Like Old Times

Urdden eyed the surrounding woods suspiciously as he returned to the center of camp. Given the rebel jarl's previous method of attack, fire or arrows could be incoming from unseen assailants at any moment.

Despite the very real possibility of imminent attack, the necromancer was in a cheerful mood. The sleepers were resting, so watch fell to his troops and his old companions.

"They're all set," he offered as a greeting, a proud grin on his face. "Our sisters and brothers will watch over us. Most of them at least appear not to be on guard, so we shouldn't be tipping off anyone looking on."

Aerfen nodded. "I almost wonder if we shouldn't have beefed up this patrol a little more obviously - it seems foolish to send out another on the tails of losing a third of the first - but we'll see." She smirked. "Maybe they'll consider sending a Fir Bolg and a Cyclops sufficient beefing."

"With any luck he'll think we're being overconfident. All the better." Cudd smirked from his spot on a log by the fire.

Aerfen quirked an eyebrow. "After Airgebaille, I'm not sure he'll be that quick to underestimate us."

Cudd laughed.

"Maybe. But I think you overestimate the ability of people to learn from their mistakes. Either way, I don't think the question is whether he'll take the bait, but how."

"We had him outnumbered, and flanked, with more experienced troops," Urdden offered with a slight tone of admonishment. "We won, Cudd; he didn't lose. All told, this is a much more equitable fight for him."

Aerven nodded to the necromancer. "And I'm not mounted, and we don't have a clear idea of what he might hit us with..." She grinned cockily. "So it should be an interesting challenge." She paused an added more seriously, "It won't serve us to be overconfident either. It's possible we're the ones who are walking into a trap. This is isn't the first time we've used this tactic out here."

Cudd shrugged, but his smile was resolute.What they called overconfidence, he called faith. Still, he knew better than to argue, and they were right, after all. The best way to ensure victory was to prepare for every eventuality.

Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that right at this moment they were exactly where they needed to be. Perhaps it was the company, or the fact that they were once again on the hunt for prey, like old times. Whatever the cause, he felt sharp and focused, as though he could take on the rebel army by himself.

"We'll see..." was his only reply.