Hidden Pathways (BOOK 1)

Tactical Triumph - Chapter 25

As laughter and camaraderie continued between Leeani and Kazaks, their jovial exchange abruptly halted when they noticed Captain Zach standing motionless, his gaze fixed upon them.

"Hey captain! Why are you standing there?" Leeani's concerned shout pierced the air.

Caught in a moment of introspection, Zach returned from his mental reverie. "No—nothing. Let's get going, shall we?" he responded, his voice carrying a trace of distraction.

Drawing closer to the duo, Zach found himself within earshot, prompting Kazaks to express his concern. "Captain Zach, are you alright? You seemed distracted during the surprise attack earlier," Kazaks inquired, a genuine note of worry underlying his words.

"I'm alright. I was struck in shock; I wasn't expecting that ambush just earlier. It caught me off guard," Zach admitted.

"Alright, Captain Zach!" Kazaks acknowledged.

"So, what should we do now, captain?" Leeani inquired, breaking the momentary silence with an eagerness to move forward.

Zach, gathering his focus, contemplated the next course of action. "We need to stay vigilant. The ambush might be a sign that our enemies are getting closer. We should fortify our awareness and prepare for any further surprises," he advised, a seriousness settling in his expression.

Kazaks, ever the stalwart warrior, nodded in agreement. "Captain's right! Let's make sure we're ready for anything!"

Leeani, her determination undeterred, chimed in, "I'll keep a watchful eye on the surroundings. No one will catch us off guard again."

With their roles clearly defined, the trio seamlessly transitioned into the next phase of their journey. The laughter that had filled the air moments ago slowly dissipated, giving way to a palpable shared determination, a silent acknowledgment of the challenges that awaited them on this perilous path.

Captain Zach, ever the strategic leader, swiftly assigned tasks to his comrades. "Kazaks, commence burying the ground. Leeani, ascend the trees and maintain a vigilant watch over the vast expanse. Ensure there are no lurking threats awaiting our arrival before we proceed to follow up with Nert and the others," he directed with authority, his voice carrying the weight of responsibility.

Kazaks, embodying the spirit of obedience and readiness, responded promptly, "Yes, Captain Zach!"

Leeani, a paragon of efficiency, echoed her acknowledgment, "Affirmative, Captain."

"Excellent. Carry out your duties promptly. Meanwhile, I'll investigate our adversaries for potential information that could aid us," Zach declared, his gaze focused on the unseen challenges that lay ahead. 

"Wait, give me the machete Leeani," Zach commanded.

With a swift and precise motion, Leeani propelled the machete toward Zach, who effortlessly intercepted it mid-air. The gleaming blade, once wielded by their adversary Sanaage, now rested securely in Zach's grip.

"Carry on," Zach directed, his eyes fixed on the captured weapon, ready to employ it strategically in the unfolding scenario.

The duo dispersed, each immersed in their assigned tasks, as the forest embraced them with its secrets and uncertainties.

Embracing the captain's directives, Kazaks and Leeani delved into their assigned tasks with purpose and precision. The atmosphere crackled with a sense of collective determination as they set about executing their responsibilities in tandem. Kazaks, sturdy and resolute, began the process of burying the ground. Simultaneously, Leeani, agile and vigilant, ascended the towering trees, her eyes scanning the distant horizon, ever-watchful for potential threats that might lie in wait. As the forest echoed with the sounds of their purposeful endeavors, the duo seamlessly synchronized, embodying the essence of a well-coordinated team responding to the call of duty.

Approaching the unconscious Sanaage, machete in hand, Zach delved into an extensive examination of his adversary's belongings. The absence of poisonous substances was noted, but a crumpled wanted poster bearing Zach's visage emerged from Sanaage's pockets, outlining an audacious demand of 30 gold bars for his body. The incredulity of such a bold move left Zach muttering in disbelief.

Proceeding with his investigation, Zach shifted his focus to Sanaage's attire, searching for protective chain mail to no avail. The unusual absence of defensive measures fueled Zach's curiosity. Rising to his feet, he disdainfully crumpled and discarded the damning wanted poster, expressing his disbelief at the unexpected turn of events.

Turning his attention to Xertu's unconscious form, Zach repeated the investigative ritual. The pockets and clothing examination revealed another wanted poster, this time featuring Kazaks with a bounty of 10 gold bars. The accumulation of these lucrative rewards left Zach muttering once again, astounded at the wealth attached to their names.

Standing amidst the aftermath, Zach held Sanaage's machete and Xertu's colossal halberd, marveling at the armament they had acquired. He extended his scrutiny to the fallen war elephant, covered in formidable metal plates with chain armor beneath. Zach's surprise lingered as he approached Kazaks, who diligently worked on burying the ground.

"Captain Zach! I'm finished! I buried the ground with a depth of 7 feet! Is this enough?!" Kazaks inquired with boundless energy.

"That should suffice. I'll conceal their weapons here to delay their retrieval upon awakening. It will grant us the time needed to regroup with the others," Zach declared.

"Brilliant move as always, Captain Zach!" Kazaks commended.

While Kazaks compacted the soil concealing the weapons, Leeani approached, bringing unsettling news.

"Captain, I see them in the distance. Hundreds, no, thousands of them are slowly marching towards us," Leeani revealed, casting a shadow over the group's precarious situation.