Will awoke early and headed to the council room. As soon as he got up he thought about the Temujai. He had never seen them fight before, and Halt had given him the impression that these horsemen were no farmers. And for once since Morgareth had attacked he feared that his country, Araluen, has a fair chance of defeat. Yes, he knew with a good plan and skilled warriors they could win but that was what kept nagging at him. Would Halt's plan work!
Will saddled Tug and arrived at the castle in five minutes. He told Tug to stay and Will walked into the council room. Everyone was already there and waiting for Will. King Duncan sat in a high backed chair at the head of the table. Crowley and Halt were flanking him. The rest there were Gilan, Horace, and Sir Rodney There was a empty chair between Halt and Gilan and Will walked over and sat down.
" Ah yes ", Will your here," said Duncan at the head of the table. " So we are here today to plan and rule on a battle plan of course, continued Duncan, " We know that-, " Yes Halt?, said Duncan as Halt raised his hand. " I have a plan of action for the council to rule on," said Halt. " Then let's hear it." said Duncan Impatiently. Halt nodded then explained his plan.
" I know this is very risky but I ask you hear me out with no interruptions", Halt said. The plan went like this. Halt had learned that the Temujai were deceitful and would do whatever they could to win. Even if it means there own life. But from Halt had understood from reports were that the Temujai had never had a group of trained archers attack them. The Temujai were extremely skilled with a bow, but so was the ranger corps. Halt's plan was to hide rangers in the trees where the Temujai would pass. He planned for the rangers to fire volley after volley at the Temujai and while they focused on the rangers the real force would hit them. The risk in this though was that the Temujai's horses were nearly the same as ranger horses.
They had extremly accute hearing and sight and would alert there master to any ambush. If that happened more then half the ranger corps could be destroyed. Another risk was fire. Apparently, according to Halt's spys they have over twenty jars of oil and torches. And if the Temujai knew the rangers were there, they could set the forest on fire and flush the rangers out leaving them open to the Temujai's archers. But if it worked it could give them the advantage they need to defeat the Temujai.
After Halt finished explaining there plan, he sat back and looked at Duncan. " It definitely could work", said Duncan, " Rodney, Horace I would like to talk to you, said Duncan suddenly. They entered a back room and a half hour later they reappeared. " Its been approved", said Duncan, You'd better get prepared the Temujai are expected and two days. Halt nodded and the council was dismissed.