Raiding the tribe

As Torrhen watched the confident expression on Lynn's face, his unease gradually gave way to an inexplicable trust.

He did not know exactly what Lord Lynn had planned.

But he knew that as long as he followed Lord Lynn, they were certain to win!

Loyalty to and trust in one's commander were every soldier's duty!

"Yes, my lord!"

Torrhen nodded firmly, then turned and hurried off to relay the orders.

Lynn turned his gaze back toward the valley.

Night was descending, little by little.

The campfires in the valley grew brighter and brighter.

The Wildlings' clamor gradually died down as well.

A hunt was about to begin.

This time, Lynn and his men were the hunters.

Those seemingly powerful Wildlings were the lambs awaiting slaughter.

Lynn lay prone in the snow.

In his mind, a bold and wild plan slowly took shape.

The night was as dark as ink.

In the Haunted Forest, only the mournful wind passing through the treetops remained.

In the valley, the Wildling tribe's clamor had died away completely.

Most of the campfires had gone out, leaving only a scattered few still burning, casting dim, wavering light.

The vast majority of the Wildlings had returned to their huts of hides and bones and fallen asleep.

Only a handful of Wildlings on night watch remained, clutching crude stone spears and wrapped in heavy hides, dozing against the tents.

All was silent.

This was the moment Lynn had been waiting for.

On the ridge, Lynn and his hundred elite soldiers from the North had finished assembling.

Everyone wore leather armor that allowed them to move freely, blending into the night.

Every soldier deliberately kept his breathing as quiet as possible.

"Is everyone ready?"

Lynn asked softly.

"Ready, my lord!"

Torrhen replied in a low voice.

The twenty archers behind him had already nocked arrows coated in deadly poison.

Their black arrowheads gleamed coldly beneath the faint starlight.

"What about the traps?"

Lynn asked again.

"They're all in place."

Another squad leader answered.

"The valley exit is a killing ground now."

"We'll make sure none of them get out alive."

Lynn nodded in satisfaction.

His gaze swept over the young, resolute faces before him.

"Listen."

Lynn's voice was quiet, but filled with unquestionable authority.

"Our goal isn't to fight them head-on."

"Our task is to create chaos and spread fear."

Lynn took several small packets wrapped in oilcloth from inside his clothes.

He handed one to Torrhen.

"What's this?"

Torrhen took it and felt what seemed to be powder inside.

"A little gift from Maester Aemon."

A cold smile curved Lynn's lips.

"Throw them into the campfires that are still burning..."

Lynn did not finish, but his meaning was clear.

It had been prepared by Maester Aemon.

An herbal powder that produced thick smoke and had a mild numbing effect.

"I understand, my lord."

Torrhen's eyes lit up.

"Archers, split into four groups."

Lynn continued laying out his orders.

"From four different directions, soak your arrows in lamp oil, light them, then fire in high arcs."

"Remember, don't aim at individual people."

"Your main targets are the tents, the stockpiled supplies, anything that can catch fire and cause panic."

"After three volleys, fall back immediately. Don't get drawn into the fight."

"The rest of you, split into two groups."

Lynn turned to Torrhen and another captain named Harvey.

"Lead your two groups in simultaneous raids from opposite sides of the valley."

"Remember, don't push too deep."

"Charge in, cut down a few tents, kill a few unlucky Wildlings, then pull out immediately."

"Your task is to leave them running around like headless chickens."

Lynn etched every detail of the entire plan clearly into everyone's minds.

"As for me..."

Lynn's gaze pierced the darkness and settled on the enormous bearskin tent in the center of the valley.

"I'll pay their chief a visit."

"My lord, that's too dangerous!"

Torrhen objected at once.

"You're going alone? No! I'll take a squad to protect you!"

"No need."

Lynn shook his head.

"More people would only make it easier to be spotted."

"You just need to follow my plan and turn the whole camp upside down."

"When they're in complete chaos, that will be the best time for me to strike."

Lynn patted Torrhen's shoulder.

The strength conveyed by Lynn's hand somehow eased much of Torrhen's worry.

"Trust me."

Torrhen looked into Lynn's eyes, which shone strikingly bright even in the darkness, and nodded firmly.

"Yes, my lord!"

"Move out!"

At Lynn's command,

a hundred soldiers from the North slipped silently down from the ridge.

They split into several groups and moved without a sound to surround the sleeping valley.

Lynn went alone, moving faster and more lightly than any of them.

Like a shadow stalking through the snow, he swiftly closed in on the center of the valley.

The Light Sword skill brought more than improved swordsmanship; it also gave him complete control over his coordination and agility.

Before long, Lynn was concealed in a patch of shadow less than fifty paces from the bearskin tent.

He could smell the odors coming from inside.

An unpleasant mixture of hides, sweat, and cheap ale.

He could even hear the heavy snores coming from within.

Lynn raised his head and glanced at the ridges on either side of the valley.

The moment was almost upon them.

Suddenly.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Dozens of burning arrows descended from the sky with shrill whistles.

They did not fly toward the Wildlings on watch, but landed precisely on the stockpiles of hay and hides, as well as the flammable tents.

The oil-soaked arrowheads instantly set everything around them alight.

Flames roared skyward!

Immediately afterward, the groups led by Torrhen and Harvey drove viciously into the Wildling camp from opposite sides of the valley like a pair of sharp blades.

"Kill!"

Thunderous battle cries tore through the quiet night sky.

The sleeping Wildling tribe was jolted awake in an instant.

Piercing shrieks, screams of pain, and curses rose together.

Countless naked Wildlings rushed out of their tents, their faces filled with terror and confusion.

They did not know where the enemy had come from or how many there were.

All they saw were flames everywhere in the camp and arrows whistling past on every side.

Thick smoke from the burning herbal powder quickly spread through the camp.

Its acrid smell made many of the Wildlings cough violently.

Their eyes streamed with tears, and their minds began to grow foggy.

The entire tribe descended into utter chaos.