Night Attack

"Idiot, we will stay in the rear and move in when it's time to land the final kill. As for why, I don't want to walk into a trap. Although there is not much possibility, I don't want to risk my safety against such low level serfs." Kyle said to Albert.

"As expected of a dual faced man like you. While your man risk their lives in the battlefield, you reap the rewards from the side." Albert commented.

Kyle ones again ignored Albert's provocative words. He no longer had any interest in arguing with someone like Albert. In stand his mind was revolving around the fight that was going to happen soon.

...

"My lord, looks like there the enemy has noticed our presence and have started their preparations for what looks like an all out raid." Nathen informed Alfred from the side.

Alfred nodded indicating that he understood.

Currently, Alfred along with Nathen and Redhead stood on top a small hill opposite to the cave where Albert and Kyle were hiding.

"What about our preparations? Is everything ready on our end?" Alfred asked while looking at the direction on the encircling enemies.

"My lord, nearly all the preparations are complete and the serfs are in the position. From the reports I am receiving, I think everything will be ready before the enemy makes a move." Nathen explained.

"Good. Make sure everything goes according the plan."

"As you wish, my lord." Nathen said as he took a step back.

...

As Alfred and Nathen were making their final preparations, Kyle and Albert stood together with fifty or so of their guards some distance away from the encirclement.

"How is the encirclement going?" Kyle asked the goon next to him as he sat atop a horse.

"Young master, we have nearly completed a two thirds of the encirclement. For now, we are proceeding slowly and being careful not to make much noise." The goon explained.

"Good. Make sure to not to make too much noise before I give you the signal to attack. I don't want to startle those serfs before we are ready to attack. Also, I want you to make sure that those serfs are killed in swift blow from all directions. And finally, I don't want to see any survivors to remaining after we are done with this place. Is that clear?" Kyle said to the goon.

"Young master, you do need to worry about anything. I will make sure that everything. I have already explained young master's, plans to others and warned them not to screw it up. I have even threatened then with saviour punishments if anyone screws something up. Don't worry young master, I will send few men to inform the men of your latest orders." The goon replied.

"I don't understand, why we are being so cautious against a bunch of serfs who barely are wearing any clothes and who are nearly unarmed. Why don't we just sweep in and attack them from one side and be done with them." Albert ranted from the side. "Don't you think we are wasting time just by standing here? Not only we have nearly double their numbers, also our men are elite from our respective families and have way better equipment. Why don't we just attack? I don't see any reason to be so careful."

"You foul mouthed idiot. Don't you think I also know what you just said? Do you think I am a moron or something? What I am doing is called being careful. I just don't want to find myself in some kind of bad situation." Said Kyle.

"What do you mean by bad situation? Do you think it is some kind of trap by that Alfred?" Albert said suddenly become cautious.

"No," Kyle denied. "I don't think this is a trap of sorts. I doubt that Alfred has enough man to pull something like this. Even if it was a trap, most of our men are way stronger than that of the Autarch family. So, it's not Alfred that I am worried about. What I am most worried is the winter."

"What do you mean?" Albert asked suspiciously.

"Don't you notice that the winter is getting more hasher and the days are getting short?" Kyle asked.

"So? Isn't it just a bit of a cold? What is there to be afraid of it?"

"You moron. Did you forget the most scary element of winter in the northlands? Didn't your family tell you about the winter beats that attack the Everwinter fortress in waves? This is the peak time when such waves are most frequent. From the information I have received from our captured prisoners, Alfred has made up his mind to defend the Everwinter fortress alone this time, without the help of our two families.

My fear comes from this. I don't think Alfred will be able protect the fortress for the whole winter. He doesn't have the men, and after we took his food and supplies, his situation should be desperate. So, I want to exchange the loot and hostages for money get out this place as soon as possible. I don't want to stick around when the beast hoard comes and sweeps everything in their path." Kyle explained.

"Hay, why didn't you say so previously? Don't you think it's quite dangerous for us, if we continue to stay here for long?" Albert said with a little panic in his voice.

"Don't worry. I don't think our situation has reached such a drastic level." Kyle said while shaking his head. "At least not yet. But it could turn bad anytime. I want to use this chance to kill those serfs, and use their deaths to put pressure in Alfred. So, that we could get a better deal from Alfred and also teach him a lesson at the same time. Hence, I am being careful and trying to make sure none of serfs are left alive to tell Alfred what happened today."

"Hmm, looks like you have a point. But how about hurrying up a bit? Its freezing out here you know." Albert said tightening the fur coat around him a bit.

"You…." Just as Kyle was about rage again at Albert, a rider came from the direction of the serf camp and handed the goon, who was standing near Kyle silently, some papers.

"Young master, message from the men. Looks like our encirclement has been completed. And now everyone is waiting for young masters command to attack." The goon informed.

"Good. Pass my permission to men for attack. Make sure none of them escapes. I personally will reward anyone will bring all sixty heads to me, so tell the man to not to hold back." Kyle commanded.

"Yes, Young master." The goon said and started giving orders to others.

....

The hill top. Alfred's hidden location.

"My lord, looks like the enemy have completed their encirclement and has also started there advance. As of now, it looks like they have crossed the first parameter and according the reports from the scouts are they approaching the second parameter fast. Should we commence out attack?" Nathen informed Alfred.

After listening to Nathans's report Alfred thought for a moment and nodded.

"Yes, its better we start our plan right now. Any more delay we are risking the lives of those ten or so serfs who are acting a decoy. Thanks to them we are able to trick the enemy into believing that there were more than fifty people in the camp. Send the signal for them to retreat to the designated area. Then we commence our attack." Alfred ordered.

Redhead who was standing nearby nodded and he too started barking orders in succession.

Soon everyone received their orders and took position.

The archers who were previously ready standing in formation, lit up their oil socked arrows and took aim at there designated target. At ones, everyone waited for Alfred's signal to attack.

Alfred on the other hand, took one last deep breath and gave his permission.

"Attack."

At his orders tens of fire arrows, left the archers bows, flew towards there intended targets, illuminating the night sky like fireflies. But these arrows were not just pretty like the fireflies but also deadly like a stinger.

One after another they hit what appeared to be well hidden bundles of dry twigs and hays. The quantity of these bundles not only large but were spread over a large area. Soon the fire from the flame arrows lit up the dry hay and soon spread to the dried twigs.

And as the time progressed, fire started to get bigger and bigger, not just entrapping the Kyle's men inside but also illuminating the nearby area.

"My lord, looks like the first part of the plan went more smoothly than expected. Thanks to the enemy spreading out their numbers by encircling the decoy camp, we are able to trap them more easily than we have first expected. Not only that, due to there low numbers it will be difficult for them to make a breakout in a short amount of time." Nathen said excitedly.

"Good. The first phase of the plan went off rather smoothly than expected. I think it's better to start the second phase now. What do you think Nathan?" Alfred asked.

"My lord, I think we should immediately start the second phase. If we delay the second phase longer the enemy might gather in enough numbers and try a risky breakout." Nathen agreed.

Alfred nodded and accepted Nathen's suggestion.

"System, send the eagles out. Also tell them to kill everyone other than our men. There is no need for survivors." Alfred said in his mind.