Chapter 9
by 
mally01
What's next?
War Path. Chapter 7. Terms.
Arerto's HQ
Arerto had gone over the reports from her commanders and they had gone back to their respective divisions. They had all done well and were ready for the final push. However, although Argento had been cruelly treated she did not want the civilian population to suffer so she needed a plan to avoid civilian deaths. She had the senior prisoner of war officer brought to her and she informed him that she was releasing all of his men and himself. They would be given their uniforms and weapons back so they could return as brave fighters. He thanked her and was returned to the prisoner compound. Arerto then put the second part of her plan into action and had one of her spies go to Guhan undercover.
Guhan tavern.
The spies found a target a gruff looking man that had the insignia of a subaltern and she approached him and as she walked past she dropped a parchment unseen then left the tavern. The subaltern stood and kicked the parchment then picked it up and unfurled it and read it. He ran to the HQ building and handed the parchment to his superiors who upon reading it made plans. The spy reported back to Arerto that this part of the plan had been a success. Arerto thanked her and then headed to the POW camp and saw that all the prisoners had been released and now uniformed. Their commander approached and bowed in respect making Arerto feel pangs of guilt for what was about to happen. She informed him that she could not get the word out to all of her troops about the parole so he might want to use a secret entrance.
Guhan City.
The former prisoners approached the city just as the sun was beginning to set then they were surrounded by their own troops who attacked them. A fierce fight broke out and the sounds of clashing steel filled the night air. As this fight was going on Sabine's tunnellers had made their way to the ropes and attached them to heavy war horses and waited for the signal. The signal came and the horses took up the strain and pulled the ropes. The ropes stretched then snapped taught as they started to pull the props from under the city walls. The walls then the towers and the gate started to drop under their own weight into the whole below them until there was a gaping hole in the wall. Sabines troops advanced and went through the gap and started to capture buildings and occupy them. The enemy was so surprised that all they could do was pull back. The enemy commander realizing that he was not going to get any help from the capital and to avoid needless civilian casualties asked for a ceasefire.
Arerto's HQ
Arerto sat at her desk when the enemy commander was escorted in. Also present was Sabine, Valeris and Elandra who watched as the enemy commander approached and saluted. Arerto looked at him and then offered him a seat explaining that although they were here to discuss terms there was no reason not to be civilised. She handed him the document of surrender that contained the terms.
- All fighting was to stop and his troops were to surrender their weapons.
- All his men were to leave Guhan and they would be given safe passage through the city.
- The civilian leaders were to be handed over authority for the city.
With the terms agreed and the document signed he was allowed to leave. This was when Sabine asked Arerto how she had arranged the diversion. Arerto told her that she had dropped a hint in Guhan that Amazon warriors disguised in captured uniforms were going to use the secret path into the city to attack. Then the enemy did the rest and that's when the walls came down. Sabine smiled at Arerto then took leave and headed back to her troops.