Page 62 of Savage Devotion
I find Kaelgor near the command fire, looking better after Torres's ministrations but still moving carefully. He's changed into a clean shirt that doesn't show the bandages beneath, but Ican see the slight stiffness in his posture that suggests ongoing pain.
"Ready?" I ask quietly.
"Question is whether you are."
Before I can ask what he means, Heldrik approaches from across the fire circle. My uncle moves with the predatory grace of someone to command, silver hair gleaming in the firelight and pale eyes missing nothing. He nods to Kaelgor with barely concealed disdain before focusing on me.
"Heard you lost people today."
"Three soldiers. Good ones." I keep my voice steady, professional. "Vine-beast attack during reconnaissance."
"Reconnaissance for what purpose?"
"Evaluating potential routes for supply interdiction. The Bloodfang have been hitting our convoys regularly. Time to return the favor."
Heldrik's expression doesn't change, but I catch the slight tightening around his eyes that suggests interest. "Return the favor how?"
"Direct assault on their primary depot. Cut off their supply lines, force them to stretch resources defending multiple positions."
"Tactically complex operation. Requires significant planning and coordination." His tone suggests skepticism about my ability to manage either.
"Which is why I'm announcing it tonight. Give people time to prepare mentally before we move."
"When?"
"Two days. Dawn assault, coordinated with diversionary actions on their eastern positions."
Kaelgor steps forward, his expression carefully neutral. "With respect, Commander, two days isn't sufficient preparation time for an operation of that scope."
"It's adequate if we move fast and keep the force small. Speed over overwhelming strength."
"The depot is heavily fortified. Small force means higher casualty rates."
"Small force means better operational security. Lower chance of intelligence leaks." I let my gaze sweep the circle of listeners, noting who pays attention and who seems to avoid eye contact.
"Intelligence leaks aren't our primary concern," Kaelgor argues, his voice carrying just the right note of frustration. "Soldier survival should be."
"Soldier survival depends on eliminating threats before they can organize effective countermeasures." The words taste like strategy manual doctrine, but they serve their purpose. "The Bloodfang depot represents a significant strategic target."
"It also represents a potential death trap for anyone foolish enough to assault it without proper preparation."
The exchange is drawing attention now, other conversations quieting as people tune in to what sounds like a genuine disagreement between allied commanders. Perfect.
"Are you questioning my tactical judgment?" I let an edge creep into my voice, a professional coldness that suggests personal offense.
"I'm questioning the wisdom of risking lives for what amounts to a revenge operation."
"Revenge?" The word comes out sharper than intended, carrying enough genuine anger to make the performance convincing. "This is strategic necessity. The Bloodfang have killed dozens of our people in the last month."
"And rushing into a poorly planned assault will kill dozens more."
"Then what do you suggest? Continue letting them pick us apart while we debate optimal force composition?"
Heldrik watches this exchange with visible satisfaction, clearly enjoying what he perceives as conflict between his niece and her orc ally. I can practically see him calculating how to exploit the apparent rift.
"I suggest proper reconnaissance, detailed planning, and coordinated action with sufficient force to ensure success," Kaelgor says evenly.
"We don't have time for extended planning cycles. Every day we wait, they strengthen their positions and plan more attacks on our supply lines."
