stakes - gambling with gods.

Our strategy had worked, and the diversion created by Lieutenant and his allies had successfully lured the opposing mages away from our intended path. With their attention diverted, our second team would have a better chance of reaching the hideout undetected and executing their mission with precision.

Right after that, with the second team under Clarke's leadership made their way through the partially destroyed forest, their task was clear - to approach the hideout undetected and ensure that the element of surprise remained on our side. The ravaged terrain posed a challenge, requiring heightened awareness and caution to navigate through the remnants of trees and debris.

Meanwhile, I took charge of leading my squad to the designated third location. As we moved forward, the surroundings became increasingly desolate, mirroring the destruction inflicted upon the forest by the clash of spells. The air was heavy with tension, and the distant echoes of the ongoing battle between Lieutenant and the opposing mage served as a reminder of the stakes at hand.

Our squad maintained a steady pace, moving swiftly yet silently through the scarred landscape. Each member remained vigilant, their senses attuned to any signs of danger or lurking enemies. The gravity of our mission weighed upon us, but we were resolute in our determination to see it through.

We remained alert to our surroundings, keenly aware of the possibility of encountering enemy scouts or traps along the way. With every step, we closed the distance to our destination, the tension mounting with each passing moment.

As we ventured deeper into the dense forest, the towering trees provided us with a cloak of concealment, masking our movements from the watchful eyes of our adversaries. The thick foliage whispered in the breeze, as if conspiring with us on our clandestine mission.

As we approached within a ten mile range of our destination, the sight of the keep came into view. It stood before us, a structure of weathered stone, its architecture a testament to its enduring presence. The keep was a single-story structure with four towering watchtowers that pierced the sky, offering a vantage point for the guards stationed within. From its walls, the echoes of distant cries and commotion reached our ears, a testament to the bustling activity within.

We paused for a moment, hidden among the shadows of the forest, assessing the situation and formulating our plan of action. The keep stood as a barrier between us and our ultimate objective. Our hearts raced with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension, knowing that our success hinged upon our ability to navigate the challenges that lay ahead.

As the tension grew thicker in the air, I called upon David, our skilled scout, to venture ahead and gather crucial intelligence on the enemy forces that lay before us. With utmost stealth and caution, he disappeared into the shadows, blending seamlessly with the surroundings.

Minutes turned into an eternity as we anxiously awaited David's return. Our breaths held in anticipation, we mentally prepared ourselves for the challenges that lay ahead. Finally, like a shadow emerging from the darkness, David reappeared, his face etched with determination and his eyes gleaming with valuable knowledge.

With a composed demeanor, David shared his findings with the rest of the squad. According to his reconnaissance, the keep was guarded by a total of eight sentries, their positions scattered strategically throughout the structure. The outer perimeter boasted a contingent of roughly fifty guards, the majority of whom were concentrated within close proximity to our current location, but we would still have to travel some to get into optimal location.

Armed with this newfound information, we devised a plan that exploited the vulnerabilities within the enemy's defensive positioning. Our archers and mages would seize the opportunity to eliminate a significant portion of the surrounding guards from a safe distance, delivering swift and precise strikes that would neutralize the threat in a single well-coordinated onslaught.

Once the initial wave of guards had been dispatched, we would promptly retreat to a prearranged fallback point, regrouping and reinforcing our ranks. This strategic manoeuvre would allow us to maintain the element of surprise, catching the remaining defenders off-guard and forcing them into a reactive defensive posture.

With the plan solidified, we divided our forces, assigning each member their designated role. The archers positioned themselves in concealed vantage points, their bows drawn and arrows at the ready, prepared to rain down a storm of lethal projectiles upon their unsuspecting targets. The mages, cloaked in a shroud of mystic energy, positioned themselves alongside the archers, channelling their spells and incantations in anticipation of the imminent assault.

With our senses heightened and our weapons at the ready, we pressed on, weaving through the forest with a cautious yet determined pace. The thick undergrowth seemed to conspire after kilt us, attempting to impede our progress, but our training and resilience carried us forward.

As we drew nearer to the keep, we noticed the presence of additional guards patrolling the perimeter. Their footsteps echoed through the trees, serving as a reminder of the ever-present threat. We synchronized our movements, employing silent signals to coordinate our actions and maintain our stealthy approach.

Within our ranks, the mages whispered incantations under their breath, their fingertips crackling with arcane energy. They prepared spells of protection, offense, and deception, ready to unleash their magical prowess when the time was right. The archers, skilled in the art of precision and finesse, notched their arrows, their eyes keenly scanning for any sign of movement or vulnerability.

As we closed in on the outer defences of the keep, we encountered a series of barricades and traps strategically placed to deter intruders. With caution and expertise, we circumvented these obstacles, silently disabling them to ensure our passage remained undetected. Each successful manoeuvre filled us with a sense of accomplishment and bolstered our confidence.

Finally, we arrived at the outskirts of the keep, hidden behind the protective cover of a dense thicket. The time for decisive action had arrived. With a final nod of understanding, we initiated our assault.

The mages began to chant in unison, their voices blending into a harmonious crescendo. Energy crackled and surged through the air as their spells took shape. Arcane barriers shimmered into existence, providing temporary shields against incoming attacks. Fireballs and lightning bolts arced through the sky, striking at unsuspecting guards and disorienting their ranks.

Simultaneously, the archers unleashed a volley of arrows, their aim true and their shots swift. The whistling of arrows pierced the air as they found their marks, dispatching adversaries with deadly accuracy. The chaos and confusion created by our assault threw the enemy into disarray, disrupting their coordinated defence.