"We have four options: Encirclement, Press Attack, Siege and Retreat," The Swordsman began as he addressed everyone while occassionally pointing at the table to reinforce every point he would make, "Option one: Encirclement. There is an open plain that leads to the capitol city. That plain is big enough to house a horde as large as Grummasht's army. However, that plain also sits on a valley floor with at least five different mountain passes leading into it. We know Grummasht's forces are marching up from the Southern Valley. What I propose is that we take your father's infantry, line them up a mile outside of the city make them two rows deep and as wide as the valley walls themselves. The horde will come directly at them. When they do, we move our cavalry through the passes and encircle them on their flanks. As they press forward towards the city, the infantry will give a little ground to them but not fully break ranks. By doing so, we will create a circle of death which we will close with our cavalry and infantry. And then the fun will begin! We can strafe them from the air with dragon fire while our Hill Dwarven and Gnomish allies act as sappers and dig holes in the ground beneath the horde. And while that is going in, the Archers from the capitol will rain arrows down upon them in wave after wave after wave. The good news is that if we employ this strategy we will avoid civilian casualties and Grummasht will be unable to offensively use the bulk of his army which will be bottled up inside the circle. Another bit of good news is that he will not expect this attack because he has probably planned for a siege instead. The bad news is that our military casualties are going to be very high. Even if we win, our victory might be a Phyrric one at best."

"Option two: Press Attack," Irzen continued unabated, "We keep half the infantry and all of the archers behind the city walls. The other half of the infantry and the entire calvary will flank the horde from the mountain passes. By getting behind the horde and along its sides, our forces will press and drive the attack against the Orcs until their backs are up against the city walls itself. We still strafe them from the air with dragon fire. And we still let our sappers do their work. But the focus of our attack will be to break their ranks against the walls of the city like waves crashing against the rocks of a reef after a storm at sea. The good news is that this strategy will reduce the number of military casualties we will suffer. The bad news is that everything will depend upon the strength of the city's defenses. If the horde has siege engines and they breach the gates or the wall, the battle will be over and we will lose everything. Another downside to this strategy is that civilian casualties will be high."

"Option three: Siege," The Swordsman added, "We pull all of our forces back to the capitol, lock the gates, man the walls and force Grummasht to lay siege to us. We can still strafe his horde from the air with dragon fire and have our sappers lay traps throughout the plain. But this strategy is nothing fancy or new. We wait Grummasht out until he gives up or retreats. The good news is that this strategy offers a maximum level of protection for the denizens of the capital. The bad news is that both civilian and military casualties will be high, we have no idea how long a siege would last and if the wall is breached then we could lose everything. It's an all or nothing strategy."

"Option four: Retreat," Irzen confessed, "We empty the capitol and let Grummasht take the city. We have all civilians go north while our military will take the mountain passes and double back on the Orcs. When Grummasht's forces have taken the city, we have our sappers set traps throughout the capitol and set them off when he and his Orcs arrive. As they are dealing with our traps, we can have our dragons strafe the entire city until not a single stone stands. Then our forces will attack Grummasht's guys on their flanks and rears and sweep up those who survive the destruction of the capitol. The good news is that we would avoid any civilian casualties. The bad news is that our military casualties could be high and Northaven would lose its capitol. Sustained dragonfire on the order of what we would need to cook Grummasht's forces inside of the city would turn the capitol into a smoldering ruin."

"We can win with any of the strategies that I have just mentioned," Irzen concluded, "Or you can come up with one of your own. But you have to select a strategy that you feel comfortable employing and I leave that decision up to you and your king."

"Well depending on how the horde chooses to advance on the capital, there will no doubt be casualties. Still our people are resourceful and know the land better than any outlander. There's a forest line of old treants that runs from the northern city to Westfall. All those who traverse through there have a deep respect for the old trees there. Huorns also dwell there." Liliandra paused looking about the group, "Huorns are trees that move on their own along the ground on their roots and they go deep into the earth, so if the horde is moving towards the northern city, the Huorns will be giving them hell so to speak."

Captain Mandur nodded in agreement, "Any Huorn can go head to head with those giants and ogres easily enough. They don't like anyone that not an elf or fey, so Captain Andaerean your company would have allies among them. I've sent word for the catapults to go to the capital, they'll help ward off any long range artillery that the horde has."

"Knowing Gruumasht like I do," The Swordsman added, "The horde is going to have both long range artillery and every siege weapon imaginable. That Orc leaves nothing to chance when it comes to war."

"If Captain Lion has brought the Tinker gnomes with him, their clockworks skills along with the elven magic can create a magical barrier over the capital." Lazheros traced the entire perimeter of the city.

"Like in Asylum?" Alyson asked.

"Yes but that barrier is a combination of Wild, Arcane, and the help of Alchemist guild." The bronze man told her.

"How long can you maintain such a barrier?" Irzen asked both of them, "Depending upon the option we take, we might have to keep it up for an extended period of time."

"Depends on how much magic the ranger's kin are willing to add to it. It does help to have some Divine magic added to it as well. Would the clergy of elven pantheons be willing to that, Prince Willow?"

"To save the lives of our people, I have no doubt they would," Willow responded, "Most of their Heirophants are old friends of my father. If for no one else, they would give their aid for him. All he need do would be to ask."

The princess pondered a moment, "I will ask some of the acolytes here if they are willing to participate. There might be some knowledge about the old warding stones that lay dormant beneath the capital as well in the library here."

"Does anyone else have any other ideas or stratagems they would like to share?" Willow asked the room in general, "Our time grows short and the hour grows late."

"I can honestly say lets work with what we got and we still have to contend with the current threat of what just has happened," The bronze man concluded.

"Should the party split up again in the hopes of stalling the horde from getting to the capital?" Alyson added her thoughts.

"There is also the matter of your elder brother, Willow. I know he is charge of the armed forces there but if he's cut off from getting to your father, that could be very problematic." Liliandra pointed out the current threat.

"Agreed," The Prince sighed reluctantly, "There is much to be done and little time in which to do it. First, we must do all we can to slow the advance of the horde. Second, we must contact my father and tell him of our current military options in engaging this enemy. Third, we must do all we can to safeguard Westfall should any future attacks by the horde may come this way. And fourth, we must get to Ash before he is completely cut off from the capital. And to accomplish all of this, we must split up. Unless anyone has a better idea?"

Lazheros nodded grimly, "Who wishes to go with teh cavalry, I would suggest you, Lord Irzen since you have the dark fey bloodline and two, the Huorns would not attack you."

The elementalist thought for moment then looked at everyone, "This might be a long shot but I recall my uncle telling me that if things became dire wherever I was in the Realm and needed help, I could call him."

Liliandra looked directly at the elementalist, "Would the legendary platinum knight come to our aid?"

"I believe so. Madeous Khyng is a man of his word when called upon and he does know of King Sunrider's kingdom. Perhaps, his arrival would be the miracle that you so desperately need, Prince Willow, for you and all of your kin."