Chapter Thirty-Two
"Some souls are connected by an ancient calling beyond worlds"
…
"Victory, such simple a word but so hard to achieve," Silvanna thinks to herself as she watches the Arendellian, Xi and Coronian lines below her.
Things suffice it to say the least has been both hectic and confusing for the Knightess for the past three days. Apparently Mao Zheng despite obviously tethering on the edge of defeat is unwilling to let the forces of Arendelle win without a bloody nose. In shorter terms, he wants them to have a pyrrhic victory against him at best. This traitor of Xi had put his forces in a gathering of ten thousand Nogrodions loyal to him here at the forest of Galion. The man might be a traitor to the core, but he is obviously isn't stupid. The forest has enclosed woods but it is more than enough to prevent Arendelle from deploying the Winged Hussars to its full capacity. Also the land is quite wet and negates the possibility of a full charge. It also prevents Arendelle from deploying their heavy infantry on the battlefield. In a wet area such as this, they would be lambs to the slaughter.
Not all is bad though. Corona's reinforcements soon arrive composed mostly of light standard infantry with four galleons in tow. The allies of Arendelle might be late, but as the old saying goes, better late than never. Thus the ones participating in this upcoming final battle against Nogrod would be the skirmishers of Arendelle, the militia plus natives of Lescanna, and mostly the light infantry of Corona. In support for them are the cavalry of Xi under Mulan and some elements of the light cavalry of Arendelle. The battle would be a bloody meat grinder tactic against the forces of Nogrod.
"Brooding again about the upcoming battle?" the soothing voice of Amelia says. Silvanna looks up from the ground she is crouching towards her. Amelia once more is clad with the black ebony armour she wore from before. Her hair is in a bun at the back of her head and at her waist is a sword.
Things have been….new for Silvanna between her and Amelia. Apparently after that tryst of a threesome that Queen Siora hosted, the relationship between the black beauty and her is no longer just that of a simple squire to her lady. No; the past three nights when they shared their bed with one another changes thing between them. Silvanna herself doesn't know exactly what seeing that she made it clear to Amelia that their relationship be not permanent and feelings not be involved. Amelia agreed to it leading to where they are now.
Suffice it to say that Silvanna can't help it around the black-haired beauty and vice versa. They are both handsy with one another that leads to secret trysts on the secluded areas of the camp. Silvanna would admit that they act more like bunnies in heat with one another these days. She is immensely grateful that Amelia kept their "fun activities" private. Lord Viktor would obviously not be pleased if he knows that Silvanna is doing a different kind of "training" to his sister after all.
"How are the men?" Silvanna asks dusting her palms as she stands up creaking the tension on her back as she stares at the ragtag camp of the Nogrodions at the opposite side.
"Lean and hungry, as they should be before the battle," Amelia answers. "General Horst is making the final preparations for the upcoming battle.
"And the emissary?"
"Soon to return my lady; my brother in fact told me to fetch you in order to greet the emisssary's return,"
"I see," Silvanna simply replies before heading off to the Arendellian camp. "Come, no point delaying your brother's request after all,"
Choosing the path where the soldiers are marshalling, Silvanna heads to the command tent from her place of solitude. There's a reason behind this and it becomes quite obvious as she passes line after line of at rest soldiers who stand in attention at the sight of her. Whispers immediately start among them at the very sight of her.
"My lady,"
"My lady,"
"My lady,"
"My lady,"
Silvanna smiles and nods at each soldier as she walks past them. Most of them bear the red and orange surcoat of Corona but there are some elements of the blue and violet of Arendelle here and there. She is not surprised of the murmurs that appear on the lines at the sight of her. Silvanna had already long accepted that due to her looks, she would always be a target of interest for everyone. Add the fact that she's a famous figure of success and power; rumours will always follow her wherever she goes. Still she does her best to be polite, interested and veneer to the men that she passes. As the old saying goes, "treat your men like your brothers and they will follow you to the depths of hell,"
"How's your wound coming, Marcus isn't it?" Silvanna asks looking at one of the soldiers with a bandage on his shoulder.
"Just a scrape my lady; nothing that time won't heal," he simply responds with a bow resulting to a nod from the Knightess.
"Very well," Silvanna responds with a smile before walking off. With simple acts such as these, word of her caring for the soldiers under her would soon spread like wildfire throughout the camp. Add the fact that it is rare to find a noble caring for the average grunt under them.
It does not take long for Silvanna to reach the main tent where the rest of the commanders are making the final preparations for their battle. At present inside the tent is Lord Vikor, General Horst, Lord Blackwall, Quintus, the commander of Corona's forces, Captain Price of the Rangers, and Hua Mulan of the forces of Xi. This battle compared to the previous major fight in Lescanna is more straightforward. As said before this is a meatgrinder. It is simply two forces facing each other head on and trusting in their numbers and skill to overcome the opposite side. Mao Zheng had specifically chosen the terrain for the result to be like this. Of course Silvanna will not simply dance to the tune of the traitor to his country and adds her own little doodads to lean the advantage on the allied forces. Said doodads are of course catapults loaded with jars of oil, ballistae and lines upon lines of archers. With the uneven ground where there are plenty of covers, rifles and muskets would be less than useless. While effective on firing en masse on a single direction, the long ranged weapons are jack-shit on precision fire. Thus Silvanna opts to do this the old-fashioned way Roman proven style of "Raining Hell".
"Any word yet?" asks Silvanna at Quintus, the bearded man with a ponytail goatee looking at the opposite side of the field where the Nogrodions have set up camp.
"Not a sign," his voice is drawling as if not caring though his sharp eyes say otherwise.
"How long has he been gone?"
"Nearly two hours,"
Silvanna just sighs as she looks at the smoke and fog of the morning concealing visibility of the other side. Two hours it seems is more than enough for the messenger to make his demand of surrender to Mao Zheng and come back.
"Soldier, I ordered you to move those catapults they are out of range!" the stern voice of General Horst calls out chiding one of the men who scampers in fear.
"The range is good, don't get the nerves of the soldiers worked up before the battle too much general," comments Silvanna earning her a nod from the older man.
"My lady I can't help but point out the danger to the cavalry-," Mulan says with a pained expression.
"-is acceptable, agreed?" finishes Silvanna curtly. "We've already discussed this. I will personally lead the light cavalry at the back on a flanking manoeuvre. It might not be as effective as a full on gallop cavalry charge but with spaces such as these, it would do just fine,"
"As you wish Lady Steward," the Disney Character in another life replies making Silvanna shudder. Until now she is still unable to wrap in her head that the "Mulan" that people loves so much back in her previous life is walking and talking in front of her.
Whatever silly concerns she has though currently boggling her mind disappears as a hush settles around the lines of the alliance at the sound of hooves clattering on the floor. Looking forward, Silvanna's eyes narrow at the sight of a palomino horse riding hard towards them. Her focus though is at its rider. Dressed in immaculate blue and violet signifies it as the ambassador they sent before. The only thing different this time though is the simple fact that the ambassador's head is missing.
"People should know when they're conquered," Silvanna murmurs more to herself as the horse finally reaches the encampment to the awaiting hands of the stable hands who tries to calm it down. The body of the messenger is apparently tied to it with its hands tied behind at its back.
"COME AND FACE US ARENDELLIAN DOGS!" a shout echoes on the opposite side and Silvanna narrows her eyes at the sight of Mao Zheng covered in huge furs, his bulky frame holding the head of the messenger which he promptly throws down at the mud. Behind him she can see his ten thousand remaining Nogrodions marshalling at the opposite side of the Alliance, their barbaric cheers even heard despite the distance between.
Looking at her commanders, Silvanna simply sighs as she whistles. A stable hand approaches her soon holding the same grey roan she rode before during the Battle of the Grasses. "Strength and honor," she simply says at them who nodded as she pulls herself up her stirrups. She can heard Amelia and Hua Mulan riding their own horses behind her.
"At my signal, unleash hell," Silvanna simply says Quintus who nods before Silvanna urges her horse to canter forward.
Men immediately start to stand up as she rides past them. Gone is the tired and weary attitude that they bear before as their professionalism kicks in. There are no cheers, just stern acceptance between each other.
"Load the catapults," Quintus' stern voice commands.
"Infantry form up for advance,"
"Archers ready!
"Archers!"
"Knock!"
"KNOCK!"
Compared to the ungodly amount of shouting coming from the Nogrodion lines, the Alliance soldiers are a group of professionals following the commands of their generals like a well-oiled machine. Sure the soldiers are nervous and more than one is terrified. However they keep their nervousness under wraps and execute what is required of them flawlessly.
…..
Meanwhile somewhere in the flank of the Arendellian Line
Silvanna slows her horse as she reaches the two lines of horsemen waiting for her. Most of them are soldiers from Xi Empire though she smiles at the sight of one of the Winged Hussars, his "angel wings" design at the back making him stand out among the others. She of course knows that it is Matthias. The man has literally demanded that he join the fight whether she would like it or not. Well, who is Silvanna to refuse?
"Soldiers!" Silvanna greets as she stops her horse in front of them.
"My lady!" fifty voices shouts in response.
"Three days from now, I will be sailing home. Imagine where you will be and it will be so. Hold the line, stay with me. If you find yourself alone; riding on green fields with the sun on your face. Do not be troubled. For you are in paradise; and you're already dead!" her words simply earns her laughter from the lines as they hold on the reins of their horses.
"My brothers-in-arms, I want one thing for you to remember. What we do in life, echoes in eternity," with that final word, Silvanna looks at the man with the bow who nods as he lights up the arrow at his hand before drawing it upward. Silvanna takes the small metal cap helmet with the face shield and puts it above her head.
With a powerful "twang" the arrow soars high over the dark clouds heading to the night.
Raising her spear above her the cavalry slowly follows her as they ride to the gloom.
…..
Meanwhile at the main battlefield
The fire arrow stands out like a beacon on the grey skies clearly seen despite the hustle and bustle of the camp. Horst and Quintus do not waste any more time at the sight of the signal.
"ARCHERS! IGNITE!" the general's voice sounds like a gong throughout the entire battlefield.
"IGNITE!"
"IGNITE!"
The shout from commanders echo around the line as Arendellian archers immediately light up their arrows on the fire in front of them. The ground had been oiled beforehand and lighted providing fire for the archers to light up their arrows.
"ARCHERS, DRAW!"
"DRAW!"
"DRAW!"
Hundreds of hands immediately pulls, the sounds of taut bowstrings moving in unison. Horst's hands that have been raised when the archers pulled their bows immediately go down.
"Loose!"
Such a simple word, but it is enough. With a powerful heave, massive catapults throw their deadly payload, the flaming jars soaring into the midnight sky. Hundreds of fingers let go of bowstrings and on the slowly dying light, the arrows are like stars flying in the sky before hurtling down. Ballistae ropes are cut unleashing massive javelins that can impale three men and leave room for more. It is a sight for any observer and more than one alliance soldier watch in awe as the deadly projectiles head off to the opposite field.
Jars explode as they crash into trees literally turning parts of the forest on fire as the oil splatter everywhere. Together with the jars are the hail of arrows falling down like rain sending many of the Nogrodions panicking as they turn tail and flee. Some are unlucky enough to be near the jars when they explode resulting to them running around in circles as they try to put out the flames. Then the javelins join the fray. More than one unlucky Nogrodion gets skewered as the massive projectiles cut through hide, armour and bone like paper. However even as the hail of fire and arrows continue, the main Nogrodion line does not fully break as they continue their screaming and hollering.
"Silvanna is right and it is as we all feared," Horst mentally sighs to himself before sighing in weary acceptance. It is time to get their hands dirty.
"All right men, ready!" the call sounds out and the entire front line of the alliance soldiers picks up their shields which have been laid at rest at the ground and start to march forward.
The barrage continues nonetheless not stopping as squires and engineers run back and forth loading as quickly as possible the massive payloads of the catapults, lighting them up and thrown by the crew forward. If one would look from a high vantage point, one would see the entire alliance line standing in rigid formation, the reserves standing strong as the line of archers unleash their arrows in a non-stop barrage like fireflies flying towards the opposite side. Even from the distance, the calls of the commanders and siege crews can be heard as catapults and ballistae release their deadly ammunition.
"LOOSE!"
"LOOSE!"
"LOOSE!"
"RELOAD!"
"DRAW!"
"LOOSE!"
….
Meanwhile at the forest….
The thundering sounds of galloping horses are drowned out by the explosions at the battlefield. At the forefront leading the charge, blonde hair flying behind her through her metal cap is Silvanna. Holding her golden spear as if it weighs nothing, her strong feminine clear voice echoes even through the thunder of powerful steps of battlehorses.
"Hold the line!"
"Stay with me!"
The riders, grim faced and stern follow her commands without hesitation. For most of them being Coronians and soldiers of Xi, they have been sceptical of the rumours surrounding the Steward of Arendelle. It is unheard after all of a woman to be a commander and a leader at the same time. Even Hua Mulan is simply an officer of the Xi Empire despite her deeds. Silvanna Highwind on the other hand is rumoured to be an otherworldly being managing to defeat an army of a hundred thousand with her own meagre forces. Plus it is said that she leads from the front always despite her station.
As they ride now with her though, all doubts in their minds disappear. The woman despite not that great at making speeches has an aura around her that makes people want to follow her. As they listen to her voice at the van of the cavalry, no doubt knocks on their hearts as they heed her words. This is a leader that they would die for. This is a leader that they can proudly call…..queen.
"Stay with me!"
….
Meanwhile at the main battlefield
Soldiers of the alliance walk towards the lines of Nogrod in a steady pace. None break formation, none charge headlong to the fray. It is specified to them after all not to break formation until their lines are broken. Most Coronian and Xi Empire soldiers grumbled at this wanting to get into grips with their enemy as soon as possible but they are professional soldiers and they would follow the commands of the Steward of Arendelle to the letter. It is folly after all to disregard the tactics of one who crushed a hundred thousand men with twenty thousand soldiers in open battle no less.
Climbing the last rise of mud and earth, they are now face to face with the barbarians of Nogrod only a few yards away. Even though some pissed in fear at the coming fight, none dare leave their station as they continue their steady trot towards their enemies. The Nogrodions chants become louder as they near them. Then they see it, the barbarians pulling their bows and aiming at them point blank. The captains and sergeants need no more urging.
"Shields!" the command calls out and Alliance soldiers immediately bunker in their kite and circular shaped shields.
Arrows slam into the cover sticking out like pincushions. Majority of them are stopped and halted flat in their tracks but a couple of unlucky Alliance soldiers however are lying on the floor, wooden shafts sticking out of them. It does not take a genius to know that they are dead judging by their still forms on the ground.
"RAAAHHHHHH!" the roars of the Nogrodions are like thunder as they finally leave their "line" hurtling towards the Alliance skirmishers who regain their footing. In the time honoured Nogrodion tradition, the barbarians charge as just one big mob straight towards their opponents' lines with no tactic whatsoever.
Like a sledgehammer they slam like a judgement of the gods into the lines of the Alliance soldiers. Immediately the quality of the soldiers of Arendelle compared to its allies starts to show. Entire lines buckle and snap like a twig into the storm. Breaches are made as the soldiers from Xi, Corona, Lescanna and natives lose their footing and get trampled as Nogrodions pour into the breach made by their fellow barbarians. The soldiers of Arendelle however hold their ground. Trained continuously day in and day out by Horst under the recommendation of the Knightess never to take it easy on them; they stand like boulders amid the sea. The Nords even take it another notch as they push back, throwing the assault off their round shields with a mighty heave.
The damage however is done and the battle dissolves into a general melee in seconds as each one grapples with the soldier nearest to them. Most of the Nogrodions and Alliance soldiers that have been unlucky enough to fall on the ground from the clash are the first to die as they are slaughtered while trying to regain their feet.
Then they heard it, a high ringing trumpet sound that ends in a high note. Arendellians immediately cheered amid the din of the battle at the realization. Of course they know who it is. The sound is something that the Arendellians have known to belong to only one person.
"FOR THE KNIGHTES!"
"FOR ARENDELLE!" the cheer is like a gong booming even through the clamour of men ripping each other to pieces.
From the fire and smoke at the back of the Nogrodion lines appear lines of cavalry riding hard straight to the last of the desert dwellers still not dissolving into the general melee everywhere. Leading them is Silvanna golden spear ready, sky blue eyes gleaming under her metal cap and face shield as she levels her weapon at them.
The Nogrodions to their credit do not break and run, no. Instead the ones at the back break formation as they turn to face the new threat at their flank. Of course breaking from the main army facing a cavalry charge despite diminished speed is a very bad idea. The Nogrodions however have never been big on ideas at the first place. Thus they faced the riders head on.
What simply happens is thresher ripping through wheat. The golden spear of the Knightess sings as it drills a hole in the chest of a Nogrodion before a casual swipe of its owner pulls it through before bisecting another with another strike. A rather brave Nogrodion tries swiping his axe at the hamstrings of the Knightess' legs as she passes by but Silvanna simply parries his strike before a casual flick of the pointy causes his throat to erupt with a geyser of blood. More Nogrodions ran from the melee to face them and Silvanna growls as she holds her spear two-handed and swats it like a club sending a head of one of the newcomers flying into the air.
Meanwhile the Alliance soldiers slipping and sliding on the mud, blood and gore are taking the advantage provided by the cavalry attack to press their own advantage. Soldiers stumble and curse as they try to put the pointy ends of their weapons to their enemies.
Meanwhile Silvanna is busy skewering Nogrodions left and right doing her utmost to stay on the horse. For your information, it is not easy holding a spear two-handed while guiding horse simply with your legs. Moving another strike at a Nogrodion, Silvanna thanks to the chaos of the battle, mistimed. The spear indeed meets the neck of its target. However it got stuck at a tree nearly throwing Silvanna off her horse if not for her letting go of her weapon. Paying it no mind (and making a mental note to find it later), Silvanna draws the short sword at the side of her stirrup before slashing another Nogrodion trying to take advantage of the weaponless rider.
Meanwhile the battle gets more chaotic as Alliance and Nogrodion soldiers grapple with one another. Standing out from all the Nogrodions is the large bulk of Mao Zheng wielding a large axe slamming through the kite shields of any soldier that dares face him alone. Everywhere the battle rages. A soldier of Lescanna cut through a charging Nogrodion with his sword while a Nord without hesitation plunges his spear at the gut of a moaning Nogrodion still trying to claw his arms on the greaves of the Northman.
Leading her horse, Silvanna charges towards a Nogrodion trying to choke the life of a soldier with Arendellian colours on the ground, her sword cutting off the head before moving on. With all the chaos, the Knightess never sees the spear put in front of her catching her by surprise as without warning her horse stumbles making her fly for a second or two before crashing to the earth at her back, the metal cap she's wearing flying somewhere.
Blinking the dizziness away she only has a second to see a Nogrodion trying to plant an axe on her while she's down. Hand holding the sword, she barely manages to block the attack before kicking the hand away with one of her legs. The Nogrodion however seems even more motivated as he makes another sweep forcing Silvanna, this time a little bit more conscious to parry the axe head. Another strike results to another parry but Silvanna this time throws the attack upward causing the man to lose balance. Without hesitation she swipes at the feet of the man causing him to howl as he crashes on his back, a couple of feet missing. Another Nogrodion comes to the aid of his comrade attempting to plunge a sword in her chest. Silvanna simply twists her body gracefully that the sword misses before grabbing the arm holding the blade. Not letting go and pulling herself upward, Silvanna aims to kick the man at the head only for him to raise a square shield. It's a good plan. Unfortunately the golden booted kick has magic behind it and the man squeals as the shield vibrates and smashes into his head directly. Silvanna wastes no time plunging her own sword to his exposed side before pushing him off. Arendellian soldiers immediately start regrouping around her covering her flanks as the battle rages on.
Meanwhile Mao Zheng on the other hand smashes into pulp the brains of another soldier only to howl in surprise and pain as a green cloaked figure appears at his side and plunges a large knife deep into him. He barely manages to regain his senses when another green cloaked figure inserts another knife at the opposite side causing him to stumble on his knees. Another figure appears at his back and pushes another making Mao Zheng black out as his face eats dirt.
The battle however goes on. Riders are pulled down their horses. Men tear each other apart and the cries of the wounded and the dying only reverberate the cries of carrion eaters above them. Silvanna herself is doing her best to deal as much damage as possible to their enemy. Punching again and again at the face of a Nogrodion, she finishes with a fluid stroke that cut half of his head. A war cry however makes her eyes widen as a burning Nogrodion rushes at her with a poleaxe forcing the Knightess to barely parry the surprise attack before hitting her feet at a dead body causing her to fall at her back. For a moment Silvanna sees her life flashing through her eyes as the burning man raises the poleaxe above his head to bisect her when the Winged figure of Matthias rides past, his sabre cutting the man down from the back.
A red and orange figure passes through Silvanna, a bastard sword cutting and parrying down Nogrodions giving time for the Knightess to regain her footing. A small smile through the blood-stained armour of Xi, Silvanna notices the gleaming eyes of Mulan. She has no time to dwell on it though as she returns on cutting Nogrodions down. Soldiers are fighting for their lives everywhere and more than one is down at the ground simply trying to bash the faces in of their foes. Silvanna herself is trying to push off a dying Nogrodion leaning on her chest coping a feel of her even as she stabs him with her sword. The battle however goes on even more. A soldier would stab an enemy dead on the ground and while he's taking a breathe; a Nogrodion would rush past him cracking his skull with a mace; around the battle goes without stop and rest.
It becomes obvious though immediately who the winners of the battle would be as Silvanna stabs her latest Nogrodion squealing on the ground before looking up and finding no one to target anymore. Soldiers are finishing off the last of the wounded barbarians on the ground and more than one is crying in relief at having survived the ordeal. Men are moving around searching for familiar faces or dealing the mercy blows at their comrades too wounded to be brought to the healers. Smoke and fire is everywhere as the burning forest claims its prize of death today.
Silvanna simply tiredly stumbles before a steady hand of Amelia stabilizes her. Looking at the blood caked and soot covered young woman, Silvanna only gulps as she accepts wordlessly the golden spear of Arendelle that her squire hands over to her. Raising it over her head, once more the Knightess' clear voice can be heard through the din of the fires and moaning of the dead.
"VICTORY!"
The war against Nogrod is finally over. Arendelle has won.
…..
A figure stands on the forest hill overlooking the battle. Two pairs of eyes, one yellow and the other violet watches in savage glee at the figure raising the spear. A long elongated tongue licks its violet chapped lips showing fangs instead of normal teeth. A grin only appears on his face as the mutated arm leans over a tree. Yes, his plan is going very well. The Nogrodions have served their purpose and he is almost at the final stages of the plan of his.
His eyes remain glued however to the white figure with blonde hair hungrily. He can't wait to have her and he almost can't wait for tomorrow. She might have thought that it is victory, and she would be right as they cheered the word again and again. However what she does not know that it is his victory, not hers. Oh if only she knows the danger that she is in right now.
Eyes stare at the beautiful figure laughing as it hugs the other young woman and a thoughtful frown appears on his face. Perhaps that other woman would be serving an extra purpose that what he originally planned for her. Nevertheless, he can't wait for tomorrow.
…..
Author's Note:
Hii soo the War arc is finished. The next arc is probably one of the darkest part of the story so bear with me okay? Please continue to comment and review this story for your opinions are the songs that brighten this writer's heart.
Can anyone guess who the observer is?
Thank you for the reviews Mad Zinger and pup. I appreciate it. The three some by the way from before is just a spur of the moment. I never actually planned for Amelia to join in.
Ill think about writing the lemon scenes in a separate story to maintain this into a T.
