Chapter 15 Liberation of Brightmoon
DT made her way stealthily, into the Horde camp surrounding Brightmoon. The security was laughable. Grizzlor and Colonel Black were in charge and they seemed to fear no attack. She learned, weeks ago, the spoiled little Princess Glimmer of Brightmoon had attempted to free her homeland from the siege when Onyx was away at Blackmoor and she was quickly crushed. Leading a small force of three thousand against their vastly superior forces she stood no chance, serving as little more than a light distraction, they even captured her and were going to send her to Hordak but she disappeared under their very noses and had been a thorn in their sides ever since.
While Glimmer's forces distracted the horde some unicorns used the battle and the cover of night to sneak into Brightmoon and aid the people by purifying their water source and changing the pure water to medicines needed when disease inevitably broke out among the citizenry. Thus the reason the siege was taking so long.
DT knew if Glimmer was able to get into the camp unseen- even when General Onyx was around, she had to have a secret way, probably there were underground tunnels she used or maybe some kind of teleportation magic. DT wasn't sure where Peekablu was, but she knew in order to get close to the seeress she would have to earn the trust of the leaders of the Rebellion and since Brightmoon was the closest place to a rebellion cell DT decided to start there.
She made her way unchallenged to the command tents. Here and there she found robots stationed as guards. She was careful to stay clear of their line of sight. Once again her armor came in useful as it disguised her body heat from their infrared vision. At the base of each tent she placed a small flash bomb. It would create a large heat flash but do little damage, it was the fire they would start on the canvas that might prove disastrous. DT smiled in the darkness.
Too bad for the horde, she thought, heading for the next tent.
She placed twelve flash bombs in a circular pattern before deciding to retreat from the area. She needed someplace conspicuous to be seen in case Glimmer or one of her spies were nearby. If not she needed as many horde troops as possible to witness her confrontation with horde authority so they could spread the tale of her heroism across the camp and eventually to the ear of a rebel spy. Ah! A cluster of boulders by the singing river- she could stand up there.
She ran, uncaring if she was seen now. There was a shout. Someone fired a laser blast at her, it struck her in the back but she felt nothing beyond a small tingling of energy shooting through her body. She climbed up the rocks, smiling, then turned to the camp, aiming the controller she held she pushed the button. Hell broke loose with a fiery vengeance and DT couldn't contain she small shiver of pleasure the sight of roaring flames gave her. It was an excitement of an almost sexual nature.
BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!
One after another the explosions went off. All the attention she aimed at her was diverted to the golden starburst of hungry flames and brilliant light pulses going off near the command tents. The troopers gazed in flabbergasted disbelief at the fires and blinding lights emitting from all around them. Several small fires erupted and troopers began working together to put them out. A large hairy form with huge muscles came barreling out of one of the tents screaming, his fur seemed to be on fire and the fool ran, fanning the flames before shooting out of the perimeter of the camp and diving into the river. DT laughed loudly, her face flushed with excitement as Grizzlor stood from the river, his fur hanging like a clump of hair from a clogged drain on his sopping form.
"Who's responsible for this!" He roared, water dripping off his nose and his downy chin.
"That would be me, your fluffyness." All attention turned to her. She could have sworn the animal-like gaze of the Horde commander tripled in size. She read her death in his black gaze and for a second questioned her wisdom in antagonizing the mutant beast.
"Sieze her!" His Snarling voice cried. Her confidence returned as she basked in the fury in his voice. Only one thing gave her as much pleasure as fire. That was pissing people off and then kicking their ass.
"Ah, ah, you didn't think I'd make it easy for you did you?" she pulled out a a small cylinder, holding it before her, one arm raised behind her as she assumed a fighting stance. "Ok, ready now."
Three troopers charged her, one on either side, and one from the front. As the two on either side of her reached her she squeezed the cylinder. Both ends exploded in four feet of metal pipe sharpened to a razor point on either end, slamming through their metallic bodies with faultless ease. They ceased functioning immediately. She couldn't shake them off before the one in front of her reached her so she slammed her foot into the soldiers stomach. There was the sound of an explosion as the trooper went soaring twelve feet through the air, her boot smoking from the discharge of her percussion sole. Pushing aside the two defunct robots she charged through the mass of troopers to her left, screaming wildly as she did so. Her arms shook with effort as she slammed the stave she wielded with such efficiency into one metal hulk after another. Laser blasts all around her shot over and into her. The material of her armor absorbed the energy, transmuting it into stamina for her to use. She was on a energy high now!
"For Freedom!" She screamed for the ear of any listener. With her new strength she spun her staff around her with a warriors skill and speed. Bodies slammed into it repeatedly but she never slowed as sweat poured from her brow and down her neck, trickling between her breasts. Her blows were more powerful now, she easily smashed the heads of several robots as they attacked her at once. One managed to break past the spinning weapon she weilded to reach for her face. Thrusting her palm upright into his chest she shoved. There was another loud boom as another percussion pad, this one designed for her hands sent the hunk of metal flying. He landed among the shrapnel of several of his hapless companions. Leaping into the air she landed behind several of her opponants and pulling up and back with her staff she spun in a graceful dance of death, knocking them to the ground, with a bend at the wrist and a swift rowing motion she sliced the row of fallen robots in two. She was just about to charge again when something snatched her by the hair, slamming her backward, before she could rise, a huge hairy ham fist smashed into the side of her head.
Grizzlor watched the cocky bitch as she took down one trooper after the other. She seemed to absorb the energy bolts shot at her and was only getting stronger. He was enraged at being made a fool of! There was no way in all the seven hells he was going to allow this woman to get away from him! He studied her movements as she fought. She was quick and she was good, slamming his robots into each other, sending their tin heads flying from their metallic shoulders with ease. She crushed the metal with her staff like they were made of sponge. She presented her back to him and he grinned wolfishly. Stupid woman! He stepped forward, grabbing her long yellow hair, he wrapped it around his fist and yanked. She fell at his feet and raising a huge hairy fist he finished her off with one good blow.
Now standing over her he watched the whole left side of her face rapidly discolor and smiled in satisfaction. He kicked her in the stomach and she flew five feet forward. He was just about to go after her when something solid thunked into his skull. He turned, furious, to investigate the source, but saw nothing. When he turned back what he saw caused him to roar with rage. Princess Glimmer was kneeling beside the fallen woman. She leaned over her, lifting her head with a healers tenderness and hugging her tightly, with a flash of light, disappeared. Grizzlor roared in rage. Storming over to his troopers he began tearing them apart. They fled from him in terror but he was too swift and there was too large a selection, he picked up one trooper who wasn't fast enough and tore off its head with his teeth. He caught another in his other hand and squeezed its head into a clump of metal, uncaring at the small jets of flame and sparks shot from the robotic wiring. He would have probably continued in his wild tantrum for some time if Colonel Black hadn't appeared and shot him in the knees with the laser pistols he kept on his own.
"Stupid beast!" Commander Black growled, disdainfully. Grizzlor howled his fury. "Let the rebels destroy our troops, not you. What the hell is your problem?" The haggard faced commander questioned, rubbing his head, his eyes wide and bloodshot from the previous evenings entertainment.
"While you were off nursing your hangover a rebel broke into the camp and set fire to the command tents and ME! Then that brat Glimmer appeared just as I was about to finish her off and teleported her out of here!"
"And that's your excuse for this," his upper lip curled in disgust, "this mayhem?"
"How about I set your ass on fire and see how you like it!" Grizzlor growled, standing. Colonel black tossed back his helmeted head and laughed, a loud, high pitched, annoying sound.
"You shaggy walking carpet, I would have paid money to see that, if I hadn't lost it all at the tables last night."
"Well, you can explain to Commanding General Onyx why the camp is in ruins." Grizzlor snarled. Commander Blacks eyes widened.
"Oh no, I'm not getting the blame for this. I wasn't even here-"
"Exactly!"
"Sirs-"
"You miserable throw rug, I'm not jeopardizing my career-"
"Your career is over!"
"Sirs-"
"Like hell-"
"Sirs!" A trooper bellowed. With a growl Grizzlor swung around, smashing his fist into the troopers head, flattening it and sending the robot to the ground in a heap of metal.
"You disgust me." Black sneered. Suddenly he noticed a swarm of troops running toward the front of the camps perimeter.
"What's going on?" He muttered.
"How the hell should I know?" Grizzlor snapped.
"Buffoon! That trooper had news for us!" Black strode angrily in the direction the troops were heading. "You there, halt. Report." He commanded a soldier in horde uniform. It was a human, breathless, not some brainless robot.
"Trolls, sir! They're coming over the rise, hundreds of them!"
"What!" The colonels eyes widened in horror. His career really would be over if he lost this siege. "Send all the robots to the front. Let them operate as targets. The rest of us can use them as shelter and take out the trolls at our leisure from a safe distance."
"Already done sir." The soldier responded, saluting smartly.
"Then what are you waiting for you idiot! Assume your position!"
"Yes sir."
Black felt his stomach start churning. He was going to be ill. The ground beneath his feet started to tremble and shake It was all the impetus he needed as the contents of his stomach exploded from his mouth and nose. He continued to retch long after his stomach was emptied. His head was thrumming 'Boom, boom, boom, boom!'
When he looked up he couldn't understand what he was seeing. The trolls were attacking the robots just as he had thought but there was commotion among the troops. People were leaving their posts. They were firing into the ranks.
What the hell?
He stood, weaving unsteadily, on his feet. His pistols were activated, one on either shoulder, two in his hands, two at his waist and two on his knees. Rebels! Rebels in his camp. They must have appeared out of nowhere. He began swearing softly and firing at once. Beams of flashing lavender light was emitting from the river side. Glimmer!
Glimmer fired the stun cannon until it was empty of charges and then she fell back on focused beams of light energy. Prior to the battle she had expended a great deal of power and energy to teleport the female rebel who had been wounded. She shouldn't have done it but she was so selfless and brave, Glimmer felt she had no choice but to save her. It was too close to the full moon, her powers were minimal and she weakened easily. Teleportation took a lot more energy than beams of light, especially for more than one person. Nonetheless she sustained the furious barrage of light.
At first, when her people attacked she was ecstatic to be doing something. They took the horde by surprise, this was nothing like the ill fated battle just three weeks prior. She was prepared and the trolls were with her. But as the hours passed and the fighting showed no signs of slowing she began to be afraid. The horde should be wearying by now, when would commander Black or Grizzlor sound the clarion call to retreat? Glimmer was getting desperate. She was exhausted and the troops kept coming. She closed her eyes, found her center and blinked to Ahgo's side. Ahgo nearly took her head off with one blow of his humongous battle-mace.
"Glimmer! Don't do that gel, I almost killed you."
"Sorry, what's going on Ahgo, they should be weakening by now!" She knew her voice sounded desperate.
Ahgo slammed his mace into a line of troopers sending them flying, a pile of shrapnel.
"There is a long time yet before we are through. The number of our enemies is overwhelming. Still, we will fight to the end."
"What!" Glimmer gasped. "You mean there is no hope."
Ahgo turned his gaze to hers. "There's always hope fair Glimmer even in the darkest moment- hang on to me gel they're gonna charge me."
"What? Why?"
"Do it! Now!" Glimmer threw herself at Ahgo's massive chest just in time. He emitted a humongous bellow and a whirling wind swooped like a serpent from the sky swallowing the line of troopers charging him. Thirty two armed troops disappeared into thin air, swallowed by a force Glimmer scarcely recognized. Ahgo slumped slightly and Glimmer shot her luminescent eyes upward, he appeared to be resting, his masculine warrior scent permeated her being as he leaned on her for a moment.
"Ahgo- are you okay?"
"Just need a moment." He groaned softly before straightening slowly. Glimmer stepped away from him, blushing at their closeness when suddenly her eyes were drawn over his shoulder; an axe blade was hurled through the air heading straight at him.
"No!" She cried, concentrating fiercely; she erected a purple shield at his back. The axe gave a metallic twing before bouncing harmlessly to the ground. Ahgo turned to stare at the axe and a huge smile split his ugly maw.
"Thanks."
"I got your back." Glimmer said quickly, then she ejected a series of lavender orbs hurling them at the troopers. Wherever they landed they exploded and sent people and debris flying.
"Aye, I believe you do." Ahgo said gazing at her appreciatively. She seemed immersed in concentration. She was so beautiful. Ahgo cursed silently to himself yet again. How could he have been so foolish as to fall in love with a human. Especially one as lovely as Glimmer of Brightmoon. He held no illusions that she could ever feel the same as him, yet he cherished the moments they spent together, discussing strategy and the war. And instances where he could touch her were far too few. He could have easily controlled his magic when his wind tore into those troopers, but with her unexpected appearance at his side some selfish and insane part of him contrived a way to hold her sweet body close to him. It was the sweetest bliss and the most excruciating of tortures. Ahgo was enthralled by the passionate princesses fiery nature and vibrant outbursts, she was headstrong and stubborn and intelligent. A worthy mate for the king of trolls. Too bad she was human. It was no secret her kind found his race hideous to look upon.
As more and more of their people fell back hope dimmed in Ahgo's heart. The sheer numbers of the horde force was forcing his troops into a holding pattern, even troll magic was not enough to beat them back. He would probably die here on this battlefield. As he swung his mace again he sent a bolt of thunder from its top. The percussion sent dirt spewing upward and enemies flying as well.
"Glimmer, if aught goes amiss I would have ye know- well, I am glad to have known ye." He spoke without looking at her, afraid she would see his heart in his eyes. He couldn't bear to see the look of disgust his love would engender on her fair features. Glimmer looked at the Troll king with horror.
"Ahgo!" She shouted. He wouldn't look at her. "Ahgo We are not going to die here. I will not allow it!" She was furious. Ahgo couldn't help but smile. The smile faded quickly as he saw a battalion of Horde flyers heading there way.
"Alas, fair princess of Brightmoon, I fear you have no say over destiny." He pointed to the flyers knowing even as he fell he was glad to be dying at the side of the woman he loved.
"Destiny be damned!" Glimmer cried. Squeezing her eyes shut she teleported to the center of the Horde army where they were most concentrated. Spreading her arms and breathing hard she gave this light explosion everything she had. With a roar torn from the deepest part of her fury she blasted a huge crater in the center of horde forces. Flesh and metal melted in the furnace, the screams of the dying were nightmarish but Glimmer heard nothing as the last of her power- more than she had ever expended before in her life- faded, and she collapsed to the ground.
"For Glimmer!" Ahgo cried, tears streaming down his craggy features. He barreled toward his doom with no regret in his heart except that Glimmer was not at his side. He had witnessed the bright explosion, the heat had singed his skin but annihilated the troops around him. He knew the level of control such magic took. He also knew Glimmer was not that strong. Only the deepest of desperations could call forth such powerful and precise magics from Glimmers frail human body and not without cost. He feared his fair warrior maid had fallen. No regrets then. With a bellow he leapt into battle.
DT made her way stealthily, into the Horde camp surrounding Brightmoon. The security was laughable. Grizzlor and Colonel Black were in charge and they seemed to fear no attack. She learned, weeks ago, the spoiled little Princess Glimmer of Brightmoon had attempted to free her homeland from the siege when Onyx was away at Blackmoor and she was quickly crushed. Leading a small force of three thousand against their vastly superior forces she stood no chance, serving as little more than a light distraction, they even captured her and were going to send her to Hordak but she disappeared under their very noses and had been a thorn in their sides ever since.
While Glimmer's forces distracted the horde some unicorns used the battle and the cover of night to sneak into Brightmoon and aid the people by purifying their water source and changing the pure water to medicines needed when disease inevitably broke out among the citizenry. Thus the reason the siege was taking so long.
DT knew if Glimmer was able to get into the camp unseen- even when General Onyx was around, she had to have a secret way, probably there were underground tunnels she used or maybe some kind of teleportation magic. DT wasn't sure where Peekablu was, but she knew in order to get close to the seeress she would have to earn the trust of the leaders of the Rebellion and since Brightmoon was the closest place to a rebellion cell DT decided to start there.
She made her way unchallenged to the command tents. Here and there she found robots stationed as guards. She was careful to stay clear of their line of sight. Once again her armor came in useful as it disguised her body heat from their infrared vision. At the base of each tent she placed a small flash bomb. It would create a large heat flash but do little damage, it was the fire they would start on the canvas that might prove disastrous. DT smiled in the darkness.
Too bad for the horde, she thought, heading for the next tent.
She placed twelve flash bombs in a circular pattern before deciding to retreat from the area. She needed someplace conspicuous to be seen in case Glimmer or one of her spies were nearby. If not she needed as many horde troops as possible to witness her confrontation with horde authority so they could spread the tale of her heroism across the camp and eventually to the ear of a rebel spy. Ah! A cluster of boulders by the singing river- she could stand up there.
She ran, uncaring if she was seen now. There was a shout. Someone fired a laser blast at her, it struck her in the back but she felt nothing beyond a small tingling of energy shooting through her body. She climbed up the rocks, smiling, then turned to the camp, aiming the controller she held she pushed the button. Hell broke loose with a fiery vengeance and DT couldn't contain she small shiver of pleasure the sight of roaring flames gave her. It was an excitement of an almost sexual nature.
BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!
One after another the explosions went off. All the attention she aimed at her was diverted to the golden starburst of hungry flames and brilliant light pulses going off near the command tents. The troopers gazed in flabbergasted disbelief at the fires and blinding lights emitting from all around them. Several small fires erupted and troopers began working together to put them out. A large hairy form with huge muscles came barreling out of one of the tents screaming, his fur seemed to be on fire and the fool ran, fanning the flames before shooting out of the perimeter of the camp and diving into the river. DT laughed loudly, her face flushed with excitement as Grizzlor stood from the river, his fur hanging like a clump of hair from a clogged drain on his sopping form.
"Who's responsible for this!" He roared, water dripping off his nose and his downy chin.
"That would be me, your fluffyness." All attention turned to her. She could have sworn the animal-like gaze of the Horde commander tripled in size. She read her death in his black gaze and for a second questioned her wisdom in antagonizing the mutant beast.
"Sieze her!" His Snarling voice cried. Her confidence returned as she basked in the fury in his voice. Only one thing gave her as much pleasure as fire. That was pissing people off and then kicking their ass.
"Ah, ah, you didn't think I'd make it easy for you did you?" she pulled out a a small cylinder, holding it before her, one arm raised behind her as she assumed a fighting stance. "Ok, ready now."
Three troopers charged her, one on either side, and one from the front. As the two on either side of her reached her she squeezed the cylinder. Both ends exploded in four feet of metal pipe sharpened to a razor point on either end, slamming through their metallic bodies with faultless ease. They ceased functioning immediately. She couldn't shake them off before the one in front of her reached her so she slammed her foot into the soldiers stomach. There was the sound of an explosion as the trooper went soaring twelve feet through the air, her boot smoking from the discharge of her percussion sole. Pushing aside the two defunct robots she charged through the mass of troopers to her left, screaming wildly as she did so. Her arms shook with effort as she slammed the stave she wielded with such efficiency into one metal hulk after another. Laser blasts all around her shot over and into her. The material of her armor absorbed the energy, transmuting it into stamina for her to use. She was on a energy high now!
"For Freedom!" She screamed for the ear of any listener. With her new strength she spun her staff around her with a warriors skill and speed. Bodies slammed into it repeatedly but she never slowed as sweat poured from her brow and down her neck, trickling between her breasts. Her blows were more powerful now, she easily smashed the heads of several robots as they attacked her at once. One managed to break past the spinning weapon she weilded to reach for her face. Thrusting her palm upright into his chest she shoved. There was another loud boom as another percussion pad, this one designed for her hands sent the hunk of metal flying. He landed among the shrapnel of several of his hapless companions. Leaping into the air she landed behind several of her opponants and pulling up and back with her staff she spun in a graceful dance of death, knocking them to the ground, with a bend at the wrist and a swift rowing motion she sliced the row of fallen robots in two. She was just about to charge again when something snatched her by the hair, slamming her backward, before she could rise, a huge hairy ham fist smashed into the side of her head.
Grizzlor watched the cocky bitch as she took down one trooper after the other. She seemed to absorb the energy bolts shot at her and was only getting stronger. He was enraged at being made a fool of! There was no way in all the seven hells he was going to allow this woman to get away from him! He studied her movements as she fought. She was quick and she was good, slamming his robots into each other, sending their tin heads flying from their metallic shoulders with ease. She crushed the metal with her staff like they were made of sponge. She presented her back to him and he grinned wolfishly. Stupid woman! He stepped forward, grabbing her long yellow hair, he wrapped it around his fist and yanked. She fell at his feet and raising a huge hairy fist he finished her off with one good blow.
Now standing over her he watched the whole left side of her face rapidly discolor and smiled in satisfaction. He kicked her in the stomach and she flew five feet forward. He was just about to go after her when something solid thunked into his skull. He turned, furious, to investigate the source, but saw nothing. When he turned back what he saw caused him to roar with rage. Princess Glimmer was kneeling beside the fallen woman. She leaned over her, lifting her head with a healers tenderness and hugging her tightly, with a flash of light, disappeared. Grizzlor roared in rage. Storming over to his troopers he began tearing them apart. They fled from him in terror but he was too swift and there was too large a selection, he picked up one trooper who wasn't fast enough and tore off its head with his teeth. He caught another in his other hand and squeezed its head into a clump of metal, uncaring at the small jets of flame and sparks shot from the robotic wiring. He would have probably continued in his wild tantrum for some time if Colonel Black hadn't appeared and shot him in the knees with the laser pistols he kept on his own.
"Stupid beast!" Commander Black growled, disdainfully. Grizzlor howled his fury. "Let the rebels destroy our troops, not you. What the hell is your problem?" The haggard faced commander questioned, rubbing his head, his eyes wide and bloodshot from the previous evenings entertainment.
"While you were off nursing your hangover a rebel broke into the camp and set fire to the command tents and ME! Then that brat Glimmer appeared just as I was about to finish her off and teleported her out of here!"
"And that's your excuse for this," his upper lip curled in disgust, "this mayhem?"
"How about I set your ass on fire and see how you like it!" Grizzlor growled, standing. Colonel black tossed back his helmeted head and laughed, a loud, high pitched, annoying sound.
"You shaggy walking carpet, I would have paid money to see that, if I hadn't lost it all at the tables last night."
"Well, you can explain to Commanding General Onyx why the camp is in ruins." Grizzlor snarled. Commander Blacks eyes widened.
"Oh no, I'm not getting the blame for this. I wasn't even here-"
"Exactly!"
"Sirs-"
"You miserable throw rug, I'm not jeopardizing my career-"
"Your career is over!"
"Sirs-"
"Like hell-"
"Sirs!" A trooper bellowed. With a growl Grizzlor swung around, smashing his fist into the troopers head, flattening it and sending the robot to the ground in a heap of metal.
"You disgust me." Black sneered. Suddenly he noticed a swarm of troops running toward the front of the camps perimeter.
"What's going on?" He muttered.
"How the hell should I know?" Grizzlor snapped.
"Buffoon! That trooper had news for us!" Black strode angrily in the direction the troops were heading. "You there, halt. Report." He commanded a soldier in horde uniform. It was a human, breathless, not some brainless robot.
"Trolls, sir! They're coming over the rise, hundreds of them!"
"What!" The colonels eyes widened in horror. His career really would be over if he lost this siege. "Send all the robots to the front. Let them operate as targets. The rest of us can use them as shelter and take out the trolls at our leisure from a safe distance."
"Already done sir." The soldier responded, saluting smartly.
"Then what are you waiting for you idiot! Assume your position!"
"Yes sir."
Black felt his stomach start churning. He was going to be ill. The ground beneath his feet started to tremble and shake It was all the impetus he needed as the contents of his stomach exploded from his mouth and nose. He continued to retch long after his stomach was emptied. His head was thrumming 'Boom, boom, boom, boom!'
When he looked up he couldn't understand what he was seeing. The trolls were attacking the robots just as he had thought but there was commotion among the troops. People were leaving their posts. They were firing into the ranks.
What the hell?
He stood, weaving unsteadily, on his feet. His pistols were activated, one on either shoulder, two in his hands, two at his waist and two on his knees. Rebels! Rebels in his camp. They must have appeared out of nowhere. He began swearing softly and firing at once. Beams of flashing lavender light was emitting from the river side. Glimmer!
Glimmer fired the stun cannon until it was empty of charges and then she fell back on focused beams of light energy. Prior to the battle she had expended a great deal of power and energy to teleport the female rebel who had been wounded. She shouldn't have done it but she was so selfless and brave, Glimmer felt she had no choice but to save her. It was too close to the full moon, her powers were minimal and she weakened easily. Teleportation took a lot more energy than beams of light, especially for more than one person. Nonetheless she sustained the furious barrage of light.
At first, when her people attacked she was ecstatic to be doing something. They took the horde by surprise, this was nothing like the ill fated battle just three weeks prior. She was prepared and the trolls were with her. But as the hours passed and the fighting showed no signs of slowing she began to be afraid. The horde should be wearying by now, when would commander Black or Grizzlor sound the clarion call to retreat? Glimmer was getting desperate. She was exhausted and the troops kept coming. She closed her eyes, found her center and blinked to Ahgo's side. Ahgo nearly took her head off with one blow of his humongous battle-mace.
"Glimmer! Don't do that gel, I almost killed you."
"Sorry, what's going on Ahgo, they should be weakening by now!" She knew her voice sounded desperate.
Ahgo slammed his mace into a line of troopers sending them flying, a pile of shrapnel.
"There is a long time yet before we are through. The number of our enemies is overwhelming. Still, we will fight to the end."
"What!" Glimmer gasped. "You mean there is no hope."
Ahgo turned his gaze to hers. "There's always hope fair Glimmer even in the darkest moment- hang on to me gel they're gonna charge me."
"What? Why?"
"Do it! Now!" Glimmer threw herself at Ahgo's massive chest just in time. He emitted a humongous bellow and a whirling wind swooped like a serpent from the sky swallowing the line of troopers charging him. Thirty two armed troops disappeared into thin air, swallowed by a force Glimmer scarcely recognized. Ahgo slumped slightly and Glimmer shot her luminescent eyes upward, he appeared to be resting, his masculine warrior scent permeated her being as he leaned on her for a moment.
"Ahgo- are you okay?"
"Just need a moment." He groaned softly before straightening slowly. Glimmer stepped away from him, blushing at their closeness when suddenly her eyes were drawn over his shoulder; an axe blade was hurled through the air heading straight at him.
"No!" She cried, concentrating fiercely; she erected a purple shield at his back. The axe gave a metallic twing before bouncing harmlessly to the ground. Ahgo turned to stare at the axe and a huge smile split his ugly maw.
"Thanks."
"I got your back." Glimmer said quickly, then she ejected a series of lavender orbs hurling them at the troopers. Wherever they landed they exploded and sent people and debris flying.
"Aye, I believe you do." Ahgo said gazing at her appreciatively. She seemed immersed in concentration. She was so beautiful. Ahgo cursed silently to himself yet again. How could he have been so foolish as to fall in love with a human. Especially one as lovely as Glimmer of Brightmoon. He held no illusions that she could ever feel the same as him, yet he cherished the moments they spent together, discussing strategy and the war. And instances where he could touch her were far too few. He could have easily controlled his magic when his wind tore into those troopers, but with her unexpected appearance at his side some selfish and insane part of him contrived a way to hold her sweet body close to him. It was the sweetest bliss and the most excruciating of tortures. Ahgo was enthralled by the passionate princesses fiery nature and vibrant outbursts, she was headstrong and stubborn and intelligent. A worthy mate for the king of trolls. Too bad she was human. It was no secret her kind found his race hideous to look upon.
As more and more of their people fell back hope dimmed in Ahgo's heart. The sheer numbers of the horde force was forcing his troops into a holding pattern, even troll magic was not enough to beat them back. He would probably die here on this battlefield. As he swung his mace again he sent a bolt of thunder from its top. The percussion sent dirt spewing upward and enemies flying as well.
"Glimmer, if aught goes amiss I would have ye know- well, I am glad to have known ye." He spoke without looking at her, afraid she would see his heart in his eyes. He couldn't bear to see the look of disgust his love would engender on her fair features. Glimmer looked at the Troll king with horror.
"Ahgo!" She shouted. He wouldn't look at her. "Ahgo We are not going to die here. I will not allow it!" She was furious. Ahgo couldn't help but smile. The smile faded quickly as he saw a battalion of Horde flyers heading there way.
"Alas, fair princess of Brightmoon, I fear you have no say over destiny." He pointed to the flyers knowing even as he fell he was glad to be dying at the side of the woman he loved.
"Destiny be damned!" Glimmer cried. Squeezing her eyes shut she teleported to the center of the Horde army where they were most concentrated. Spreading her arms and breathing hard she gave this light explosion everything she had. With a roar torn from the deepest part of her fury she blasted a huge crater in the center of horde forces. Flesh and metal melted in the furnace, the screams of the dying were nightmarish but Glimmer heard nothing as the last of her power- more than she had ever expended before in her life- faded, and she collapsed to the ground.
"For Glimmer!" Ahgo cried, tears streaming down his craggy features. He barreled toward his doom with no regret in his heart except that Glimmer was not at his side. He had witnessed the bright explosion, the heat had singed his skin but annihilated the troops around him. He knew the level of control such magic took. He also knew Glimmer was not that strong. Only the deepest of desperations could call forth such powerful and precise magics from Glimmers frail human body and not without cost. He feared his fair warrior maid had fallen. No regrets then. With a bellow he leapt into battle.