang bark at his own pack to stand down as well. The twenty strong male snow wolves whimpered, tucking their tails between their legs.

Mathilda, meanwhile, issued the similar command which was addressed to the Alpha Snow Wolf. "Old Fang! On your paws! Now!"

Even the men shivers on their feet, lowering their weapons one after another. Mathilda's voice carries unexplainable weight that makes their heart wavered.

The Black Witch skips merrily towards him, ruffling the thick and soft white fur on his face. "I miss you so much! Old Fang! How are you, do you eat well? How many puppies do you have right now?"

"M-Mathilda, at least give me some face in front of my subjects."

Darius strode closer in leisure manner until he stands toe-to-paws in front of the Alpha. He then raised a hand, letting the wolf nudge his snout against Darius' palm to tell the villagers that he came in peace.

"It's our honor to welcome you and your pack in our village, Old Fang. I am glad that accept my offer. Sorry for the less friendly welcome, I was a little bit busy. Please don't be offended."

"None taken." Says the Alpha, sitting on his hind legs. 

The villagers gasped in bewilderment when they heard Old Fang's human-like voice. However, they didn't dare to questioning Darius about it. They were wary if their inquiries would offend the humongous snow wolf.

To melt the icy atmosphere between the wolves and the villagers, Bjorn and Mr. Barley lit up the sizable bonfire in the Village Hall's courtyard, inviting them to sit side by side around the bonfire and drink the Mr.Barley's signature mead. The wolves sniffs the tankard curiously, evoking gingerly chuckles from the men.

"I thought you would never come near human, Old Fang." Mathilda chimed on his left side.

"One of my scouts spotted to battleships coming from the south. I can smell their bloodlust even from miles away. I don't want my kin to perish if your men lost the battle. That's why I come here to aid your cause."

Darius take a sip of his mead, after a smack on his lips, he said in a very mellow voice. "I won't ask your pack to fight alongside us. However, if your pack is craving for some fight and eager to prove themselves in a battle, then be my guest. Your pack can join Skallgard's ambush team behind the enemy's line."

The mute archer raised his tankard, saluting the wolves. Even without an order, Old Fang's subordinates obediently went to Skallgard's side, they even greet him with myriad of licks and nudge their snout against his face.

Mathilda smiles impishly. "Well, I think it's time for the main show."

With just a few claps of her hands. A dozen beautiful ladies appeared from the craven tents, donned in a very skimpy and sexy outfits. Revealing their well-toned tummies and alluring hips, and thus, the party was in full swing as the other caravan crews hit the tambourines and other various instruments.

"I knew it!" Darius pouted his cheeks. He had a strong hunch that Mathilda must have brought her girls. "Tell your girls to not suck my men dry for the whole night."

"Fufufu. Don't be worry. Your men will be full in vigor and as strong as a lion in the morning, I assure you!"

*****