Chapter 17: Battle for the Crow's Nest
On this day the weather was unseasonably warm, there was no snow fall and only a light, cool breeze. Elsa stood in the courtyard where three-hundred men stood at attention. Four hundred more would stay behind to watch over the city while the rest of the legion was positioned outside the city limits, awaiting their queen to lead their march. She held the reigns of her horse in one hand as she spoke to the Arendelle castle overseer and her trusted friend, "I leave Arendelle castle in your capable hands Kai."
"Rest assured your majesty, it will stand better now than it has at the hands of our recent guest." he said with a smirk.
"We have a great deal to thank him for Kai. I more so than anybody."
"And I am thankful to him your grace, for keeping you and the kingdom safe...not for taking apart your ancestral home piece by piece."
Elsa laughed slightly at his cussed remark, before putting a hand on his shoulder, "Be safe Kai."
"And you your majesty, return to us in good health."
"I shall do my best." she said with a reassuring smile.
He bowed before turning and walking back to the steps towards the palace entrance and Elsa then turned to see Aldren and Anna approach with their own horses. Her Master of War bowed his head, "We are ready your grace."
She nodded, mounting her own horse. Positioning herself close to his mount as she whispered to him with fake annoyance, "Do you remember our last discussion about you calling me 'your grace'?" She said with a raised eyebrow.
His face became more serious, "It is important that I refer to you as such in the presence of your army, you are the queen, you are my queen and everyone should remember that."
She sighed, "Very well, in public 'your grace'. But otherwise..." she lightly punched his arm.
She then looked to her sister and smiled, Anna nodded back; the look of determination on her face was unmistakable. This was it...They marched to confront a foreign invader and reclaim the lands and the people that were taken from them. All the might of Arendelle at her back to achieve their purpose: to wage a war, a war they could not lose... There would be no turning back from here...and there was no point delaying it any further, not with so many people counting on them.
She rode forward to address her troops, "We march for Hammerhel... To war!"
In response they shouted and stamped their spears against the ground in readiness. Giving her sister and Aldren one last friendly smile before directing her steed towards the gates. Aldren and Anna rode a few paces behind her on either flank and each of the three companies began filing out behind them, the sound of heavy boots marching growing louder and louder as each company followed the next.
Soon they were heading through the middle of the city streets as they made their way beyond. Citizens waved and tossed flowers at the feet of their queen, princess and the many fathers, brothers and sons who marched behind them. Eventually they had left the security of the port city and the hooves of their horses no longer clapped against stone but walked upon grass. Baldrek, Barec and Gillian sat upon their own horses ahead of the legion joining the flanks behind Anna and Aldren. Soon the whole of the Arendelle army formed behind their queen as she led them further and further away. Turning to the southwest she led the long train of steel clad warriors, supply wagons and siege weapons down the paths, clear of trees, towards Hammerhel.
Her attention was drawn to the sound of a high pitched screech in the sky above, Trolgon was following them. Another one of her 'children' that she treasured though he may not be flesh and blood, another life to fear for ...She could only hope that his curiosity didn't drive him to investigate danger and that he'd keep out of harm's way.
She then looked behind her and for the first time truly saw the scale of the army that followed in her wake, her heart skipped a beat as the reality of what they were setting out to do truly started to dawn on her. 'War', the word had sounded awkward and foreign when she spoke it earlier...She forced herself to focus back on the horizon and the battle ahead, she would not deny it...she was afraid but she would not be dissuaded from her course, not now, not ever, they would fight...and they would win...
OoO
The air was still as a light snow fell across the forge lands as the Arendelle army marched through at a steady rate. Though Arendellians were no strangers to the cold some would fare better than others, but even so their progress was not slowed. These lands were known for being rich in ore used for the production of the kingdom's weapons and armor. Since the peaceful years under the rule of Elsa's father these lands had lost much of their significance to the kingdom save for perhaps horseshoes, arrow heads for hunters, pitchforks, shovels or the occasional wood cutter's axe. But now the reclamation of this region would be vital for their ongoing war effort. As well they could not afford to set up camp in the open, not with multiple places from which their enemy could strike. This meant that Hammerhel would have to be taken immediately since they needed a secure a position from which to plan their next moves.
However, the Embercrow seat of power sat high on the rocky foothills of southern Arendelle known as 'The Crow's Talons'. While it was certainly no mountain, the slopes here made it difficult for any approaching army to even reach it. This, coupled with high walls and sniper towers made breaching the gates nearly impossible for most standard attacking forces. Aldren knew that a prolonged siege would almost certainly break the inexperienced Arendelle army.
If Hammerhel had indeed fallen to the enemy, he suspected there had been a lax in security since his father's passing and the battle hardened Naga Ai would not so easily yield the fortress. Even now as he rode alongside the queen his head raced with possible strategies and methods on how to take Hammerhel from the naga. He discussed some of his thoughts with Elsa while they rode.
"So your ancestral home...will be a challenge?" She asked.
"I'm afraid so," he said. Rubbing his chin as he spoke. "My father rebuilt Hammerhel to withstand a siege and we have neither the resources nor the manpower to begin one...were going to have to find another way." He seemed to say more to himself than Elsa.
Elsa took a moment to think before speaking again, "What about the gate?"
"Impregnable: Iron doors with steel bars to strengthen it and I'd imagine that the Naga will have further reinforced the gate to make it even more difficult to breach."
Elsa smiled, "Maybe I can do something about that."
Aldren looked at her with a raised eyebrow, "Have you ever dealt with something that large before?"
"Well...I once broke down a stone wall, granted an iron gate is a bit different than that. But I suppose there's a first time for everything."
"But is it worth the risk...?"
"Aldren, if we can't get past the gate anyway then there isn't much point to any of it. But if I can get close enough I can break through that gate and get our army inside, from there it should be easy right?"
"Hmm perhaps...or perhaps there is something less ruinous and more tactful."
"And what might that be?"
Aldren spoke in a more hushed tone now, "When my father rebuilt Embercrow Keep from the ruin it was before, he created a hidden passage that lead outside to the entrance of a 'abandoned' mine shaft. King Agnarr didn't even know of it and only a few trusted staff of our house and members of the Embercrow line were trusted with the knowledge of its existence. I often used it to get home when I was young to avoid...everyone else...But if a small group could use this passage to make their way into the keep they could open the gate from within as we begin our assault on the walls-"
"Hammerhel would be ours within moments!", she said in an almost excited tone. "That does sound like a good plan, and one that will not cost us greatly. It shall be as you say then...lord Embercrow."
He nodded, "Your grace."
She was content in the plan that Aldren had devised but there was a new question that now gnawed at her mind. "Aldren?"
"Hmm?"
"When you-...when your family was trapped by the fire...why didn't they use this passage?" She asked cautiously.
He breathed in deeply, "Well, you see the passage doesn't lead into the main hall, it feeds into another chamber further within that is protected by an iron door, a door only we knew how to open, only...it was not within reach for any of us, the flames had already spread too far to use it and I was not strong enough to remove the obstacles in their path..."
She nodded putting a hand on his shoulder and he gave her a reassuring smile. She then she looked behind her, past the other riders, walking with chains around his wrists was their naga Prisoner: Meren. Two guards walked on either side of him and he wore a cloak over his shoulders to keep him warm though he still appeared to have little tolerance for the cold. Turning back to Aldren with a slightly disconcerted expression, "So why are we bringing him along with us, other than to learn information from him when we need it?"
"I believe we should learn more about the naga as a people, it's important we understand our enemy in all their aspects if we are to defeat them. After speaking with him for some time I learned a few things, I do not believe he will cause any problems."
Elsa nodded, "Do you trust him?"
He chuckled, "Trust? No."
"Then you respect him?"
"I respect that he is a man."
She gave him a smug, disbelieving expression.
He rolled his eyes, "Well not a man technically but... a person. A person who bleeds the same red blood as we do, who has a family and his own 'human' struggles...just like us. And that makes him easy to relate to even if we are at war with his people."
"Perhaps you are right...I just hope he is as compliant in the future as he was with you, not everyone will share the same sentiment that you do, which could put his life and lives of others at risk if he tries anything."
"We shall find out soon enough."
He looked at the ground ahead which had become more like rocks than grass and dirt, the vegetation lessened but there were still groves of trees to be found throughout. "We're getting close."
OoO
Anna could overhear most of their conversation but she wasn't really concerned with any of it, until they spoke of their naga prisoner. She didn't want to feel the way she did about them and she knew that there was truth in what Aldren said...but still. She looked over her shoulder towards the prisoner, trying her best not to glare but it would seem she did not succeed. He saw her stare and shifted uncomfortably under her gaze of her piercing blue/green eyes. He turned his head away in the hopes that she would direct her gaze elsewhere...but she held her gaze.
She no longer tried to hide her hate and when he looked back and saw her hard, pitiless eyes lock with his he nearly froze in place were it not for the guardsmen ushering him forward. He swallowed hard as her hand reached down and grasped the handle of a dagger on her hip... he had received her message, it was something she had decided long ago: if he did anything that caused harm to Elsa, Aldren or Kristoff or any Arendellian for that matter...she would not hesitate.
She turned her head away from Meren and back towards her sister and Aldren, she smiled as she saw the two of them together. They were more than just a good team, even if neither of them had made any 'advances' yet. Even underneath all the chaos and hardship that surrounded her, she imagined if Elsa had with Aldren what she had with Kristoff...she wanted that for them, maybe just maybe after all the chaos had come back to peace...they could.
OoO
A thick grove of evergreens now stood in their path, Elsa held up a closed fist and the army halted behind her. Handing her reigns off to a soldier she, Aldren, Anna and Baldrek and Barec dismounted their horses.
"Gillian, hold here while we look ahead."
"Yes your grace."
Drawing their weapons, the five started to cautiously make their way through the grove, after several minutes they came to a clearing and could see Hammerhel atop it's rocky slopes. They all crouched together at the edge of the forest out of sight, the only part of the stronghold they could see were the black stone walls that were at least twelve feet high. The banner of the horned viper stood above the battlements where Embercrow flags should be. And on those battlements were Naga Ai troopers; their crimson metal armor encasing their entire bodies, the viper faced helms acting as a bestial facade that hid all skin or human features.
Standing atop the center of the battlements was a naga in black and red higher quality, more sophisticated armor with symbols and engravings that set him apart from his kin. On his back was a two handed longsword with a wicked fanged tip. Aldren then noticed the rifles the naga used: vertical, twin barrels, with blade like metal edges around them in various configurations more for style and intimidation than any function, all attached to wooden stock with a trigger. As well, the two sniper towers had now been refitted with large cannons: sheets of angular thick metal around a conductive, ventilated barrel, a glowing red central gem within the base of the weapon. Fixed to the platform of each tower on a mechanical swivel, a single Naga Ai soldier sat behind each one with fingers on the triggers, scanning the area for anything to fire upon.
A feeling of dread and loathing filled him at the sight of these weapons, hissing under his breath with disdain, "Tyranite..."
Elsa looked to him, with a questioning look, "Tyranite?"
Aldren turned to Barec, "Did they use these weapons against you at River view?"
"Yes my lord, although those bigger ones are...bigger."
The whole group now looked to Aldren as he explained, "I have seen these weapons like before: used by the Caldarian empire. They fire fast moving, arcane crystalline projectiles that are slightly poisonous."
"Well that sounds lovely..." Baldrek commented.
"But it's only lethal in large quantities, only temporary illness in smaller amounts. That is if you don't take one of the shards to a vital area."
"That doesn't make me feel any better." Barec replied
The master of war continued, "They can only fire twice before they have to reload and our shields will be able to deflect them but those cannons are going to be a greater complication."
Anna chimed in after deliberating a brief moment, "Gillian's scorpions, we have two of them right? We can start the attack by hitting the cannons first so our army won't take as much of a beating, they should be able to take them out if we get the drop on them."
"That would do the trick."
Elsa nodded, "Very well, once the cannons are down, Aldren and I will lead the attack from the front, Anna you will follow with the archers in the rear and give us support."
"The grove will conceal our army until we are ready." Aldren added.
Elsa turned to Baldrek, "While the Naga ai are occupied with us it will be up to you to open the gate and let us through."
"Get us inside and we'll have that gate open in no time."
Aldren nodded "I will show you the way in."
Barec spoke once again, "There's something else you should know: that warrior standing above the gate, he is one of the sorcerers that attacked us at Riverview."
Aldren gripped his chin, "Then it is critical that her grace and I engage them first, our powers may be the only thing that gives us an edge over them."
Elsa nodded, looking around at all, "Does everyone know their part?"
They each nodded reaffirming their commitment, Anna spoke last with searing resolve, "It's time to show them whose kingdom this is!" she slammed a fist into her palm to emphasize.
And with that the group split: Aldren, Barec and Baldrek went East to find the hidden entrance while Elsa and Anna went back to lead the awaiting army.
OoO
Baldrek and Barec led a group of ten Arendelle soldiers through the dark of the hidden passage to Embercrow keep, most were armed with sword and shield save for a few that carried spears while Barec carried a bow. The lights of their torches the only source of illumination in the darkness of the ragged rock walls. It would take some time to reach Hammerhel through the tunnel so Baldrek decided to break the silence with his rough voice, "So Barec...what made you join the guardsmen eh?" he asked looking back at him.
Barec looked up and thought for a moment, "My brother...Derad."
"Yeah?"
"He always wanted to us to join together, said it would be a meaningful way to spend our lives. But... I was always a hunter, that was my calling, a simple one but my calling nonetheless. After all a man should do what he's good at, I had my hunting and you with your ice harvesting right?"
"Right..."
"Anyway...one-day I uh-I was in the Troll's Pine woods and had a stag in my sights, Derad and I would've eaten well that night...but I wasn't the only hunter out there that day. I guess that wolf thought I would be an easier meal than the deer, I wasn't able to turn fast enough to shoot him. He mauled my arm first...I don't think I've ever felt pain like I did that day. I was unbelievably lucky that my brother and his group were escorting a lumber shipment from Riverview, they heard my screams and ran to save me. But before they could reach me the wolf's jaws clamped around my head... and his fang went right across my eye...That's how I got this." He pointed to his scarred, faded eye.
Baldrek nodded, his face more sympathetic than before as Barec continued with his story. "But before he could crush my head, Derad showed up with the other guardsmen, my brother charged the wolf and stuck his spear through its shoulder. When the wolf howled in pain my head was free and I managed to draw my dagger and drive it right into his heart. The beast slumped dead atop of me. Derad and the others carried me back to town, got me patched up, if my brother hadn't been there...Anyway I felt like I owed him so I joined up with the guard and we've been doing that together ever since. But now this has happened and I owe it to Derad to free him from these monsters, these 'naga'...I have to."
Baldrek looked him in the eye and patted him on his back, "You will."
Barec smiled and nodded, a faint hope still in him, aided by the certainty of his comrade's statement. He then turned the question around on the tall, ginger north man, "What about you, why lay down ice harvesting and join the queen's army?"
"To tell the truth? When I heard that the kingdom was under attack I didn't want to just sit back and pretend it wasn't happening like everyone else. I wanted to make a difference, you know...do something meaningful, no matter how small my role...and after all; all of this helps in a fight." he joked, gesturing to himself with sarcastic narcissism.
Barec chuckled and rolled his eyes, "Well we're doing something meaningful alright, but our role certainly isn't small..."
Baldrek laughed, "No it's not! I supposed I should count myself lucky though: I left Ashla's Pike to join the queen's army not long before the Naga Ai attacked it."
"Really? You live there?"
"Mm hmm, born and... well born anyway."
"I...guess you'll be glad to see your home city...liberated."
"Well, I don't really have any special ties to it or anything but I will be glad to see the naga scurry away from it when they see us coming. And who knows we may even-"
He was stopped when he ran head first into something, everyone else bumping into each other down the line. Baldrek straightened his helmet and held his torch up to whatever it was he ran into...what he saw was a tall, wide, black metal door with a flaming crow engraved into its surface. "We're here."
Searching for a moment he found a lever on the side wall, pulling it and a metallic hiss and thud followed, just as Lord Embercrow said it would. A dim light peaked through the crack where the door had opened, slowly pushing it open with his arm still holding the torch while his other hand rested on his ax at his side. The room was empty, from where he stood he saw a wooden desk with a tall, ornate chair. There were several weapon displays around the room with swords, axes and shields, and a red velvet couch directly across from him.
He turned back to the group, "Snuff the torches."
Doing as he said everyone dropped the torches and stamped them out with their feet, opening the door to its full width, they filed into the room which was spacious enough for all of them to fit easily. There were no lanterns or torches in the room but there were small vents in ceiling where the dim light of the winter days could leak through.
While everyone else took a moment to breathe fresh air again and search around the room Baldrek's attention was drawn to a large painting that sat behind the desk: a tall man with stark black hair, chocolate brown eyes and fair skin, his expression stern and even slightly grim. Clad in black steel armor that bore the same Embercrow sigil on the chest plate while the helm had two detailed, steel crow's wings that curved upwards and back from the forehead almost like horns. In one hand he held a two handed warhammer and the other was around the waste of a beautiful woman with brown hair and sky blue eyes and the similarly fair skin to her husbands. She wore an elegant dress that was the same color as her eyes with a silver and gold star embroidered on the chest, a subtle yet satisfied smile across her lips.
Both of her hands rested on the shoulders of a young boy whose hair was the same as his father's but his eyes were a deep crimson: a contrast to his families. He wore a black shirt and pants with leather shoulder guards and boots. His hand reached up and grasped his mother's while the other was over the shoulder and across the chest of a younger girl with chocolate eyes like her father but her mother's brown hair and the fair skin of both. She wore a black dress with a flaming crow stitched into the skirt. Both the children had toothy, joyful grins plastered on their faces like most children should...but it was impossible not to recognize the young boy.
Barec walked up behind Baldrek, looking at the painting as well, "Is that...lord Aldren's family?"
"Looks like it."
"What happened to them?"
"I don't know..."
Then Baldrek noticed on a mantle below the painting rested a Black steel warhammer: the large, angular hammering face was engraved with etchings that resmembked whipping flames that started from the face of the hammer and traveled back. A curved spike in the image of a black crow's head guarded the other side, made for piecing armor if the blunt force wasn't enough. Tight leather wrappings ran down the handle of the weapon that ended at a blunt steel pommel that curved forward slightly. The weapon despite having sat unused or so long was pristine and mighty as it should be, finally he noticed two runes engraved into the head of the hammer that made him wish he could read the ancient language of his ancestors. A fearsome weapon more than likely forged by the hand of Aldric Embercrow himself, the same hammer in the painting. Baldrek admired the beauty of the weapon and could not help but imagine what it might be like to wield such a weapon.
His thoughts were interrupted when one of the others called for his attention behind him on the other side of the, "Baldrek, over here."
He and Barec turned and walked over to them, they all gathered around a set of metal double doors with similar style and engravings to the first. Baldrek stepped ahead of the group and saw a handle attached to circular dial protruding from the middle between both doors. Grasping it with one hand he looked over his shoulder and put a finger to his lips. His eyes now locked on the handle he turned it as gingerly as possible, his teeth clenching when it squeaked slightly, eventually there was a soft thud and he pressed against just enough to see through a crack of the door...
At first all he saw was the back of another ornate chair with a desk ahead of it, beyond that there were only eight tables with benches around them and six support beams that stretched from the floor to the ceiling. The main hall seemed empty and he considered moving the group ahead...
Something moved in front of the door, his heart beating faster as he froze in place, not daring to move a single muscle. Slowly he looked up and felt relief when he saw a naga trooper with its back turned to them, he stood holding his rifle and hadn't noticed the cracked door...yet. Baldrek watched as several other naga entered the room from the left, some taking seats around the benches to eat rations while others chose to stand and began conversing in their foreign language. Among them was a larger warrior, as tall as he was, who leaned against a wooden support beam and carried a two handed mace, a metallic horn protruded from the front of his helm... similar to captain Dane who had led the first assassination attempt on Queen Elsa.
He counted nine in total, including the one at the door. Backing away he turned to the group and held up seven fingers then a closed fist signaling for them to be ready. Everyone drew their weapons as quietly as possible, Barec pulling an arrow from the quiver at his side and Baldrek taking his ax from his. He watched again through the crack to see if anything had changed, he saw that the trooper in front of the door had walked ahead a few paces joining in whatever conversation the others were having...perfect.
Charging through the door the Arendelle soldiers caught the group of naga by surprise and set upon them. Baldrek first grabbed the trooper's shoulder from behind and swung his ax into the side of his knee, as the Naga fell to their knees Baldrek flipped his ax around and put the spike through the back of his helm. Barec shot one in the throat before they could rise from their seat and a spear flew into the chest of another trooper who charged with sword in hand.
As Baldrek removed his ax from his first kill, he saw the larger naga swing their mace into the shield of one of his fellows knocking them across the room. Baldrek charged the warrior but the brute saw him coming and took their mace in both hands, roaring as they swung downward at him. Baldrek caught the weapon against the length of his, grunting from the force and parried it down to the floor. Before he could counter the naga punched him across the side of his helm, Baldrek gritted his teeth into a snarl as he turned back, quickly head butting his opponent. In pain and shock the naga stumbled and grasped his head with one hand. The north man took this opportunity to kick away their weapon and slam his ax into their chest, dropping them to their knees, then ripping it away and swinging it across their helm. Seeing the others had been finished off the ninth bolted for the door of the hall, Baldrek was about to throw his ax but didn't get the chance when an arrow flew past him and struck the fleeing naga square in the back.
As the final naga dropped in front of him Baldrek turned to see Barec who had saved them from being exposed. They all fell silent and listened to make sure their clash hadn't been heard, after a few more moments of silence they breathed again. Baldrek voice was a whisper now as he spoke, "I think we're OK...alright, let's move."
None of their company had been killed and they helped the one that had been thrown across the room to his feet. While the rest of the group moved towards the opposite end of the hall, Baldrek closed the door to the secret room out of respect before joining the others.
"Our entrance wasn't exactly subtle." Barec commented.
"No. But it was exciting, wouldn't you say?"
Barec shook his head. "You're a madman..."
They all gathered around the doors of the main hall, Baldrek holstered his ax and placed a hand on one door. Pushing it open slightly he looked through the crack and saw enemy soldiers of many types patrolling or guarding throughout the streets of Hammerhel. The streets and homes that should have been filled with Arendellian citizen and town's folk were replaced with the crimson hordes of the Naga Ai. In the far distance ahead he could see the main gate, naga rifles lining the battlements...and the naga sorcerer methodically pacing above the gate.
Baldrek would continue to watch through the cracked door until the right moment for them to make their move, "Now we wait for the queen to start the attack, then we'll rush the gate..."
OoO
Elsa and Aldren crouched in the foliage at the edge of the grove, surrounded by a small guard of shield bearers. To either side of them were ten companies of soldiers with ladders that would serve as the front line that awaited their command, Gillian's two scorpions had been set up and aimed directly at the enemy canons and Anna's archers waited in the back to support them from range once the attack began.
Elsa spoke to her Master of War, "Once we start the attack it will be up to them to open the gate for us."
"They will...and we will win this battle."
"We will win this war." she said putting a hand on his shoulder.
He smiled and nodded to her.
Elsa exhaled heavily as she stood, drawing Dragon's flight from her back, Aldren drew Black Autumn from its scabbard and every soldier drew swords, readied spears and knocked arrows. Gillian approached the scorpion and whispered to the soldier operating it "Hop off boy, this is my moment." The soldier complied and stepped down from the weapon, Gillian climbed up and chuckled to himself as he prepared to fire his own creation "I've been waiting for this."
Elsa raised her spear overhead and held it for a few moments before swinging downward, Gillian's scorpion fired first: the five-foot bolt flew through the air and punched right down the barrel of the enemy cannon. The weapon exploded into a ball of bristling red energy that killed the gunner and sent pieces of sharp metal and wood flying into the rows of naga on the walls, the second scorpion hit the side of the second cannon and knocked it on its side.
Elsa held her spear out in front of her, pointing towards Hammerhel with vengeful purpose as she shouted, "FOR ARENDELLE!"
A booming war cry roared from her army before charging from the grove up the rocky slope to Hammerhel's walls. Elsa and Aldren joined shortly after with their escort of shield bearers flanking them. As they reached the beginning of the slope, their boots digging into the ground, legs pushing with all their strength, struggling slightly to make their ascension, the Naga Ai already peppered them with rifle fire. The red crystalline projectiles brought down any who did not raise their shields in time or simply avoided getting hit.
Finally, they made it to the top and their army swarmed around the walls of the fortress and began raising ladders to climb the wall. Anna and the Archers had taken position midway up the slope and began firing volleys onto the enemy gunners, Naga Ai began falling over and backward from the wall as arrows bombarded their lines. Elsa breathed heavily as the battle raged around her, a swarm of Arendelle soldiers in front of the gate's with their shields held above them to block enemy fire. She watched as Aldren stepped out from the escort and began deflecting tyranite shards with the face of his sword even reflecting some back into the chests and faceplates of the one's that fired them.
Even in the tensest situation of her life she wondered if she could do the same, stepping out front beside Aldren. When she looked up at the wall she was staring down the barrel of an enemy rifle, pulling the trigger and releasing the two tyranite shards flew towards her, she froze...but her weapon did not. As if acting on its own, her hands spun Dragon's Flight faster than she ever thought possible, the flat faces of her spear tips deflecting both shards back into the trooper that fired them. As the naga fell dead from the wall Elsa looked at her weapon in surprise and shock, then turning she saw Aldren smile proudly, nodding to her before returning to the fight and Elsa continued to grow more and more adept at deflecting enemy fire as the battle went on.
The naga fought fiercely to keep the Arendellians from climbing up: firing rifles, dropping rocks, kicking, battering them with sword and mace, stabbing with spears and some even descending from the wall to fight them on the ground. The fight up the walls was hard but the soldiers of the north fought against the naga fiercer still: spearing them, bashing them with their shields, crushing them under their axes and swords, even throwing them from the wall. Some ladders were kicked from the walls but their army made it to the top to fight nonetheless. Unfortunately, the secondary cannon had not been completely destroyed, the operator flipped it back up and fired a large bristling bolt of arcane energy into the army below, sending northern soldiers flying back from its impact point.
When Elsa saw this she fired a bolt of ice that clogged the end of the cannon before it could fire another shot. The gunner did not realize her sabotage and fired anyway, with nowhere to go the projectile within erupted outward destroying the weapon, the gunner, and the tower it had sat in, creating chaos behind the naga lines that worked to their advantage.
Yet there was still another obstacle: the sorcerer on the wall held a hand in the air, a swirling vortex of black and violet energy swirled around his hand before he launched it into three of the shield bearers at her left, exploding against their shields and knocking them away from her side.
Her face became a wrathful glare and before the sorcerer could create another spell she sent a wave of ice at him. Her enemy managed to create a magical barrier to block her attack but the force from it made him stumble backwards. He launched his dark spell directly at her but this time she created a more powerful projectile that collided with his in the air, the force of her ice magic tore through his and shattered against his chest plate. A pained shout escaped his mouth as he sent spinning backwards out of sight.
"Good riddance." she said, sneering at his demise.
However, the upper walls had received reinforcements and more rifles aimed down at them preparing to fire. But their attention turned skyward when a shrill screeching pierced the air, before most of them could fire they were struck by a pillar of chill frost to be either frozen in place or blown from the top of the wall.
Elsa and Aldren looked up to see that their Trolgon had joined the fight and was more adept in combat than she would've imagined, flying over the walls and assaulting the defending force with his breath of ice and wind. He had managed to grow even larger since they left Arendelle, larger than a draft horse, he could be observed flying low to grab an enemy in his talons and drop them. Their screams as they fell from the air onto fellow naga troops or the ground spread terror and panic as he harassed their lines.
The battle was going in their favor but they were locked in a stalemate with their enemy. They still needed Baldrek and Barec to open the gate to let their army through but until then they would continue to fight...
OoO
Baldrek and his company continued to watch from the cracked door of Embercrow hall, until they noticed a curious sight: small clusters of people sneaking through the alleys moving their direction and taking different positions out of sight near the hall. Some wore simple, black leather armor that bore the Embercrow sigil on the shoulder, while others appeared to be ordinary townsfolk wearing improvised armor and holding weapons they likely didn't know how to use. Including a few who carried stolen Naga Ai rifles. An older man with graying beard, thinning hair and weary hazel eyes who wore Embercrow armor looked to be directing this rag-tag resistance group.
It would seem they were attempting to sneak into Embercrow hall where Baldrek and his group already had, but for what purpose he could not guess. Before he could speculate any further a loud boom emanated from the gate's direction that shook them in their boots and surprised the resistance group. Naga warriors left their post and began rushing for the front wall, the number of enemy troops lessened but they continued passing by at a steady rate.
The resistance leader decided it was their moment, charging from his hiding spot and thrusting his sword into the side of a passing naga. The others followed and attacked any other naga that ran into their amateur trap, doing their best in engaging the better equipped and more skillful enemy. Baldrek decided to make their move, bursting through the double doors he grabbed the arm of a naga rushing to kill a rebel, swinging them around and punching them across the jaw, knocking them out. Turning, he swung his ax with both hands into their chest of another, knocking them into the dirt.
Barec shot another that tried to shoot Baldrek from behind and the rest of the company rushed to aid the rebels. Baldrek turned and saw a naga brute grab the rebel leader's chest and slam him to the ground, raising their battle ax to crush him. Sprinting forward he caught the brute's weapon just before it could come down, pushing their weapon upward he kicked his enemy's knee dropping them low and slashed them across the helm.
He then held his hand out to the resistance leader, though surprised he grasped the hand and Baldrek pulled him to his feet. "Were you sent by the queen?"
"I'm with the queen, she has an army at the walls now but we need to open the gate to let them in."
The older man hesitated a moment, looking back between Baldrek and the keep, sighing he nodded his agreement. "Everyone make for the gate!"
Dealing with any remaining enemy in their vicinity, the combined forces of the infiltrators and rebels fought their way through the few naga that stood in their path. Pushing forward to the gates while the battle at the wall raged on around them. Once the gate was in sight a handful of naga troopers spotted them coming from the wall and shot at them as they approached. Baldrek's men raised their shields and protected as many of the resistance fighters as they could. If they could just get closer, they would be protected from above by the roof of the gatehouse.
Looking up, Baldrek saw a naga stuck in the chest with an arrow fall from the wall, but looking behind him he saw that the naga had managed to nail Barec in the shoulder. He was laying on the ground, groaning and clutching his wounded arm. Grabbing a shield from a fallen foe Baldrek rushed to his friend's side, kneeling and protecting him from the incoming fire. Tyranite fire peppered his shield and with no opening, Baldrek did not believe he or Barec could escape and live. But his prayers were answered when a pair of icy talons grabbed two of the naga by their heads and carried them screaming into the sky, sending the others into a momentary shock.
Sheathing his ax and slinging the shield on his back, he put his arms underneath Barec's and started dragging him to the gatehouse. Some Naga still fired upon them and he could feel the shards strike his shield, one even bouncing off the back of his helm but they finally made it under the gatehouse. He set Barec up against the wall and handed off the naga shield to one of the rebels. The rebel leader looked at him disbelievingly, "Was that a dragon?!"
"Uh...long story."
They both turned to see a large group of enemy troops charging at them. Baldrek and five others turned their attention to the heavy wooden bar that secured the gate while the others formed a defensive line to shield them while they worked. They first had to hack away the two metal chains that held the bar in place, then they each hooked their arms under the bar and lifted with all of their strength. Baldrek's built up brawn as a former ice harvester aided them greatly in this task. Once they removed the bar and threw it to the ground they grabbed the gates handles and pulled, though they did not have to try very hard as the bulk of the Arendelle army came pouring through the open gate.
Baldrek held his ax up in a battle cry and joined the mass of northern warriors as their spears and blades met the naga lines in a violent clash in the Hammerhel courtyard, meanwhile Anna and her archers ascended the wall and fired down on enemies from above. The naga force was larger than anticipated, the Arendellian soldiers were fighting with less armor and fewer weapons than their enemy. But the naga armies fought out of fear or savage blood lust and both can only sustain an army in battle for so long. The Arendellians fought for something greater: they fought for the freedom of their families, their homeland, and for the people who gave them the means to do so, they were fighting for their queen and lord...and that is why they would triumph.
The northmen pushed their enemy further back into Hammerhel as they slowly began to get the better of them, parting the naga lines like wind through grass. Baldrek's generally quiet and reserved attitude at court might have lead one to believe he would be timid in a fight. That would be the last mistake anyone to face him would ever make as a symphony of Barbaric shouts escaped his mouth every time he swung his ax and struck down an enemy. He had just thrown a smaller naga over his shoulder before cutting down on another, then grabbing a third who he head butted and threw into two more behind him. He roared in fury before throwing his ax forward into the chest of a charging enemy, then running over to retrieve his ax. He looked up and his heart stopped when he saw several enemy troopers with their rifles aimed at him. He instinctively tried to shield himself but felt nothing hit him, slowly lowering his arm he looked up to find a small wall of ice in his path that dissolved into vapor before his eyes, revealing the naga all frozen where they stood...
OoO
Elsa lowered her hand as she and Aldren walked to where Baldrek stood. He turned and made a quick bow, acknowledging both their presence and power which had just saved his skin. Elsa nodded back and Baldrek quickly returned to the fray of battle as she walked past the frozen warriors. More enemies charged her and she ran forward to greet them. Slashing across the neck of one, spinning forward and thrusting into the chest of another with the opposite end of Dragon's Flight. She ducked under the swing of an enemy sword and struck him in the back of the helm as he passed by. Then, thrusting into the gut of another as they doubled over, she dropped her elbow into his back forcing him to the ground.
Her blade struck across the helm of the next and she fired a bolt of ice at the chest of a rifleman. Spinning, she used her spear parrying the blade of her third opponent and bringing the end down hard she stabbed the tip into their foot. They screamed in pain as she rammed the opposite end of her weapon into their faceplate knocking them to the ground. Removing the tip from their foot and thrusting it down into their chest with both hands and twisting it. Retrieving Dragon's Flight, she turned to see four more aiming their rifles at her. She deflected their shots and outstretched her hand, a wave of icy wind forced them into the air, slamming into the side of a building and falling to the ground.
Aldren fought beside her, the blade of Black Autumn glowing bright orange, heat radiating from its surface that left burning streaks in each combatant he felled. A naga brute roared and swung down at him with a war mace. He redirected their weapon to the side, slicing cross their arm and striking their back. Darting past an enemy sword, swinging across their knee and spinning towards another, the length of his blade colliding with their chest plate. The naga with a wounded knee attempted to strike at him, he turned and caught their arm twisting it and slashing them across the throat.
Two more attacked him from either side, dodging the spear thrust from the left and elbowing the side of their head he then countered the right attacker's sword and cut the side of their helm. The left recovered and turned to attack again but Aldren swung upward and broke the tip of their spear off, jamming the pommel of his weapon into their forehead and slashing downward across their faceplate dropping them straight down. Then shooting a pillar of flame from his hand into a naga trooper before they could fire their rifle.
The Arendelle army steered clear of the streets that Aldren and Elsa fought down, for the two elementals were a lethal maelstrom of fire and ice. Their sword and spear destroyed any enemy in their path, deflecting tyranite shards, freezing and burning every foe that stood before them. The two eventually split down separate paths of the city to divide and conquer the fortress faster from two sides.
OoO
Aldren continued cutting and burning a path through the enemy, ever moving towards Embercrow hall. None who contested him offered challenge to his skill. Eventually on the path, several feet ahead of him, a ball of thick black mist descended from the sky and slammed into the ground and a naga warrior stepped out from the vale of smoke. Aldren stopped in his tracks, observing the armor and weapon style as they simply stood in place staring him down, he concluded that this was another sorcerer like the one they faced on the wall.
Rather than attacking immediately the naga drew the fanged longsword from their back, then dragging the edge across their chest plate and whipping it towards the ground. The sorcerer was challenging him, no not a sorcerer...a knight. Aldren spun his sword and struck the armor of his forearm, dragging the blade across, sparks flying from the surface. Nodding his acceptance of the challenge he took Black Autumn in both hands, looking down the length of his blade as the Naga Ai knight ran towards him.
Their blades met, and their clash could be described as a furious dance of steel. Both combatants were skilled with neither able to land a killing blow. The fire elemental wielded his sword primarily with both hands: rapid deflections paired with quick thrusts and wide swings. The Naga Ai knight hacking and slashing with one hand, brutal and brash but not without finesse. Aldren struck at his opponent's head and side, the naga blocked both strikes and cast a wave of dark magic into his chest that launched him into the side of a building. The knight then thrust at his head but Aldren dodged the potentially fatal blow and pushed the enemy forward with their own momentum causing the tip of their sword to stab into the side of the building.
Dislodging his sword, the naga swung backwards at Aldren. Blocking the blade Aldren pushed it towards the ground and followed with several quick thrusts to the face and torso but his opponent dodged them all. Aldren then thrust his hand out to fire a burst of flame but knight grabbed his arm, redirecting it skyward and the flames went flying into the air. Then his opponent spun around and elbowed Aldren in the back following with a hard swing at his neck from behind. Sensing the attack Aldren ducked under, having overextended themselves, Aldren seized the opportunity, turning back towards his enemy and struck down at their exposed arm.
The knight cried out in pain and shock, stumbling back and swinging wildly in front of himself to keep Aldren from pursuing. He looked down in alarm and saw the gash of melted steel where Black autumn had struck. The naga looked back to the Master of War who offered either continuation or a chance to surrender with his neutral stance. Hissing defiantly the naga forced himself to ignore the pain and charged the fire elemental again with sword in both hands...
OoO
Elsa jogged down the streets of Hammerhel to the Embercrow hall, a series of frozen enemies flanking her as she continued on. She saw the keep within sight but before she could relish in their imminent achievement she heard a roar from over-head and a naga warrior jumping down on her with a two handed sword. Her eyes widened before she rolled out of the way. The sword bit into the ground, and she leaped back to her feet holding her spear with both hands towards the attacker.
As the naga turned to face she could now recognize the armor and weapon, as well she saw a small dent in their chest plate that was coated in frost and flecks of ice...the same sorcerer she believed she had killed. Growling lowly, he brushed the ice away from this chest with one hand and held the tip of his fanged sword towards her threateningly. Cursing her in a voice that reeked with malice, echoing as if multiple voices spoke in unison. "Your mine, Aesir gath!"
This would be her first duel ever outside of training, but there would be no holding back, for this opponent wanted nothing more than to remove her head from her body. She prepared to defend herself as the wicked foe charged her, thrusting and swinging at her, each blow meant to savage her body. Her training helped her avoid and deflect every blow the sorcerer attempted to land on her. She tucked the spear under her arm and countered the attack, the naga blade biting into the earth. She took advantage of this opening and attempted to shoot a blast of ice into his faceplate.
A new type of attack halted her own when the opponent grabbed her arm, dark magic seeping from their hand around her wrist. She felt a piercing pain like a cluster of needles stabbing her skin beneath her armor, the sudden pain making her involuntarily scream and forcing her eyes shut. While she was stunned her adversary yanked her arm and threw her to the ground, raising his sword above to bring down on her chest.
Lying on the ground she regained enough sense to raise Dragon's Flight to block their sword as they hacked down several times trying to knock it from her hands. The sorcerer raised the sword high and swung down as hard as possible, she parried their last strike to her side, causing the enemy to overextend. She then cast a gust of frost wind into his chest, pushing them back to create distance. As she rolled backwards onto her feet, the naga swung at her again with sword in both hands, ducking past the swing she rammed the shaft of her spear into his gut making him stumble back and double over.
She now had the advantage of momentum. Revolving her weapon rapidly in both hands, striking his blade and armor with both ends even landing a few blows across his helm and chest plate, though these strikes disoriented more than harmed him. In desperation the sorcerer tried to cut down on her again in one last attempt to kill her but Elsa spun around with the Dragon's flight tilted downward over her shoulder and let the attacker's sword strike the length of her weapon. The angle of her spear caused their blade to slide off towards the ground and before he could recover she spun and thrust towards his shoulder. The lethal sharp tip of Dragon's flight pierced the armor and went right through to the other side.
A shout of pain tore its way from the naga's throat as his body bent and nearly fell. Ripping the spear out of their shoulder Elsa kicked the side of his leg, knocking him towards the side of a building. The wounded warrior struggled to hold his weight as he leaned against his sword, his breathing and grunts somewhere between rage and anguish. She watched him cautiously, hopeful that he might surrender...but his hatred drove him on. Standing and lunging forward groggily, the strike was slow and predictable. She spun Dragon's flight in one hand parrying his blade away while her other hand slammed into his chest, ice magic flowing to her palm, the force of the blow combined with the intense cold, threw him against the building and left a perfect hand shape crushed into the middle of the breast plate.
Yet even then the naga would not relent, shakily standing and throwing a weak punch at her. She caught his fist in her hand, her eyes narrowed and teeth bared in a vindictive glare. Ice creeping from her skin, coating the steel in cold, unrelenting frost that spiked outward as it spread. Grasping tighter she increased the pressure, the brittle metal cracking and warping around his hand. The Naga groaned weakly as she brought him to his knees, with a final squeeze the metal gave way completely, the sorcerer threw his head back in a scream of pure agony as she held his hand in her unyielding grip.
Elsa's eyes softened and her grip loosened as the sound of his cries sunk in, it was something she had never heard before, the sobs he emitted with every breath no longer held anger or vice...only utter suffering. She released him and he fell backwards towards the buildings side. Her face was a frown that held the slightest sympathy in it as she stood over the naga lying in agony, clutching his ruined hand. But she would not apologize...she had done what she had to. Waving her hand, the frost melted into the air providing him with at least some relief.
She turned at the sound of footsteps running towards her, another large group of naga troopers aimed their rifles. But before she could raise her hand to dispose of them, arrows flew into the necks of the middle three. Following close behind a group of Arendellian soldiers, led by Baldrek, rushed from the alleys flanking the naga from the sides.
When the remaining turned to face the threat Elsa saw her sister leaping down from a roof, both of her feet colliding into the chest of one enemy soldier, landing on top of him. Rolling off of his body as she landed, another naga's first tyranite shot missing her, she rose to her feet and swung her bow at his arms knocking the rifle from his grasp. An arrow already knocked she spun the opposite direction slicing the tip of the arrow across his throat, dropping to one knee facing the first and firing the arrow into his chest as he stood.
Elsa ran to join the combat, fearing for her sister's life as she continued to fight in the midst of the small skirmish.
OoO
Trading her bow for her sword now Anna ducked under the sword of the first challenger and sliced across his leg, she then thrust her sword forward in both hands into the chest of a second. Pulling her sword, she swung it again, this time into the back of the first wounded enemy. A third attacker attempted to punch her in the back of the head, whipping around she swiped their leg out from underneath them with her own, as they fell to the ground she plunged the blade into their back, ending him.
Another enemy approached her from behind and she swung but her arm was caught by a naga brute who then grabbed her chest plate and threw her to the ground. Her eyes wrenched shut and her teeth clenched from the impact, they widened when she saw the brute raise a warhammer overhead to crush her. Instinctively she rolled out of the way as the jagged head smashed into the dirt several times narrowly missing her.
She was spared from the onslaught when two Arendellian soldiers charged the brute, however they were unable to do much as the naga took his weapon in both hands and swung it into them, knocking them both back the way they came. When the brute turned back to Anna, her sword slashed across his face plate, knocking the viper mask away. He turned back again and Anna was stunned: for the first time seeing a naga face to face, the yellow, snake like eyes, pale skin with light scaling and fang like canines. The brute's face twisted into bestial a snarl as he roared viciously which awoke Anna from her daze, in response she struck at his face but he again caught her arm, this time swinging her around into the side of a nearby building.
The brute swung his hammer at her with all his strength, intending to send her head through to the other side. Her training kicked in as she recovered, leaning back under the hammer as it smashed through the wooden wall, spinning around and slashing his side with her sword. He winced slightly from her attack but as she slashed again he turned and caught her blade against his vambrace and kicked her in the chest. She hit the ground, the wind knocked from her chest and her sword flying out of her grasp. This time Anna was not able to defend herself as the brute raised the hammer overhead with the spike aimed at her chest.
But the blow never came, just a flash of blue and then he was gone. Elsa's bolt, created by her hands slamming together and a burst of magical energy erupting, sending him further than anyone in the surrounding melee could have ever hoped to see. The battle around them was subsiding with the Arendellians the victors. Elsa turned and ran to her sister's side, helping her back to her feet, "Anna are you alright?"
Anna coughed and breathed heavily, "Yeah, you?" She asked as if nothing was wrong at all.
"I'm fine."
Anna smiled and looked towards the wounded naga sorcerer, "You've been busy."
Before either could continue, Baldrek and the other soldiers arrived at their side. Everyone's attention was drawn to a pillar of flame shooting into the air a few alleys away. Suspecting Aldren may have also encountered one of the sorcerers Elsa turned to the five soldiers, "Watch him." she commanded, pointing towards the downed sorcerer. She then spoke to Anna, Baldrek and the other soldiers, "Let's go."
The two sisters and north man ran towards the area they had seen the flames come from, when they arrived they saw what Elsa had expected: Her Master of War was dueling with another of the sorcerers and he was winning.
Aldren leaned back out of the way of his enemy's sword and thrust his own sword, the tip stabbing their shoulder armor, sparks flying from the impact point. The fire elemental then revolved his sword in one hand at such speed that his blade appeared like a spinning ring of orange light. The sorcerer hesitated to attack, when he did Aldren simply jabbed him in the face with his pommel and slashed across his other shoulder. The naga recovered but then noticed the three approaching, while distracted Aldren delivered a powerful swipe upward across their chest. A pained shout came from the warrior as he spun backwards in the air, landing hard on the ground. Quickly he rose back to his feet, holding a hand over the blazing gash across his breastplate.
The naga sorcerer considered trying to continue to fight but saw that other soldiers had arrived alongside the queen and princess, some were even behind him now. Seeing he was surrounded, the wounded combatant ducked under another of Aldren's attack at his neck. Turning back towards Aldren, now between the master of war and the two monarchs, holding his sword out towards them all with one hand while the other still clutched his chest, his breaths heavy. Elsa held out a hand, the blue glow of her ice magic swirling beneath her skin while Anna drew an arrow and Baldrek held his ax aimed at him.
The naga turned back towards Aldren who slowly approached with his glowing sword in both hands, he hissed and looked back and forth between Aldren and Elsa, speaking in a similar shadowy voice as the former she had faced, "The Witch King will have his prize! You may have won the battle...But we will win the war!"
Before any of the three could make a move the sorcerer cast his dark magic towards the ground beneath him. A flash followed by a thick cloud of black mist caused them all to cover their eyes, when they looked up, a ball of the black smoke swiftly snaked its way into the sky and away from Hammerhel. The two elementals aimed their powers to prevent him from escaping. Aldren's fireball hit but only knocked the orb off course slightly and it continued off into the distance...
Aldren growled quietly, sheathing his sword he turned back towards Elsa and approached her. They began to notice all around them that the sounds of battle were fading into silence, standing before her, a small smile on his lips, "The battle is over my queen, we have won, but the naga sorcerer escaped..." he said frowning and looking towards the sky.
She put a hand on his shoulder, he looked back to her as she smiled, "Only one of them..."
OoO
Aldren, Anna and Baldrek followed Elsa back to the now beaten sorcerer, an escort of soldiers accompanying them. Aldren's eyes widened slightly when he saw the brutalized naga lying against the building. He knew that her skill was great yet he hadn't known she was capable of this, until now. Underneath, he was pleasantly surprised to see she had won her first one-on-one duel with an equally skilled opponent.
They all stood around the felled enemy while the soldiers formed a small crowd around them, Aldren faced Elsa, "Well done your grace, you surely fought well to bring him low."
She sighed, "He didn't make it easy, I will say that much."
Before they could continue their discussion the elder resistance leader appeared, pushing his way past the soldiers. He walked directly towards Aldren, a slightly disbelieving expression on his face. Aldren turned to him and walked towards him a few paces to meet his approach. The others watched patiently, unsure who this man was but all suspected that Aldren might. The older man looked at Aldren's face closely with intense focus while Aldren said nothing and simply allowed him to study him, the old man's face became desperately hopeful as he looked upon Aldren's crimson eyes, "Aldren Embercrow, is...is it really you...?"
Aldren smiled, "It is."
The old man smiled widely and laughed happily, "Aldren Embercrow...I don't know how you are alive...but honestly I don't care, this is a happier day than I can scarcely remember."
Aldren chuckled, putting a hand on the old man's shoulder, "It's good to see you still watching over the Crow's nest, captain Krar."
"Captain?" Krar scoffed, "No one has called me that since well... since your father still ruled Hammerhel."
"And why is that?"
"Well...Peace: After the Ramdon rebellion was defeated, the kingdom no longer needed soldiers or at least that's what was believed. Though there are still a few of us left here in the south." He gestured to the few Embercrow guardsmen who had joined the crowd around them. "But my fighting days would have been over for good if not for this stout fellow here." he said referring to Baldrek who stood beside Elsa.
Aldren looked to the ginger Northman smiling, "Indeed? Well done Baldrek."
Baldrek nodded shyly, Krar then turned towards the queen and princess, kneeling in front of them with his head down, "Though I do not doubt that all of Hammerhel has you to thank your majesties, for coming to our aid in this dark hour."
Elsa smiled widely and knelt in front of the dutiful man and gripped his hands, "It is a pleasure to meet a former veteran of the Ramdon rebellion." She lifted him to his feet and released his hands, "But I would not have had the martial constitution nor the means to aid you without lord Embercrow to teach me."
This made Krar smile even wider at the heir of Hammerhel, Aldren then folded his arms, "It was indeed providence that we arrived here when we did, though I am inclined to ask: Why were you attempting to fight the Naga Ai?"
"When the snakes attacked, they rounded up everyone and took them to the main hall and crammed them into the cellars and any other rooms they could fit people into. Some they took away from the rest of us, mostly guardsmen...we don't know where...But some of us escaped and we formed a sort of... rebellion, ironic isn't it? Our plan was to sneak into the hall and start moving as many people as we could out through the secret tunnel in Aldric's old office. Though I'm guessing it's not so secret anymore?"
Aldren shook his head, "In order to retake Hammerhel the secret passage had to be used to infiltrate the keep."
Krar laughed, "And I'm glad to you for doing so, thanks to you our people won't have to leave our home. Instead they can continue living in it...and speaking of that we ought to make for the hall and-"
"You cannot save them all..."
Everyone turned to the source of the distorted voice: The fallen Naga sorcerer, his wounded hand lying against the ground while the other reached up, pressing a small button on the side of his helm. The metal faceplate folding back behind his head to reveal a pale rigid face, blue reptilian eyes and pointed ears. His heavy breaths exposing the sharp fang like canines in his mouth. "For every life you save...ten more will have already fallen. My master will have this land...and all your worthless lives with it!"
Anna's face dropped and her fist clenched, the naga's words shaking her slightly. Aldren walked towards the fallen Naga, looking him over, "What are you?"
The naga sighed, "I am...ridire bana-bhuidseach."
Aldren turned to the others, "A 'Witch Knight'...so he says."
Elsa chose to ignore the sorcerer's attempts to instill doubt, speaking to a pair of soldiers, "Find someplace to keep him until we have a use for his crooked tongue."
The guards nodded and started approaching the naga but were stopped when Barec, despite having been wounded charged out from the crowd and with a surprising amount of strength snatched the knight by the collar, lifting him onto his feet and slamming him against the building. "WHERE IS MY BROTHER?!"
No one said anything, everyone was taken back by this sudden outburst of rage from the usually calm and collected man. When the naga didn't answer Barec tightened his grip, narrowing his eyes, his voice cold and low, "Answer-me, you-filth...You're the one who took him from me, I remember your voice! WHERE IS HE?!"
Choking past Barec's stronghold the naga looked him directly in the eyes spoke in a near whisper, "He is where he belongs...all your people are."
Anna gritted her teeth and almost moved in to start her own interrogation but a hand on her shoulder from Aldren stopped her, but Barec continued to glare, "I don't believe you!"
The witch knight grinned mockingly, "You will..."
Barec pulled back his fist but his arm was caught from behind by Baldrek, "Barec, he's had enough."
"NO! Not until he tells me the truth!"
Aldren was about to shout himself but the opportunity was stolen from him by another.
"ENOUGH!"
Barec and Baldrek both looked towards Elsa with shock, her surprisingly powerful voice froze them in place just as much as her ice magic might. She walked towards Barec as Baldrek released his arm, "Barec. I'm sure I don't have to remind you that we all have family who have been taken from us..."
Her expression forceful but firm, the intensity in her eyes bored through Barec's heart. Releasing the witch knight, he hung his head in shame, his hand returning to cover his wound, like a child being scolded by their mother, "I-I'm sorry...your grace."
Her face softened slightly, "I know...you are dismissed."
He bowed and turned away to walk back through the crowd, Elsa closed her eyes and sighed, opening them again at the sound of the witch knight's snickering, "So emotional...but then who can blame him, his brother means so much to-"
He was stopped in mid-sentence when Elsa's spear tip pressed against his neck, her eyes dark and merciless in that moment, "I'd be silent... if you value your license on life..."
He did not say another word. Elsa retracted her spear, sheathing it on her back and turning away from him, "Despite your lack of restraint with words that you have so clearly shown, I will see to it you are treated fairly while in our custody."
Walking away from him with Aldren, Anna, Baldrek, Krar and a host of soldiers following her. The two guards moved to secure the prisoner but were once again interrupted, this time by a shrill roar from the sky. Trolgon descended and, flapping his wings he landed directly in front of the witch knight supporting his front weight on the claws of his wings and slowly inching towards his target. The knight backed up against the building, a terrified look on his face, the two guards backed away as they were not keen on getting between a dragon and its prey. Elsa looked back and grinned, "I said you would be treated fairly...my dragon made no such promises."
The Witch knight looked back and forth between Elsa and Trolgon, the dragon's fins on his neck and tail bristling as a deadly hiss erupted from his open maw, revealing rows of sharp icy teeth and a blue glow emitting from within his throat as his hungry, crimson eyes focused on the naga's exposed face. The knight began breathing quicker as the beast's cold breath stung his face, his eyes shut when Trolgon took a quick snap, centimeters from his face. But he did not get to enjoy relief as the dragon whipped around quickly with his tail, smacking against his head and knocking him out.
Elsa nodded approvingly at her creation, he trilled happily before flapping his wings and taking back to the air, throwing wind in every direction. Elsa and her party continued on their way towards the Embercrow hall as Trolgon glided above them his screeches echoing through the sky.
OoO
The few naga that had surrendered were kept in the Hammerhel jail house while throughout the city, axes hacked at chains and wooden boards as they freed the captured prisoners. Some of her warriors were reunited with their families, tears of joy and tight embraces following. While others were disheartened when they found no trace of their loved ones but still held onto the hope of finding them in due time. The people of Hammerhel were rejoicing despite having been kept in darkness for so long.
Elsa smiled as she stood next to Aldren and Anna, observing the crowd of soldiers and citizens reuniting, it was just how she had envisioned it...well mostly. But in any case they had claimed victory and freed a portion of their people and though they were far from the end of this war...it was a good start. She turned to the remains of a destroyed bell tower, the lower platform that stood a few feet from the ground was all that had survived.
Next she looked to the ground and saw a banner that shared the sigil of house Embercrow on one side and the royal seal of House Floran on the other It had been mostly buried under the snow for weeks most likely. She knelt down, grasping the pole it was attached to and brushed it off and turned to her two most trusted friends, "Aldren, Anna come with me."
They followed her as she made her way to the bell tower and climbed up to the very top of the platform while Aldren and Anna stood on the lower steps. Trolgon landed on the roof of the Embercrow keep to watch himself as she lifted the banner above her head and slammed the sharp bottom tip into the wooden floor of the tower, the mass of people quieted down and turned to their queen. Drawing Dragon's Flight from her back and holding it above her head, she spoke loud and clear so all could hear her. "Hammerhel was once the greatest of Arendelle's fortresses within our kingdom and starting today it shall be again. This is but the first of victories we will achieve in the future ahead of us, with Aldren Embercrow beside me leading our armies, the sons and daughters of Arendelle will defend our country!"
A resonating cheer rose from the crowd as Elsa continued "We will take back the lands that were stolen from us! We will save our people from the monsters who took them from their homes! And when it is over, when we have driven evil from our land, no foreign invaders will look at Arendelle's shores and see conquest...THEY WILL ONLY SEE THEIR RUIN!"
One might have thought it impossible for the joyous roars of hope to grow any louder but they did, so much so that they hurt Elsa's ears. But she did not care, for the first time in weeks she knew in her heart that they truly had a chance, that they could win and her heart swelled with joy so much that she nearly cried. She looked down at Anna and Aldren, smiling widely and they smiled back: true, genuine smiles because they felt the same and that was more than she could have hoped for. She continued to look out across her people as they cheered endlessly, Trolgon's wings spread and he let loose a screeching triumphant roar that the heavens themselves must have heard...
OoO
Venereth stood atop the small house, near the mass of humans crowded around Embercrow Keep cheering for their triumph over the Naga Ai. She was there but they could not see her: the spell she cast around herself concealed her to the human eye. She watched as they executed a surprisingly clever plan that did not cost them much. She watched as they fought with skill and fortitude that she had not expected from their kind. She watched as the two elementals defeated her fellow witch knights in single combat, one of them now a prisoner of the enemy.
They were strong: A strong queen and lord to lead them and an army made stronger by battle... and there was the dragon. They had become a force to be reckoned with, something that was never meant to be...But the Naga Ai had defeated more powerful foes in the past and these would be no different.
Having observed all she had needed to she took to the sky, becoming an orb of black mist. She would return and report, no doubt the Witch King would be pleased his plan was progressing according to his vision.
