The Achievement Junkie

"Jack." Just before dawn, a familiar voice echoed throughout the cave. "Let's talk, you, me, and Rydel."

Rydel was walking behind Tralon with a relentless fire burning in his pupils. He remained silent as he and Tralon sat down across from Jack at the table while the girls were still sleeping.

"So… What do you think we should do?" asked Jack.

Tralon stroked his beard. "First I'd like to hear what you originally planned to do, as well as both your thoughts and Rydel's on the matter. You two are much more familiar with your party and can better assess what you can and cannot do."

Given the invitation to speak Rydel took the initiative. "I think we should infiltrate the camp and assassinate the general. It's the simplest strategy and the most effective so long as we pull it off. Plus, we may be able to blame the Sandros soldiers for that with Daliea's help."

It was hard for Jack to refute the passionate Rydel but he sighed, "Wouldn't that also put the entire party in immediate danger? And how would we exit camp after the general is dead and everyone turns on us?"

"That's what we came here to do, right? We signed up for danger so why not?"

"What if we destroy their rations? And, maybe we can start some contention between the two nations?" Jack suggested.

"That would only delay the inevitable."

"But delaying is what we came here to do in the first place."

"True, but they can order food to be brought with the next batch of soldiers. And without anything big, like the assassination of a general, then I wouldn't count on contention amongst the ranks to be very significant," added Rydel as stern as ever.

Jack opened his mouth but hesitated. "Well… All we need to do is cause delays, so wouldn't it be better to be more covert and have the mission last a couple of days more to stay safe? If we get caught, then there's no telling--"

"Just wake up, Jack!" The cheap wooden table creaked and rocked as two fists pounded nearly splintered the tabletop. "Some of us may die. Accept that. Right now, we need to stop that army in its tracks before it leaves for Trodar."

"Calm down you two," Tralon chimed in, making sure that Rydel didn't run away with conversation in a flurry of passion. "Both ideas have some merit so there's no need to demean each other."

The wise mage also saw a broken determination behind Jack's façade. "Before you to two discuss this any further, let me fill you in on a couple of things.

"First off, you need to know that according to my intel not only does this army not exist but Limneer's other forces still remain intact and unchanged. Now that Limneer has an extra army and they've rallied quicker than I would've expected, I'll need at least five days, three at the very least."

Suddenly both Jack and Rydel got a better sense of the hopelessness that Tralon was feeling from his shaky voice alone.

Tralon continued, "Trodar's military assets have already been divided into three and we're barely able to hold on at the moment. Facing an extra army right now is one of the worst possible outcomes. I had estimated that they might be ready to attack within a few weeks, but after seeing what I just saw they could cross the border within a couple of days.

"Luckily, though I'm not allowed to fight I am allowed to magically transport the army. There's no telling how many people we can gather together in just five days but I can transport them here at a moment's notice if needed," added Tralon.

"No matter what you feel would be best, I beg of you to stall this army. If this army is ready to invade then that means the others are as well, and if there's an army left within Trodar without anyone to hold it back, then that could mark the turning point in the war."

The passion in Rydel's eyes was curbed and the determination in Jack's eyes was gradually restoring. In the face of a dire situation they were lucky to have Tralon there to wake them up, at least a little bit.

"Which of the two strategies would you recommend, Tralon?" asked Rydel with a hinting smile at Jack.

He closed his eyes in deep thought. "The most effective option would be the assassination while also the most dangerous. Destroying their rations and their supplies could definitely work as a deterrent, but then you shouldn't leave the mountain range because they might be ready to advance after more supplies arrives. Then, after that, your second time interfering will be much harder.

"Both strategies can work but they have differences in terms of consequences. I'll let you decide the consequences you wish to face and then choose a strategy based on that."

A sudden shift of attention waved from Tralon over the Jack as Rydel and the old mage waited for his reply.

It wasn't immediate. Jack didn't dare be hasty with his decision.

"Jack, what do you wish to do? And what dangers are you willing to risk?" Tralon repeated himself in order to keep Jack from neglecting the answer and not confronting his fear.

"I… I… I'd rather not risk a party wipe if I don't have to."

A deep breath left Rydel's lips as he popped his knuckles to relieve some tension. "So… Which tactic are you choosing?"

"What if we destroyed not only their supplies but also the incoming supplies coming with the next batch of soldiers?" asked Jack.

"That's… Not a bad idea, "replied Tralon.

The dying fire inside Rydel started to regain its fervor. "And what if I infiltrated the camp alone in order to take out the general while you and the others got as far away as possible?"

"No." That time Jack's answer was instant. "If there's a way for every one of us to make it out of this alive and unscathed, then I'd rather take that risk. I don't want to sacrifice one person for the lives of everyone else."

"Yeah, unless that person is you…"

Caught with his mouth wide open Jack had nothing else to say.

"I would like to agree with Jack on this one, Rydel. I admire your bravery and I would ask you to do such a thing if the need were to arise, but for now, let's plan otherwise." With one hand patting Rydel on the shoulder Tralon slowly stood up. "Since that is your decision, then I'll take my leave and start recruiting an emergency army. Good luck, and make sure to report anything you may need from me."

Jack was still caught up on Rydel's statement and only nodded as Tralon disappeared in a burst of light.

"I'm going to take a nap. Wake me up once everyone's ready to discuss the plan." The hunter then hurried to his tent without so much as a glance at Jack.

Sighing and scratching his head Jack couldn't stop wondering whether he chose correctly.

One part of him knew that Rydel was completely right and logical to want an assassination. It was clearly the best deterrence and would be the fastest way to fulfill the plan. But it also meant that whoever did the deed was unlikely to survive afterward and anyone else in the camp would be in danger.

Deep down Jack also knew that it was very possible to delay the army's plans for a few days so long as they played their cards right. Though it would take more steps of action, they could receive the same result with more likelihood of everyone surviving.

A migraine was setting in as Jack kept flip-flopping between each situation and each possible outcome he could think of as the other party members slept quietly.