Where Ashes and Oaths Collide

Chapter 26: The Infiltration Plan

Curiously Amelia asked, “Is that not information you could perhaps pay one of the pirates for?” Luz’s crimson eyes narrowed thoughtfully at her suggestion, considering the practicality of purchasing intelligence from the criminal element. The idea was not entirely foreign to him, during his time in the Santo’s order, he would occasionally rely on informants with questionable loyalties. “It is risky,” he admitted, his voice dropping to a more conspiratorial tone. “Pirates are notoriously unpredictable. They might sell us false information or double-cross us mid-negotiation.” He glanced at Mestre Escuro, gauging his reaction. “However, if we can find a reliable contact along the coast, it could save weeks of reconnaissance and potentially give up a decisive advantage against Freed’s defences.”

Lady Escuridade stepped forward with a roll of parchment containing known pirate contacts throughout the southern kingdoms. “I may have connections who could facilitate such negotiations discreetly,” she offered smoothly. “The Carmesi Fleet operates several vessels near Montaxe Dividida.” Mestre Escuro sipped from his silver chalice, his eyes fixed on Lady Escuridade, his expression unreadable as he said to her. “I will leave it in your capable hands then.” He then looked over to Luz. “Luz, make sure the army is ready for battle. Tomorrow at first light I will lead them to attack the western gates while you take a small group to infiltrate through the tunnels.”

Luz’s bowed stiffly at Mestre Escuro’s decree, the crimson sigils on his armour pulsed as if possessed with dark energy. “Understood. I will personally lead the tunnel infiltration team.” His crimson eyes flickered toward Amelia, a hint of concern crossing his face before he masked it with military discipline. “I will need a small unit of trusted Corrompido for this operation– no more than ten soldiers capable of stealth and combat in confined spaces.” Lady Escuridade stepped forward with a list of suitable candidates from their vanguard units. “Kea and Lyra have experience with subterranean assault. They can assemble a competent squad by dawn.” As she spoke Luz’s gauntleted hand moved instinctively toward his sword hilt, the black veins crawling up his neck visibly tightening under stress.

As the meeting ended, Amelia and Luz left the tower. The cool night air washed over them as they descended the watchtower steps, the torchlight casting long shadows behind their figures. Below, along the winding path, Corrompido soldiers were already establishing camp with methodical efficiency. Tents of dark canvas sprung up like mushrooms in the moonlight, while other began building cooking fires that sent thin plumes of smoke curling into the bruising sky. Luz’s armoured boots made rhythmic metallic sounds against the stone as he guided them toward a quieter area away from the main encampment. His crimson gaze scanned the surrounding landscape constantly– a habit ingrained from years spent monitoring threats in hostile territory.

“Tomorrow will be chaotic,” he stated flatly as they walked past Corrompido engineers setting up siege engines. “Cidade dos escravos’s western gate is well-fortified. Mestre Escuro expects casualties.” His gauntleted hand rested protectively on Amelia’s shoulder blade for a moment before dropping back to his side. “And me?” she asked softly. “What will be my role?” Luz stopped walking abruptly, turning to face her fully under the moonlight. His crimson eyes searching her face intently, the glow from the demonic campfires reflecting in their depts. “You will not be fighting tomorrow,” he said firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument. “Your role is to survive. Period.”

He took a half-step closer, lowering his voice so nearby Corrompido would not overhear. “These tunnels are dangerous– cramped spaced with poor visibility. I am taking experienced fighters who know how to handle close-quarter combat.” His gauntleted hand gestured vaguely toward the distant camp. “While we are underground dealing with whoever controls those passages, you need to be somewhere safe. Somewhere you can observe the battle without becoming a target.” The black veins along his jawline pulsed slightly as frustration crept into his tone. “I could stay in the watch tower,” Amelia suggested. “I do not like spiders one bit, and I assume an underground tunnel will have a plenty of those.”

A flicker of something almost like amusement crossed Luz’s face, the crimson glow in his eyes softening just for a moment. “Spiders? Amelia, you faced down a dire wolf when you were eight. Don’t tell me fear of eight-legged creatures is going to stop you now.” Despite his teasing tone, he considered her suggestion seriously. The watchtower provided excellent visibility and defensible position, which was precisely what she needed. “That could work,” he conceded, resuming their walk toward a less crowded section of the camp where their horses were being tended by Corrompido stable hands. “Lady Escuridade wills station guards at the tower entrance to prevent unauthorized entry. You would be relatively secure there.” His gauntleted hand brushed against hers briefly as they navigated between tents.

“And from there I can keep an eye on the battle,” Amelia said casually, as she curiously gaze around at the Corrompido. “If anything goes wrong, I will run. And if you survive, we will meet up at my village.” Luz’s crimson eyes softened slightly at her casual confidence, a ghost of the man she once knew peeking through the commander facade. The mention of her village sent a pang through him, though her quickly suppressed it. “Your village is not there anymore,” he reminded her quietly, his voice carrying the weight of memories he had tried too burry. “It is ash and rubble now. But yes– I will find you if I survive.” His armoured hand reached out hesitantly, hovering near her arm before pulling back as if remembering his own danger.

“Don’t get yourself killed while watching from the sidelines,” Luz added gruffly, trying to regain some semblance of military authority. “Stay hidden unless absolutely necessary.” “Hey, you should be happy I am saying I will run,” Amelia countered. “I am only agreeing to do that for you. So, you better do everything in your power to get back to me safely.” Luz’s crimson eyes softened at her words, the harshness in his expression melting away for a fleeting moment. A genuine, almost vulnerable smile touching his lips– a stark contrast to the cold commander everyone else saw. “Is that an order?” he asked his voice losing its forma edge and taking on a warmer, more familiar tone.