Strategic Decisions Part 1

JP Cindy and Winteroak

[b]Great Desert of Skulls [b]

Decisions. While, of course, Islana had to make them before. Never had her decisions bore so much weight to so many.

She had sought council of the internal sisters. Many had never been though a war. The few that had seemed split. All decisions seemed to have their advantages and draw backs.

"With the Odonine, do we surpass the Helians in numbers?" Islana did not recall the Helians having as many troops even with the size she understood the Silent Flock to be. However, they could have added more.

Going through Fang might have another advantage she hadn't thought of, no one would expect that. Likely not even her soldiers themselves. She though didn't want to break them.

A question came to mind, "How prepared is the Horde to go through Fang in the winter?"

That was a question for all present as each of them knew how those they brought with them would be able to handle that terrain.

It was Agizul that spoke first.
"Our last reports say that there are little over one thousand souls in Ostiarium." He said unfurling a map of Arcadia in front of Islana. "A large part of these are not warriors, but simply citizens."

He pointed at the Rarak oasis. "By the time we reach the Stone City will will put umber them close to six to one. And that is even before the Odonine join us..."

He moved his finger towards Fang he continued. " To enter Fang with an army this would be unwise in my opinion. We would need to go through Ilhara Clan lands, where we first met, the Sand Breakers, our ancestral enemies."

"The Odonine could see this as an invasion." said Izdärasen. "The Odonine were never the same again after the last time the Horde attacked Fang. Although it would save us much time and strategically it would make sense for part of our army to attack from the north." He said running his own finger across the map, through Fang and coming out where Islana knew Aquilo was.

"We would need Koshnem's approval and vouching for such a journey too." Amastan added. "And our people are not most suited to the cold. But travelling along the old Caravanserai pathways we could maybe cross it in two or three weeks."