That very night, she acted on the information she had received, sending out scouts on the road to check the area the man had mentioned. She didn't send a lot, just enough to cover the area and go undetected.

She made sure to remind them not to engage.

She just wanted to confirm the man's words for now, once she had a better understanding she could make a plan.

That night, she didn't sleep; she didn't need to, nor could she. Thanks to her current warrior level, she could go a day or two without rest and not feel any fatigue.

She couldn't bring herself to rest with the possibility of danger just outside her walls, she had to be prepared for anything.

Near dawn, she could hear hurried footsteps making their way over to her study.

Adolf entered with three grim-streaked scouts, each of them bowing as they saw her.

"Report."

The first one stepped forward and unrolled a rough sketch on the table. The drawing was crude but clear; it showed the ridges, the trees, paths, and even an X where the cave entrance was.

"We found traces, like mentioned, my lady," he said. "There were signs of broken branches, firepits, and paths where people have walked. We didn't get too close, but it's almost certain that there is a large number of people there."

"How many would you estimate?" Morena asked.

He swallowed and thought for a second before finally speaking again.

"At least one hundred fifty. Maybe two hundred. They were moving in densely packed lines, so it's hard to tell for sure."

The second scout chimed in about one of his findings.

"I believe they had a banner; I found remnants of one, simple rags, but they're undoubtedly organized."

Morena's fingers tapped the table in a rhythmic pattern.

"Did you get any eyes on a possible leader?"

The third scout looked at the floor.

"No, my lady, the leader never exited the cave if there is one."

Adolf listened to the scouts explaining it and stepped forward afterwards, speaking with Morena directly.

"I don't believe this is a stray pack of highwaymen, my lady."

Morena nodded in reply.

"You're right, it's too many for simple bandits, and too neat for common men."

Morena folded her hands and leaned in. She had seen enough in the last weeks to know how coincidences stacked into patterns. The warehouse burned, her guards tortured, and even a Rank 1 set on her.

Now bandits? Was the world playing a cruel game with her, or did something truly want her to suffer?

"Did you see wagons?" she asked.

"No wagons near the camp. But we noticed them dragging in supplies; grain, weapons, and the lot."

The second scout added to the first's words.

"I believe they've been attacking merchants nearby to sustain themselves. It might be why merchants have been avoiding the area, beyond the obvious."

Morena nodded her head and leaned back. A part of her wanted to get this over with and join the captain to purge them, but she also knew that such a rash decision could end with her men dying, or worse, herself.

She had to first confirm their strength; she needed to know if they had anyone who could prove a threat to her.

"We need to confirm their full extent. Send more scouts, this time use the cover of night to try and sneak into the cave, but only if there's no risk of capture."

Adolf nodded.

"I will lead the scouts myself if you wish."

Morena paused for a second and looked up at the man. He would be a good choice to send; he was skilled in scouting and evading detection, and he was an experienced warrior.

He would be able to get himself and the others out if anything goes wrong.

She hesitated for a second before finally nodding.

"Yes, but remember, safety is the top priority."

She stood and walked to the window, gazing down at the city that lay in the distance. It was still very early, yet people were already filling the streets, going about their days.

After a few seconds of silence she finally decided.

"And send word to Ella," she said without turning. "Tell her the scouts confirmed a large number. It would be best if she's prepared for anything that might happen, and has her inform the other houses as well, but don't spread the news."

Adolf bowed and left to prepare the riders and write a letter to House Brenle.

When the door closed and she was left alone, Morena let out a long sigh.

She glanced back at the rough drawing on the table, the markings that the scouts did. She had hoped the information was false, nothing but a bandit boasting to try and save his life, yet it wasn't the case.

One hundred men could overrun a village, two hundred men could break a wall if given time and laxness.

She could not let them get that time in order to do whatever they were planning; she didn't believe they intended to stay there forever.

Adolf and the scouts returned at noon with a clearer count. The camp was tucked into a network of caverns in the abandoned mining field, the old shafts turned into corridors.

They had put fires inside, hidden tents in rock hollows, and they were countless men and women alike crammed into the tight space. The rough count put them at closer to two hundred fifty.

Some patrol lines suggested three hundred.

"Three hundred," Adolf replied as he stood in the empty study, just Morena and himself within the room. "They seem to have a few veterans amongst them, no common bandit. They keep their supplies spread out in different tunnels, but their weapons are near the mouth of the cave."

Morena bit her lip slightly as she heard the number: three hundred. That was no small amount; with the right gear, such a number could threaten the city.

"How close are they to the city?"

"About a day if you ride normally, shorter if you force the horses."

"Then we have time to prepare before they do anything."

She looked over at Adolf, her eyes narrowed as a plan was already forming in her mind.

"We'll bleed them dry. Have the captain set up a perimeter around the cave mouth, stop any merchants that get too close so that they can't get any supplies. If they push out, keep a distance and use bows to our advantage."

Morena had the advantage of proper gear, something they didn't, she also didn't lack any men of her own, especially if she worked alongside the other houses.

She planned to slowly wither away at their morale and strength, then when they were down to their last line, she would cut their throat where they slept.

Adolf nodded and looked over the map, planning out some clear ambush points they could use already in his mind.

"Send word to the handlers as well," Morena said to Adolf. "Call the Carrow men, ask Velthorne for scouts. We might as well make use of them if we're going to be forming an alliance."

Morena's mind ticked through the list. She had no doubt that the various houses would agree to help her, after all, they wouldn't stand idle when their own granaries and cargo were being taken from them.

Worse yet, they could be forced into a defensive battle within the city if they took too long.

"One more thing. We keep the city unaware of this, we don't want panic spreading through the streets in such a time. We do not want the Church to know we are moving. If the Church is behind this, they must not see our hand until it is shown."

Adolf looked at her, surprise painting his face.

"You think the Church is behind this, my lady?"

"I think someone with reach and hatred is feeding the wolves. Whether directly the Church or someone hiding behind it, I will find out."

They settled the plans in greater detail and even gathered the captain to speak about it with him. That very night, they began to prepare their supplies and wagons and set out in small squads to avoid standing out.

When the meeting was over, Morena returned to her room with a single purpose. She could taste the upcoming fight like it was on the tip of her tongue; she had to be ready for it.

Tonight, she would finish the poison cycle and officially step onto the path infinitely close to a Wizard.

Outside, the sky was pal,e and the sound of people going about their days was still loud, but none of that mattered to her in this moment.

Picking up the seventh vial of the poison, she slowly opened it and took a deep breath. She was nervous; she didn't know what might happen if she drank it, not ever since the visions previously.

She hoped that whatever it showed, it would be worth it.

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