"Clear the outpost. Go bring the main force over—move quietly, and don't alert the target at the last moment."
After issuing the order, Ye Wei'an climbed up the watchtower.
From his vantage point, the hidden Zhentarim stronghold finally came into full view.
It was a small camp nestled against a steep cliff, with a waist-high fence of rough-hewn logs surrounding it.
It clearly wasn't a fortress built for a long siege. Instead, it served primarily as a waystation for supplies and a hub for gathering intelligence. A few scattered wooden cabins and spacious storage sheds stood inside.
At that moment, about twenty Zhentarim thugs had gathered in the clearing at the center of the camp. They were arguing over several heavily loaded wagons, spittle flying.
The remaining dozen or so were scattered around the camp. Some were feeding the horses in the stables, others were busy in the kitchen, and two apprentices in gray robes were reading scrolls outside a cabin.
"My plan is to attack from both sides." Ye Wei'an quietly assigned tasks to the men who had arrived. "Volodya, take your men to the outside of the fence on the right. You'll lead the frontal assault. As soon as you see the fire, attack."
"Understood, my lord." Volodya nodded, then asked with some confusion, "But what exactly will the fire look like?"
"You'll know when the time comes." Ye Wei'an didn't explain. Instead, he turned to the next man. "Cain, take your men to the woods on the left flank of the camp. When you see the fire, launch your surprise attack and block their escape route up the mountain."
"Understood, my lord." Cain didn't ask any questions.
"Last is Caleb." Ye Wei'an turned to the scout leader beside him. "Take your Rogues and clear the traps for