"Fifteen dead and only half of the food supplies survived the fire. This is not the Beastmen's doing. They're not exactly the sneaky type from what I've gathered."
"And you'd be right."
Isabelle ripped the arrow off of the dead Calvet Knight's chest and looked at the arrowhead with narrow eyes before throwing it at Baldur who caught it with ease and ran his eyes up and down the arrow.
"This is the work of Discordians. The arrows are nearly identical in appearance to the ones used by the High Elves of the Gylden Army. Aside from using different materials and fletching, these things are also enchanted. Look at the arrowhead."
Baldur did so and saw the arrowhead was emitting a barely noticeable purple glow.
"It pierced through plate armor. If it were an ordinary arrow, it would've been deflected. See that glow? That's Dark Magic."
Isabelle explained as she looked at the rest of the corpses and saw that they too were riddled with multiple arrows "If I had to guess, Dark Rangers are responsible for this. I've encountered them during the campaign in Garan. They're the only ones I know who use this kind of arrows throughout the war. No. I'm confident this is their doing."
"Hm."
The Nord threw the arrow away and walked over to the remaining food supplies of the army. The Duke of Calvet had already sent men to forage for food while also sending a rider to Besanvin and ask the Duchess of Lavaud to spare the Duke of Calvet's army food supplies. Duchess Héloïse responded by sending a small baggage train for the Duke of Calvet's army. She couldn't spare much since she had to prepare Besanvin defenses in case the Discordians decide to besiege the town.
After taking the town and resting there for a day, the Duke of Calvet set off with his army to Castle Vallonton. Leaving the Duchess of Lavaud and her army to garrison the town. Halfway to Castle Vallonton, the army set up a fort for the night and were rudely awaken by the shouts of 'Fire!'. The food supplies had been set on fire and the corpses of knights and soldiers tasked with guarding it littered the area around the supplies. All killed in the same manner.
Baldur knew what the Discordians were doing. They were trying to slow the army down. Prevent them from reaching Castle Vallonton and besiege the remaining Beastmen.
"Damnit!"
The Mercenary Lord of the Shield Companions turned towards Isabelle who dismissed the Templar Knight she had been speaking to before approaching Baldur.
"The baggage train was attacked by Dark Rangers. Took off with the food and supplies. And the Black Dogs just terminated their contract. Their packing up and leaving the army. The Duke isn't happy."
"I can imagine. What's he planning to do about it?"
The Knight-Captain shrugged "I don't know. I think it would be best if we return to Besanvin and hole up there. We'll be starving and low on morale once we reach Château de Vallonton. That is if the soldiers and mercenaries doesn't desert first. We barely have the numbers now that the Black Dogs left."
"As long as he can pay us, the Skjaldfélagar will honor our contract until the end."
Isabelle grunted. That's somewhat good to hear. Of course if the Duke runs out of coin to pay then the Shield Companions would leave them to fend for themselves. They had a string of victories against the Beastmen but the arrival of the Discordians threw them off. Duke Arnoult prepared the army to fight Beastmen. Not Orcs and Dark Elves. Isabelle hoped the Duke orders the retreat.
The Knight-Captain shook her head and looked to Baldur only to see the Nord staring up at the sky. Raising a brow, Isabelle looked to where the Nord was gazing and grunted when she saw the dark clouds approaching.
"Storm's coming." Baldur stated.
"What? Afraid to get wet?"
"No. Are you?"
"No."
Nodding to the other, the two parted ways. Baldur left and headed for the Duke's tent while Isabelle moved to help the others in salvaging what's left of the supplies.
Of all the setbacks they faced, this was by far the worst. They had enjoyed a string of victories throughout this campaign but as with all good things, it had to come to an end sooner or later. They needed those reinforcements now more than ever. Perhaps then they would be able to fight the Discordians and the remainder of the Beastmen.
Meanwhile, the Nord walked inside the tent and the first thing he saw was Duke Arnoult sitting alone. A half empty bottle in his hand.
The Duke spared a glance over his shoulder and let out a sigh before placing the bottle on the table and stood up. He made himself look somewhat presentable before addressing the Nord.
"I suppose you're here to end our contract as well? The Black Dogs did. It won't be long before the Silver Hearts and the Red Vixens do the same."
"Why's that?"
"My contract with the Black Dogs as well as the Silver Hearts and Red Vixens stated that they would fight Beastmen. Nothing in their contract said that they would fight Discordians. I understand if you wish to end ours. Your weekly wage will be paid in advance and you're free to go."
Duke Arnoult moved over to a chest and opened it before reaching inside to take out the Shield Companions' contract but was stopped by the Nord's voice.
"I'm not here to end our contract." Baldur spoke up "It doesn't matter whether we fight Beastmen or Discordians. The Skjaldfélagar will honor our agreement for as long as you can pay us."
"Then what are you here for?"
"Storm's coming. I'm here to tell you that we need to pack up now then head back to Besanvin. If the rain hits, the mud's going to make it harder for the horses and carriages to travel. Whoever attacked us last night would still be waiting for us. Getting stuck in the mud would just make us an easier target for them."
Duke Arnoult nodded and closed the chest before turning back to the Nord.
"Very well. I'll have my men tear down the fort and pack everything up. We leave as soon as we can."
"No." Baldur shook his head "Leave the fort. It'll slow us down."
"Then we just leave it for the Discordians?"
"Burn it. Take whatever is valuable then burn the fort."
Without another word, Baldur left the tent and made his way to his Shield Companions to inform them of the change of plans.
(Line Break)
With his army low on supplies, numbers and morale, the Duke of Calvet ordered his men to retreat to Besanvin and help the Duchess of Lavaud fortify the town's defenses. On their way back to Besanvin, the storm fell quicker than anticipated and the army was forced to trudge through the muddy ground all the way to Besanvin. Just as Baldur had warned, the Dark Rangers were waiting for them and they harassed the army on their journey back to the Town of Besanvin.
The Duke ordered his cavalry to drive off the Dark Rangers but their attempt failed as their mounts got stuck on the mud that and left the cavalry vulnerable to the Dark Rangers and their enchanted arrows. To avoid further casualties, Duke Arnoult pushed the army to quicken it's pace and continue marching through the night and rain as well as the harassments from the Dark Rangers. By the time they arrived in Besanvin, the Duke of Calvet's army was exhausted and on the brink of collapse.
Duke Arnoult allowed his men to rest for the day while he himself refused to rest and coordinated with Duchess Héloïse in preparing the town's defenses. Their first course of action was to have Lavaud soldiers dig a moat around the town while Peasant Militia, mostly those who were experienced in carpentry and engineering, were tasked with reinforcing the town's main gate. Wooden spikes were placed in the moat but only half of the moat was filled with spikes as another storm hit the county and flooded the moat.
Support also came from Duke Charles as he sent supplies from Montaully to Besanvin by a baggage train which was escorted by Oleg, his Sword Companions and a contingent of Spear Companions. They were attacked by Dark Rangers but the Vaegir managed to drive them off and successfully escorted the baggage train to Besanvin.
After completing their rest, the Duke of Calvet's men joined the defenders and helped in fortifying the town. On the same day, reinforcements from the Vallonton Resistance arrived in the form of 100 Peasant Militia. Being the most experienced in training soldiers, Oleg was assigned the task of training the Peasant Militia alongside other Mercenary Commanders from the Silver Hearts and Red Vixens. The former needed to bolster their Pikemen while the latter needed more scouts.
As the Town of Besanvin prepared themselves for a siege, two forces marched towards the town. One was under the command of Maréchal Geoffrey de Montaufort while the other was led by Dreadknight Agenilda, Chief Gorim Skullcrusher and Chief Murzaog of the Beastmen. It was only a matter of time before one of them reaches the town first. One spells victory while the other spells doom.
(Line Break)
Baldur hummed a soft tune as he smoked pipe-weed through a pipe while watching Batu train a couple of Bow Companions on horse archery just outside the town. Bhaltair was the one to offer him pipe-weed a week prior and Baldur found that he quite liked it. Especially the pipe-weed's sweet fragrance. Smoking helped pass the time when he wasn't training or doing anything in particular. He, Bhaltair and Oleg can usually be found smoking together when they were taking a break. Quite a few of the Shield Companions' mercenaries as well as other soldiers do this too. Though Baldur had warned his mercenaries to not smoke too much. Doing so had the same effect as having too much to drink.
"Hey."
The Nord spared a glance to the speaker and saw that it was Isabelle and Estelle.
"Mind if we join you?"
He nodded to the two and the Dawn Templars took a seat on the crates next to the one Baldur was using for a seat. They watched Batu train the Bow Companions in horse archery and Estelle, ever curious about Calradia, asked Baldur about the Khergits.
"Khergits were trained to ride a horse the moment they could walk. The Swadians call them Horse Raiders. They've been raiding Swadia's eastern borders for a long time. Even in peace times. They favor feigned retreats or encircling enemies while pelting them with countless arrows. They're unmatched in horse archery."
"You have fought them before?"
"Yes."
Baldur blew out a puff of smoke. Recalling countless battles against not just the Khergits but every other faction in Calradia as well.
"We've fought everyone in Calradia. Khergits. Sarranids. Rhodoks. Swadians. Vaegirs. Nords. Countless bandits from each faction. The Shield Companions have fought them all and we also recruit soldiers and mercenaries from those factions as well. Peace times were always a perfect opportunity for recruitment. Especially after a war."
"Wait. Don't the other factions hold some kind of grudge against you?" Isabelle asked.
"We were bound by oath to the Swadian King. If any lord from any of the factions attacked us, it was equal to attacking the King and subsequently declaring war to the Kingdom of Swadia. The other factions couldn't risk another war. Not without building their strength first. Besides."
The Nord blew out another smoke before continuing.
"We made an example out of almost every one of them. It made them think twice about attacking the Skjaldfélagar and, in extension, declaring war on Swadia."
"I'm curious as to what you meant by making an example out of them but I have a feeling I won't like the answer." Isabelle deadpanned.
Baldur grunted before going back to his smoking amd thought back on the brutality of the Shield Companions' actions. They were very thorough in making an example out of the other factions to make them fear the notion of attempting an attack on the Shield Companions during peace.
They had thought the Khergits would back off after their 'tribute' to the Khan as well as the taking of Unuzdaq but the Khan was more stubborn than they thought and sent another Noyan with their army to attack the Shield Companions. The Noyan was, of course, slain and his army routed. The Noyan's corpse, along with his men that had been killed, were then brought outside of Tulga and hurled over the town's walls with the use of catapults. A message nailed to the Noyan's chest declaring that the bodies were another 'tribute' from the Shield Companions.
The Rhodoks didn't attack the Shield Companions further after one attempt which saw a Count suddenly attack the Shield Companions while they were recruiting in a village which he owned. This failed attempt led to the Count being killed, flayed and nailed to the door of the Count's own castle.
A similar incident happened to the Sarranids which saw an upstart Emir try and kill the Shield Companions to earn himself glory but ended up stripped, branded, blinded, castrated and his hands amputated before being forced to wander across the scorching desert to the nearest village, town or castle. A passing army patrolling the area found the half dead Emir and decided to put him out of his misery. The only reason the Sultan knew who was responsible for this was because the Nordic Raven was branded on the Emir's back and the fact the Emir had boasted in Shariz of his mission to kill the Shield Companions.
A Jarl from the Kingdom of Nords held a vendetta against Baldur after the Mercenary Lord of the Shield Companions killed his son during a battle against the Kingdom of Swadia. The Jarl searched for the Shield Companions' camp and demanded that Baldur face him in single combat. The fight ended in a matter of minutes with the Jarl losing his head and his army routed once they saw what happened. Others, however, decided to join the Shield Companions instead.
An old rival from the Kingdom of Vaegirs, now a Boyar, invited the Shield Companions to his home for a feast in his mead hall to make amends. While the men were too deep in ale to notice, the Boyar locked the Shield Companions inside and set fire to the mead hall. Baldur and Oleg, however, had been suspicious from the start and only pretended to be drunk before breaking out and killing the Boyar's Vaegir Guards. They then performed the Blood Eagle ritual on the Boyar once he was defeated before plundering his Radoghir Castle of all it's treasures and left it to burn.
As for Swadia? Too many Counts had tried and most met a swift end by Baldur's Long Axe. Others weren't so lucky and shared the same fate as that upstart Emir from the Sarranid Sultanate or that Rhodok Count. But when the Shield Companions became the King's royal guards, those who attacked them were hanged, drawn and quartered. As Baldur had stated before, an attack on the Shield Companions was an attack on the Swadian King which was paramount to high treason. To be hanged, drawn and quartered was the penalty for high treason.
Baldur was shaken from his thoughts when he heard the Silver Hearts mercenaries march into the field while Batu and the Bow Companions left to rest after a long day of training. The Mercenary Captain of the Silver Hearts, Burkhard von Wolfsburg, stood to the side and shouted orders in Aurelianisch at the two units of Pikemen.
"Never thought I'd get to fight with Aurelians." Estelle muttered "Braving the Forgotten Sea is no easy feat. I'm surprised they even found a ship willing to cross those waters."
"The Forgotten Sea?"
Estelle turned to Baldur and explained "The Forgotten Sea is a dangerous place. Those who cross it have the chance to simply vanish. Some say monsters are the ones responsible for their disappearance. Sleeping deep in the waters and waking up to feast on anyone unfortunate enough to be crossing at the time. Others say it was the work of a Water Demon or God. No one really knows."
Baldur hummed in thought but didn't think too much on it. Besides. He had other questions. Mainly involving the land where the Silver Hearts hail from.
"What do you know of the Holy Aurelian Empire?"
"They're directly south of the Forgotten Sea." Isabelle answered "They're not really an empire like the Imperium Nanorum. They're more like a confederation of different states from what I heard. Each state was ruled by a Duke or Count or Prince. Their Emperor is elected by an electoral college but the Wintersburg Dynasty had ruled the Holy Aurelian Empire for two centuries now. Aurelian merchants say that the Wintersburgs had been bribing the electors for years. That's why they're in power for so long."
"Their armies?" Baldur inquired.
Isabelle shrugged "Don't know. Merchants don't really speak much about such things. What I do know is that they're currently at war with their neighbor, the Eldonian Sultanate."
'Something to read about on a later date.' He thought.
"Baldur."
Said Nord turned his head to the voice and saw Erik walking towards him. An armored individual following after him. Once Baldur saw their face, he immediately knew they weren't human.
The person had pale green skin and black hair pulled back into a braid. Their mouth sported a pair of small, sharp fangs protruding upwards from their lower jaw. They were as tall as Oleg and shared almost the same build as the Vaegir and himself. A long strip of cloth was wrapped around their chest area and they wore an unbuttoned, dark blue longcoat that had the sleeves torn off over them along with a baldric that held a large, sheathed cutlass. They wore a pair of black trousers with a large leather belt and a pair of leather boots. On their head was a tricorn hat with a multitude of feathers attached to it.
Baldur stood up from the crate and crossed his arms as Erik stopped before the Mercenary Lord of the Shield Companions and nodded his head at the Nord. He then gestured towards the person behind him.
"A Half-Orc 'Privateer'. She said she was looking for us."
Baldur hummed before walking over to the Half-Orc and sized her up.
"You have a name."
"Captain Kavri Bloodwave of Embersport ." The Half-Orc grunted.
"Privateer, huh. You're a long way from the sea."
"My ship's anchored in Moonglow River. Once my business 'ere is done, it's back to terrorizin' Discordian settlements by the rivers for Eostian coin."
"What's this business of yours then?"
"The Discordians you'll be fightin'? They're mostly made up of Orcs. An entire clan led by an Orc Chief named Gorim Skullcrusher. I'm offerin' you a thousand gold pieces to allow me to accompany you. I've been lookin' for Gorim for months. I have a score to settle with that Orc Chief and I'm not lettin' that scum get away from me again."
"Why come to me? Why not take this up to the Duke?" Baldur inquired.
"I did. He said his men wouldn't feel too comfortable by havin' a Half-Orc around. You, on the other hand, wouldn't care as long as we have a contract and I honor it."
"...Follow Erik inside the town. We'll settle a contract in a tavern. Erik."
"It will be done, Baldur." Erik turned to the Half-Orc "Follow me, Captain Bloodwave."
As the Captain of the Steelbreakers left, Baldur turned to the two Dawn Templars and bid them farewell before following after the two Captains in his own pace.
Meanwhile, Estelle had kept a hand on her weapon's handle the entire time the Half-Orc was there while Isabelle had inched her hand towards her sword but didn't place her hand on the weapon itself. The Knight-Captain had met a number of Half-Orcs and all of them held a deep-seated hatred for Orcs. She could see that this Captain Kavri held the same hatred for Gorim. If she had to guess, Gorim was probably her 'father'.
Many Half-Orcs were abandoned once they were born. Some were outright killed. But others were fortunate enough to be raised by their mothers despite the horror they suffered under their Orc captors or adopted by someone else. Whatever profession they grew up to, their lust for battle, inherited from the Orcs, would eventually surface at their 18th birthday and lead to many of them leaving their profession to become warriors. Some would feel the urge even before that age and many of the Half-Orcs would take the first chance they get to kill Orcs.
Unfortunately, no army would ever take a Half-Orc as a soldier so they become mercenaries, bounty hunters, privateers, sellswords instead. Although there were some who choose to become monks and live a peaceful life in monasteries and temples. Learning to control their rage and lust for battle.
Isabelle shook herself from her thoughts and placed her hand on Estelle's shoulder before shaking her head at her Knight-Lieutenant.
"Easy, Estelle. She's a Half-Orc. Not an Orc."
"Forgive me, Knight-Captain." Estelle apologized with a small bow of her head "It won't happen again."
"I'll hold you to that." The Knight-Captain smirked "Come on. Let's see if the girls have fallen asleep already. Knight-Captain Léontine should still be performing a sermon about the dangers of Black Magic and the punishments for heresy... for the fifteenth time."
"Ugh."
Isabelle chuckled before the two made their way to the town's main gate. Passing by the Red Vixens who had returned from their scouting mission and were looking for the Duke to hand in their report.
(Line Break)
"What the- "
The watchman was cut off at three arrows embedded themselves into the man's chest and neck before the watchman stumbled backwards and fell off of the watchtower. His body landing with a loud thud that alerted those nearby who quickly rushed to see what's going on. Moments later, scores of Goblins suddenly rushed out of the forest and ran towards the army who were caught off guard. Some barely had time to defend themselves before the Goblins descended upon them. Cutting them down mercilessly and putting them to the sword.
Goblins were short, malicious creatures. They have wide mouths and yellow eyes, long arms, pointed ears, sharpened teeth and grimy, dark green skin. Black or greying hair that was balding though some of them were already bald. They wore an assortment of different styles of armor and clothing and they wielded weapons as crudely made as their armor. Some of them took to wearing armor from those they had slain. Be it human, dwarf, elf or even their fellow Goblin. They also share the insatiable lust the Orcs have for women but unlike their larger cousins, Goblins tend to physically and mentally torture their victims in the midst of raping them.
"GOBLINS!"
"WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!"
Soldiers of the Maréchal's army scrambled to get their weapons. Others didn't have time to put on their armor and simply picked up whatever weapon close in hand or anything they can use as a weapon and prepared themselves to face the Goblins. The Maréchal himself exited his tent but was already clad in his armor. Having decided to sleep with it on and his decision paid off.
"TO ARMS!" He yelled "ATTACK!!"
The Montaufort, Beaugendre and Granet soldiers and knights alike heeded the Marshal's words and let out a battle cry as they threw themselves at the Goblins. The two sides clashed and the army's encampment turned into a mess of bodies as men and goblins fought the other in bloody melee. Formations were forgotten. Tents trampled over. Horses panicked as they witnessed soldiers and knights fight against the Goblins.
A Goblin rapidly swung it's mace to the side of a soldier before jumping onto the man and sinking it's teeth into the soldier's neck then proceeded to rip a large chunk of flesh off the soldier.
Another Goblin tackled a soldier into the ground and repeatedly stabbed the man in the flank before biting the soldier's neck. A Montaufort Sergent saw this and grabbed the goblin by the shoulders and pulled him off of the soldier before delivering quick blows to the Goblin's head with his fist.
Maréchal Geoffrey ran a Goblin through the abdomen with his longsword and bashed his shoulder at the corpse while pulling his blade free. He turned around and parried a Goblin's scimitar before slicing open the Goblin's neck with a quick slash across the throat.
The Marshal of Ken then threw himself at another Goblin. Using his arm to block the Goblin's own arm before throwing a punch straight into the Goblin's face and knocking it to the ground. Geoffrey roared as he brought his sword down and buried the blade into the Goblin's heart.
Geoffrey removed his weapon from the corpse and took a step back before bumping into someone. He quickly turned around and grabbed them by the shoulder. Positioning himself to stab his opponent while letting out a yell but stopped when he saw that it was not a Goblin he was holding but Cédric, Duke of Beaugendre. The Marshal of Ken let out a small laugh at his own mistake before releasing the Duke and turned to face another Goblin. Throwing a quick swing at the Goblin's abdomen before smashing his elbow into it's face and throwing it to the ground.
The Marshal of Ken raised his boot before bringing it down on the Goblin's head. Killing it. He then raised his sword above his head and shouted a rallying cry as loud as he could.
"Pour la Déesse et Ken!"
To the side, Séverine, Duchess of Granet, buried the spike of the poleaxe into the top of a Goblin's head before kicking it off her weapon. She heard the Marshal's cry and raised her own weapon above her head.
"Pour la Déesse et Ken! Death to the enemy!"
"DEATH!!"
Their cries succeeded in rallying the soldiers and knights as well as raising their morale and fighting spirit. With renewed vigor, the army threw themselves at the Goblins with fervor. Emboldened by the rallying cries of their comrades and the hate to their enemy.
The battle continued for the rest of the night and dawn. By noon, the Goblins were routed. Only a few of their numbers remain and they fled back to the forest. The soldiers and knights of the army cheered but the Marshal of Ken wore a grim expression on his face. His thoughts were not on their victory but of the Duke of Calvet and his forces.
They may have driven back the Goblins but they lost precious time in doing so. Arnoult's forces would have to wait just a little longer for reinforcements. He hoped and prayed to the Goddess that by the time they arrive, there would still be an army left to reinforce.
(Line Break)
"Delayed. The Marshal and his army are delayed."
Arnoult sighed and placed the letter down on the table before rubbing his temples. The pounding in his head worsened after reading the letter sent to them by raven. Duchess Héloïse said letter and read it for herself.
"Ambushed by Goblins." She muttered "They must have camped too close to the mountains."
Héloïse put the letter down and looked over at Arnoult "It seems Charles was right when he said we shouldn't camp there. We would've been the ones ambushed by those Goblins earlier in the campaign."
"That doesn't matter now, Héloïse. What matters is that the Marshal is delayed and the Discordians are ahead of them. Goddess above. What's the state of the town's defenses?"
"The gate is reinforced and the barrels of oil are stocked at the arrow towers of the main gate. Barricades and dead ends had been set up in the middle of the roads and streets to funnel the enemy on one road only should they break through the gate and enter the town. Additional scorpions and ballistae have been placed on rooftops as well. The smiths have worked overtime in creating arrows, crossbow bolts as well as ammunition for the scorpions and ballistae and fixing cracked or bent weapons and armor. Caltrops have also been scattered all over the field outside of the town."
"Caltrops?"
"Big ones." Héloïse gestured "Enough to actually do some damage to Orcs rather than mildly inconvenience them like regular caltrops."
"Good. That's good. What else?"
"The town's sewers. The townsfolk and Peasant Militia insisted that the sewers be used to escape in case the siege doesn't go our way." She replied.
"Where does the sewers lead?" Arnoult inquired.
"It leads out into Lake Sibylle."
The Duke of Calvet grimaced upon hearing that. If he remembered correctly, Lake Sibylle was close to Castle Vallonton. Right into Beastmen territory. He didn't doubt that said territory would also be occupied with Discordians. They would be slaughtered. The Discordians would show no mercy if they surrendered. They might evem suffer a fate worse than death. Especially with the Orcs and Beastmen. This left them with no choice but to hold Besanvin for as long as they can and pray to the Goddess that they live through the first day of the siege.
"Goddess help us all."
AN: Filler chapter. The Goblins in this story are basically Orcs from The Lord of the Rings film trilogy (Not the Hobbit film trilogy Goblins) like Gorbag or Snaga but green. I know there are Goblins in Moria but I like the look of the Orcs from The Two Towers and The Return of the King better. Anyways. Half-Orcs are a thing in this story so there's that. They aren't as deep or guttural sounding as Orkz when talking but they do have the cockney accent. Aside from Warcraft, I can't really think of Orcs, Uruk-hai or Orkz speaking in any other accent besides cockney. Except for Kaptin Bluddflagg and his crew. I kinda like that they're talking like pirates.