~~Disc. On First Chap~~
**Thank You's**
Lilane ~~ Hiee!!!!
Snow*flake ~~ Thank you!!! **hugz** I posted the wrong version.-_-;;
Lady of the Shadows ~~ Thanks :D
Kim ~~ you ruined it! Jkjk, well, it was kind of obvious for everyone.. ^_^
Keita ~~ **gasp** well...she is going to whip some..err..Tortallan a****..excuse me..but it's true!!!!!
Cami ~~ heh. Heh. Thank you for complimenting so graciously!!!!! **promises her that Neal will be in the next chapter, but for a shallow appearance, as to not take him for so long away from her**
Lady Arabian Knight ~~ Thank you for the review ^_^
Slogan182 & {{somebody}} ~~ eeps. I spelled that one wrong..thank you for telling me!!! (
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tsair rode by her side as they traveled through the countryside. With his light blonde hair and dark brown eyes, they contrasted pleasantly with the black cloak trailing behind him. His blackish-grey stallion trotted majestically by her coffee-brown mare. The land was cold with winter's coming and a shallow film of frost was already surrounding the landscape.
Brushing a loose strand of hair back from her eyes, Reini wondered how she had won the warriors' loyalty so easily. Of course, she had given them a speech and all, but was it really enough to secure them to her side? Or was it her beauty? Scolding herself inwardly, Rei convinced herself that it was her speech that worked.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
She looked sideways at the mage and sighed.
"Are the Tortallans skilled warriors?"
"It depends, lady. Like us, the young are not well-trained. The old, too far into the years to have much strength, yet wise in the planning of strategies. However, most of the warriors are middle-aged, strong, educated men. To tell you the truth, the Scanrans are like separate tribes, although, if a commander does combine their strength, the army will succeed. The Tortallans, unfortunately, have never been so separated as the Scanrans were."
He glanced up, watching her eyes fill with anxiety.
"But-" She turned back towards him. "With you as commander, I doubt your orders will be incomplete."
She smiled at his compliment and nodded thanks. For the next few moments, she looked on ahead, concentrating on what was to come.
~
They had passed the miles of grassy plains when the trees further ahead started revealing a slight orangish color. Autumn. It was catching up soon, if they didn't move faster; winter would slow them down. Scanrans lived in the northern climate, so it wouldn't affect them as much as the Tortallan soldiers.
Although they had packed abundantly; the supplies would decrease faster, sooner or later, with the scarce game left.
Dom passed all this, unnoticed, a thought distracting him since he left Giantkiller.
"Milord, why a female commander?"
"I'm not sure.I reckon they're trying a new method instead. Perhaps, they think that if there was a female Scanran commander, we'd take pity on her."
"Will we?"
Raoul shook his head, confusion taking over.
"I've been trained as a knight to protect ladies. Perhaps this one will not have enough training, maybe we can capture her for questioning."
"What if she does have the wit and strategies to battle your mind, milord?"
Goldenlake smiled wryly, "Then we shall see."
~
Reini shuddered, they were close to the battle now. The Tortallan army were specks along the brim of the hills. Even hidden behind the bushes, she doubted if the army couldn't see her men.
Tying her waist-long hair securely, she turned to the Scanrans behind her.
"Know this in your minds, warriors. Today, we are fighting one of what will be the most famous battles in Scanran history. As we all know, many do not fear Scanra, for we have not shown them our forces in our past. But, now, we are stronger, as a whole. Our country's name will win respect from all others. That is, if we win. Fail me, and our country will drown in shame. Keep this in your hearts: Fight for your family, home, and country's honor."
When Reini ended, she watched as the men sat up straighter; hope shining loyally in her name. To them, even if she didn't know, Reini was Scanran: beautiful, fierce, kind, wise, and protective.
~
"We shall meet them here. (Raoul pointed to a center where two rivers met) In the delta of River Drell. Dom, take some of your men and cut them off from behind, I shall lead from the front. Mithros knows how this will end."
The commander rolled up the thick piece of parchment and signaled for the troops to move out.
The battle had begun.
~
Reini looked around her surroundings, surveying the territory. Clarifying what she was talking about, she pointed her finger in each indicated direction as she spoke.
"The Tortallan army will break apart, hoping to surround us all around. They will send some back, to make sure we don't retreat. Tsair, take some of the archers and hide in the trees. Try to pick off as many as you can. Hopefully, they don't have many riders."
Tsair nodded and took a third of the army from the rear, protecting the rest when they charged. She leaned in close the the black mage and whispered more instructions, making sure they weren't overheard. Nodding his agreement, he took more men and led out.
Shifting into a comfortable position, she adjusted her glaive and looked pointedly ahead. Her lips curled as she watched the enemy army head forward.
"For Scanra! Charge!"
~
The two armies met in the steep valley. Several riders were thrown off as their mounts slid down, but the Scanrans were gaining the advantage. Not only were their ponies used to the slippery sides, the riders knew how to adjust to the changes.
Reini was in the mid-back of the army when she saw the commander. His black stallion reared as he fought off attackers with the use of a sword. She noticed a Tortallan heading towards her and swung down with her glaive, cutting him off expertly.
~
Raoul had spotted the female commander after she had killed the Tortallan. Her weapon spun too quickly to be recognized, but once it stopped, he noticed it was a glaive. Keladry used to use those weapons. They were her favorite. With his mind off course, he didn't notice a Scanran sneaking up and felt a sharp pain in his leg as the man's sword dug in. He finished the man with one blow, grimacing at the deep cut in his leg. No time to think about Keladry now, he scolded himself.
The next time he looked up, the commander was in front of him, hefting her glaive skillfully and smiling.
~
At last, I have the commander, Reini smirked inwardly, let's see if he is as good as they tell. She slashed her weapon downward, but was stopped by a sword thrust. No matter, a short weapon will do no good against mine, she thought confidently. Twirling her blade in the opposite direction, she forced it upwards, heading for the neck. The man brought his sword upward in perfect timing, cutting off the glaive's route. Suddenly, he retreated a few steps and swiftly brought out his chosen weapon: a lance.
Reini's eyes widened a little at seeing such an old-fashioned weapon. The point was sharpened to a deadly point and the funnel it protruded out of was definitely uninviting. She held up her glaive and smirked.
Raoul galloped forward, lance raised in a steady rhythm to his horse's gallops. She urged the mare forward and held the glaive tightly, eyes focused. When he brought it up for a strike, she leaned sideways and smiled as the weapon narrowly missed, then she sliced downward at the handle of the heavy weapon. When they stopped, Raoul was staring down at the lance. Now, he only held a wooden staff. She charged first, this time.
As she brought the glaive toward its target, she felt it jerk to a stop and glanced upward. The wooden staff had stopped it!
She stared into the commander's eyes with amazement and saw that his eyes widening in recognition with her's. However, before she could react, the commander slammed his shield into her, jerking her off the seat and sent her flying.
When she fell, a pair of arms enveloped her and she turned her head to see who it was.
Dom.
{{um...err..cliffhanger? :D}}
**Thank You's**
Lilane ~~ Hiee!!!!
Snow*flake ~~ Thank you!!! **hugz** I posted the wrong version.-_-;;
Lady of the Shadows ~~ Thanks :D
Kim ~~ you ruined it! Jkjk, well, it was kind of obvious for everyone.. ^_^
Keita ~~ **gasp** well...she is going to whip some..err..Tortallan a****..excuse me..but it's true!!!!!
Cami ~~ heh. Heh. Thank you for complimenting so graciously!!!!! **promises her that Neal will be in the next chapter, but for a shallow appearance, as to not take him for so long away from her**
Lady Arabian Knight ~~ Thank you for the review ^_^
Slogan182 & {{somebody}} ~~ eeps. I spelled that one wrong..thank you for telling me!!! (
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tsair rode by her side as they traveled through the countryside. With his light blonde hair and dark brown eyes, they contrasted pleasantly with the black cloak trailing behind him. His blackish-grey stallion trotted majestically by her coffee-brown mare. The land was cold with winter's coming and a shallow film of frost was already surrounding the landscape.
Brushing a loose strand of hair back from her eyes, Reini wondered how she had won the warriors' loyalty so easily. Of course, she had given them a speech and all, but was it really enough to secure them to her side? Or was it her beauty? Scolding herself inwardly, Rei convinced herself that it was her speech that worked.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
She looked sideways at the mage and sighed.
"Are the Tortallans skilled warriors?"
"It depends, lady. Like us, the young are not well-trained. The old, too far into the years to have much strength, yet wise in the planning of strategies. However, most of the warriors are middle-aged, strong, educated men. To tell you the truth, the Scanrans are like separate tribes, although, if a commander does combine their strength, the army will succeed. The Tortallans, unfortunately, have never been so separated as the Scanrans were."
He glanced up, watching her eyes fill with anxiety.
"But-" She turned back towards him. "With you as commander, I doubt your orders will be incomplete."
She smiled at his compliment and nodded thanks. For the next few moments, she looked on ahead, concentrating on what was to come.
~
They had passed the miles of grassy plains when the trees further ahead started revealing a slight orangish color. Autumn. It was catching up soon, if they didn't move faster; winter would slow them down. Scanrans lived in the northern climate, so it wouldn't affect them as much as the Tortallan soldiers.
Although they had packed abundantly; the supplies would decrease faster, sooner or later, with the scarce game left.
Dom passed all this, unnoticed, a thought distracting him since he left Giantkiller.
"Milord, why a female commander?"
"I'm not sure.I reckon they're trying a new method instead. Perhaps, they think that if there was a female Scanran commander, we'd take pity on her."
"Will we?"
Raoul shook his head, confusion taking over.
"I've been trained as a knight to protect ladies. Perhaps this one will not have enough training, maybe we can capture her for questioning."
"What if she does have the wit and strategies to battle your mind, milord?"
Goldenlake smiled wryly, "Then we shall see."
~
Reini shuddered, they were close to the battle now. The Tortallan army were specks along the brim of the hills. Even hidden behind the bushes, she doubted if the army couldn't see her men.
Tying her waist-long hair securely, she turned to the Scanrans behind her.
"Know this in your minds, warriors. Today, we are fighting one of what will be the most famous battles in Scanran history. As we all know, many do not fear Scanra, for we have not shown them our forces in our past. But, now, we are stronger, as a whole. Our country's name will win respect from all others. That is, if we win. Fail me, and our country will drown in shame. Keep this in your hearts: Fight for your family, home, and country's honor."
When Reini ended, she watched as the men sat up straighter; hope shining loyally in her name. To them, even if she didn't know, Reini was Scanran: beautiful, fierce, kind, wise, and protective.
~
"We shall meet them here. (Raoul pointed to a center where two rivers met) In the delta of River Drell. Dom, take some of your men and cut them off from behind, I shall lead from the front. Mithros knows how this will end."
The commander rolled up the thick piece of parchment and signaled for the troops to move out.
The battle had begun.
~
Reini looked around her surroundings, surveying the territory. Clarifying what she was talking about, she pointed her finger in each indicated direction as she spoke.
"The Tortallan army will break apart, hoping to surround us all around. They will send some back, to make sure we don't retreat. Tsair, take some of the archers and hide in the trees. Try to pick off as many as you can. Hopefully, they don't have many riders."
Tsair nodded and took a third of the army from the rear, protecting the rest when they charged. She leaned in close the the black mage and whispered more instructions, making sure they weren't overheard. Nodding his agreement, he took more men and led out.
Shifting into a comfortable position, she adjusted her glaive and looked pointedly ahead. Her lips curled as she watched the enemy army head forward.
"For Scanra! Charge!"
~
The two armies met in the steep valley. Several riders were thrown off as their mounts slid down, but the Scanrans were gaining the advantage. Not only were their ponies used to the slippery sides, the riders knew how to adjust to the changes.
Reini was in the mid-back of the army when she saw the commander. His black stallion reared as he fought off attackers with the use of a sword. She noticed a Tortallan heading towards her and swung down with her glaive, cutting him off expertly.
~
Raoul had spotted the female commander after she had killed the Tortallan. Her weapon spun too quickly to be recognized, but once it stopped, he noticed it was a glaive. Keladry used to use those weapons. They were her favorite. With his mind off course, he didn't notice a Scanran sneaking up and felt a sharp pain in his leg as the man's sword dug in. He finished the man with one blow, grimacing at the deep cut in his leg. No time to think about Keladry now, he scolded himself.
The next time he looked up, the commander was in front of him, hefting her glaive skillfully and smiling.
~
At last, I have the commander, Reini smirked inwardly, let's see if he is as good as they tell. She slashed her weapon downward, but was stopped by a sword thrust. No matter, a short weapon will do no good against mine, she thought confidently. Twirling her blade in the opposite direction, she forced it upwards, heading for the neck. The man brought his sword upward in perfect timing, cutting off the glaive's route. Suddenly, he retreated a few steps and swiftly brought out his chosen weapon: a lance.
Reini's eyes widened a little at seeing such an old-fashioned weapon. The point was sharpened to a deadly point and the funnel it protruded out of was definitely uninviting. She held up her glaive and smirked.
Raoul galloped forward, lance raised in a steady rhythm to his horse's gallops. She urged the mare forward and held the glaive tightly, eyes focused. When he brought it up for a strike, she leaned sideways and smiled as the weapon narrowly missed, then she sliced downward at the handle of the heavy weapon. When they stopped, Raoul was staring down at the lance. Now, he only held a wooden staff. She charged first, this time.
As she brought the glaive toward its target, she felt it jerk to a stop and glanced upward. The wooden staff had stopped it!
She stared into the commander's eyes with amazement and saw that his eyes widening in recognition with her's. However, before she could react, the commander slammed his shield into her, jerking her off the seat and sent her flying.
When she fell, a pair of arms enveloped her and she turned her head to see who it was.
Dom.
{{um...err..cliffhanger? :D}}