Chapter Eleven #2
"Lay low," Dipak said. "The fewer people we have to worry about while we're fighting, the better and safer for us." He looked at Euclid. "Is there an emergency plan for this sort of thing?"
Euclid shook his head. "The most I've ever had to worry about are hunters and small mercenary forces, and I've always tended to them just fine on my own.
The greater measure of an actual military is a new challenge.
However, should the worst come to pass, I will bring everyone to the safest location I know. "
"Hopefully it won't come to that," Dipak said quietly, hugging him tightly, because he very clearly meant his den, and having so many people in the one space that was entirely his would be hard.
"Come on, we should go start making plans.
We'll catch Abhishek up when he wakes, and refine further with his input.
I know the military, though, how they'll behave, what they'll do, so we have that slight advantage.
And, you know, I was a scout. I'm good at creeping around forests and gathering information from enemy camps. "
Euclid thanked Pitambar again, and then he and Dipak left, taking the short way to his caves once they were outside.
They appeared in the main room, and Euclid sat down heavily on the sofa where they'd first kissed not so very long ago. "This is…"
"A challenge, a terrible one, but we have the advantages of warning and knowing our own territory. You would be surprised the advantage those two things can grant. Tea?"
"You need rest," Euclid replied.
"I'll try to lie down in a bit. Right now I'm too keyed up; I'd just toss and turn. Let's at least rough out some ideas, and then I'll rest. Nice job with Abhishek, by the way. Smoothest sleep spell I've ever seen."
Euclid smiled faintly. "I don't know that it was a true spell, honestly. He was so exhausted already, closer to passing out than he realized, that I really only had to nudge him the slightest bit. I do not know why he would do so much for us."
"You bought his freedom, and the freedom of people he cared about. That's pretty much priceless for most folk. Though it seems to me he might be sticking around. Wouldn't hurt to have a real soldier. I'm trained, but I'm more of a scout and hunter than an actual combatant."
"It does rather seem as though he is meant to stay.
I suppose we shall see. All right, let me make some tea.
" He set to work, and Dipak stripped down to just his pants and shirt, glad to be out of all his layers and heavy boots for a little while.
He stretched with a groan, then sat back down on the couch as Euclid brought over their cups of tea.
"I guess the first thing is making certain everyone will be safe if the worst should happen.
We may not have time, even between the two of us, to get everyone here.
I think we'd be better off warding each home or area against fire and other dangers.
It's not perfect, but it may buy us time, though that much magic in so short a time will be draining. "
Euclid hesitated, then said, "I can do it, so long as after the battle is over I can sleep for at least a week."
"You'll be able to sleep. We'll make certain everyone is protected, drive off the soldiers, make certain everyone knows there will be no trading or checking in for a few days. You will sleep, and I'll go deal with Madhav. Or I can protect you and go deal with him after you wake up."
"The curse will kill him, there's no reason for you to go deal with him," Euclid said.
"If we had more time, I might have been able to figure out what exactly is wrong and how to cure him.
Alas, nobody ever thinks to simply ask the dragon.
I'd rather you stay here and watch over the forest while I'm asleep.
Let the king fall on his own. You took care of the last one, hunter, this one is not your duty. "
Dipak lifted a hand in acquiescence. "As you wish."
"So we make certain everyone is protected, but that does not stop the attack, the risk of my forest being burnt to the ground."
"Abhishek said they'd arrive day after tomorrow, but likely sooner, and wait until daylight.
Which means they're probably leaving sometime tomorrow, later than they'd wanted because of weather, so they'll arrive too late to attack the forest safely.
If that's the case, then we'll attack first, sneaking into the camp.
Once I'm in the camp and can see everything well, I can use shortcuts to get around.
Take out the commanding officers, destroy supplies.
Do enough harm, the grunts will panic and go home.
With you and Abhishek to help, I think we can handle it.
"If they arrive sooner than we think, then we will simply have to take them down piece by piece in the forest, focusing on whoever is wielding the fire.
If they're doing it with fuel and flame, easy enough.
If they're using mages, or a combination, that will be much harder.
But we can move around the forest in ways they can't, especially you.
We pick off the fire starters, and then deal with the rest. Hopefully, though, we can just sneak into the camp and get them well before the actual trouble starts.
" War was rarely so easy, but the situation was unusual, so he was cautiously hopeful.
Euclid sighed, tired and frustrated. "I wish we had a more definite plan that involved more people fighting on our side, but I also never wanted war to come to my forest. It was peaceful here; we bother nobody.
Why are they bothering us? Why must they hurt and kill so many just to get to me?
All to save a single person." Euclid closed his eyes, pressed his fingertips to his temples.
"It makes me so angry, but anger will help nothing. "
Dipak gently pulled his hands away and kissed his fingers.
"People are foolish, but fools can be dealt with.
We'll get through this, even if we must fight the battle alone.
But we're not alone. We'll warn everyone as we set up their protections.
They'll know to be safe, to hide, and to fight if they must. People are always willing to defend their home, and you've given these people a better home than they'd have ever had on their own.
" Dipak snapped his fingers. "Minali. Speak with her when you do her protections.
I bet you anything she's got some tricks up her sleeve that could help us. "
"Of course," Euclid said with a sigh. "I should have thought of that."
"I think it's fair to say you're under a lot of stress, dragon. That's why I'm here."
Euclid smiled softly, eyes warm as he freed his hands to cup Dipak's face and tug him into a soft kiss. "I'm so very glad you are, my hunter with the moon eyes. Will you try to get some rest now, while I start work on the protections?"
"Yes, I think I can sleep now." He yawned before he could say more. "See?"
"Then go, and I'll see you in a few hours."
"Be careful. I know you're going to have to overexert yourself, but be careful all the same."
Euclid kissed him again, something hard and desperate in it, eyes glistening as he drew back. "It's been a very long time since there was someone to care about me so. I'll see you soon."
Then he was gone, and Dipak sighed softly as he headed off to bed.