Chapter Twenty-Nine
"Some souls are connected by an ancient calling beyond worlds"
…
"Well I've got good news and bad news. Which does everyone want to hear first?" asks Constantine looking at the gathered people.
"The good news Constantine, we could all use something positive for a change with everything that is going on," answers De Sardet or Rose as she prefers to be called.
As for Elsa, she keeps her peace as she sits comfortable on a cushioned chair. Beside her is the cradle of baby Kaldita. The blue-haired adorable munchkin is sleeping at her side without worry whatsoever. Gerda alongside Kai have gone to the market to pick up some supplies leaving Elsa to watch over Kaldita. She has no choice however but bring the baby with her as the guards informed that Constantine, Rose's cousin has appeared at the entrance of the bank asking an audience from her. Apparently it is about the Malichor. The man has found something about it; thus the reason why they are gathered here now.
Staring at the gathered remaining leaders of Arendelle, Elsa can't help but feel a little empty. There is Captain Rex, commander of the royal guard; Lady Ashe of the Bounty Hunting Guild; Lady Rose De Sardet of the Congregation of Merchants; Will of the Ranger Corps. Only Lord Spinach of the Council is present from the high lords with Jonathan Johnson busy with the cleanup of the castle and a thousand other responsibilities under his belt due to the crisis caused by the outbreak of the Malichor.
"Well the good news is that I have finally found the cause of the Malichor," declares Constantine with a smile. It is not natural also which can only leads to the conclusion that it is created by human hands. That means if we find the source, then it can be stopped immediately from causing even more damage,"
"And the bad news?" nearly everyone is waiting with baited breathe.
"I have investigated and travelled in a distance to confirm what I am about to report. The source of the Malichor came from North, way North. I've checked however Arendelle's maps as to what or who lives there far North but the maps show that it is deserted. And….is there something wrong with what I've said?" he blinks confused as he notices everyone's reactions in the room, specifically the Arendellians.
For good reason to, Elsa's face alongside the rest of the members of the Council have gone pale. She and everyone else have not yet forgotten the danger that Silvanna has put down that nearly cost the Knightess her life. Elsa, herself was personally affected by the ordeal by nearly losing the person she loves the most and also the fact that if said person failed to act, Elsa would have been the one to be dragged down on that pit of blackness.
"Do you mean we have to go North? I meant, can't we just find a medicine for it?" asks Elsa trying her damnest to hide the turmoil of emotions currently engulfing her. Judging from the scrutinizing stare that Rose De Sardet levels on her, it is not well hidden enough.
"If we plan to take the Malichor by the source then yes," shrugs Constantine. "What we are facing is a bit more in the supernatural side. Only by finding whatever it is that is causing the sickness will we even have the slight chance of putting it down permanently,"
"I-I see. Uhmm, Captain Rex, please inform Prime Minister Johnson that I will travel to the North with Lady De Sardet and Constantine here. Until I return, he is the acting regent of Arendelle," Elsa orders to the Captain of the Guard whose expression turns from shock into horrified disbelief.
"You can't be serious your highness," hisses the man. "Lady Silvanna would have my hide if she ever gets wind of this harbrained scheme you are planning. Let someone else go and investigate with these people. You don't need to go there personally,"
"No," Elsa simply sighs swallowing her nervousness and fear. "I am the Crown Princess and regent of Arendelle till Silvanna comes back. It's people is my responsibility. I can't let anyone else go and take the risk for me,"
"But-,"
"If it concerns you so much Captain then I will be taking Lady Ashe with me. She is a good warrior and Silvanna's companion during the problem before. She also has some experience when dealing with supernatural things. She's there with Silvanna during the expedition,"
"Expedition? What expedition?" the curious voice of Constantine asks though Elsa simply ignores him as she bores a hole unto the royal guard captain with her eyes.
"Fine," Rex finally acquiesces. "However there's no way you'll be going alone. I'll be sending five of my best men to go with you. AND that's non-negotiable," he adds as Elsa opens her mouth to protest that it is not needed. "You are the Crown Princess of Arendelle and god so help me if I let you go out there without an escort,"
"Fair enough," Elsa simply nods.
"I'll be sending one of the Rangers also with you Your Highness," Will proposes.
"That's no longer needed and please hear me out," Elsa says raising a hand to start the storm of protest that is about to come from the acting Ranger Commandant and Captain of the Guard. "There are only five rangers currently here at Arendelle and that's including you Will. The Royal Guard alongside the regular militia and guardsmen have a skeleton crew at most. With the current crisis affecting us alongside rumours of a potential rebellion from the populace, your Rangers are more crucial than ever. Besides, I have my guards with me and Lady De Sardet alongside Constantine will also have their crew,"
"So you'll be using the ship following the shoreline North?" asks Rex.
"Yes," Elsa resists the urge to shudder as old memories of her parents dying on a ship voyage and Silvanna nearly not coming back from one rise into surface.
"If I may ask Your Highness; what is your destination as you head North?" inquires Will looking at the Northern part of Arendelle on the spread out map.
"We are going to the Nords. Last I recall; Jarl Bjorn's son, Bard is still there with what's left of his people. We can start there and gain their support," Elsa declares looking at the map of the isolated North where the village of the Nords lies.
….
"Look at them go, traipsing all over the countryside in a giant one big mass. They really are overconfident aren't they?" Alucard comments as he watches the thousands of Nogrodions traipse over Lescanna's wide open dirt road.
The island country is all mud and trees, but in the spirit of trade, generations of Lescannian kings had created roads of gravel to generate the economy. Said road is now being followed by the mass of cow skin shield bearing invaders as they head off towards the direction of the beach camp of the Arendellians causing Alucard to be mightily concerned. If they continue on the direction that they are heading right now in their current speed; they would reach the Beach Camp in five days.
"Damn this!" Alucard mentally curses.
This is not part of the plan. He and the ninth company of Winged Hussars, nearly a hundred knights are sent here to relieve the first raiders and take their place by General Horst. Alucard has been expecting a camping enemy not a moving mass. Now that he mentions it though, this is a great time for a major raid. The morons are not posting outriders or guards as they move and he feels a little offended that they are not even considering any threat to their good selves. They obviously do not feel that the Arendellians could pose an attack that could severely wound them. Well, their loss. A major raid right now could inflict damage severely especially by heavy cavalry. This is a golden opportunity.
There is only one hiccup.
Alucard eyes the Winged Hussar smaller than the rest sitting beside him looking down at the moving army. Urging his horse forward, Alucard leans down to speak in a hushed tone.
"Are you alright Princess Anna?" he asks.
He can hear her gulp even though her head does not move to acknowledge his words. "There are so many of them," she says in a small tone.
"Yes, they are and I am planning to attack them," says Alucard. This time there is a reaction as her head turns toward him.
He winces inside. It musts be daunting for the second Princess of Arendelle. First time of combat for her and she is being faced with odds so against her that it is not even funny. He cannot blame her for being a little panicked. In fact he's a little surprised that she is not yet frozen with fear. Anna does surprise him every now and then. He cannot still fathom how she is not yet discovered until now by anyone. Ever since the two of them snuck in the army, he has been knocking his head for plausible excuses in the worst case scenario where they will be caught. He is not joking when he said to Anna that Silvanna will gut him if he is ever discovered of allowing Princess Anna to enter the war.
"With a hundred men? That's suicide," she whispers in horror and disbelief.
"Not exactly," Alucard can't help but smile as she gestures Anna to mount her horse as he does also with his. "We hit them hard and fast. We don't stop till I say so. Before they can do anything more we retreat. and make our escape. Anna, whatever happens. I want you to stay by my side at all times. The armour will protect most of you, but I don't want you panicking and running off. Remember, no matter what you feel, see and hear, you stay by my side. At all times; am I understood?!" he looks at his charge sternly who bobs her head up and down. Inwardly Alucard is pleased. Anna might be an airhead at times, but she is knowledgeable enough when to get serious.
"Good, now come. Let us not keep our enemy waiting. And your highness..,"
"Yes?" she whispers softly in reply.
"Just in case, and whatever happens. You made me proud. I would like to say that you are not a coward at all Princesss," with that finishing tone, he urges his horse forward to the front of the column where the rest of the Winged Hussars are waiting.
….
To say that Anna is afraid is wrong, no she's not afraid at all. She's absolutely TERRIFIED. In what is supposed to be the thousandth time, the Second Princess of Arendelle questions her sanity and wisdom on joining the war effort. Back then it seems like a good idea wanting to be in the fighting. However here and now as the realization sets in that she is about to kill some people; it makes her want to puke. She has spent most of her time with Alucard following him around in incognito. Thank the heavens her teacher and bodyguard has chosen to station the two of them under the Winged Hussars. The former nobles spent most of their time with their friends, studying or training. This allows Anna to blend in easily as "minding your own business" seems to be common among Arendelle's elite cavalry.
Right now however, Anna would not be surprised if she is peeing herself in fear as she sits atop her mount holding the reins so tightly that her knuckles are white. Right now the small column of a hundred Winged Hussars are trying to find open places underneath the eaves of the trees in preparation for the charge. As Alucard explains it after all, the more open ground they might have before breaking cover; the better.
Looking around her she can see at least ten of her fellow Hussars sitting atop their horses as silent as the grave as they check and rechecked their harnesses and their weapons. For the life of her she is confused as to why they seem so calm. They are about to attack a force a thousand times greater than their own and they seem to be alright with the fact without worry. One is even reading a book for heavens' sake.
A hand signal from Alucard at her front makes whatever little movements' present stop. Another signal makes the gathered riders ready their lances while Anna nervously pulls out her saber. It is a bit heavy compared to her rapier but she has been practicing with it for a while that it won't be a nuisance.
Alucard once more signals and this time the Winged Hussars move their horses to a steady canter. Anna nearly drops her weapon as she realizes that this is it, the moment she dreads. Mustering whatever courage she can scrounge up, Anna urges her horse behind Alucard's who nods at her before urging their pace to a steady jog. The horses of the Winged Hussars are strong and large battle-horses bred for strength and stamina capable of small bursts of speed. For Anna, the steady jog feels more like a run. This is nothing compared to the quiet roan she practices back at Arendelle. Every step of the horse seems to make her teeth chatter inside her mouth and Anna regrets not accepting Alucard's offer of multiple paddings to be placed at her seat.
Still it is too late to start regretting. Anna just holds on to her reins as best as she could trying her damnest not to be thrown from her seat or lose grip of her sabre. Heavens only know that the moment she fails on either of the two and she would be good as dead.
It takes less than a minute before the Winged Hussars finally break free through the thick branches and leaves of the forest. Whatever holds back them back before suddenly is gone and Anna finds herself holding for dear life as the entire hundred men company turns from the steady jog they are holding to a full-on gallop as they charged towards the mass of Nogrodions.
There are no shouts, no war cries or song as the Winged Hussars crashes to the gathered mass. The reasoning for this is actually quite simple. In their days of training it is heavily implied that if you are the one doing the surprise attack. Make sure that you make things as quiet as possible. Shouting, singing or even making a battle cry is the complete opposite of making it a surprise.
That is why the right flank of the Nogrodion army never notices the attack till its right atop of them. The ones that got hit first barely manage to cry out an alarm before they are being ridden over by the heavy cavalry. The Nogrodion army with their cow skin shield and hide armour are mostly light infanty en masse. As they are about right now in an untidy mass and not grouped together; they are easy pickings for the Winged Hussars who are armed and equipped with the best armour and weapons that money can buy.
Like a chainsaw cutting through thin wood, the Winged Hussars cut through the milling Nogrodions. The shields of the desert dwellers are no match against the castle-forged steel of the Hussars' lances with the back breaking force of a charging battlehorse behind it. Hundreds died on the mad rush as the Winged Hussars makes no effort to slow down their acceleration. Some of the Nogrodions don't even have weapons and armour making them dead men walking. It's also bad luck for them since the Winged Hussars have chosen the worst time possible to stage their attack. Being pushed under the non-stop march of Mao-Zheng and his tribe enforcers, majority of the Nogrodions are bone-tired and weary looking forward simply for the end of the day in order to finally rest from their forced march. Thus what the Winged Hussars facing today are nothing more than tired soldiers who want nothing more than to sit their asses down.
For Anna, if not for the fact that failure on keeping up with the Winged Hussars ahead of her spells certain doom; she would have stopped her horse and vomited. Everything around her seems like a nightmare. The sound of people dying, the smell of blood, sweat, tears and something else fills her ears. Still Anna is anything but stubborn. She is much like her older sibling that way. Thus even if her entire body begs her not to, Anna stabs, slices, and makes use of her sabre against any in her way. Alucard has not been lying when he said that Anna has a talent for the rapier, in this case its heavier version, the sabre. For Anna it almost feels natural warding the few blows easily being aimed at her legs while at the same time dealing death blows of her own left and right. Beneath her helmet though if one would look, they would see the Second Princess of Arendelle crying. She does not want to this. She does not want to kill anybody. Every time her sabre fell is another life taken. She has to convince herself every time that they are her enemies and they would raze her home down just as they have razed Lescanna to the ground also. Still Anna does her duty as she grits her teeth on every strike. She's the one who asked for this; she is the one who pressured Alucard to taking her with him risking his occupation for her request. Anna would not falter on this.
Thus the early morning dragged on and though the raid is brief; it feels like hours for the Second Princess of Arendelle. She can't help but breathe a sigh of relief as Alucard finally blows a ringing blast with his trumpet indicating for the Winged Hussars to fall back as the remaining Nogrodions starts to mass towards them. Anna does not say anything as she follows Alucard with the rest of the company as they disengage from their attack and retreats back to the eaves of the woodlands below.
She glances once at her bloody sabre. She has fulfilled her duty for her nation. But why does it feel as if she has lost?
…
"How did this happen?!" Lord Viktor is an old man well past his sixties. However his wrath even in his age is still something to behold. It is cold and sharp like the very man himself.
"That's the big question dinnit?" grunts Price unhappily as the entire war council looks at the map displayed on the rectangular table.
Word has come and gone from the Rangers deployed that the main army of Nogrod is on the course normally any news of the opposing army on the move is a cause for concern. However whatever curiosity it might have brought turns to horror as the realization sets in as logistics point out that the direction that the army is heading for is right smack dab at the at the Arendellian camp. Now normally it could also be referred to as nothing more than a coincidence. After all, it might just be that the army is heading in that direction without idea of the beach camp being there. Unfortunately two things negate that small ray of hope. First is the fact that the Nogrodion army is not turning right or left. Normally an army that size simply wandering would take its sweet time. However they do not. Instead the Nogrodions are marching at a steady space towards their direction. Secondly, the terrain of the area simply offers no tactical value which is the very reason why Silvanna chose this place to camp on. The enemy would never suspect their enemy hiding in a place that has little to no natural defensive fortifications. To see them heading here to such a place is very good evidence that they know the location of the Arendellian camp.
This puts the majority of Arendelle's leaders in a quandary. Their main strategy after all is to wheedle the overlarge Nogrodion army slowly till either their numbers become too low that they can be handled the traditional way or their supplies be almost gone that the Arendellians can mop them up when they are starving and killing one another for food. Simply put to say that said strategy has gone out of the window with this news. Time is against them and the Arendellians would be pitied against the army of Nogrod's overwhelming numbers man to man. While they did conduct several successful raids and one major raid of the Winged Hussars; it is still no way enough to deal a massive blow to the Nogrodions.
"I'm telling you that there is no way that we can stall them. The area is too open here and there and we can ill afford to fight them in the open grassy plains and much less the treelines. They would simply overwhelm us with sheer force of numbers," insists General Horst to Lord Viktor who grits his teeth as they futilely try to think up of a strategy to win.
"Then what do you propose to do? Run back to the sea and wait for them to chase us until they are at Arendelle's shores?" asks Lord Viktor in return. "Where is your courage man? The very reason that we chose the battlefield here is to prevent them from reaching our lands. I would be damned before I run back and turn tail at least without giving them a bloody nose first,"
"It is not cowardice my lord but prudence. We cannot face Nogrod's army face to face; that is the simple truth of that. We have what? At best twenty-five thousand troops; and that is bringing with us whatever that is left of Lescanna's military and militia. Maybe twenty-nine thousand Queen Siora arrives with the natives' army. They at least have a hundred thousand men and that is not counting the support staff and the supplies that they might also throw against us. That would be suicide,"
"Not exactly," the calm voice of Silvanna makes everyone turn to the Knightess who until now has been silent as the debate raged. Walking down the aisle, Silvanna looks at every man inside the tent. She cannot blame them for being afraid. The odds after all are against them; and what odds they are.
"Lord Viktor councils to fight and General Horst councils to run; there are both merits on your idea. But I say we do both," says Silvanna placing a chess piece of a king and five pawns in the map.
"Thanks to our very own Lord Blackwall here who is so knowledgeable about things; we have surmised that the enemy general leading this barbarian horde is no one else but Mao Zheng of Xi at the East. He is a disgraced prince who tried to take his people's throne by force. Long story short, he is ousted and driven to banishment. We do not exactly know how he does it; but this Mao Zheng fellow managed to become the Chief of Chiefs of Nogrod. He is the key to all this,"
"What do you mean? Are you saying assassination?" asks General Horst his tone indicating his distaste of the unconventional way of getting rid of opposition.
"Not exactly," answers Silvanna gesturing to the pawns at the table. "According to Lord Blackwall; the forces of Nogrod are not unified like ours. They have tribes who have traditions and practices of their own. The only force gluing them together is their either fear or respect of the Chief of Chiefs who calls them to war. Knowing that our dear Mao Zheng is a foreigner; I suspect that it is fear that drives them. Now normally if we are back at Arendelle; we could use our resources to hire as much assassins as possible to bring down Mao Zheng. Without him; the Nogrodions would fight among themselves and run. However seeing that we are not at Arendelle and our information is currently new, we do something that they will not expect,"
Silvanna puts the pawns and the king at the open field on the map while placing coins at the opposite of it. "I say we give them what they expect. An open battle between us and them,"
"But that would-," General Horst begins to protest but only to be silenced by Silvanna's stern glance.
"-normally be unconventional since we surely will be defeated," she finishes for him. "That would be true. However our goal is not to win, but to cut off the head of the snake. This is what I propose we are going to do," Silvanna aligns the coins to a line against the pawns. "We create our battle lines facing them. Spear upon spear supported by our guns and crossbow units. Our steel lances are stronger and longer than that of the Nogrodions. They will face the enemy head on. It is a standard tactic and any opposing competent officer would do what is simple and crush us with sheer numbers. That is what we will expect from them. We will send our light cavalry in the meanwhile to the right side of the column riding hard to the right supported by the Katari Twelve's militia. They will make a show of attempting a flanking attack on the right. This would force Mao Zheng to send his own cavalry and heavy troops to counter the flanking manoeuvre,"
"You have placed the Winged Hussars though with the light cavalry?" Lord Viktor notices the red coin with the coin that depicts the light cavalry.
Everyone shudders as a predatory smile appears on Silvanna's face. "Well observed Lord Vitkor. You see all of these; the main army and the cavalry flanking manoeuver is nothing more than a ruse and bait for Mao Zheng to bite on. The main attack would be here," Silvanna drags the red coin at a diagonal side while moving the cavalry coin rightward.
"By the gods; its direction-," General Horst gasps.
"Would be straight towards the enemy commander undefended by the majority of his army without cavalry and heavy infantry support," Silvanna finishes for him. "The Winged Hussars, heavy cavalry would strike a crippling blow to their king. Supported by our skirmishers, Death Dealers they would dive a hole on the enemy's main command structure and cut off its head. Without Mao Zheng, the Nogrodions would falter and scatter. All the army needs is to hold the line until the enemy king's head is cut off,"
Everyone is silent as they look at her now with a face that is a mixture of awe and no small amount of respect and fear. This plan is feasible after all and that is pitting twenty thousand troops against numbers five times their size.
"So, who will lead the army on the battle?" asks General Horst.
"Good question General," Silvanna answers with a smile. "I'm assigning the main force to you General alongside Lord Blackwall on the left flank. Captain Price, you'll be leading the cavalry diversion alongside your Rangers and Pac Katari. Lord Viktor will be with me alongside my squire, Amelia since the Death Dealers will only obey him,"
"When are we planning to stage this battle my lady?" asks Lord Blackwall stoicly.
"Two days from now," answers Silvanna simply. "We make a forced march tomorrow to reach the clearing first then we rest the men for a day in order for them to make their peace. Make no mistake my lords. This battle win or lost will be devastating and will cause heavy casualties on both sides. The question though is "Are we brave enough to do it? For Arendelle, for our home,"
"For Arendelle, for our home," the rest of the members mutter. Silvanna smiles inwardly at that. No matter the odds they must win. For Arendelle, for her home, for the beauty waiting for her to return home and their child.
"For Elsa," Silvanna inwardly mutters to herself.
….
Author's Note:
So that's that I guess. Sorry Im very lazy these days that is why I update so slow. Anyway hope ya like it. Please Review and Follow or Fav. Its up to you. I do enjoy reading opinions and praises and suggestions.
Ive got a surprise for everyone in the battle. Another Disney Princess will appear and its not Rapunzel or Eugene.