Brendan's graying brows drew tightly together. He slowly stroked the tabletop and said in a low voice, "A one-to-two casualty ratio... even with the advantage of a surprise attack, these Sauron Barbarians are far stronger than the small raiding parties we've encountered in the Central Plains. They are a real army."
A trace of barely perceptible worry colored the old knight's voice. "My lord, we must immediately reinforce the city walls, especially the collapsed section! At the same time, we need to train new recruits as quickly as possible. Our current forces aren't even enough to defend every section of the walls."
Richter clenched his fists. "What's more, our soldiers lack actual combat experience, and their equipment is uneven. Our most urgent task is to consolidate our existing forces, weed out the old and weak, and concentrate the best equipment in the hands of our bravest soldiers. Roland and I will lead them. Starting tomorrow... no, starting this afternoon, we'll begin combat drills and formation training! We must let the young men see blood as soon as possible... even if it's only simulated!"
Roland nodded emphatically and added, "And reconnaissance! We must establish a system of longer-range, more frequent patrols. We should even actively expand outward and build watchtowers or guard towers. We can't passively wait for the enemy to sneak right under our noses again."
As the meeting neared its end, Karl brought up the final—and most important—point. "Earl Rochefort has agreed to continue providing us with urgently needed supplies, livestock, tools, pig iron... But there's one condition, or rather, one demand."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. "He demands that when the Sauron people raid south this autumn, we must defend Carnford to the death without giving up a single step, until the last man—even if