Ambushing the Enemy

The meeting adjourned. The leaders dispersed, each tasked with preparations for the operation. James and I lingered at the table, our hands still clasped, an unspoken resolve between us. Lord Edgar approached, his expression grave but respectful.

“You have both shown great courage," he said, his voice steady.
"Are you certain about this?”
“There is still time to reconsider."

I met his gaze without hesitation.

"We are certain.”
“Alec has already taken too much from us.”
“If we can strike back, even in a small way, it is worth the risk."

James nodded beside me.

"We will not stand by while he destroys everything.”
“We will fight, just like the rest of you."


Lord Edgar studied us for a moment longer, then nodded.

"Very well.”
“Mark will brief you on the mission’s details.”
“Speed and stealth will be your greatest assets.”
“If all goes to plan, Alec’s forces will walk right into our trap."

Mark led us through the castle’s winding corridors to a dimly lit room. A map of the region lay spread across the table, marked with notes and symbols. He pointed to a village just a few miles from the castle.

"This is where we will set the trap—Ravenswood.”
“It has been abandoned for years but still looks like a bustling town.”
“We will plant rumors about it becoming a resistance base.”
“Alec’s scouts will not resist investigating."

I leaned over the map, tracing the dense forests surrounding Ravenswood. Only a few narrow paths led in and out—ideal for an ambush.

"How do we ensure they take the bait?"

Mark explained.

"We will spread rumors through our spies in nearby villages.”
“Stories of a growing resistance force, ready to strike at Alec’s supply lines.”
“Once the scouts catch wind of it, they will report back to Alec, and he will send a detachment to investigate."

James’s finger traced one of the paths.

"That is when we strike.”
“We will need to be in position before they arrive."

Mark nodded.

"Exactly.”
“A small team will hide in the woods, ready to ambush as soon as Alec’s men enter the village.”
“The goal is not to defeat them outright, but to inflict enough damage to send a clear message."

I glanced at Mark, my brow furrowing.

"What if something goes wrong?”
“What if Alec sends more troops than we expect?"

Mark’s expression darkened.

"That is the risk we take.”
“If things go south, we will retreat and regroup.”
“We will do everything to prevent it, but we have to be prepared for the worst."

James placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

"We will be ready.”
“Whatever happens, we will get through it."

Mark gave a grim smile.

"I will prepare the team.”
“We leave at nightfall."

I turned to James.

"Are we really ready for this?"

He pulled me into a gentle embrace.

"We do not have a choice.”
“We have faced worse.”

I rested my head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart.

"I do not want to lose you."

James tilted my chin up, his eyes locking with mine.

"You will not lose me.”
“Not now, not ever.”

Nightfall approached. We prepared for the mission. We donned dark, practical clothing to blend into the shadows. Mark provided small weapons—daggers, crossbows, and pouches of smoke bombs for a quick escape. The castle hummed with quiet activity as the team assembled in the courtyard—hardened resistance fighters, faces weathered from countless battles. Mark gave final instructions, his voice low but firm.


"We move silently.”
“Stay in the shadows.”
“No unnecessary risks.”
“The priority is to set the trap and ensure Alec’s forces walk into it.”
“Hit hard, fast, and retreat.”
“We regroup here."

James and I nodded, and the group slipped out of the castle into the forest. The night swallowed us, the dense canopy above blocking the moonlight. We moved swiftly and silently, the only sounds the rustling leaves and occasional snap of a twig underfoot.

Ravenswood loomed ahead, its abandoned buildings like silent sentinels in the darkness. The village was eerily quiet, with only the flicker of shadows cast by our torches. We quickly took our positions among the ruins, hiding in the underbrush at the forest’s edge.

Crouched behind a crumbling stone wall, I could hear every amplified sound—the creak of wood, the distant hoot of an owl, the rustle of wind-tossed leaves. My heart raced as I scanned the darkened village, waiting for the first sign of Alec’s men.

Minutes passed like hours. Then, at last, the faint clatter of hooves on cobblestone echoed through the silence, followed by low murmurs of voices.


"They are here," he whispered.

Peering over the wall, I spotted the first scout emerging from the trees, followed by several more in Alec’s dark uniforms. They moved cautiously, weapons drawn, scanning the village for signs of life. The scouts split into smaller groups, fanning out through the buildings. My eyes locked on a figure at the rear—an officer in ornate armor. My heart skipped a beat. This was our chance.

I glanced at James, who nodded, understanding my unspoken thought. If we could take out the officer, it would cripple the morale of the scouts. The officer neared. I readied my crossbow, hands steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me. Just as he stepped into the open, a sudden shout rang out—a signal from one of our fighters. The ambush had begun.

Chaos erupted. Hidden resistance fighters sprang from their hiding places, arrows flying, steel clashing. The scouts caught off guard, scrambled to defend themselves. I fired my crossbow, the bolt striking the officer in the shoulder. He cried out and staggered, but before he could react, James was upon him, knocking him to the ground. The officer struggled to rise, but I was faster. I pressed my dagger to his throat.

"Stay down," I hissed, my voice cold.
"You are outnumbered."

The officer glared up at me, but he did not move. Around us, the battle raged on, though it was clear we had the upper hand. Alec’s scouts faltered, demoralized.

"We need to fall back now, before reinforcements arrive."

I signaled the others, and one by one, we retreated into the shadows. The forest swallowed us as swiftly as we had emerged. We reached the safety of the castle walls. We had delivered a significant blow to Alec’s forces—but the danger was not over yet. Inside the castle, the resistance fighters cheered. This was only the beginning.