Over the next few days, Allen worked tirelessly to prepare everything needed for the Luring Operation. Once he committed to a plan, he always gave it his all.
According to Klethi's reconnaissance, more than a thousand Half-orcs had entrenched themselves near the High Pass.
Allen reckoned there were probably some elite troops among them, but most were likely defeated stragglers who had fled from the Lonely Mountain.
If he wanted to lure them out, he could not bring too many soldiers. He had to give those battered Half-orcs the confidence to leave their caves and surround the humans trespassing on their territory.
Once he had drawn the Half-orcs out, Allen would also have to hold out with his "bait" under their attacks until reinforcements arrived.
Half-orcs could never be underestimated, not even the ordinary ones called Snaga. They might be rather stupid, but with someone commanding them or a clear objective to follow, they could fight to the death without retreating, especially when they greatly outnumbered their enemies.
Their favorite tactic was to tackle an enemy with their own bodies, creating an opening for their comrades to attack.
Against that kind of enemy, Allen could only bring elite troops, and they could not be the highly recognizable Skin-changers. If the Half-orcs spotted a Skin-changer, the plan might fail before it even began.
After much thought, Allen decided to bring Hollimion and the twelve Twilight Knights under his command.
He would also bring the thirteen Swadia Knights who had followed him to Middle-earth from the very beginning.
Along with them would go fifteen Rhodoks Sharpshooters whose riding skills had become quite accomplished.
Finally, forty Khergit horse archers would round out the force. This elite company of nearly ninety men would serve as the "bait" Allen had prepared for the Half-orcs.
Outnumbering