Erik held the map up for all to see. "Look at this," he said, finger tracing the intricate ink lines. "Every camp, patrol, and military position around here has been detailed."
Ava was the one who first spoke after the prolonged period of silence. The sight of her delicate arm being freshly bandaged caused Erik to feel a twinge of pain in his chest.
"So, they are planning something big against Liberty Watch," she stated after determining the meaning of the lines and symbols. It wasn't even a question because everybody could see it. The presence of the large circle that had been drawn around their village was unsettling.
Garrett peered intently at the map. He was still holding Emily's longsword, the polished metal reflecting the dim light of the underground shelter in which they were located.
His expression was grim, and his grip on the sword became even firmer. "Those bastards," he muttered.
Marcus moved closer to the group while casting a long shadow with his armored bulk.
"This doesn't mean they're going to attack. Maybe they were just keeping tabs, monitoring the situation," he suggested, his tone attempting to bring some optimism to the disheartening discovery.
Alexia was intensely focused on the map as Erik watched her. Her emerald eyes were as sharp as daggers, darting across the parchment as she deciphered the complicated lines and symbols. She did not speak a word; her lips were constrained into a thin line. He was aware that Alexia was thinking about all of the options available.
She was strategizing and thinking about the necessary things to do. Her lack of expression was unsettling.
At last, she said, "We need to warn the village." Even if they are not making preparations for an assault, we can't take that risk. And this," as she pointed to the map, "Provides us with beneficial information regarding their operations. Now that we know their plans, we can prepare accordingly."
Everyone stopped what they were doing to concentrate on what she had just said. They were aware of the gravity of the situation, but the discovery gave them a glimmer of hope that things might turn out okay.
The information the Frantian soldiers had gathered was now in their possession; they could use it to defend their home and possibly turn the tide of the battle.
As Erik watched, it became clear this was a huge opportunity. With this map, they were no longer bound to be defenders merely; instead, they had a chance to fight back.
Everyone understood this, yet the only way for this map to be really put to use was to head back to the village and give it to Amos.
Upon realizing the problem, Marcus turned around to face the others. His broad shoulders were highlighted by the dim light that could only make its way through the opening. He started by saying, in an even and unruffled tone, "Look, Alexia. It would be stupid to go back and tell the others about this situation."
He then turned his attention to the map that Erik was holding and said, "I am aware that this information is valuable, and it will most certainly be beneficial for the village. But remember our main task. We have been given the mission to locate the Auburn Pine. That is the top priority for us."
Garrett shared Marcus's perspective on the matter. "Marcus is right. If we go back, we will more likely draw attention to ourselves. We've been lucky so far, but luck runs out. And when it does, we want to be as far away from the aftermath as possible."
Garrett's gaze turned sharp, his voice grave, "This map can change the tide for us. That is true, but only if we can deliver it safely to Amos. If we are caught before, it's as good as lost. It's a risk we can't take."
In addition to being logical, their argument was persuasive. They wouldn't do their cause any favors by going back and delaying the acquisition of the Auburn Pine. They had a journey and a mission that needed to be finished. Besides, even with all this information, it was clear they would still be unable to face Frant. They were too many; they were too strong even for their weirdly powerful village.
Marcus and Garrett had a valid point. Erik nodded in agreement, his gaze still on the map. "You're right," he admitted, folding the parchment and tucking it away. "Our primary goal is to find the Auburn Pine. That hasn't changed."
He gave the underground room a cursory glance, taking in the bunk beds, the discarded backpacks, and the quiet hum of space.
In light of this unanticipated discovery, they had obtained significantly more than they had asked for, but their objective remained the same.
Erik was aware of the significance of the task they had to complete. The Auburn Pine was necessary for their community's continued existence and was what would allow the whole village to live inside the hidden underground city where they could live.
Because Frant would have an extremely difficult time locating the underground city, it would be the ideal place to take refuge.
"Let's pack what we need and move out," Erik said, his tone firm. "We've stayed here long enough, and now we have a map depicting every Frantian patrol. The journey will be relatively easy from now on."
The rest of his companions murmured their assent in a hushed tone. There was no debate; everyone agreed that they needed to move quickly, but not everyone was happy about the decision that was taken.
Ava and Alexia started packing the essential items from the backpacks left behind by the Frantian soldiers. After a moment, Erik turned to look at them. He reassured them, saying, "Don't worry, Amos will know what to do against Frant; he is not stupid." Erik saw nothing but upset on the women's faces, but there was nothing they could really do.
The newly acquired information was a double-edged sword, bringing fear and reassurance in equal measure.
Marcus was already at the entrance of the underground shelter, his body casting a massive silhouette against the sliver of winter light that was making its way in. His hand was resting comfortably on the hilt of his Axe, indicating that he was prepared to face any threat that might come their way.
He turned to look at the group again, this time with a determined expression. "Erik's right. Amos is smart, and we're not here to pick a fight with Frant. We've got a mission to complete."
When Erik looked at his friends, he saw that their determination was still there. They were not Frant soldiers; they were not murderers. They were guardians of Liberty Watch and were motivated by the desire to see their people live in a more secure future, and if that meant they had to go on with their mission, despite the map, then so be it.
After taking one last look around the deserted underground shelter, Erik followed Marcus out into the icy air.
The search for the Auburn Pine had not yet ended, and they still had a significant distance to travel. With renewed resoluteness, they dove back into the wintry wilderness, leaving the icy emptiness of the Frantian's hiding place behind them.
The sourc𝗲 of this content is free(w)ebnov(𝒆)l