Hans dragged blue chalk across the reinforced registry's sand table as all six commanders gathered around the northern valley map.
The chalk line divided the northern valley into two routes, neither of which offered his infantry a safe approach.
Hans braced one scarred hand against the table while the commanders leaned closer to study the enemy's outer defenses.
"Previous imperial detachments threw three whole regiments against Dreth's keep and died to the last man," Hans began, drawing a thick line across the sand.
"They charged his outer gates with siege rams, thinking they were fighting ordinary stone walls!"
"And the Ash-White Zone cooked them alive inside their mail coats," Taren added grimly, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Every blow struck against his outer perimeter simply fed spiritual energy back into his defensive core."
