The Terror of Thorn: Child of War: Book 2 by Alonna Lissett

staffing. We never imagined an attack coming from Rangel and as such, any type of resistance would likely be met with catastrophic defeat. Our capital though, is built for a long siege, I say stock pile all of the goods we have and send out all the noncombatants or anyone not able to help the war effort away and prepare for a long drawn out affair here. If we fail to get the supplies Javik is hoarding though as well as the man power, then we might as well surrender now.”
    “You are not sounding like someone who wants to win this war; you make it sound like you are just trying to survive!” General McWilliams said as he stood up.
    “That is exactly our plan unless you can tell me a winnable battle between the border and where we are now. You would have whatever ever resource you need at your disposal and if you lose please offer your head as severance. I do not mind offering mine in the off chance of your victory” Brendan said as the General sat down.
    “Enough of this posturing, give it to me straight, how likely is it that we will win this war and keep our heads intact” King Janus asked Brendan.
    “Your majesty, I give us 30% as of right now, if we can beat back Javik and recruit more men that goes up to 75%. If we can finish off Frahse I see an 80% chance of us winning this war provided we are ready to make the hard choices.”
    “What are the hard choices” asked Henry the Earl of Glou.
    “We need to send out everyone who could not give support to the war effort. Old men and women, priest who refuse to fight, young children all need to be sent south. All able bodied men and women must remain here, preparing to fight. Any man of fighting age must be conscripted to join our cause here. Our attack at the border no doubt taught our agents the witches’ capabilities, in the open field they could decimate us, behind our huge walls however they would be no more deadly than the average archer. If they take flight it is a simple matter to knock them out of the sky. They will have superior numbers but what good are they if they can’t be brought to bear?”
    “And our first move is to defeat Javik?” King Janus asked.
    “Yes your majesty” replied Brendan.
    “Take whatever you need, leave the capital defenseless if you need to. Go crush that idiot merchant and if we are under siege when you return use my escape route to get into the city.” Janus said as he stood up.
    “It will be done my lord” said Brendan.
     
    CHAPTER 17
    XANDER
                  Xander along with Patrick and Samantha looked around at their new surroundings. While Patrick scanned the area, Xander looked down on the thin frail clay circle they stood upon which was now cracked. Whoever made this stone had to be an enchanter from before the time of his father as Erik never mastered teleportation. Whoever made the circle which got them out of trouble intended the trip to be one way, which Xander figured would be why they used such thin clay. It had withstood the ravages of time and wind but definitely not body weight. Xander figured he would think more about it later but right now his senses alerted him to the danger he was in. Xander could smell the pine trees all around him, trees only native to Frahse or Thorn.
                  “We are in my homeland, how did we get here, where are we at?” Samantha said looking at her surroundings.
                  “Enchanter where have you taken us” Patrick said as he looked for any signs of the enemy.
                  “I am not sure Patrick; I only know it was a one way trip.” Xander began looking back at the thin clay. “The circle we used was very old, whoever made it intended for no one to follow or intended on not returning.”
                  “So let me get this straight, you can’t get us back to safety. What good are you here then Enchanter?” Patrick said as he looked down on Xander.
                  Xander looked