The meeting ended and the initiates were sent to survey the wall and get a feel for the terrain around the city. It was a grand and beautiful place, and the people were peaceful and yet their eyes were hardened from years of surviving.
“How are we supposed to defend an entire city against an army of monsters?” said Victor.
Hansel shrugged. “Well, to be perfectly honest I think the Netherian folk probably have it covered. That bushy-eyed old man told us that this wasn’t the first time they had run into trouble with monsters. Having never before been able to co-exist, I think it’s just established that the fighting goes on until one form of life or the other is extinct. It’s really quite like home, isn’t it?”
Gretel certainly agreed. She was anxious to see what these ‘pure’ beasts were like. “In the old tales one Slayer was worth a hundred monsters, and we have eight! I’d like to see them try and destroy us!”
The following days were spent fortifying the city. The Netherians put in all of their strength into build trenches outside the wall and spikes to defend the trenches. Their tactic involved two lines of archers – one on the wall and one in the trench – and one group of combined infantry and spearmen. The trenches were built quickly. Many hands made light work, and many alchemists made no work of it at all. Sam and Victor parted the earth in lines using their alchemy, and Gretel and Hansel uplifted tree roots which were as sharp as spears to form an impenetrable barricade.
“Miss Ling has taught you well!” Caesar exclaimed, with Rodrick by his side. “We suspect the enemy will come this night, or perhaps the night after. The host consists mostly of some variations of Goblyn, which is good. God forbid if any witches come to the fight!”
The battle plan was entirely a hit-and-retreat tactic placed on three fronts with five points of engagement. First, there were the trees; the Netherian archers had keener eyes than any mortal being in the old world, and they used rope-bridges to move swiftly and silently across the tree-tops for miles about. Second, there was the outer trench; placed atop a high slope, the Netherians would have the advantage of height for this part of the battle. Third, the inner trench; here the ground warriors could make a final stand while being supported by the archers on the wall. Fourth, the outer wall; should all the outer defences fail the Netherians would be forced to retreat to the city and continue defending it from the wall. Fifth, the inner sanctuary; should the city be breached their only hope would be to stay and defend the women and children from outside the town-centre, though they prayed it would never come to that.
The Slayers would assist the Netherian captains at each of these points. For hours, they scoured over their defences and fortified their plans. Scouts returned short of breath to report that the enemy host was more than just Goblyns, and they had to account for larger and much fiercer beasts testing their defences. Dusk was approaching and a grey haze descended over the Old Forest. In the distance, there were screams in the night.
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