Ch. 38
The Siege of Dzagon Pt. II
Commander Jennur Kurah Hatohn trembled as she tried to keep her breathing low and quiet. Just a day ago she had been quietly overseeing the security forces at the Garden of Sebhorin, ensuring heket and harpy raids didn't attack the gardener priests who tended it. Now here she was, alone and trapped in the spotter's nest at the center bombard. When the order had been given to evacuate, she'd stayed behind, ordering her men to follow the two guild commanders back to the center gate. She'd stayed to cover their escape. Jennur had done well for herself, managing to detonate one of the bombard shells and slow the advancing Margonites. She was pretty sure she'd even killed one.
But while the demons were dazed from the explosion, she had seen just how many of them there were, and knew she stood no chance holding her ground. By some miracle of the gods she had escaped their notice, and after snatching a bow and quiver from a fallen soldier, she'd climbed into the spotter's nest. For an hour she'd waited quietly, intending to start picking off demons as soon as they dropped their guard. She'd nearly been spotted twice whilst trying to take aim, and as a consequence had yet to fire a single shot.
Silently she cursed her cowardice. She would never receive an honorable burial or a commendation like this. She would be remembered as the commander who hid and trembled while her men fought and died. Of one thing, Jennur was certain. She had to do something, and she had to so it soon.
"Fall back!" a demonic voice cried out to her surprise, "Fall back to...!"
Whomever had been giving the order gave a gurgled cry as something ended its wicked life. The Vabbian commander raised her head, pushing long ebony locks off her sweat drenched brow as she peered at the bridge that led to the center gate. Something was happening... and whatever it was, it was driving back the Margonite forces. She saw it briefly, and could scarcely believe her eyes. Some lone fighter, wielding a scythe that looked like a giant claw of some kind, was tearing their way through the demon's lines. It sprang high, much higher than any normal human ought to be able to jump and then descended with savage swings of its weapon. Margonites fell with every stroke, each blow a killing or crippling one that had the demons on the run.
"Balthazar's flame..." Jennur whispered.
This was it. The moment she'd been waiting for. The commander pushed herself to her feet, gripped her bow tight and notched an arrow to the string. She'd never been a spectacular shot, but she could send an arrow to target well enough. With a twang of the bow she launched her first shaft, sending it sailing into one of the demons near the incredible fighter that continued to fell Margonites left and right. As quickly as she could manage she reloaded and fired again. As she bent to draw another arrow she blinked at a strange whistling sound that was rapidly approaching her. She looked up just in time to see a mighty Margonite spear flying through the air, moments before it smashed through the wooden supports of her perch. The spotter's nest leaned and then began to fall, and Jennur screamed as she plummeted toward earth.
Before she could hit the sun baked ground, however, a bolt of red flew out of the demon army and a pair of strong arms caught the falling commander. She and her savior hit the sand and tumbled end over end several times before Jennur came to a stop with a grunt of mild pain. Something would be bruising in the morning... if she lived that long. She looked up at the one who had caught her, and immediately wished she hadn't. Slitted yellow eyes observed her as a multitude of prehensile red tails lashed to and fro behind the head of a monstrous woman. The tattered remains of a ranger's leather armor clung to the pale creature's inhuman musculature, adding to the being's frightening appearance. Jennur was therefore surprised when the woman carefully extended a claw to help her stand. Hesitantly the Vabbian commander accepted the aid and hopped up to her feet.
"Can you fight?" the pale monster asked in a deep and almost resonating voice that came from powerful lungs.
Jennur could only nod as she reached for her sword and cast about for a shield. She easily found one, dropped by its dead owner. Hefting the defense up she nodded again, more firmly this time as she tightened her grip on her sword.
"Then fight!" the creature suddenly ordered, voice roaring with the lust of battle before it swung around to strike a killing blow with its scythe into the Margonite that had attempted to rush them.
Jennur was quick to do her part. She was no match for these demons, she knew, but she could harry them plenty and if she was careful she could stay alive long enough to help this strangely friendly monster. The woman gave her own sharp cry as she sprang forward to hamstring an enemy and then quickly bounded away to deliver a barbarous slice to another. The pale creature immediately moved in to finish the kills with ease as Jennur moved to press her back to the other woman's.
"We have to retake the bombard platform!" Jennur shouted, "We have to get it firing again!"
"Keep up!" the monster woman snarled as she advanced rapidly up the sandy slope.
The order soon became a challenge as Jennur had to run just to keep step with the scythe wielding woman. The pale beast struck and slashed with strokes that spoke of proper training but were heavily tinted by sheer brutality. Jennur's own sword gave desperate strikes to any demons that came too close, though more than once she was nearly brought down by the sheer strength of the Margonites. The monster, however, kept her well covered, almost gleefully cutting down what fighters made the mistake of ignoring the more dangerous target in favor of attempting to kill the Vabbian commander. As they reached the platform the pale monster suddenly gave a howl of agony and Jennur barely lifted her shield in time as a blast of chilling winds nearly swept them back into the sands.
"Blasphemers!" screamed a new voice that resonated with demonic energy, "I am, Tirraj, Listener of Secrets! I will serve your bones to my god. Abaddon will eat your eyes!"
The demon sorceress shrieked again as she raised her wand skywards and the pale monster suddenly kicked Jennur aside. The confused commander tumbled and blinked in surprise, before covering her head as a crack of thunder split the air. A pillar of lightning struck the spot where they had once stood, delivering so much energy that Jennur felt her usually unruly hair stand on end. Tirraj screamed angrily as the savage creature advanced on her and beast and demon engaged in battle. Jennur wisely stayed where she was as she watched titans struggle with each other. The sorceress was swift with her casts, scarcely uttering incantations before her spells struck viciously. The pale monster was equally swift, dodging the cascades of ice and bolts of lightning that lashed out at her. Tirraj's fatal mistake came when she finally ran dry of energy, and as she desperately attempted to reattune her magic, the monster took its chance and struck without mercy. The first scythe blow took the demoness' wand arm, causing her to scream in horror and pain. The next cleaved through her torso, and as she fell in pieces the monster scornfully struck the sorceress' head with the butt of her scythe.
"I am Rakiv, tearer, ripper, murderer, slayer!" the pale monster shouted powerfully at the corpse, "And I don't care!"
Jennur shook behind her shield. The woman had not been hostile yet, but the rage on her pale, distorted features only made the dark skinned commander hope that she would not be the next target. Rakiv raised her yellow eyes to Jennur and snorted heavily through disproportionately wide nostrils.
"Hold this ground," she ordered, "There are more demons to kill."
And with that the pale skinned monster that was Rakiv Maelstrom leapt from the bombard, howling ravenously as she charged back out into the sands of the wilderness battlefield.
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Over bloody stones and crimson fields the sun slowly sank toward the western horizon, its merciless rays continuing to beat the desert for as long as its grasping golden fingers could reach. The only reprieve from the awful heat came in a thick haze of dust, sand and grit that turned the usually yellow disk a blistering orange. Ahmtur stood at the edge of the tower, surveying the battlefield as his armored fist clenched around the emblem in his hand. Finally a purple spark surged across its face and he immediately tapped it and raised it to his lips.
"All forces, this is your Prince," he enunciated as clearly as he could, "Communications are restored and we are taking back this fight. Reinforcements at the eastern bombard are to sweep west and hold the center bombard. Soldiers holding the gate are to rendezvous with them and get that weapon firing again. Soldiers at the western bombard, hold your position as long as you can. Whispers are just south of you and will be with you in seconds. To my sergeants on the wall, break down barricades and resume firing patterns. I am Ahmtur, and I have spoken."
The prince lowered the emblem, barely paying heed to the multitude of affirmatives that poured through. Mere moments ago the center gate had nearly been lost, and had it fallen the entire Citadel would have gone with it. He took a deep breath to focus the adrenaline that still coursed through his veins as his gaze surveyed the field. With his warmap still down he'd been forced to resort to the ancient method of command, line of sight. And it was by line of sight that he took notice of a trio of figures making their way out from the center gate ahead of the army line.
"Report, I see threesoldiers breaking rank," he spoke into the emblem again, "Identify."
"Sergent Bolrob here, highness," a voice responded, "It's three of the guildsmen we contracted for the defense. They claimed they were going to retrieve that guildwoman who cleared the bridge single-handed."
Ahmtur hooked his own emblem back on his shoulder and lifted the one that bore the burning sword of Dormant Vengeance.
"Guildsmen advancing down the bridge, identify yourselves," he demanded.
"Big Red, Baby Blue and Mother Earth here," Kydar replied, "What do you need, highness?"
"I need you back on your lines soldier," Ahmtur said firmly.
"Negative your highness," he said, "We've a guild matter to attend to."
"Big Red your guildmistress placed you under my command and you are a citizen of Vabbi," Ahmtur snapped, "You will heed my orders."
"Clap me in irons later your highness," Kydar responded, "Big Red out."
Ahmtur opened his mouth to respond when a fizzle of purple across the emblem in his hand informed him that his link to the guild's chat line had been cut. He gave a snarl of annoyance and turned his attention to his own forces.
"Western bombard report," he snapped, turning his irritation back to the fight at hand, "Your barricades are falling. Where are your reinforcements!?"
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"Are you sure that was wise?" Anicara asked a bit nervously as they raced down the bridge.
"Not at all," Kydar responded calmly as he reattuned his emblem and then spoke into it, "Alright guys, Ahmtur's line has been cut and our guildmistress is out in the weeds. Gold Eagle, where are you?"
"En route to the center with the Vabbian reinforcements," Alendra answered.
"Alright, meet me in front of the bombard," he said, "We're going to retrieve Lone Ranger. Apprentice, are you with Grim Reaper and Jolly Roger?"
"Negative Big Red," Dawn answered cooly, "We have a small situation."
"Elaborate," Kydar ordered.
"Another general, this one's a priest," Dawn replied, "We're keeping him off the bombard, but his forces are wreaking havoc over there."
"Grim Reaper, Jolly Roger, status?" Kydar inquired.
"We've got our backs ta the mizzenmast, book boy," Margrid shouted, "But anchors are down an' this boat ain' goin' no place lessen they sinks us first!"
Kydar grit his teeth as they reached the center bombard to find it held by one lone soldier. The woman was dusting off a helmet and pushing it down on her head as they approached, her expression turning curious as she looked them over.
"You're with that guild," she surmised, noting their lack of Vabbian miliary colors.
"And you are?" Kydar asked.
"Commander Jennur Kurah Hatohn," she said with a quick salute, "Dzagonur Military. You?"
"First Officer Kydar Raelesin, Dormant Vengeance," Kydar answered her as patiently as he could, "You didn't happen to see a white woman with red hair come this way did you?"
"Sort of..." Jennur said carefully, suddenly appearing uncomfortable, "She saved my life but... she... wasn't human..."
"I know," Kydar nodded, "Which way did she go?"
The commander pointed straight out into the field and Kydar looked up to see tracks and bodies leaving a trail through the sand. He gave a nod as he adjusted his gloves and drew his wands before turning back to the two women with him.
"Ahmtur wants this bombard firing again soon, so that's gonna fall to you," the scribe said to Jennur, "There's reinforcements on their way down from the gate. Hold here until they arrive."
"I don't suppose you've got a spare emblem on you?" Jennur asked, "I lost mine in the scuffle. Is the prince back on the line?"
"He is, but I haven't got one for your line," Kydar shook his head, "The soldiers should be right behind us. They can fill you in."
"Koss will be on his way down with them," Melonni pointed out, "He won't stay out of this fight for long."
"Then I need you to wait for him here," Kydar ordered, "And then you two take whoever will follow you to the Western bombard. That general and those Margonites need to be dead."
"That leaves just you, Ani and Alendra to go after Rakiv," Melonni realized, her eyes going a little wide, "You won't survive that."
"Rakiv won't survive this if we don't do something," Kydar responded curtly, "See if you can convince someone to come back us up, but otherwise make sure that other bombard doesn't fall."
"As soon as men arrive," Jennur spoke up, "I'll commandeer as many as I can and follow you. I owe that woman my life, and I'm not one to let debts lie."
"Good," Kydar nodded, "Then you all know the plan. Ani, you're with me. Let's move."
"Yes, Master Raelesin," the girl nodded smartly as she gripped her staff tighter.
Kydar and Anicara turned away and hopped off the firing platform, their boots and shoes sinking into the sand as they rushed to follow the trail of destruction that the ranger had left behind. Kydar hopped over more than one broken body as Anicara did her best to keep up.
"How are we going to convince her to stop?" Anicara called to him, trying to distract herself from her growing nerves.
"I'm not sure," he replied calmly, having been wondering that himself.
"What if she won't?" the younger elementalist asked hesitantly, "What if she fights us?"
"Then we'll have to stop her ourselves," Kydar answered as he climbed over the broken wall that once established the perimeter around the bombard.
He turned to give Anicara a hand then raised his head as the sound of boots reached his ears. A small brigade of Vabbian soldiers made their way north and west from the eastern bombard, and a pretty paragon broke from their ranks to make her way toward the pair of mages.
"Where did she go?" Alendra asked urgently.
"We're following the bodies," he said as he pulled Anicara up and the younger caster hopped down off the wall.
"Then Lead the Way and Make Haste!" the paragon urged them, "We spotted an entirely new division headed this way. She'll be overwhelmed by those numbers."
"Follow me," Kydar agreed.
The trio broke into as much of a run as they could manage. The sandstorm had dumped a confounding amount of sand across the battlefield and much of it was still soft and sinking. The guildsmen followed the bloody footprints and torn demon corpses that led toward the sounds of battle. One particularly lofty dune took time to scale, and once they reached the top they could scarcely believe their eyes.
A field of strewn corpses met their vision, and among the brackish black blood and glowing flesh, a monster did battle with demons. Rakiv held her own against overwhelming numbers, a single fighter that dealt death with every tireless swing. No less than three brigades were upon her, and while the ranger looked to be taking just as much of a beating as she was giving, no blow or wound seemed to phase her. Instead, each successful attack only seemed to make her angrier.
No words passed between the guildsmen as Alendra sprang off the dune and slid down the sand, already singing a ballad of restoration as she rushed to her guildmistress' side. Kydar and Anicara planted their feet as sturdily as they could in the shifting sands, and began to chant their own incantations.
"O brightest flame from the highest heaven! Rain down thy fury upon mine enemies!," Kydar cried, "Fire Storm!"
"Ye confounding vapors from far below, cast thy shroud o're my raging foes!" Anicara declared, "Blurred Vision!"
A sweep of fog rolled through the Margonite ranks even as fire rained down upon them. Rakiv seemed to take no notice of the magic as she delivered a victorious sweep to the enemies in front of her, the blood drenched blade cleaving through flesh and bone. Alendra was with her in a moment, her javelins sailing left and right before she drew her spear and raised her shield.
"Guildmistress!" Alendra cried, "Fall Back!"
The monster paid no heed to her guildsman, a rattling shriek leaving her inhuman maw as she brought her heel down on a fallen Margonite's skull then spun, thrusting the butt of her scythe through the torso of another. A brutal kick sent the dying demon flying off the end of her weapon to crash into his comrades behind him. Rakiv was upon them again in moments and Alendra gasped as she heard the whistle of arrows in the wind.
"Incoming!" she screamed, diving to the ground as she raised her shield higher for cover.
At Alendra's cry, Anicara quickly breathed out a puff of frost, calling plates of ice to form around her body. Kydar knelt as his student stepped in front of him, raising her arms defensively as the pair braced themselves for the piercing rain. The volley of arrows thunked into the sand and pinged loudly against armor and shield. As soon as the rain lifted Kydar was on his feet again to call new orders.
"Cover me, this is a new one," he shouted over the din, bringing his wands together as he focused and his forehead jewel began to glow.
"Got it!" Anicara confirmed, taking a defensive stance.
"Guildmistress!" Alendra screamed again, though she knew the cry was futile.
Rakiv sprang high, a trail of sand following her as she screamed viciously. Her scythe spun around her as she spiraled down into the group of archers at the rear of the Margonite division. She struck with a new burst of fury and her scythe went to work, her feral roars echoing across the desert.
"O curse of day that reigns o're the sky," Kydar began as he raised his arms, his eyes glowing and streams of heat rising around him, "Speak thy harsh edict and pour out thy wrath! Savannah Heat!"
The haze of dust and grit that covered the sky momentarily blew apart, creating a clear hole through which sunlight streamed through. A flash of light illuminated the landscape and powerful solar rays rained from on high. Sand turned to glass as the earth caught fire and bolts of yellow scarred the ground. Margonites immolated immediately, and though they screamed they continued to charge the guildmistress. Rakiv was all too happy to end their suffering, her triumphant shrieks and rattling wails following each death blow she delivered.
"Kydar!" Alendra screamed from the field, "Kydar she won't stop! Help Me!"
"I've got you covered," Anicara assured her master before he even spoke, gaze firm even as her icy armor began to melt in the heat, "Go!"
The pyromancer gave her a firm nod as he sprang from the dune and skid through the sand. He hit the bottom and ran, even as a torrent of ice spikes flew over head and cleared a path through what felled demons still moved. Kydar ran as fast as his feet would carry him, directly toward the engine of death that was the red-headed, scythe-wielding monster. Rakiv never stopped or slowed, never showing signs of fatigue or pain despite the blood that filled her boots and the numerous slashes that had further worked to destroy her armor. Arrows bristled across her back where they had been embedded in her flesh, a spear head was lodged in her shoulder and her now bared limbs rippled with countless scars from sword and axe blades. Yet still she pressed on, seeking only fresh blood and new victims for her wicked scythe. Kydar paid heed to none of this terror as he ducked under one of her scythe swings and rolled across the sand.
"Rakiv!" he shouted, bracing himself on his knees in case he needed to lunge.
"Hrrra-ak-ak-ak-ak!" came the response from her wide, fanged maw as her head-tails danced behind her and she laid a Margonite low.
"Rakiv!" he cried again, but to no avail.
Frustrated and running out of time, the mage thrust himself to his feet and rushed to grab at her. Several of the arrow shafts broke as he tried to take hold, but the woman shrugged him off, a simple roll of her powerful shoulders throwing him bodily back to the sand. Undeterred, the scribe jumped up again and he charged at her once more, grabbing her thick shoulder firmly this time as his other hand caught her scythe haft mid-swing.
"Rakiv!" he roared directly to her snarling face.
Two baleful yellow eyes focused on him as she whipped her head to face him. Kydar immediately froze, nearly paralyzed by the hatred and killing intent in her gaze. There seemed to be nothing of his guildmistress left admist the rage and feral fury of this monstrosity. He was not given time to analyze further, however, as the beast's head-tails snapped around him with force, lifting him up so that she could she stare at him as if wondering what he was and what he wanted. A Margonite war cry drew her attention away and she paused for only a moment to deal with the offending demon, before her tails threw the mage back down into the sand. Like a beast claiming territory she struck the sand with her heel and roared at him fiercely, a warning she clearly did not intend to give again. Stunned, Kydar lay still for several moments, simply watching as she turned to attack the demons again, though there were far fewer left to fight now. As the scribe's heart pounded in his chest, an idea crossed his mind and he took a deep breath.
"Fine," he growled as he again pushed himself to his feet, "You asked for this."
With a wild leap he threw himself at the woman who was now almost as large as he, unable to tackle her but aiming to get a firm grip at least. Catching most of her head-tails at their base in one fist he yanked her head back and clamped his other hand over her eyes, broken arrow shafts digging into his ribs though he paid them no heed. Shrieking with surprise, the monstrous Rakiv thrashed in alarm and the scribe knew he had only seconds before her strength would overwhelmed him. He immediately locked his legs around her torso the best he could, holding on for dear life as he cast his spell.
"Cease thy struggles and violent ravages!" he shouted, coils of mesmeric violet wrapping around his arms and racing across the guildmistress' head.
The pale monster screamed as her head-tails lashed at him, the whip like ends snapping viciously as she thrashed and swung, though his grip on them held them just far enough from his face to narrowly avoid damage. The scribe clung to the writhing creature desperately, keeping his hand over her eyes as he rushed to finish the spell.
"Be calmed and stilled, by Soothing Images!" he finished in a cry, releasing the energy with a burst of purple light against her face.
Rakiv froze as the world melted away. The beast bayed and barked with dismay as euphoria poured through her, drowning its thirst for blood beneath cascading memories that flashed across her waking eyes. The ranger watched a meteor plummet from the sky and smash the gates of Gandara, making way for the grand escape into Kourna. She remembered the warm prickle of flame that stood steady at her back as fort after fort fell to the swift tactics of her guild across the wildlands. She shuddered in awe as burning wings erupted from a dark skinned scribe's back, flaring wide as they protected her from a deadly deluge of raging water. She relaxed as his soft tenor told her of his homeland, the emotion in his voice when he spoke of his family... a luxury she had never known and one she clung to whenever he told her such tales.
The way he'd looked at her, the night before they'd left Istan. The way he'd held her as they waltzed across the smooth, polished stones of the Grand Forum of Vabb. How his lips had tasted of warm summer winds and ripe juniberries when she'd impulsively kissed him. Image after image and memory after memory flashed across her mind as she felt the driving pulse of adrenaline fade from her system, taking with it her fiery battle wrath. Calm and comfort, safety and warmth lulled the beast to sleep. And as it relinquished its hold upon her, Rakiv allowed herself to collapse into a downy bed of happy memories as her once more amethyst eyes fluttered shut.
Kydar caught her when she went slack and put his feet down immediately as the powerfully muscled monster woman began to collapse. Already she was shifting back, her head-tails returning to strands of matted and messy crimson hair as her jawbones refit themselves to once again hold the shape of her pretty features. Her shoulders slimmed and her nails retreated into their beds. A soft sigh left her lips as she turned fully human once more and the scribe picked her up.
"Man down!" he shouted, "I've got a man down!"
He looked up to find Alendra at his side and cascades of ice surrounding them, caked with sand and quickly melting in the desert heat. Anicara was beside him in a moment, her staff up and ready as Alendra stowed her spear and bent down to check the red-headed ranger's pulse.
"She's alive, pulse is strong and she's breathing," the paragon confirmed calmly, though her eyes were still wide, "We have to get her back to the castle."
"Kydar I can see glows coming down out of the foothills," Anicara warned warily, "And they're moving fast. What do we do?"
Kydar's eyes flicked back and forth. He'd just put down their best weapon against the demons, and for a moment wondered if it had been the right choice. The question left his mind almost as soon as it arrived. There was no body-count that was worth Rakiv's life. He scanned the dunes ahead, watching the glowing shapes in the sandy air approaching swiftly. No way they could outrun Margonites. And there was still the larger battle to consider.
"Jennur said she'd be on her way..." Kydar said, "If she brings a contingent out this far, they should be able to hold the line until the bombards start firing again."
"What do we do until then?" Anicara asked, her voice tight with fear.
"You go," Alendra said solemnly, "You get Rakiv back to the Citidel. I'll stay and hold off the Margonites."
"Alendra you can't!" Anicara gasped in horror at the very suggestion.
"You can't kill even one of them by yourself Soleer," Kydar denied her firmly, "I'm not letting you do that."
"I don't have to kill any of them," Alendra said as she shouldered her shield and drew her spear from her back, "Just distract them long enough. My shouts and prayers will keep me alive long enough to do that, maybe long enough for Jennur to arrive. But Rakiv has to survive. Varesh and her other demons are still out there, and you need the guildmistress to finish this war."
"Then I'll stay and Anicara can take her back," Kydar said.
"No, if any get past me then Ani will be defenseless," Alendra said, "Look we don't have time to argue! Take the guildmistress and go!"
Kydar chewed his lip as he looked at the glows quickly approaching, then back to Alendra and swore angrily under his breath.
"You do not have permission to die, Tactician," Kydar ordered firmly, "Am I understood?"
"Sir, yes sir," Alendra said with as best a smile as she could muster before she turned her back to her fellows and raised her shield, "Get the hell out of here sir."
Kydar looked to Anicara and swore under his breath again as he hoisted Rakiv from the ground and turned to run. Ani was frozen for a moment, looking from Kydar to Alendra and back again as she struggled to make a choice. Alendra only smiled slightly over her shoulder and gave the younger elementalist a resolved nod. Tears in her eyes, Anicara turned away and moved as quickly as she could to keep up with the pyromancer.
"Okay..." Alendra whispered to herself as she breathed out and then in slowly, turning back to face the approaching mob, "Okay... silly little rich girl. Here we go..."
The paragon hummed lowly to herself, singing a ballad of restoration as the sound of thundering boots drew closer. It had always been her favorite battle tune, and it gave her some comfort now. If there was a last song she had to pick, it would be this one. The glows grew closer, wicked roars coming out of the orange haze ahead as she glanced back behind her. Kydar and Ani had made it over the dunes and were out of sight. With luck, they would be well on their way to the bombard. Alendra turned her focus forward once again and finished the last note of her song, just as the first Margonite approached.
The demon warrior blew through the sand haze, the curtain of grit parting around him as an enormous, wicked axe descended on the white clad paragon. He was far from alone. A half dozen other demons, all brandishing their weapons, followed closely on his heels, their many wicked eyes blazing with evil glee as they surrounded her. Alendra raised her shield and dropped to one knee, bracing herself for the blow. The axe struck and Alendra gave an answering cry as she thrust her shield upward. A shockwave from the deflected blow resonated outward, rebuffing the demons and making them cry out in surprised pain. An evil mage made his move, his glowing hand snatching for the paragon's throat. Alendra evaded quickly and struck at the demon, her barbed spear tip opening a bleeding gash across the demon's chest. The Margonite screeched even as the blow was repaid as a sword edge caught her across her back, her armor giving way beneath the blow though the chain-mail beneath prevented the blade from biting flesh. Still she felt her bones shake and a rib crack as she cried out in agony.
The paragon ducked and rolled away, raising her shield to hold off another strike from an axe blade. Though the defense was successful she was not nearly swift enough to stop the scythe that swept under her guard. The blade bit deep across her calf and again the paragon screamed as blood flew across the sand. Gritting her teeth against the pain, she gave her attacker a savage blow with the edge of her shield before further rewarding the demonic dervish with a javelin to the chest. The slayer's spear pierced the demon's torso, and it stumbled back before spitefully snapping off the shaft and charging at Alendra again.
A boot caught her in the ribs, a shield edge struck her jaw. The paragon stumbled back as she mumbled a prayer to Dwayna through a mouthful of blood. Words of comfort eased her pain as she felt her broken ribs settle and she furrowed her brow as she spit and gave a wild, determined cry. Again and again her spear lashed out as she returned each and every incoming blow. A warhammer to her shield was returned with a javelin through the attacker's knee. An axe blade bit deep into her thigh and though she screamed she yanked her opponent close as she thrust her spear through the place where its heart ought to have been.
Outnumbered and overwhelmed the paragon fought on, dimly aware of the sound of even more boots approaching. Whether they were more demons, or the Vabbian cavalry she did not know, but her strength had run out. Something struck the back of her head and she saw stars as her vision turned black. She dropped to her knees, her breathing loud and raspy in her ears. Had one of her ribs hit her lung? She wasn't sure, but each breath was pain. Something grabbed her by her hair and instinct told her to fight. She jabbed upwards with her spear, the blade finding flesh before it was ripped from her grasp.
A heavy boot pressed to the back of her sprained knee to keep her down as impossibly strong arms held her in place. In the darkness of her blacked out vision she could only flail, trying to reach for her javelins. The pain in her side forbid the movement, not that she thought it would have helped much anyway. Cursed words in a wicked tongue echoed to her ears, and though she could not understand them, she certainly knew a death sentence when she heard one. She shut her eyes, unable to see through them anyway as she waited for the blow to fall.
And then there was light.
The darkness retreated, and she could see, though it seemed as though it was not with her eyes. A single, brilliant beacon of burning gold illuminated the blackness and she was drawn to its embrace. If this was death, then it was more beautiful than she had imagined. Something in her breast wriggled and pulsed, like a second heartbeat. She looked down as the breastplate of her armor split, rays of light shining through before the armor broke away entirely and the Whisper's silver ring rose from her bosom to hover before her face. The rest of her battered, ruined armor fell away from her form, but she could hardly care as she stared almost hypnotized into the light before her.
"Child, you stand before the howling dark, alone and unafraid," a voice spoke, "Speak your name, and tell me why."
"I..." Alendra began hesitantly, "I am... I am Alendra Soleer, of Istan. Castellan Tactician of Dormant Vengeance. I stand... I stand that my friends might live, and that one day they might end this war."
"You give your life freely, for the benefit of others?" it asked.
"I do," she answered without hesitation.
"You choose your own end, that others might live?" it demanded forcefully.
"I do!" Alendra responded with equal fervor.
"Then raise thy hand, and heed me well," the voice spoke as the light surged around them and the signet ring before her began to shimmer.
Alendra felt a shiver run through her, an exhilarating thrill though she knew not why. She lifted her right hand, splaying her fingers as she stared into the heart of the beacon.
"Alendra Soleer of Istan, you possess a heart of great purity," the beacon proclaimed, "Welcome to the Lightbringer Corps."
The ring flashed brightly as it flew to her hand and slid down her finger. The instant it touched her skin Alendra felt the breath leave her chest as energy flooded through her. Warmth rushed through her limbs as the beacon approached, wrapping her in rays of light. Her eyes widened with awe as the change began and she gave herself to it completely. White gloves materialized over her hands as sheer satin wrapped itself around her forearms. The same satin bound itself about her legs, forming thigh high stockings as her bleeding wounds healed over with flashes of light. Over her chest rich white silk, embroidered with silver and gold, bound itself over her caramel skin, while a short skirt was belted about her hips with twin winged clasps of gold. Two satin wings attached themselves to her belt, fluttering about her hips and legs as they sparkled with flecks of gold. Golden plates of armor formed about her and then quickly moved in to bind themselves to her feet, hands, shoulders and neck. An ornate throat clasp bound itself to her as it laid bands of etched gold across her collar. Two gold wing plates latched themselves to her upper arms, while similar gold wings at her feet bound her feet in heeled, open-toed shoes. The paragon closed her eyes as a winged crest pressed to her forehead, binding back her curls with white linen and leaving twin gold wings to flare out to either side of her head.
"Now Lightbringer," the beacon ordered, "Speak thine oath!"
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Captain Jennur Kurah Hatohn trudged across the dunes with a platoon of Vabbi's finest at her back. The guildsmen had long since made their way back to the castle, but they had informed the soldiers of an opportunity to turn the tides of battle. Despite his annoyance with the guild's actions, it was not an opportunity that Ahmtur intended to waste. With General Poruk absent from the field, Jennur had received a field promotion to the rank of Captain and was tasked with forming a battle line far ahead of the bombards, to give the engineers time to get the siege weapons firing. A force of just over a hundred men was all that could be spared, but they were fresh and strong from the defense of the other gates. Jennur mounted a lofty dune as she stared down into the sandy valley below. Several brigades of Margonites had convened in the center of the valley, and were roaring angrily as they savagely laid their weapons into someone that Jennur could not see. She could only pray for the soul of the poor brave soldier that the guild had left behind to give them all a fighting chance.
"Men, your Prince has ordered you to turn back this battle!" Jennur cried to the force at her back, "In the names of the five, and by the blood of our brothers who have been slain this day, I swear to you that we will hold this line! Hurrah!"
"Hurrah!" the soldiers shouted as they brandished their weapons.
"Let these demons know the wrath of man!" Jennur cried as she shook her sword in the air, "May they know our fury and our vengeance! Now, for Prince and Province!"
With a wild cry the captain turned on her heel and stormed down the dune. Her men were not long in following. A war cry rose from the soldiers of Vabbi as they rushed the Margonite army. The demons turned in surprise and quickly attempted to form lines to meet the charge. It was as they shifted that Jennur could see what they were gathered about. A three foot tall sphere of light burned in the desert sands, defying every assault that the Margonites could throw at it. Perhaps the guild soldier had survived after all. Setting her sights on the orb Jennur rushed in as two burly warriors joined her at her side. The trio struck as one while a volley of spears and arrows flew overhead. Surprise was on the side of the humans as the Margonite line faltered under the first charge. Jennur's men tackled a demon to the ground and the captain mounted the Margonite's chest as she ran her sword through its head. Several more blades sunk into the Margonite's corpse, until the humans were satisfied that it was indeed dead, and moved on. Jennur ducked as one of her men was thrown like a ragdoll overhead.
"Watch their reach boys!" she shouted, "Kill only when you know you can!"
The soldiers had seen enough of the Margonites tactics and just enough of the Whisper's methods to level the playing field. Demons swung viciously at attackers who were quick to retreat, and then were brought down by assailants who no longer had any qualms about taking an enemy unawares. There was little left of the old chivalry left in these soldiers this day. They faced demons. Anger and desperation dictated that they achieve victory by any means necessary. With a wrathful swing of her sword, Jennur took the knee of a Margonite before her, and watched as the two warriors with her brought their warhammers down upon it again and again. Jennur left the demon to die at the hands of her men as she rushed to the glowing orb in the sand. She moved to reach for it, but the heat it radiated forbid her touch. She struck it lightly with her sword, attempting to garner a response from whomever might be inside.
"This is Captain Jennur Hatohn of the Dzagonur Military!" she cried out, "Reinforcements are here!"
No sooner than the words left her lips, the orb shimmered and then pulsed, releasing a glowing wave that passed through the humans harmlessly. The demons were not so fortunate, as many of them were knocked to the sand by the burst of illumination. The orb morphed and broke open as a beam of light ascended to the sky and a figure rose from within.
"In Golden Day, In Fallen Night," the figure intoned with confidence and authority, "May Demons burn within my sight. Against the Dark God's maddened might, May I stand firm... and Bring the Light!"
With the oath spoken, the pillar of light blew away to reveal a paragon in armor and silks that glowed like daylight and shone like the sun. She dropped to the sand with a light grunt before slowly rising to her full height with splendid poise. Her eyes opened and Jennur blinked as she found herself staring into two pools of liquid light. The paragon looked from Jennur to her men and then to the demons.
"Rally to me," the paragon ordered calmly without looking away from the Margonites that were starting to get back up.
Jennur gave a sharp whistle and a wave of her fist in the air. Her soldiers were quick to reform their lines while the demons were still staggered. The soldiers pressed shoulder to shoulder and raised their shields, prepared for the next attack, though more than a few were distracted by the vision of angelic beauty that walked up and down their lines inspecting them.
"You are too few, but you will have to do," the paragon mused, oddly even given their current surroundings.
"Who... are you?" Jennur asked, her voice filled with burning curiosity.
"I am Alendra Soleer of Istan, and I am a Lightbringer," she responded as if it were obvious, "Stand with me and these demons shall tread no further. Listen to my songs, and raise your blades. We will stop this army here and now. Are you with me?"
Though her voice was soft, the question carried to all present and the humans gave a shout of allegiance and agreement.
"We are," Jennur confirmed as she tightened her grip on her sword.
"Then stand fast, men and women of Vabbi," Alendra bid them as she turned to face the recovering demon horde, "For darkness comes upon us."
With that, the paragon spread her arms and lifted her voice. A song of restoration left her lips as she herself lifted from the earth and a pair of glowing, gold wings blossomed from her back. Her song grew louder as the demons began to shout and scream, their blasphemies echoing across the battlefield. The human army paid no heed to the hellish cries as each soldier felt strength and power swell in his chest. With a ravenous and hideous shout the demons charged, but this time the humans were ready for them.
Margonite weapons struck human defenses, and their defenses did not falter. Strength matched strength as the soldiers struck back and laid low the first attacking line of Margonites. The movement had been fluid and swift, so swift that the humans reformed their lines almost immediately and were ready for the next charge. Clearly too enraged to follow proper tactics, the Margonites simply mobbed the human brigade. They struck with ferocity and anger, wildly swinging their weapons again and again. Yet the humans refused to fall. Over and over the Margonite line was driven back as Alendra's voice rang out in songs, ballads and anthems that repeatedly strengthened the Vabbian soldiers. When the next Margonite charge hesitated, Alendra saw their chance.
"Attack. Now," she instructed Jennur, her voice remaining even and calm.
"Chaaaaarge!" the female captain screamed as she led her men into battle.
Alendra herself raised her hands as her fallen weapons shook themselves free of the sand and rose to her grip. At her touch both items were immolated with white fire and reforged. The shield shimmered and glowed as it rounded its edges and its heart turned to the shimmering facets of an iridescent aegis. The spear in her hand shone brightly as she raised it overhead, the metal head expanding and lengthening as the icon of a bursting sun spread its rays along the shaft. The lightbringer's wings vanished as she charged into battle behind her comrades. The humans rushed the Margonite line with force, their roar terrible and their blades keen. The enemy rose to meet them, obsidian weapons and ebony armor glowing wickedly as they challenged the Vabbian army and their Lightbringer leader.
The humans struck, and this time the demons faltered. Jennur gave a gasp when her blade connected, surprised at the strength now rushing through her limbs. With a savage snarl she yanked back her blade and brought it down again, and watched with satisfaction as the Margonite crumbled before her as any normal man ought to have done beneath a blade. The demon struck back, but the blow was warded off by the captain's shield. She delivered a final thrust through the demon's torso, and watched as facets of light burned out its eyes. The Margonite died on the blade and the captain kicked the corpse away.
"We can kill them!" she called, "Bring them down men! They fall as any other foe!"
"Stand Your Ground!"Alendra shouted, her voice ringing clear and true, "There's Nothing To Fear!"
The tide of battle changed as the human brigade pushed onward, cleaving a path into the oncoming demons. More and more Margonites poured out of the mountains as the small team of humans held the valley against all challengers. Alendra's songs and cries of inspiration filled the soldiers with strength, soothed their wounds, and steeled their conviction.
"Eastern bombard is secure!" a report finally came through Jennur's emblem, "I repeat, eastern bombard is secure!"
"Center bombard is repaired, we are ready to resume firing," another report came through.
"Western bombard reporting," yet another soldier called through the emblem, "We're blind here, but we're otherwise functional. Spot targets and we'll lay down the fire."
"This is Prince Ahmtur," the command came through, "Captain Jennur Hatohn, respond."
"Captain Hatohn here sir!" Jennur shouted into her emblem, "Orders sir?"
"Recommend you clear the valley, bombard fire is inbound in one minute,"Ahmtur said.
"Respect sir, negative sir!" Jennur responded, "If we move, their lines will reform and they'll charge through the bombard fire sir!"
"Be advised Captain, I will fire the bombards in fifty seconds whether you are clear or not," Ahmtur warned.
"Understood sir," Jennur answered, "We'll keep our heads down. Drop those shells just ahead of our line if you can. If not, remember us sir!"
"Good luck soldier. Ahmtur out," the prince responded.
Jennur gave a grim nod as she let the emblem hang from her shoulder again and took a deep breath. This would be a good death, sword in hand and facing legions, not trapped in a roost next to a non-functioning bombard. She raised her blade and called out sharply.
"To me boys!" she shouted out, "Rally on me! We've got fire coming in danger close!"
"Fall back beyond the corpse line," Alendra directed, "It will put your men further out of fire and force the Margonties to charge through the shelling."
"We give ground, they'll recover!" Jennur responded curtly, "And if these things can run through a sandstorm, they can run through a little shell fire!"
"Trust me captain," Alendra said, her voice resonant with authority, "There is no need for you or your men to die this day."
Jennur set her jaw as she looked at her assembled men. Though they had done well, a third of them had already fallen The rest would not survive he bombardment, and then there would be no one to clean up the stragglers. She ground her teeth and finally gave a nod.
"Fall back," Alendra advised again gently.
"Pull back, men!" Jennur shouted, "And keep your helmets on! This is about to get messy!"
The human soldiers retreated carefully, stepping over the bodies of the slain as the demon army began to reform their lines. As Jennur had predicted, new brigades formed amongst the Margonites, as the reprieve from the human onslaught allowed them to reorganize. Already Alendra could see some of them preparing to charge off in the directions of the other bombards, as the human retreat gave them room to maneuver. The Lightbringer stood her ground as a high pitched whine whistled from on high. She turned to walk away just as the first shell struck and detonated with terrible force. Margonite bodies flew, thrown and rent by the sheer power of the explosion. Realizing they were out of time, the demon brigades made a mad charge forward, even as the sky rained down upon them. Alendra strode at an easy pace, her glowing eyes unblinking as she remained just ahead of the shell fire. Explosion after explosion rocked the desert and yet she paid it no heed. It was, however, the look on Jennur's face that finally caused her to turn around and look behind her.
The Margonites had mustered their own solution to the bombard fire, in the form of a massive winged demon bearing an evil spear and a glowing shield. The shield he held overhead as he chanted blasphemous ballads that protected the advancing Margonite brigades. Alendra turned to face the large spear bearer who shook his weapon and roared challengingly.
"Lightbringer!" he shouted, "Heed the words of Kumtash, general to the High Prophet Ossa! Abaddon will eat your eyes!"
Alendra gave no answer, her unblinking eyes staring at the Margonite as he snarled obscenities and blasphemies. The woman's muscles tensed as she leaped forward and broke into a dead run, abruptly charging the Margonite general. The bombard fire showed no signs of lifting and burning death rained from on high, exploding spectacularly as the Lightbringer rushed forward, leaving a trail of iridescence in her wake. The general grinned wickedly, his six eyes gleaming with ravenous evil as he thrust his spear forward at her. Alendra deftly rolled beneath the blow and raised her own spear to strike, only to have her blow blocked by the general's shield.
The force of the blow was not diminished however, and Kumtash stumbled backwards, his feet dragging trails in the sand as his eyes widened with surprise then narrowed with rage. Alendra's unblinking gaze never left him as she rose to her feet and taunted him with her spear tip. Abandoning all concern for his army, Kumtash closed his mouth, his chants and songs ceasing as he focused solely on the opponent before him. Hell rained down, bursting with orange and red as the demon general dug his feet into the sand and then charged Alendra with a wild cry. The paragon laid her spear over the edge of her shield as she sprinted forward to meet him.
From beyond the fire line, Jennur and her men watched with awe. The skies screamed as the bombards fired with withering speed and devastating accuracy. Margonites ran, attempting to get ahead of the shelling, but few made it. Those that did were immediately set upon by the humans, who brought down the now outnumbered demons. Amidst the bursting shells, a titanic battle raged as black and purple light clashed against gold and silver radiance. The pair struck, parried, defended and dodged, their every blow sending ear-ringing resonance across the sands.
For a moment Alendra faltered, her shield knocked wide by a powerful blow from Kumtash's fist. The Margonite shrieked with triumph as he struck with his spear, and Alendra parried the attack with her own weapon. A powerful headbutt from Kumtash's helmet knocked the woman to the ground and he reared up over her to deliver a killing blow. The spear came down and Alendra raised both hands, clapping her palms to either side of the wicked spearhead. Her muscles corded and strained as the demon put his weight behind the weapon, its tip hovering mere inches from her nose. Yet Alendra's expression remained quiet and calm, even as she struggled against certain death.
"You are beaten, human," the general sneered, "For all your struggle your people will fall, and we will rise!"
Alendra tensed further as the demon put all his might behind the weapon, struggling to overcome her inhuman strength as his six eyes stared into her glowing twins. The paragon's unwavering gaze locked with his as she finally spoke.
"I remember you, child of the sea," she said in words that were not her own, "You who stood by your god, even when he threatened all that is with madness and terror. You should have stayed by his side, in the depths of torment. For here, before me, you will burn."
The pools of light that were her eyes grew in brilliance and magnitude and the demon squinted against the outpouring if radiance. The rays suddenly focused as Alendra squinted, and a lance of burning white streaked out from her eyes. Kumtash howled as the lightbringer's gaze seared away his helmet and scorched his eyes. His head caught fire and he howled as he violently turned away from her, clutching at his cranium as white ire spread to his limbs. Alendra calmly rose to her feet, taking a deep breath as she retrieved her shield and spear. Kumtash thrashed and swung, blindly attempting to strike the accursed woman who had brought his demise.
Calmly, unflinchingly, Alendra stared at him again and another burst of light seared his torso. Kumtash screamed as he was thrown back onto the sand, kicking and clawing at empty air as the Lightbringer advanced. Another blast from her eyes struck him, and then another. Finally the demon's limbs went limp as a horrible wail left his mouth and his corpse burned to cinders. The Lightbringer watched for several moments as a falling shell exploded off to her right, knocking several Margonites to the ground. Her gaze narrowed upon several brigades that had escaped the shelling and now moved off to the east and the west. Alendra slipped her spear into the javelin quiver at her back as she turned to stride back toward the wide eyed humans who had just watched her reduce the Margonite general to ashes with barely a measure of effort.
"Tell your prince that he should adjust his fire to shell the incoming groups," Alendra explained to Jennur as calmly as ever, "Inform him that the lines have held but that now is the time to strike back. Now is the time to muster his forces and take the field. We will drive these demons back to the mountains and break them upon the rocks. Tell him that the hour of victory is now at hand."
Jennur heard, but took a moment to respond as she stared at the radiant person before her. This guild was really something else. After a moment she cleared her throat and gave a firm nod as she lifted her emblem to her lips.
"This is Captain Jennur Kurah Hatohn, standing on the front lines," she reported, "I have urgent news for his highness."
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"Come again sah!?" Margrid screamed into the dead soldier's emblem, "It's louder than a shipwrecking squall out here!"
"I repeat," Ahmtur's voice came with tense patience, "Adjust fire fifteen degrees east and load shrapnel shells. You have Margonite reinforcements in bound."
"What!? We jus' done finished keel-haulin' the last group sir!" Margrid cried, "We can't take another crew!"
"All soldiers from the citadel are en route to the front lines, Jolly Roger," the Prince responded evenly, "Keep the Margonites busy with shell fire until they arrive."
"Understood sir! Spottin' for fire now sir!" she shouted.
The pirate rose to her feet as she looked up at the ruins of the spotter's nest. The eastern bombard was an absolute mess. Its defenses were in pieces, and most of its soldiers had fallen, valiantly struggling against the demons that had descended upon them. Margrid herself was covered in blood, and she could still hear the sounds of battle downhill as the guild struggled against the Margonite general who refused to surrender, despite the loss of his army. The pirate shut her eye against the blood that flowed from a gash on her forehead and turned painfully to take stock of the survivors. A couple of wounded soldiers who were stalwartly loading and reloading the bombard, and an engineer with a broken arm and two arrows in his leg. With his good arm the engineer doggedly pulled at the firing lever every time the soldiers reloaded it for him. The pirate scrambled up onto the bombard platform.
"Men, we gotta turn this mast fifteen degrees ta port," she instructed, "Prince says we've got glowin' devils inbound and some of our boys comin' up from the rear. They'll need time ta get here though, so 'till then these shell's'll keep the bastards busy! Any man here fit ta man the wheel with me?"
One of the soldiers volunteered and made his way down to the long poles at the base of the bombard. Normally, it was a five man team that turned the bombard to adjust its fire, but with the other two hardly fit for the job, it fell to the soldier and the pirate. Margrid took hold of the pole opposite him and planted her feet.
"On me mark ye scallywag!" she shouted, "Heave!"
Both pushed with all their might, and the bombard gave a stubborn groan. Margrid huffed as she planted her feet again and gave an angry snarl.
"Heave I say!" she cried.
A rattle beneath the bombard's base signaled that it was indeed moving, its locks clicking as it adjusted one degree at a time. She huffed as she counted the clicks. Three that time, better than none.
"Again! Heave!" she called over the sound of fighting down the hill.
The bombard clicked as it pivoted slowly, clicking only twice this time before stubbornly refusing to move.
"Put yer back into it man!" she cried out, "Heeeeeave!"
The soldier gave a pained but determined cry of his own as both of them pushed as hard as they could. Finally the bombard base clicked again and began to obligingly turn about. Five clicks, then six, then eight. Margrid drew breath steadily as her muscles screamed at her and her feet threatened to slide against the stones.
"Two more boys! We'll turn this beast about yet!" she called out, "Engineers get ready ta fire!"
"What's my arch ma'am?" the man called.
"Don't matter so long as it's not too close!" she called up to him, "Just be ready ta put shells on the field!"
"Bombard loaded and ready!" the other soldier called down to them, "Waitin' on your word ma'am!"
"C'mon then bucko!" she called to her fellow wheelman, "One last push! Fer yer wimmen n' children now! Heeeeeeave!"
The bombard clicked once, then twice and Margrid gave a cry of triumph as she pushed down hard on the wheel spoke. The siege weapon locked into place and she hopped back up onto the platform.
"Pull that lever ye blast lobbin' builder!" she cried to him as she pointed out to field, "Let the devils taste brimstone n' hellfire!"
"Firing bombard!" the engineer shouted as he pulled the lever, "Shell away!"
The projectile screamed as the bombard released a loud retort, sending its ordinance high and far. Margrid peered out to field, barely able to see without proper vantage. She thought she caught a glimpse of purple, and sucked her teeth when the explosive hit ground well ahead of the demon's charge.
"Nothin' but land, but the blaggards are headin' in with nary a care!" she reported, "Reload that cannon men!"
"Done ma'am," the soldiers reported, "Ready ma'am!"
"Fire at will bucko!" she ordered.
The engineer released a grunt as he pulled the lever again, the bombard thumping and releasing its boom yet again as another shell flew high. Again and again the bombard sounded as Margrid watched the demon line advance. She chewed her lip as her gut tightened. The shells were now striking the demons directly, and yet their charge hadn't broken. Those that were missed ran on heedlessly, as others picked themselves up and resumed the attack. A horn call from behind them broke her concentration and she turned to feel her spirits lift. The gates of Dzagonur had been thrown wide and soldiers poured down the bridges, marching quickly as the standard bearers preceded them and the heralds blew their horns. The pirate captain gave a wild whoop of relief as the reinforcements rushed past the bombards and out into the field.
"Dwayna's holy knicker's we're saved men!" she called, "Keep them shells goin'! Clear a path for our boys! Let the sound a t'under speed 'em on!"
The Vabbian lines formed quickly and efficiently. Though ragged from the sandstorm and grizzled from the day of battle, the Dzagonur Military stood strong and formed up shoulder to shoulder. Blades and spears raised while arrows were notched to bows. From the prince's tower the great horn sounded its order that echoed over the desert, and with that sound the Vabbians charged in force. As shells struck the earth ahead of them the men and women of the third province rushed to meet the broken remnants of the demonic horde that had menaced them that day. Somewhere in the field a battle song went up, an old one that the paragons echoed as their comrades fell upon the Margonites and finally drove them back. The bombards adjusted fire to strike at the foothills and the badlands and the roots of the mountains, breaking any reinforcements the demons might have received. Overwhelmed by the full might of the Citadel's forces and without the tactics that had nearly assured them victory, the demon army was forced to retreat. They fled into the mountains once more, shrieking and wailing as the humans cheered and roared with victory.
Atop his tower Ahmtur stood on the battlements, leaned precariously forward as one hand held tight to the pillar at his side. His eyes surveyed the field as the demons were finally routed. He breathed inward slowly and then let it out. It had been a hard day, and he had lost many, many men. But the battle was won. The Citadel had routed the greatest threat he had ever seen, while simultaneously claiming victory over an otherworldly army. He lifted his emblem to his lips as the setting sun framed his tall, broad shouldered form.
"All units, soldiers and defenders of Dzagon," he enunciated clearly, "This is Prince Ahmtur the Mighty. The siege is broken. I repeat, the siege is broken. The demon army is routed and in full retreat. Victory is ours men... victory... is ours."
A heartfelt cheer went up all across the desert and rose from the Citadel walls. Men and women threw up their hands, calling their praise to each other and their thanks to the gods. The last rays of sun light played over broken mountain steps as the last of the Margonites vanished into the rocky crevices. Ahmtur himself let his emblem fall to his chest as he dismounted the battlements and took another deep breath.
"Send word to Ahdashim," he ordered to his attendants, "I, Ahmtur Dzagon, eighth in the line of the Princes of Dzagonur, hereby invoke the Pledge of the Merchant Princes. The Second Province has committed acts of war against the Third Province and her people. As is my right, I demand the convening of the War Council of Vabbi and the Princes must come to my aid."
He tugged at the clasp of his shoulder, dropping the heavy cape and emblem to the floor as he strode toward the stairs, unbuckling the straps of his bracers as he scowled heavily.
"Tell Mehtu and Bokka that they will not hide any longer," he said, "As of this moment, all of Vabbi is at war."