"It's easy to forget what intelligence consists of: luck and speculation. Here and there a windfall, here and there a scoop" - F. John Le Carré

Maria perched upon a tall tree, surveying the land.

—Heh, funny. The Beastmen-controlled territory is protected much better than the Empire.

She mused at the scenario before her, watching the constant patrolling and trained flight of messenger birds. Whoever was in control of this operation ran a tight ship, and it showed.

—Now then...

Maria hopped off the branch with perfect timing into the bush below, softening her landing. Sure, it took her longer than usual; a few hours more, in fact-- but not even this well-managed of an operation could prevent Maria from slipping through the cracks. Just when the quadruple patrols met up for the switch-up, she made her way toward their five-minute blind spot.

—Easier said than done.

She sighed, looking off the cliff to the water below, the wind ruffling her tail and ears lightly. Maria then jumped headfirst with perfect form, leaving only a minor splash of water just as the new patrol walked past with their lamps.

After a fifteen-minute swim, and the occasional need to dive in order to avoid a patrol or messenger bird, Maria made it to shore. It was the least guarded area she could find, probably due to the sharp rocks lining the surrounding area, preventing any of the Empire's ships from approaching.

Maria sat in a bush as a patrol of two Beastmen walked toward her, one pausing by the main road while the other made his way toward her, beginning to unzip his pants.

In mere milliseconds, the Beastman was laid unconscious in the bush, with his friend looking confused.

"Miles? You there?" he shouted into the darkness, waving his light around as he walked forward. Passing a tree that slightly obscured his vision, the man's eyes widened as he realized someone stood behind him, looking at him over her shoulder.

THWACH!

Maria launched a powerful hit to the back of his neck, rendering him unconscious. She grabbed him as he fell to prevent any further damage, leaning him against the tree.

"Apologies, but you might experience a few migraines in the next week."

Maria stretched, casually walking down the path.

—According to my reconnaissance, I should not meet another patrol until I am closer to Klauenfeste.

Klauenfeste was the first city the Beastmen gained control over - the original name of Fort Lager being changed by the leader of the rebellion. This was the place where their rebellion kickstarted. Once Fort Lager was toppled, many Beastmen across the nearby lands took up arms and in no more than a few months the whole area was quartered off - most humans killed, and those who were not were either sold off or expelled from the new Beastman land. Soon after, the Beastmen enacted a full siege over the Protectorate of Baluga.

Maria neared the main gates, a stone wall an impressive fifty meters in height with battlements all across surrounding the whole town. Maria's mouth was slightly agape.

—Guess "fort" was in the original name for a reason.

She surveyed the area, clenching her eyes and looking up and down, searching for anything of use.

—This is going to be a long, looong night.

She relented, leaning against the tree and resolving to take notes of whatever she could use: the patrols, when the gates opened, to whom, which guards snoozed on the job, et cetera.

Just like that, the hours ticked by and the bags under Maria's eyes became more pronounced. The sun was already rising in the sky, the happy chirps of unknowing birds slowly waking up. Maria was still there, watching intently and hoping nobody searched for the missing patrol from yesterday -more worried they had woken up by now. She was exhausted, that much was clear. But she had a mission, and she was going to accomplish it.

—Aha! There it is.

Finally, she spotted it. The guard on the left watchtower was snoozing. At best she had a few minutes to climb it and sneak past, but it was better than nothing.

Just as she pushed her way out of cover, a sharp pain pressed against the vixen's back. She was launched at impossible speeds, shattering her bones on impact with the imposing stone walls of the city as they crumbled around her like morning cereal in the mouth of a giant.

"ACH!!?" was all she could let out, barely seeing anthing beyond the darkness slowly encroaching on her vision.

From the trees where she had stood, an imposing figure walked out. She was muscular, at least two meters tall, a beast-woman with snow-tiger features - white fur and black lightning-like stripes on her forearms and feet, sharp talons protruding from them as she was slightly hunched in a predatory manner, her fluffy tail swinging behind her in irritation as she licked her lips, slowly walking into the light. Her skin was pale, and scarred.

—I . . . fucked up . . .

Was all Maria could think as the beast-woman stepped closer and closer, each step almost shaking the land with its weight.

—I'm sorry, my prince...

BA-DUM!

Maria's heart beat widely against her chest, blood obscuring her vision even further.

BA-DUM!
                BA-DUM.
                                 BA-