Zephon and his sub-lieutenants rode out as night fell, the moon rising from the east, heading towards one of the two canyon paths. Craning his neck to see one last glimpse of Zarina at the gates, the Cathedral was blocked from his view as the canyon walls closed in. Zephon's armour shone a dull gold in the moon's light, his sword drawn and eager for blood. It had been such a long time since there had been a battle with the Sarafan, and Zephon found he was excited to clash with the foe with no assistance from his brothers. His officers knew the plan and what to do if the human forces became too much; Zephon reflected with some anxiety and hope that they would not have to fall back to the Cathedral if the Sarafan overran their positions in the canyon.
Already his forces had been deployed; the cannons and catapults ready to take out the Sarafan from a distance could be heard and the scouts already picking off the lagging soldiers from the main force. Riding down the twisting paths of the ravine, his elite bodyguard behind him, Zephon could already make out the sounds of combat.
Rounding the next bend, the Clan leader saw that the Sarafan force was already nearing the diverging canyon paths. But because of the narrow path the vampire hunters could not bring their full force to bear. A terrible mistake made by the commander. Their cavalry was already charging the Zephoniem vampires who were racing through the horses, sharpened claws cutting the animals flanks and bringing riders to the ground. Arrows fired though the air from the scouts' holdings higher up, the poisoned tips embedding themselves in the Sarafan and killing them quickly. The humans returned fire, but in the darkness and without the aid of their torches they could not hit any of the marksmen. The roar of a cannon was heard somewhere to Zephon's left and a group of human foot soldiers were torn down. Screams and gouts of blood filled the air as both vampire and human charged each other, blades meeting and blows parried. Bodies of the fallen littered the ground, but there were more of the Sarafan than anything else.
"Glory for Lord Kain! Glory for Lord Zephon," the Zephoniem vampires chanted as they rushed at their prey.
Zephon urged his steed forwards, knocking down a foot solider that tried to impale him with a pike and crushing him under his horse's hooves. Blade rising and falling in the moonlight, Zephon dealt lethal blows to the Sarafan; too many to count as he released them of their heads or rode over them. Natarek rode beside his lord, the deadly spear he used as his weapon impaling more than one human, blood running down the sharpened tip as the sub-lieutenant shook off the bodies. Natarek gave a wild grin to his master as he charged off to slay more of the human cattle.
A Sarafan officer, dressed in silver armour and mounted on a black stallion, charged Zephon with a piercing battle cry. Their swords met for a moment, but Zephon was the stronger of the two and with a loud snap the Sarafan's blade broke and he was gutted like a fish. Another officer on foot raced to the Lieutenant; Zephon slashed at the man's chest, already knowing that the blow was fatal before the man collapsed to the ground. Two more foot soldiers tried their luck against one of Kain's Chosen; Zephon noted with some amusement that they would not be able to fight with their heads caved in as he dropped the bodies to the ground.
A catapult fired from its position above and the heavy rock crashed into the middle of the Sarafan's cavalry; the once massive but now small square formation wavered for a few moments, and then broke. The foot soldiers had no one to command them and fought aimlessly, shouting among themselves to see who was in command. They were brought quickly to the ground by the fledgling vampires, webs spun about them so the deathblow could be struck.
Already some were beginning to feed.
The vampires cheered as they found victory within their grasp. A small group of cavalry, led by a blood soaked officer, broke through the vampire line and headed down one of the two pathways of the canyon towards the Cathedral.
"My lord," Natarek yelled to Zephon as he raced past with his spear held high, "I will follow them; worry for the battle here!" Zephon was about to charge after them all the same when his horse bucked and fell to the ground, a spear through the animal's chest. He was thrown into the air and landed on his back for a few moments, stunned by the impact. Zephon noted with a detached sense of surprise that he had managed to hold onto his own blade.
A sword flashed through the air, aimed at Zephon's head, was the only warning he was given.
The vampire lord rolled to his right and kicked upwards at the human as the sword bit into the ground. The Sarafan and would be killer stumbled backwards, one hand holding his stomach while the other held his weapon, a massive and heavy blade. He could not of been older than thirty, but the human held himself with a grace that even Zephon had to step back and notice. Here was a swordsman, one that Zephon could duel against, and one that matched his own skill.
"Your head will be a great prize for my commander," the Sarafan hissed. "It will be placed on a pike for all to see, for all to know that your kind can be destroyed easily enough." He inched closer, now both hands on the hilt, the blade flecked with blood.
"If you can take my head, pitiful human. I will enjoy watching you die on my sword, just as I will enjoy massacring the rest of your kind here tonight." With a battle cry Zephon leapt forwards, bringing his finely crafted blade down on the human's. The warrior was slowly pressed backwards, the sureness on his face a few moments before now fading quickly. He lashed out with an awkward punch but Zephon glided back, and then twisted his sword in his hands for a thrust into the Sarafan's unprotected chest. He was blocked and the Sarafan pushed his advantage for the moment.
Zephon parried a blow and slashed at the warrior's feet, hoping to cut at the unprotected flesh. Striking to the left, Zephon was denied an opening. Sweeping his massive blade about, the Sarafan hoped to cut the Clan lord in half, not realizing how fast vampires truly moved. Dodging clumsily to the side, the warrior lunged forwards as he saw an opening in Zephon's left side.
But that was a ruse, an old one that Zephon used many times before to kill his opponents.
Overstretching himself and unbalanced, the human passed straight by Zephon as the Lieutenant turned. With a victory cry, Zephon brought his sword down and cut the Sarafan clean in half from the waist. Both pieces of the body flopped onto the ground, the blood mixing with the earth.
"You were good, but not good enough," Zephon hissed, looking into the dead eyes. He turned to look at the battlefield in front of him and a smile appeared. The foot soldiers had all been killed, bodies hacked to pieces by the vampires and the cavalry, as Zephon had seen, had broken and raced back the way they had come. The reserve force would easily deal with the few that had broken through. The moon had only begun to make its decent into the west; the battle was over.
"Victory! Victory is ours," one of the vampires called out. The vampire warriors cheered, a thunderous echo in the narrow confines of the canyon walls. Zephon smiled at his children as he walked over to Oscot, who was feeding off one of the hapless foot soldiers. Tossing the body to the side, the sub-lieutenant wiped the blood from his mouth and saluted.
"Milord, the Sarafan forces have fled back the way they have come. I have already taken the liberty of sending the scouts and a few of our best warriors to finish them off. May I say congratulations, Lord Zephon? A plan well executed and we did not even have to use the reserve forces nor seek help from the other Clans."
"A good victory, indeed. Make sure that our fallen are returned to the Cathedral and to their families."
"And the humans?"
"Leave the bodies as they are, a silent warning to others who would dare cross into my lands. The survivors are to be bound and gagged and thrown into the dungeons. We will feast well once we return back to the palace. I also-"
"Lord Zephon!" Natarek's voice was filled with pain as he rode out from one of the smaller canyon pathways. He was hunched over on his horse, spear missing, and one hand weakly gripping the reins while the other clutched his left shoulder. Two arrows were embedded deeply into the flesh, black blood seeping out between the armour. Zephon rushed over with Oscot and helped the vampire off, laying him down on the ground. "Lord Zephon, there is trouble."
"Tell me," Zephon's claws tightened on Natarek's shoulders and shook him slightly. "What is it?"
"There was another force…they came up by the river and nearly cut off the reserve force. They fell back to the Cathedral…but the Sarafan looked over two thousand strong. I came to…tell you. The gates have been closed and barred; no one can gain entry." Natarek struggled to rise, but Oscot pulled him back down.
"Your wounds are too grave. Stay here Natarek and wait for the vampires that were sent off to kill the remaining Sarafan to return. When they arrive, come to the Cathedral with all haste."
Natarek gave a bitter chuckle. "I already ordered all the vampire troops I met along the way to head back, my lord. I hope that does not bother you too much."
"No, it does not. Oscot, Siglar, with me!" Grabbing one of the Sarafan's horses, Zephon mounted quickly and looked over his troops. "The Cathedral has fallen under attack from a surprise force of Sarafan! Gather your weapons, we will ride back and defend our home!"
The Zephoniem vampires moved with a speed that seemed slow to Zephon. With a growl in his throat, the Clan lord spurred his horse back down the canyon path he had come from, sword unsheathed and reflecting the fading moonlight. His army followed after their lord, ready to give their lives as before to defend their homes.
I am coming Zarina, Zephon thought. Just don't do anything stupid! Just stay alive! We'll be there soon enough!
Already his forces had been deployed; the cannons and catapults ready to take out the Sarafan from a distance could be heard and the scouts already picking off the lagging soldiers from the main force. Riding down the twisting paths of the ravine, his elite bodyguard behind him, Zephon could already make out the sounds of combat.
Rounding the next bend, the Clan leader saw that the Sarafan force was already nearing the diverging canyon paths. But because of the narrow path the vampire hunters could not bring their full force to bear. A terrible mistake made by the commander. Their cavalry was already charging the Zephoniem vampires who were racing through the horses, sharpened claws cutting the animals flanks and bringing riders to the ground. Arrows fired though the air from the scouts' holdings higher up, the poisoned tips embedding themselves in the Sarafan and killing them quickly. The humans returned fire, but in the darkness and without the aid of their torches they could not hit any of the marksmen. The roar of a cannon was heard somewhere to Zephon's left and a group of human foot soldiers were torn down. Screams and gouts of blood filled the air as both vampire and human charged each other, blades meeting and blows parried. Bodies of the fallen littered the ground, but there were more of the Sarafan than anything else.
"Glory for Lord Kain! Glory for Lord Zephon," the Zephoniem vampires chanted as they rushed at their prey.
Zephon urged his steed forwards, knocking down a foot solider that tried to impale him with a pike and crushing him under his horse's hooves. Blade rising and falling in the moonlight, Zephon dealt lethal blows to the Sarafan; too many to count as he released them of their heads or rode over them. Natarek rode beside his lord, the deadly spear he used as his weapon impaling more than one human, blood running down the sharpened tip as the sub-lieutenant shook off the bodies. Natarek gave a wild grin to his master as he charged off to slay more of the human cattle.
A Sarafan officer, dressed in silver armour and mounted on a black stallion, charged Zephon with a piercing battle cry. Their swords met for a moment, but Zephon was the stronger of the two and with a loud snap the Sarafan's blade broke and he was gutted like a fish. Another officer on foot raced to the Lieutenant; Zephon slashed at the man's chest, already knowing that the blow was fatal before the man collapsed to the ground. Two more foot soldiers tried their luck against one of Kain's Chosen; Zephon noted with some amusement that they would not be able to fight with their heads caved in as he dropped the bodies to the ground.
A catapult fired from its position above and the heavy rock crashed into the middle of the Sarafan's cavalry; the once massive but now small square formation wavered for a few moments, and then broke. The foot soldiers had no one to command them and fought aimlessly, shouting among themselves to see who was in command. They were brought quickly to the ground by the fledgling vampires, webs spun about them so the deathblow could be struck.
Already some were beginning to feed.
The vampires cheered as they found victory within their grasp. A small group of cavalry, led by a blood soaked officer, broke through the vampire line and headed down one of the two pathways of the canyon towards the Cathedral.
"My lord," Natarek yelled to Zephon as he raced past with his spear held high, "I will follow them; worry for the battle here!" Zephon was about to charge after them all the same when his horse bucked and fell to the ground, a spear through the animal's chest. He was thrown into the air and landed on his back for a few moments, stunned by the impact. Zephon noted with a detached sense of surprise that he had managed to hold onto his own blade.
A sword flashed through the air, aimed at Zephon's head, was the only warning he was given.
The vampire lord rolled to his right and kicked upwards at the human as the sword bit into the ground. The Sarafan and would be killer stumbled backwards, one hand holding his stomach while the other held his weapon, a massive and heavy blade. He could not of been older than thirty, but the human held himself with a grace that even Zephon had to step back and notice. Here was a swordsman, one that Zephon could duel against, and one that matched his own skill.
"Your head will be a great prize for my commander," the Sarafan hissed. "It will be placed on a pike for all to see, for all to know that your kind can be destroyed easily enough." He inched closer, now both hands on the hilt, the blade flecked with blood.
"If you can take my head, pitiful human. I will enjoy watching you die on my sword, just as I will enjoy massacring the rest of your kind here tonight." With a battle cry Zephon leapt forwards, bringing his finely crafted blade down on the human's. The warrior was slowly pressed backwards, the sureness on his face a few moments before now fading quickly. He lashed out with an awkward punch but Zephon glided back, and then twisted his sword in his hands for a thrust into the Sarafan's unprotected chest. He was blocked and the Sarafan pushed his advantage for the moment.
Zephon parried a blow and slashed at the warrior's feet, hoping to cut at the unprotected flesh. Striking to the left, Zephon was denied an opening. Sweeping his massive blade about, the Sarafan hoped to cut the Clan lord in half, not realizing how fast vampires truly moved. Dodging clumsily to the side, the warrior lunged forwards as he saw an opening in Zephon's left side.
But that was a ruse, an old one that Zephon used many times before to kill his opponents.
Overstretching himself and unbalanced, the human passed straight by Zephon as the Lieutenant turned. With a victory cry, Zephon brought his sword down and cut the Sarafan clean in half from the waist. Both pieces of the body flopped onto the ground, the blood mixing with the earth.
"You were good, but not good enough," Zephon hissed, looking into the dead eyes. He turned to look at the battlefield in front of him and a smile appeared. The foot soldiers had all been killed, bodies hacked to pieces by the vampires and the cavalry, as Zephon had seen, had broken and raced back the way they had come. The reserve force would easily deal with the few that had broken through. The moon had only begun to make its decent into the west; the battle was over.
"Victory! Victory is ours," one of the vampires called out. The vampire warriors cheered, a thunderous echo in the narrow confines of the canyon walls. Zephon smiled at his children as he walked over to Oscot, who was feeding off one of the hapless foot soldiers. Tossing the body to the side, the sub-lieutenant wiped the blood from his mouth and saluted.
"Milord, the Sarafan forces have fled back the way they have come. I have already taken the liberty of sending the scouts and a few of our best warriors to finish them off. May I say congratulations, Lord Zephon? A plan well executed and we did not even have to use the reserve forces nor seek help from the other Clans."
"A good victory, indeed. Make sure that our fallen are returned to the Cathedral and to their families."
"And the humans?"
"Leave the bodies as they are, a silent warning to others who would dare cross into my lands. The survivors are to be bound and gagged and thrown into the dungeons. We will feast well once we return back to the palace. I also-"
"Lord Zephon!" Natarek's voice was filled with pain as he rode out from one of the smaller canyon pathways. He was hunched over on his horse, spear missing, and one hand weakly gripping the reins while the other clutched his left shoulder. Two arrows were embedded deeply into the flesh, black blood seeping out between the armour. Zephon rushed over with Oscot and helped the vampire off, laying him down on the ground. "Lord Zephon, there is trouble."
"Tell me," Zephon's claws tightened on Natarek's shoulders and shook him slightly. "What is it?"
"There was another force…they came up by the river and nearly cut off the reserve force. They fell back to the Cathedral…but the Sarafan looked over two thousand strong. I came to…tell you. The gates have been closed and barred; no one can gain entry." Natarek struggled to rise, but Oscot pulled him back down.
"Your wounds are too grave. Stay here Natarek and wait for the vampires that were sent off to kill the remaining Sarafan to return. When they arrive, come to the Cathedral with all haste."
Natarek gave a bitter chuckle. "I already ordered all the vampire troops I met along the way to head back, my lord. I hope that does not bother you too much."
"No, it does not. Oscot, Siglar, with me!" Grabbing one of the Sarafan's horses, Zephon mounted quickly and looked over his troops. "The Cathedral has fallen under attack from a surprise force of Sarafan! Gather your weapons, we will ride back and defend our home!"
The Zephoniem vampires moved with a speed that seemed slow to Zephon. With a growl in his throat, the Clan lord spurred his horse back down the canyon path he had come from, sword unsheathed and reflecting the fading moonlight. His army followed after their lord, ready to give their lives as before to defend their homes.
I am coming Zarina, Zephon thought. Just don't do anything stupid! Just stay alive! We'll be there soon enough!