Prepare to Defend the Grove.

"How are we looking?" I asked Willow who was organizing what forces we had.

"We have about a hundred centaur and thirty elves counting the priestesses who want to fight and your twenty humans you brought." Willow shrugged. The two hundred plus orcs had joined up with a company or dark elf mercenaries. So that put us at a three to one disadvantage.

"I wish I could have brought more." I shook my head.

"They have there own problems. Seven hundred orcs will be a though fight. I just hope some of our people show up." Willow smirked. Any how did come risked exile from the elven kingdom.

"What do you think we should do about the defenses?" The head centaur Tahmasp came up. I felt a little funny for him to ask me strategy. Willow nodded her head at me as well. She had more combat experience then me but she specialized in hit and run tactics.

"We can put the elf archers and human rangers in sky town and centaur archers on the overlook hill to the west." I said. Last time I was on that hill was with Seren. Back when things were simple. I missed those days. "Sadly the bulk of the fighting will be up to the centaurs."

"Let them come." He nodded.

"Centaur infantry will stay back to guard the grove behind the barrier. If we can keep the barrier up or odds get a lot better." I shook my head. I knew if the night mother could possess Nox that is where she would go. It was probably how they took it down the first time.

"We can make spike traps to slow them down once they get in archery range which is pretty far for you guys. Some hidden trip lines would help as well. Boulders. Hell even a few large rocks scattered about for them to trip on. Anything we can use to scatter their ranks. They are trained fighters but they are still orcs and will still charge alone if it comes to it. If we can make them break rank it will make it easier for us to kill them."

"We will want a shield line up front with spear men behind." I pointed. "We need spears as long and as many as we can make to hold off the first wave if the barrier breaks. Anyone good with a bow and sword put on the second line closer to the grove to provide fire to support for front infantry and form the second line if the front line falls. When it does have them retreat back behind to the second line and form up rank again."

"They will expect a cavalry charge from you. Lets not give it to them unless the barrier falls. Their is no crossing for miles and last I scouted they where all on this side of the river but we should have a small **** on the east side. When the battle reaches the front line Willow will lead a few of her riders and what centaurs we can spare and cross the river. It will be easier for her on horse back and the centaurs then infantry units and they will have the current on their side to take them across. They can take the enemy back lines from behind." I looked at Willow. "They will have dark elf infantry, archers, and maybe a few mages with them so that is where you will charge them."

"And fuck them up the ass." Willow smiled.

"You will need to hit them hard and fast." I replied. "If they manage to reform their lines get out of there and join up the hill."

"Right. So our fastest warriors." The big centaur nodded.

"Think the dryads will help?" Tahmasp asked.

"I sent word but this isn't their woods." I shook my head. I liked my odds better if they had. I looked up to see riders approaching from the east though they flew no flags. When they got closer I could tell they where elves. The leader jumped off and Willow came up giving him a hug and a pinch on the ass. I just shook my head at her.

"Mind if we join the fight?" He asked.

"We can use all the help we can muster." I smiled.

"This is Aaron. He and the others are from the hidden grove." Willow said. They were half humans which made sense given his name didn't sound like that of an elf.

"Well I guess you aren't breaking the kings order since your only half elf." I smiled shaking his hand.

"If I am he is welcome to send the imperial guard to come arrest me."

"I will fill you in." Willow said. I went to check on the Head Mistress who was seeing some of the pilgrims and several of the priestesses off. She smiled as she came back up the path.

"So can I see it? Your arm." She smiled. I nodded pulling off the glove.

"Amazing. I have never seen magic like this before." She said looking it over.

"The bark is starting to cover it now. Think it will turn back to flesh?" I asked noticing the bark had moved up my hand a fair bit but hadn't covered it yet. I could feel myself getting stronger in my right hand but it was still a ways from my full strength and not as precise when it came to dexterity. Both of which I could use tomorrow.

"I can't say. I would suggest you spend some time in the pool. Least try and get a few hours sleep in there tonight if you can." She smiled. That might speed it up.

"I need to know. Is their a way to kill someone like me. Prince Warwick healed instantly after I stabbed him in the eye." I shook my head. I hoped he had drowned but I knew he hadn't. I couldn't explain it but I felt it. Maybe it was just me being paranoid.

"If he was a simple revenant I would think the dagger to the brain would have killed him or a thrust through the heart but one created by a goddess is unheard of. With what little I know of immortal beings it might take something major to kill him. The most common and sure way is to sever the head and burn the remains." She said. Well that might work though he wasn't going to make it easy.

"Can I ask. What do they hope to gain by attacking the tree."

"They intend to cut into the tree. To spill the blood sap. To turn the tree dark. The Autumn grove as I am sure you have heard the tale that it was taken from Aurora. They used a black blade to cut in the tree and took its sap. The first drops of blood sap are potentiate magic. They didn't do enough damage to turn the tree but it it has never fully healed. It still bears the marks of what they did to it. What she doesn't know, what I couldn't bear to tell her is that the priestess connected to the tree all went mad as they began to turn into dark elves. Some committed suicide while others were executed."

"Roses mom?"

"She was one of them. Killed on the kings order."

"They couldn't be saved?"

"I couldn't say. We never had the chance." The Priestess shook her head. I left her and found a bird to send on its way. Sadly the Army didn't make camp and would be here by morning. I stripped down and got a few hours sleep in the pool. When I woke my arm was covered in bark and I had gotten my strength and dexterity back though it felt numb to the touch. I even poked it a few times with my knife but only felt the vibrations of it. I meet up with Willow who I relieved to get a little sleep herself. As the sun broke the army was less then A league out.