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Aristonax, being the only nobleman present, takes charge of the council, as twilight settles across the hills. Nodding at Pantaleon, he orders him gruffly, “Man of Epirot, sketch out what you have seen!”
Pantaleon, producing a twig from somewhere within his tunic, sketches out a rough map of the surrounding area. To your southeast, the valley is nestled deeply between two large, steep hills, and the Κενταυροι have made their camp just below the head of the valley. From this depressed position, they are not easily spotted from the surrounding hillsides – a person would have to climb one of the flanking hills, a perilous and stony ascent, or approach the head of the valley directly to get a clear look. Either way, they would risk detection by the Κενταυροι, incompetent guards that they are.
Pantaleon goes on to add - “The whistling winds of Boreus must be rushing down the sides of Mount Olympus and into the valley itself – these are scattering the smoke from their campfires.” Pantaleon leaves the rest unsaid – the beasts are either very lucky or have displayed uncommon cunning in this camp placement; it’s quite the secure nook.
Argyros, looking weary, shakes his head. “But how to dislodge them?”
“Why bother?” Aristonax retorts. “We have the advantages of height, numbers and surprise. At dawn, we gather our men in ranks two deep, and have them charge down the valley. We’ll take them quickly.” Aristonax delivers these statements with finality – clearly, he is not expecting that a debate will take place here. Argyros and yourself trade glances – Argyros looking a bit frustrated, and you suspect you look as nervous as you feel. You can’t help but sense that Aristonax’s charge is risky – the First Platoon has battled seemingly endless number of barbaroi true – but as far as you know, never the foul spawn of Ixion. Realizing that you have been holding your breath out of nervousness, you exhale - battle was always Νίκων’s realm. How unfair that he is not here to advise you properly. Still, you are not empty-headed yourself, and might bring some acumen to the discussion, despite your gender.
>here's a sort of shitty map to lay things out - please note that we are about a 20 minute march from the enemy camp.
>red star = centaur camp
>green star = Deianira's forces
>blue star = Aristonax's forces
