Preparation for the Campaign

With their intentions now set, the gathered council immediately began to discuss preparations.

This would not be the first time war was waged against the lords, but history was not in their favor with the countless defeats they had faced. Many present had fought in the last war only to be soundly defeated, hence everyone knew this war would be different from the ones Arthor had led before.

All the battles before this had armies in the hundreds, that was the main reason their army of a thousand was enough for them to dominate every tribe so far. The lords however were different, Houses Crowl, Stane and Magnar had 5000 men each all together they stood at 15,000 men all armed to the teeth with steel and obsidian.

Lagertha could remember their numbers pouring out on to the land and towards them. Their defeat then was nothing short of sound, if those numbers were to come down on them again... Largetha thought it better to stop her thoughts before she went down a path she could no longer return from.

Ronell, brought out a map he had drawn with the aid of a few of the others from the clan. With his green sight abilities a clear ma of their territories had been drawn and was now laid out before all present, whilst the ma of their territories were clear those of their enemies territory was vague at best.

"I say we march on them before they're prepared. We strike hard and fast." One of the members of the council spoke up his words gaining support from many including Lothor, Lagertha and Harwood.

"So what if we strike first, our numbers still would not compare. We would merely loose lives for a meager victory which would most surely not last long" Benjen contributed his words, which was only supported by few of the council.

"Is that fear I sense in your words brother" Lothor turned to his brother with a provocative look only to gain a hard stare in return. "This is not a matter of fear, the act of marching on with reckless abandon is nothing more than suicide."

"He makes a point."

 "Not you too Freya" Lothor turned to her with a hurt look. "Everyone knows you're craving for a fight but this is suicide", Freya continued on gaining support from Ronell. "She isn't wrong"

"You're supposed to be on my side"

"This isn't about sides we need to collect our strength and prepare ourselves." Benjen spoke up, "The Undying speaks true, the lords don't just have numbers but each and every one of their ranks wield steel, with many of them wearing leather armor with a few having steel armor." The words of a senior member was heard causing those who had experienced the last battle against the lords to have flashbacks.

Harwood recalled the sea of bodies he once found himself lost in, with everyone covered in mud and blood he found himself unable to determine friend from foe. At one point Harwood remembered loosing his blade, he remembered how torturous it was to even breathe and finally he remembered the armored men rushing towards him atop horses. He recalled it vividly... the moment he lost all hope.

"They're right, rushing in blindly without a plan is sure to get us all killed. After all what is one thousand to 15 thousand." Harwood voiced his thoughts and at once the fire that had been lit with Arthor's declaration seemed to flicker out. The number of troops they were to face had slipped their mind, the strong almost blind faith they held in their chief who had risen to high chief of the woodlands before bringing The Bloody Spring upon them had filled them with overconfidence.

But the after being doused with truth they awoke to reality.

"Who says we'll be up against 15 thousand?" Arthor's words caused all eyes to shift towards him. "The lords only came together because it was the entirety of Skagos, that rose up in rebellion. Don't forget they hate each other just as much as we hate them."

"So the war that's about to happen, will be between us and the Crowls as the others have n knowledge of our plans to take over Skagos." Ronell spoke his eyes subconsciously fading to white as he thought about what Arthor meant.

"With the messenger that came first, it would look to the others that Lord Crowl is trying to expand his power. They would be more inclined to sabotage him than aid him, meaning we would only be up against around 5000 and not 15000." Lagertha's voice gained a tinge of understanding.

"'Only' you say, 5000 is most definitely not something I would classify as 'only'." Halys spoke up making finger quotes once he mentioned the word only. "Halys, makes a valid point." Arthor began, "Which is why if we are to win this we would need a plan, hence we will begin with Benjen's idea" Arthor gazed at Benjen before focusing his gaze on Lothor.

"We will first pull back to the Woodlands."