Chapter 103: Warning on the Border
"One... one hundred and eighty..." said the commander, letting out a sloppy laugh and dropping his head back with half-closed eyes. "There were two hundred... hic!... but twenty went south to fetch more slaves... MORE SLAVES FOR THE CHIEFTAINNN!"
"How many sentries guard the perimeter at night?" said Kellar, observing the man’s pitiful state.
"Ten..." said the commander, letting out a violent hiccup that made him grin like an idiot. "Ten sentries on the outer rocks... and four guarding the wooden cages... poor little things locked in there... cheers to them!"
"Where do you keep your main reserve of weapons and oil?" said Kellar, tapping his fingers against the wooden table.
"In the big hide tent... right behind the chief’s quarters..." said the commander, spilling the secret in a cheerful, shameless whisper. "Everything is stored there... the beautiful iron blades, the chains... and the jars of animal fat! It’s a treasure, my friend!"
Krag and Grok exchanged a quick glance, their faces hardening as the exact layout of the enemy bastion took shape in their minds. Kellar drew a quick sketch on a piece of parchment resting on the table, marking the positions of the cages, sentry posts, and supply depot.
Kellar stood up, adjusting his fur cloak as he looked down at the drunk barbarian, who was now humming a clumsy lullaby from his tribe.
"Where is your chieftain right now?" said Kellar.
"He... is still at the main camp..." said the commander, swaying his head from side to side carelessly. "Waiting for the patrols to return... so he can march with the whole contingent... Hey... the wine was delicious... isn’t there another cup for the road? I told you everything!"
Kellar observed him in silence for a second, his expression indecipherable.
"I promised you a quick death if you answered," said Kellar, turning his back on him to walk toward the door. "Krag, take him outside the palisade. Cut his throat and leave his body at the edge of the forest for the wolves."
"Understood, Shaman," said Krag, grabbing the back of the chair and dragging the commander away, who was still chuckling to himself unware of his fate.
As Krag dragged the prisoner out into the night wind, Grok stepped up beside Kellar, looking at the fresh sketch on the parchment.
"We have their layout now, Shaman," said Grok. "One hundred and eighty warriors is still a massive force for our squad to face in a frontal battle."
"We won’t face them head-on, Grok," said Kellar, a cold, calculating smirk playing on his lips as he rolled up the map. "Tomorrow, Lennis and Mentz will help me prepare a surprise they will never see coming. They have iron... but we have fire."
Kellar observed the wooden stake where the bearded commander’s corpse hung limp.
"Take him to the front and drive him into the ground right at the entrance of the new camp," said Kellar, gesturing toward the outer perimeter boundaries. "If that tribe has sentries roaming the hills, I want them to see him clearly. Furthermore, it will serve as a very clear warning for our ’allies.’ If they attempt any betrayal or dirty tricks, I will hang every one of them in the same spot."
"Understood, Shaman!" said Krag, giving a deep bow before instructing the hunters to move the body.
Kellar looked at Grok, Lennis, and Mentz, adjusting his fur cloak over his shoulders as he felt the weight of accumulated fatigue from his spiritual energy output.
"You are dismissed for today," said Kellar, offering a slight smirk that hid his true intentions. "Go get some rest. Bright and early tomorrow, we have very interesting things to do."
Kellar crossed the threshold of his residence and shut the timber door, leaving the freezing night wind behind. As soon as he stepped inside, the home’s warm air wrapped around him. Waiting for him in the center of the room were Mila and the girls with a large wooden tub filled with steaming water, ready to tend to him.
Without wasting a second, they settled him into a comfortable seat, removed his heavy boots, and submerged his feet into the warm water, triggering relief through his stiff muscles. While one offered him a tray with hot roasted meat and freshly baked bread, Mila stepped up behind him to knead his shoulders.
"What is all this for?" said Kellar, savoring a bite of food as he enjoyed the comfort. "What happened to get such a welcome?"
"We want you to relax," said Mila, applying just the right pressure to his neck. "You have suffered so much out in the elements these past few days. We missed you yesterday and knew you had to sleep out in the wild, exposed to the cold. We thought it would be good to help you rest your body so you can regain your strength."
Kellar let out a long sigh and closed his eyes, allowing the water’s warmth and the women’s care to melt away the lingering fatigue from his violent use of magic.
"Looks like I’ll have to leave more often to get welcomed like this," said Kellar, chuckling softly.
Upon hearing his words, Mila and the others stopped dead in their tracks, fixing him with stern, reproachful glares.
"Just kidding, just kidding," said Kellar, raising his hands in surrender as he smiled. "I’m only playing around, it’s not true."
Mila gave him a light smack on the shoulder in reproach, making him laugh at the warm and harmonious atmosphere inside the residence.
At that moment, Meli took the initiative and moved in close to his ear, softly brushing against his neck.
"Today we’re going to make sure you are well taken care of," said Meli in a flirtatious whisper. "You surely held in a lot of poison yesterday."
Behind her, Elia and Loria stepped forward after stripping off their robes, moving sensually as their lush curves were laid bare. At the sight, Kellar’s body reacted instantly, his manhood rising firmly beneath the warm water.
"Looks like you’re quite eager..." said Mila, with a playful smirk as she noticed his reaction.