Chapter 170

Danzel feet landed on the ground and almost made his fall down. His legs felt like jelly due to the long ride. Many of his men were doing almost the same thing. It had been a long time since he rode a horse. Especially for this long of a ride. After being able to gain his balance again. He made his way around the many people, hearing many being told to what do by some higher soldiers. He looked around for Joseph. Danzel had a feeling that the man may be complaining about the long ride. He couldn't even remember the last time that Joseph had ridden on a horse. He normally rode in carriages.

"Your highness." Danzel turned to find the man he was looking for. "This place you picked would work well." Danzel looked around the area. There weren't many places to hide if they needed to get away from an enemy. Yet, it was a good spot to rest nonetheless.

"I saw that some of my men had already started to take care of the horses and get the tents up."

"Yes Sire. We hope to get all the animals hydrated and fed. We will be able to get the few tents we brought up. That way we can talk about out action of plan." Danzel nodded. Joseph was always on the same page as he was. He knew exactly what Danzel was thinking and would make sure that everything was taken care of respectively.

"Once the tent is up. Get my high rank soldiers gathered so we can go over what is needed to be done." Danzel looked around at his men.

"Sire. Do you also want Lieutenant Franken as well?" Danzel glanced over to Joseph. "I just don't think it's a good idea to have him listening to our plan of attack. What if he tries to interfere with the plan or worse?"

"Joseph." Danzel started to speak. "I understand your concern. But that man right now is one of us. We have to trust him to a point."

"Sire."

"But I'm not saying that we should fully trust that man. Since we know that he was working with my uncle. Who knows what that snake had told the man to do while we are out here." Danzel placed his hand on the handle of his sword. "If I have to protect myself from not only the King of Aiden, but from one of my own. I will. I will fight till my last dying breath." Danzel looked at Joseph. "I am doing all of this so I can go back to my wife and child. I don't want them to worry about other Kingdoms causing trouble. I want to keep them both safe. If fighting King Aiden and winning will be what it takes to protect the ones I love. Then so be it. I will fight anyone that tries to harm my family, or Kingdom."

"You really love your family don't you." Joseph chuckled a bit."

"Of course." Danzel replied. "I would do anything to keep them safe from anyone that dares to harm them in anyway. Plus." Danzel smirked. "I plan to make my family bigger when I get back." Joseph couldn't help but smile. "The only thing that I have to do is get this damn war over and go back to our home, and like I said. If I have to cut down my own people that get in my way of making peace for my Kingdom. I won't care who you are. You will be stopped." Joseph stayed quiet. He just nodded. He knew that the King was irritated that he had a traitor in his mists. Yet, he couldn't confront the man. They both believed that Franken already knew about their suspicions of that man working with his uncle. So while they were out during this mission. They would keep an eye on him, but both hoped that the man would help them when needed.

About an hour had passed. There were now several tents that have been put together. One had more interest than the others. Danzel made his way into the tent. They had a flexible table that had been put together. He looked down on the table that already held a map. It was the area that they were currently in and there was an "X" marked on the map where they were heading to. There were only a few more days left before they reach to Kortanel. Danzel took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. The closer they got to Kortanel the more nervous Danzel was.

"Sire. Are you okay?" Danzel glanced to the side where the voice came from. Franken was staring at Danzel. He had a look of worry on his face.

"I am fine." Danzel replied. "Just a bit tired from the ride. That is all. Nothing to worry about." Franken moved his eyes from Danzel for a moment. Danzel walked over to the table and looked over at the map. In the next couple of days, they are still going to be in the desert lands. Soon though, it will turn into forest. Once they hit that, they it would only be a day or two before they in the territory of Kortanel.

"So, what is the plan of attack?" A soldier asked. Danzel glanced his way over to the man and then back at the map.

"Well. As of right now. Since we are still quite for from Kortanel. Hopefully we don't have to worry about assassins showing up now. I would assume that they will once we get closer to their territory though. So," Danzel placed his hands on the map. "Once we get to the forest area. I want to break into teams. I know that we would be better in a large amount. But I also think it would be good to have several teams to surround the Kingdom of Kortanel. This way, if there are enemies that are coming after us. We will be able to signal each other. That way, if we need to regroup we can."

"Do you think that King Aiden is planning on attacking in the forest?" Franken questioned Danzel. The young man looked over to the man.

"I don't know what the King has in mind. That is why I was thinking that this would possibly be our best bet. If there is any danger that is coming from the King when we get into his territory, it would be best to know right away. That way we are not ambushed and many lives lost."

"So, it would be best for a few casualties, then a large one right?" Franken questioned. Danzel narrowed his eyes.

"If I could prevent it. I wouldn't want anyone to die." Danzel turned his eyes back to the map. "I know that when you go to war, there will always be death. If it's on your side or your enemies. I understand that. That is why I am thinking of the best way possible to protect my people." Franken stared at Danzel for a moment longer before looking back down at the map.

"So. Where do you think that we should have everyone split up?" Franken asked. Danzel nodded his head.

"I think that this is the best place that we should split off." Danzel pointed at the map.