Tavaar - 40th Edition

Today's post will be double-long. About 1,000-words. I just couldn't find a good place to break it, and I'm kind of in a hurry. Sorry.

Having made her decision on squad leaders, Tavaar now turned to the mission which lay before them. She spread out a map of the lands west of Fire Lake. The map was not topographical, but it did indicate the two regions of extremely poor terrain which ran like parallel spurs from the Western Mountains. Between them was a fairly wide region of heavily forested flat land. Tavaar pointed to her notes.

“This is typically the starting place for testing warriors,” she said, indicating a place along the Dark Cat River. “They arrive from the south and then make their way east, using one of three logical paths: the quickest way, between the two difficult ridges; the long way, around the south; or the hard way, through the difficult ridge. The standard defense has been to run base camp here, at the mouth of the central plain, with two patrols walking the plan, two guarding against a southern attack, and one guarding the hard ridge. Most of the time, this works. Only the best warriors have been able to defeat it.”

“But we will not be using this defense?” asked Nayvahl.

“No. And this is why. Look at the starting point chosen by our attacking warriors.”

“It is much farther to the north,” Nayvahl said with wonder.

“Cat Lands,” said Sashwa.

“Why should they do that?” asked Nayvahl. “The giant cats are dangerous. It is said one must be level six or greater to face them.”

“And these are not level six warriors, are they?” said Sashwa.

“No. They have begun foolishly. They have limited themselves. By starting so far away they cannot take the southern route, or risk delay in either of the ridges. That leaves them only with the central plain. By rotating our defense just slightly, we cut them off completely.”

“So thought Kelenbah,” said Tavaar. “That is why he delayed in starting out. He did not believe it was possible for them to pass through heavily patrolled land undetected.”

“That would take superior woodcraft,” said Sashwa.

“Their arrogance is astounding,” said Nayvahl.

Tavaar smiled. “That it is. However, I do not believe that is their plan. Therefore, Kelenbah’s strategy will not work. If we follow that plan, we will not even get a rumor of them.”

“What do you think they will do?” asked Nayvahl, agonizing to see what Tavaar did.

Tavaar produced a small piece of chalk. “There is only one reason I can see why they would start at the mountains. They intend to go north. Look.”

She drew a line from the warriors starting point toward Deep Forest to the northeast. Then she changed direction and went straight east toward Urabbi Village. Then she dropped straight south to Fire Lake, ending by following the shoreline to West Stop. The route bypassed all defenses. When she finished, she looked at her advisors. Nayvahl was shaking his head in disbelief. Sashwa was grinning, appreciatively.

“They would not dare,” said Nayvahl. “The first quarter of their route is completely within the Cat Lands. The cats are not like other forest creatures, it is said. They do not suffer travelers, and they seem to be aware of all that goes on in the shadows of the hills. They would have to be mad to risk it.”

“They may be,” said Tavaar. “But they are definitely arrogant, as you have said.”

“They would also consider such a plan good fun,” said Sashwa.

“Fun!” cried Nayvahl.

“Yes. They do like to play,” said Tavaar. “But I am convinced that is what they plan to do. That is why we must leave tomorrow.”

“What if you are wrong?” asked Nayvahl.

“Then I will have handed them West Village and brought shame upon us all,” said Tavaar. “But I am not wrong. I know it.”

“So, do we shift the defenses even further?” Nayvahl asked.

“No. If they get to the inner villages we have lost. They will run to Sunset Village, take a boat and come to West Stop by water. No, we must prevent them from getting that far. We must catch them in the wild.”

“So, what do you plan?” asked Sashwa.

“We will split our force.”

“Split? Sub-Commander, we are already reduced in number,” said Nayvahl.

“I know. But it cannot be helped. You will lead your squad north with Alobahr and Yahrleen. You will march here. Put Alobahr ahead and to your right. Yahrleen should be ahead and to the right of Alobahr. Do not waste time trying to be overly quiet.”

“They will surely hear us, Sub-Commander.”

“They would anyway. They will not be caught by a moving patrol. Yahrleen should encounter them first, but I doubt she will know it. If she does, she is to pursue for one turn only. Then she is to reverse course and make a loop, filling in behind you and to your left. She must do this quickly. The same will go for Alobahr and yourself. When you make your loop, you should find yourself along the ridge.”

“And if we do not encounter them?”

“After three days shift to the next patrol area. After three days there, return to base camp and establish a patrol to the north.”

“And where will you and the Chief Scout be?”

“If all works as it should, they will believe Kelenbah knows their plan. Once convinced of that, they will likely attempt to cross over the ridge. The easiest point to do that is here. Have Yahrleen and Alobahr return to base camp. You will cross the ridge, hopefully on the heels of our quarry. The Chief Scout and I will set up an ambush here. You should drive them right to us.”

Nayvahl studied the map. “So you are hoping to convince them we are at full strength and that all squads have moved north?”

“It is what Kelenbah would do.”

“You are certain?”

“Yes. The reason being the only way Kelenbah would even believe they are north is because of me. However, that is as far as Kelenbah would go. There is little likelihood he would accept my solution. He would therefore over commit himself. Our quarry will soon come to this conclusion. Once they do, they will seek to come to West Stop through the flat area.”

They sat and discussed the specifics of Tavaar’s plan for two turns. Finally, satisfied they all understood, Tavaar ended the meeting. She and Sashwa remained in the hut until Wheylin arrived. Then, after a short discussion about why, they all moved to the campfire and bed down under the stars.