//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 - Human: Strategies and Funerals // Story: World of Ponies: The Pony-Human War // by ShadowWalking18 //------------------------------// Castus Castus paced back and forth in the Command Tent, the Huntmasters all gathered around watching him. With the first contact with the invading pony forces, he was quick to return to the other sentry posts, and see if they had made any sight of any pony forces. A part of him hoped that it was only one force, but sadly those hopes seemed a foolish thing as at least five other sentry posts had reported sightings of pony camps, though luckily none with the same consequences as the first, though at least two others had exchanged arrow fire with the ponies. Still it was a blessing that no serious injuries, like the one Ralof suffered had occurred again. Frankly Castus still wasn't sure the boy would survive...Healing wasn't his strong point, and magical injuries could cause anything to happen. Plus cauterized wounds were always the worse to deal with, and he had no knowledge in dealing with those. It was all a matter of luck and fate now for the boy. But in all that meant six regiments of Equestrian military forces were in their territory. All of them no doubt sending scouts to look for them, and even with the wardings he had placed to conceal the Moot, eventually something would give away their position. They did have unicorns after all; even if they lacked the same magical skills as their alicorn progenitors they could still figure out a way to get around his wards. And they had many....he was just one. And unless a miracle happened, he doubted any of his people would be showing any skill in using the Wind. He didn't even know if they still could. "What do we do?" Huntmaster Garth asked. 'That's what I'm trying to figure out.' Castus thought. Though he was glad someone spoke, it could at least give words to what they were all thinking. "We should attack their main camp. If we crush their Huntmaster they will break like twigs." Krul said, slamming the butt of his spear to the ground. Castus sighed, shaking his head as he heard a few other huntmasters give agreement to Krul's idea. "You are forgetting that they outnumber us five to one," Castus said, his words silencing the Huntmasters who now looked to him. "But we have you Fire Man. From what Wulfric and the other boys from the first sentry party to meet the ponies you annihilated several already." Huntmaster Kalab said. Castus bit his lip. He didn't want to be reminded of that....that had been...an emotional moment. But he could do nothing about it now. "I did....and I could probably slay half their number before I was over powered...maybe more. I doubt any of their mages know how to counter my spells as effectively as Celestia or Luna. But such power would make it easy for them to find me, and you forget that I am mortal as you. Blades and arrows can kill me if they get lucky. And if I die, then your defeat is almost assured after." Castus said. All the Huntmasters went silent, though Huntmaster Rognar said, "Any of us here and all our clans would die before we let you fall Fire Man." No doubt they would. If he didn't constantly press the issue on that he wasn't a god they would probably be worshipping him. Luckily that wasn't the case....at least as far as he could tell. "The thing is we want to avoid losing lives if we can. And even if we killed their leader, the Equestrians would merely have another ready to take command." Castus said. "What do you mean?" Marcus asked. "It's simple," Castus said and took Marcus spear as he drew circles in the dirt, "The Equestrians are using a basic military command structure. At the top is the commander, who over sees the greater movements of the army. But beneath him are generals and officers who deal with the more minor parts of the army. However if the commander is slain, then the position of command goes merely to the next highest rank and so on." Castus drew lines from circle to circle. "In effect, we could kill one commander and be no more closer to breaking their leadership. Not to mention they have discipline and military training. They won't break as easy as you think Huntmaster Krul." Castus finished, causing Krul to frown and grumble. "Then what do we do? We must fight!" Huntmaster Ulfric said. "That is the problem," Castus said, "If we fight them we will likely lose. Their weapons and armor is superior, the numbers are against us and they are more trained then us. In short, fighting is impossible." The Huntmasters were silent, and many grumbled, but Marcus rubbed at his chin, and Castus watched him. "Perhaps we must not fight them...but something else...." Marcus said, the words coming out uncertain. Still Castus smiled, the man was definitely a sharp mind. "What do you mean?" Castus asked, letting all eyes now stand on Marcus. Marcus looked at them all, but took a deep breath before saying, "We fight a great host...yet we cannot meet it head on. The enemy is like a Hoofbeast. Big and dangerous if we get too close....but Hoofbeasts can still be hunted and killed...they first need to be..." "Trap them!" Huntmaster Rorik, the youngest of the Huntmasters said suddenly, cutting Marcus off. Marcus frowned, but gave a nod, "Yes....trap them." "But how do we trap an army? We can't just drop rocks on their backs." Huntmaster Kraben said. "We don't." Castus said, and now all looked to him, "Think. What does every large gathering need the most to survive?" "Fire?" Huntmaster Camus said. "No food. With winter food and furs." Huntmaster Rodan said. Castus nodded, "Yes. Food. An army marches on its stomach, as an old saying goes. We can't win this war by directly fighting...so instead we need to make the Equestrian believe that trying to fight us is a lost cause." "And we do that by attacking their food?" Huntmaster Theodoric asked. "Maybe not the food itself...but how it gets to them." Castus said. He gave all the Huntmasters a smile, feeling proud how far they have come. After that, it took a few moments to explain the details of the plan, but eventually all the Huntmasters grasped the plan and all made agreements that it was the best. With that finished, the Huntmasters departed, to prepare their chosen hunters. Though as always, Marcus was the last to remain, and giving Castus that same old questioning look. "The plan....you already considered it before I spoke it." Marcus said, causing Castus to blink in surprise. "Well....yeah." Castus said, "Its sort of a basic military tactic." Not to mention his Karsus' memories had included military command as well. "But," Castus said, "I am impressed that you reached the same plan on your own...if in a bit of a round about way. You're a natural commander Marcus." Marcus closed his eyes and bowed his head, "It just seemed right." Castus merely smiled, "Ever modest. Still is there something else beside that you wanted to discuss." "Hmm, Valen had asked me to ask you if Ralof would be okay. The boy spends a great deal of his time beside his friends side when not practicing his archery." Marcus said. Castus frowned, "I'm not a healer....it is not where my skills lie and magical injuries are....tricky things. As well the cauterization of the wound could cause infection. All we can do is hope." Marcus nodded, "Whatever happens...we trust you Fire Man." Castus bit his lip, but nodded, "I should go. I need to check the wardings and-" Just then, a young girl, probably no more then seven, burst through the tent flap, breathing heavily. Castus recognized her as Ralof's sister. Her eyes were wide and wet with tears. "F-Fire Man. R-Ralof is in trouble!" The girl gasped. Marcus and Castus looked to each other, before bolting out the tent. All the way, Castus felt fear take his heart. 'Damn it boy. Don't you dare die on me!' He thought, cursing everything, even himself. And hoped he got to Ralof's family tent in time. Ralof was dying. Or as close to it as it could. As he had feared, the wound had gone septic, as well the internal wounds from the spell were worse then Castus had first thought. He cursed himself for missing it, mentally calling himself every form of stupid he could think of as he did what little skill in healing he had to try and mitigate the damage. But sadly, Karsus had never been much for healing. And they didn't have access to antibiotics at all here. Castus really missed the corner store pharmacy back on Earth. Eventually at least he managed to ease Ralof's fever and ease some of the pain from the injuries, but Castus could tell that this was where the limit of his skills was reached. Ralof was going to die, and there wasn't a damned blasted thing he could do about it. 'Damn it all! This is my fault! I should have done better to keep the younger hunters safe.' He thought, scolding himself. And now...he had to give the news to the family. Now he knew how doctors felt. He exited the tent, and stood before Ralof's father, mother and sister. Marcus was there, alongside Valen who had been visiting and noticed Ralof's increased temperature. "Is our son okay Fire Man?" Ralof's father asked. His arms tightening about his wife's shoulders as he held her close. "He is resting...and I managed to ease his fever some..." Castus said, and felt his heart breaking when he saw the relieved looks starting to show on everyones face, "But..." The relieved looks were gone, and Ralof's mother came forward, eyes wide, "But what? What?" Castus closed his eyes, unable to look into those eyes, "His wounds were...more extensive then I had thought. His kidney and liver have an infection, and I doubt the damage they took from the blast initially were any help. The damage is far beyond what skills I have in healing. I'm sorry." "No." Ralof's mother said, before covering her face with her hands and sobbing. Her husband took her in his arms again and looked at Castus. "Is there nothing that you can do?" The father asked. Castus shook his head. "I've done all I can...and it isn't enough." Castus said. He should have tried harder. "At the most...he will last for a few days....maybe a few weeks." Castus said, looking back at the tent. Ralof's mother and sister sobbed, and the father held them tighter and looked to Castus with teary eyes, "What do we do?" Castus bit his lips, "That is...up to you. I can make his remaining days relatively painless before he passes....or...well in ancient times, Valhruan doctors would use a weave that would...help a dying patient pass on. It was quick and painless. The choice is yours." Ralof's father shook as he held his family tight and closed his eyes. Castus bowed his head and took a step back, "I'll let you think on it. Let me know when you have decided." With that, he motioned for Marcus and Valen to follow him as he took a step away from the grieving family to give them privacy. Standing aside, Valen approached now and said, "Is there really nothing you can do Fire Man? Ralof doesn't deserve to die. It's my fault he is hurt. Is there anything I can do to help?" Valen practically begged, eyes wide. Castus shook his head, "There are ways....but they mean little if the wound and infection can't be healed. And I can't heal it, no matter how hard I try." Valen looked down at the ground and stepped back, fists clenched and shaking. Marcus placed a hand on the boy's shoulder and gave Castus a sympathetic look. They stood there, till finally Ralof's father came over. Eyes hard but red with tears. He looked at Castus, and said, "We have decided...." Valen Valen set his log to the pyre, and stepped back as he looked at his friends body laying upon the platform. All around the while Moot was gathered, each person adding a log to the ever growing pyre. At the front of the pyre, standing upon a stone was the Fire Man, who added his own log at the very end. Valen clenched his hands to tight. This wasn't fair. He should be the one on that pyre, not Ralof. It was his fault his friend was hurt. If he hadn't made them go towards the pony camp, Ralof would still be alive. He should have been the one to die, not Ralof! It wasn't fair! Valen listened only slightly as the Fire Man spoke. Valen had heard these words spoken many times at other funerals, but this time his find could only focus on that his friend was gone and that it was his fault. And yet no one blamed him! He shook, tears at his eyes as he watched the Fire Man finish the Parting Speech and held out his arms. White hot flames slowly engulfing the pyre. Valen looked down, unable to watch as his friends body was soon turned into ash. He knew what would happen next, the Fire Man would raise his arms and the ash would fly from the pyre and form into a small pearl. An Ash Pearl, which would then be set into a necklace for the family to have. Even in death, Ralof would still be with his family in some way. But Ralof shouldn't have died at all! None of this was right! It was his fault! And...that pony. That one pony with golden armor and golden sword. Valen had only caught sight of him for a moment, but his image was clear in his mind. That pony. The Huntmaster of the pony camp no doubt. He had killed Ralof. It was his fault he was gone as well! Valen's fists tightened more, and his nails dug into his palm. 'Ralof....I'm sorry. But I'll avenge you. I promise.' Valen thought. Valen merely watched the pyre burn, as the ceremony slowly ended, and all around people gave their sympathies to Ralof's family. He saw the Fireman standing by with the Huntmasters. He had heard that the Huntmasters were gathering hunters to strike at the ponies...Valen steeled his heart and made his way to the Fire Man. He couldn't face Ralof's family. Not right now. Even if they didn't blame him, he did. It was because of him that their son died, but...but Valen would make it right. He would ask...no he would demand to be part of the attacks. He would join each one till he found that pony Huntmaster...and he would kill him. Even if he died trying. He owed it to Ralof and his family. 'I'll make things right Ralof. I promise.' Valen thought. Nothing would get in his way.