After some time, the monsters stopped coming ashore, and the shifters in the water gave the all clear signal. Their first ravager attack of this winter was over. The roughly two dozen ravagers that had managed to reach the shore were dead. None had made it to the outer walls, let alone climbed into the village. For the first time in nine years, there were no human or shifter casualties.
“How many will we leave to patrol the west?” Liam asked.
“There is still the task of securing the rest of the sector and re-doing the spells on the outer walls.” Xander considered the best way forward for a moment. “Split them into five teams, including the members of the Nauru who are willing to accompany each group. Reena may want to return to the fortress to produce more of the powder. One platoon will go back to the central village with me. She can come along if she likes. Station one group here, and the other three can fan out across the Sector, starting at the priority areas.”
“Sounds like a plan. Today almost felt too easy,” Liam muttered, still staring out at the water.
Xander shifted back to his human form and looked for the spare clothes he received when he arrived earlier. “Don’t go getting overly confident,” he told Liam as he got dressed. “There are thousands upon thousands of those monsters out there, and they learn quickly. Always be ready. I will return to the fortress and help the Council get back on its feet. Once I know for sure that Minassus is no longer a threat, we can meet and develop a rotation of soldiers so everyone can get back to a base that is closer to their families. All in good time.”
“Sounds good to me, boss.” Liam nodded thoughtfully, and rubbed his scruffy beard. “I wouldn’t mind putting in a request to be closer to the fortress, or wherever the feisty little botanist witch ends up.”
“That’s completely up to you. Just keep your pillow talk to your damn self,” Xander joked, heading back toward base camp outside the walls of the village.