The witch remained in the infirmary until every injured fighter had received treatment. Sous stayed long enough to regain her balance and ensure the healing spell had settled into her body without complications. When she finally stood, she did so with deliberate care.
The pain had faded into a low sensation rather than an overwhelming force that attempted to control her. She tightened her grip on the edge of the cot for a moment, not because she felt weak, but because she wished to assess her readiness. The witch approached her and asked if she was prepared to return to the field. Sous confirmed that she was.
The centaur commander who had been overseeing the infirmary's defensive perimeter stepped inside and bowed his head respectfully. He informed Sous that the Apex wolves were gathering along the eastern ridge and that their numbers appeared significant enough to require immediate formation.
Sous thanked him and asked for a detailed account. The commander spread a map across a clear table and pointed toward several shaded regions where scouts had reported movement. Sous studied the map while the witch observed quietly at her side.
The witch noted that the terrain favored the centaurs if they moved before the wolves established a fortified stance. Sous agreed and began outlining the approach she wanted the forces to take.
She instructed the commander to gather the healthy fighters and prepare them for quick deployment. She told him to leave a portion of the healed centaurs inside the camp to protect the medics and support units. The commander left immediately to carry out her orders.
Sous turned to the witch and asked whether she intended to remain with the medics or accompany the advancing army. The witch replied that she would go wherever Sous needed her most.
Sous considered the decision for a moment before requesting that she move with the frontline unit. She explained that Apex wolves were not merely strong but unpredictable, and she needed someone who could counter the magic that had begun to appear among their ranks. The witch accepted the assignment without hesitation.
Together, they stepped out of the infirmary tent and into the open expanse of the camp. The sun had begun to lower, casting long shadows across the worn ground. Centaurs moved swiftly in coordinated lines as they retrieved weapons, gathered armor pieces, and prepared for transport.
Sous walked among them with a commanding presence that caused the fighters to straighten as she passed. They greeted her with expressions of determination or relief. Some had believed she had been injured beyond recovery, and seeing her walking at full strength restored their spirits.
The witch followed slightly behind her, drawing attention but also reassuring those who had already witnessed her skill. Sous approached the frontline division and called for silence.
The centaurs quieted as she stepped onto a large stone slab that allowed her to address all of them. She told them that Apex wolves had begun to gather in numbers, and she informed them that the time to advance had arrived.
She reminded them that they had trained for this moment, that they had survived battles which should have broken them, and that they had endured every hardship the enemy had forced upon them.
She acknowledged those who had fallen and told the warriors that their strength continued to carry the cause forward. She raised her voice with authority and explained the formation they would take, the path they would follow, and the location where they would strike.
She made it clear that the witch accompanying her had declared herself an ally, and that any magic they encountered would be countered with equal force. She promised them victory as long as discipline remained strong and unity never faltered.
The army roared in response. The sound surged across the camp and reached even the wounded who lay in the infirmary. Sous stepped down from the stone and began her march toward the front. The centaurs lined up behind her with perfect coordination. The witch walked beside her while adjusting the straps of her satchel which held several enchanted vials meant for healing and combat.
As they advanced toward the eastern ridge, Sous kept her focus on the distant line of hills where faint movement could be seen. The scouts had reported that Apex wolves were using the tree line for concealment. Sous believed the wolves intended to ambush the centaur forces once they entered the valley below. She refused to grant them such an advantage. She ordered the centaurs to maintain elevation and approach from the right flank rather than the central path.
The witch asked how many wolves Sous expected to encounter. Sous answered honestly that the numbers remained uncertain, although she suspected a force large enough to require full commitment from her army. The witch nodded and explained that she had prepared spells for containment, disruption, and personal defense. Sous welcomed the information and asked that the witch remain prepared for sudden interference, particularly from spellcasters hidden within the wolf ranks.
When the army reached the ridge, they paused long enough for Sous to survey the terrain. The valley below contained several scattered boulders and patches of tall grass that could easily conceal ambushers.
The Apex wolves had chosen their ground carefully. Sous signaled for silence and then instructed her fighters to spread into a modified formation that would limit exposure while allowing rapid response to enemy movement.
The centaurs obeyed with flawless precision. The witch moved to a central point where she could support several divisions at once. Sous positioned herself at the front, fully prepared to face the first wave of attackers.
She noticed subtle shifts among the shadows below, and she knew the wolves were waiting for the correct moment to strike.
It was time for another fight and this time a witch was joining them. A new witch, a new ally, one that was accepted.
"Are you ready?" Sous asked her. The witch looked at her and nodded.