Page 82 of Broken Forced Mate

The witch elder smiles approvingly. “Spoken like someone who understands what really matters.”

“Contact from our forward scouts,” Jay reports over the radio. “Thornridge probe units are moving into position.”

“How many?” I ask.

“Approximately twenty fighters, supported by two of the magical weapons.”

“Testing our responses,” Lydia confirms. “How do you want to handle it?”

I study the tactical display, weighing options. If we respond too strongly, we reveal our true defensive capabilities. If we respond too weakly, Mordaunt might suspect the positions are decoys.

“Limited engagement,” I decide. “Make it look like we’re defending normally, but don’t commit major forces.”

“Which units?”

“Pack fighters on the perimeter. Let them handle initial contact while everyone else stays hidden.”

Captain Morwen activates her communication device. “All Llewelyn units, maintain concealment. Do not engage unless directly threatened.”

Elder Nettle speaks quietly to the witches around her. “Passive observation only. Record their capabilities without revealing our presence.”

The next twenty minutes become an exercise in controlled conflict. Our perimeter defenders engage Thornridge probe units with enough resistance to seem legitimate, but not enough to suggest they’re protecting something critical.

“Probe units withdrawing,” Theodore reports. “Minimal casualties on both sides.”

“Did we sell it?” Wyn asks.

“Time will tell,” Lydia responds. “But the real test comes when Mordaunt decides whether to commit his main force.”

One of the young witches approaches our position, her eyes unfocused in the way that suggests active scrying.

“Vision coming through,” she announces. “Thornridge commanders are discussing assault timing. They believe they’ve identified our main defensive positions.”

“What else?” I ask.

“Confidence levels are high. They’re planning to proceed with a full assault within the hour.”

“Any indication they suspect a trap?”

“Minimal. Their communications suggest they view the probe results as confirmation of intelligence expectations.”

Another hour passes before new intelligence arrives. Thornridge communications indicate they’re moving toward final assault positions, apparently satisfied that they’ve identified our defensive layout.

“They’re taking the bait,” I tell the assembled leaders.

“Or they want us to think they are,” Lydia warns.

“Either way, we proceed with the plan.”

The different allied groups begin final preparations, each following its own protocols. Pack fighters check weapons and review escape routes. Llewelyn units conduct equipment inspections and communication tests. Witches gather in small circles, sharing energy and preparing collective spells.

“The diversity is actually reassuring,” Wyn comments as we watch the preparations.

“How so?”

“If one approach fails, we have alternatives. Thornridge prepared for one type of enemy, not three.”

He’s right. Our forced alliance might be chaotic, but it’s also unpredictable in ways that could work to our advantage.