Disclaimer: Warhammer is not mine, unfortunately...
***
The birds that continued to hover overhead were beginning to get on Anahids nerve. Taking his eyes off the animals he surveyed his men, of whom many, like he, were observing the sky, that continuously grew darker as the sun faded and birds of prey gathered. Others were watching the horizon. The unit the young noble was currently in, had left it's watch tower when word reached their commander that a Druchii raiding party had landed. The civilians that ran by earlier confirmed his fears. Already riders had been sent to gather reinforcements and their commander, mage Chireaden had decided to await the dark kins arrival. Anachid swore silently, to await Isha knows how many blood thirsty traitors with fifty men. Fifty!
"At least he had enough sense to pick a defensible position."
- he thought looking at the archers and spearmen ranked behind him. Unfortunately, there were none of the more famous units, Sword Masters, Dragon Princes, Phoenix Guard, Tiranoc Chariots... not even a unit of Sea Guard or Silver Helms. Once again he presented his idea about the mages strategy to the unit commanders that were around him,
"For once I agree with you, I would also prefer trying to reach one of our outposts and form a larger unit before meeting our kin."
"Look at it this way",- Gireon, a commander of one of the archer units joined the conversation, "if we fall back we will abandon this land for the invaders to pillage, while staying here we will force them to attack us and give the people of this area a chance to escape."
"Yet staying here also means that we do not possess the strength to repel them. I still think..." .
"Gentlemen."- this one word made the young nobles jump slightly before they turned around and hastily bowed their heads.
Chireaden with a wave of his hand made it clear that he didn't require them to bow, when they straightened he spoke again,
"I suggest that you put aside your discussions and get to your units, the enemy is near."
Saying this he moved back to the top of the hill that he had chosen as his location an hour ago. Silently the nobles did as they were told, though they may not agree with the mages' orders they were still honor bound to listen to whomever their head commander selected to command them. A few minutes had passed before they saw them, dark shapes rode from the forest only to flee back after a volley of arrows. None of the High Elves had any illusions that this was merely their scouts. They didn't have to wait long for the main force. A shouting, jeering mass, pale skin distinct against dark armor and robes. Banners with mutilated runes held high. In a matter of seconds Anahid once more began cursing the mages decision of waiting. The Druchii soon began running towards them.
"Archers! Notch Arrows!"
Archers reached to their quivers, placed the arrows on strings and pulled
them to the ear, the Druchii continued running, fueled by their hatred
and will to slay their kin.
"Loose Arrows!"
The sound of arrows piercing the air was heard even above the Dark Elves
howling. Even before the volley hit the order to notch was repeated and
another volley hit the Druchii.
"Spearmen! Shield Wall!"
Anahid repeated the order, at the same time kneeling along with the first rank, the second stepped forth and placed their shields atop those of the ones in front, those in further ranks formed something of a roof. A moment after the formation was finished, a clatter of steel against wood informed him that the dark kin were trying to weaken the ranks of spearmen for the attackers, though they did not take into account that the shields of the High Elves were large enough to protect them better from the hail of bolts that the Druchii loosed from their crossbows than the shields of other races.
The shout of ,
"Shoot at will!"
informed him that the enemy was getting close, moving his shield slightly
he was in time to notice a number of lights disintegrate the first rank
of the Druchii. Chireaden was useful for something after all. Another
volley of bolts struck the shield wall as Anahid shouted the psychic
order that he received from the mage,
"Spearmen! Form up for advance!"
Even before the spearmen reformed he shouted the next order,
"Charge!"
The ranks of spearmen ran down the hill into the ranks of their kin,
because of the speed gained, they managed to push back the Druchii a
number of meters before halted. The two walls of spears and shields met
with a clash. Archers renewed their volleys aiming at something Anahid
could not see, though he guessed that it was the Dark Riders trying to
find a way to outflank the defensive positions of the high elves. A magic
blast must have made the attempt vain as arrows once more began falling
on the further ranks of the Druchii.
Thrusting his spear Anahid pushed the spear point into the Druchii's bare
throat, wrenching it out he noted with some satisfaction that the dark
one tried in vain to catch his breath as he fell to the ground.
Using the moment of respite gained Anahid looked around, though a number
of his men fell, the Druchii were suffering worse from fighting both up
hill and against soldiers better trained at fighting with spears.
He did not get much time as another Druchii waving a sword tried to rush
him. With some disgust he noticed that it was a woman,
"How could they go so low and use women as soldiers?"
His spear thrust was deflected by the she-elves sword witch, in a
whistling arc smashed into the side of his shield. Desperate Anahid
kicked the female Druchii in the leg, it didn't do any harm to the mail
covered body, but it made the female stumble and lose her guard for a
second, a second that Anahid used to regain a firm grip of his spear and
drive it below her breastplate into the hauberk. The mail splintered
under the force of the thrust, the Druchii could only gasp in pain as he
twisted the spear in her insides and pulled it out along with some
innards. As she fell to her knees Anahid stabbed her in the throat ending
the warrior's life.
The sun had set leaving the world in the half darkness when the day has
ended yet the night has not yet began.
The line of dark elves broke and fled, rushing down the hill, the
Druchii near the bottom stood there not wanting to attack the position of
those that had already slain so many of their number, that moment cost
them a lot. A small hail magic bolts followed by a larger hail of arrows
rained upon them, the raiders that came expecting an easy victory were
dumbfounded and lost their nerve and began running. Steeling themselves
the High Elves once more charged the Druchii.
Most of the Druchii invaders were either dead or fleeing, yet there was
still a strong unit awaiting at the base. Corsairs wrapped in their
dragon cloaks stood ignoring the arrows that fell and deflected off the
scales. Amongst them stood a figure in armor clearly showing him as the
leader of the expedition. Many of the dark elves fleeing once more stood
their ground, whether being inspired by their commander's example or
because they were more afraid of him than the Asur, was of little
importance. Slowly they began moving towards the spearmen picking up
speed while the spearmen braced themselves for the charge. Many of the
Corsairs were impalled on the spears, though many more ran into the ranks
of the Asur as combat was renewed. Anahid wrenched his spear free of a
now dead corsair and deflected the blows of another, putting the shaft
between the druchii's legs tripping the warrior who was soon slain.
Anahid barely deflected the next blow and took a step back, finding
himself fighting the suspected leader of the expedition. The Druchii
masterly wielded his blade and forced Anahid step by step back. The Asur
launched himself at his foe who sidestepped his attack and struck out
with sharp blade, slashing through the top of his opponent's shield.
Anahid stumbled, but used his spear as a cane and stopped himself from
falling and stabbed again. The Druchii lord blocked the attack with his
shield and slashed the spear's blade off with his counter stroke. The
Asur threw his ruined weapon at his opponent,drew his own blade and
attacked again. The raider, slightly distracted by the thrown shaft
hardly blocked the high elves attack, but struck out with his shield
knocking the Asur in the helmeted head. Anahid stumbled and tried to
regain his balance, however; the Druchii did not allow him to do so. He
unleashed the hatred he had for all the residents of Ulthuan, blow after
blow fell on the high elf turning his shield into a ruin. One of the
blows fell on his neck, the mail buckled yet held though the wearer fell
to the ground hitting himself hard in his helmeted head. Dazed Anahid
looked up to see the Druchii above him ready to deliver the killing blow.
***
The birds that continued to hover overhead were beginning to get on Anahids nerve. Taking his eyes off the animals he surveyed his men, of whom many, like he, were observing the sky, that continuously grew darker as the sun faded and birds of prey gathered. Others were watching the horizon. The unit the young noble was currently in, had left it's watch tower when word reached their commander that a Druchii raiding party had landed. The civilians that ran by earlier confirmed his fears. Already riders had been sent to gather reinforcements and their commander, mage Chireaden had decided to await the dark kins arrival. Anachid swore silently, to await Isha knows how many blood thirsty traitors with fifty men. Fifty!
"At least he had enough sense to pick a defensible position."
- he thought looking at the archers and spearmen ranked behind him. Unfortunately, there were none of the more famous units, Sword Masters, Dragon Princes, Phoenix Guard, Tiranoc Chariots... not even a unit of Sea Guard or Silver Helms. Once again he presented his idea about the mages strategy to the unit commanders that were around him,
"For once I agree with you, I would also prefer trying to reach one of our outposts and form a larger unit before meeting our kin."
"Look at it this way",- Gireon, a commander of one of the archer units joined the conversation, "if we fall back we will abandon this land for the invaders to pillage, while staying here we will force them to attack us and give the people of this area a chance to escape."
"Yet staying here also means that we do not possess the strength to repel them. I still think..." .
"Gentlemen."- this one word made the young nobles jump slightly before they turned around and hastily bowed their heads.
Chireaden with a wave of his hand made it clear that he didn't require them to bow, when they straightened he spoke again,
"I suggest that you put aside your discussions and get to your units, the enemy is near."
Saying this he moved back to the top of the hill that he had chosen as his location an hour ago. Silently the nobles did as they were told, though they may not agree with the mages' orders they were still honor bound to listen to whomever their head commander selected to command them. A few minutes had passed before they saw them, dark shapes rode from the forest only to flee back after a volley of arrows. None of the High Elves had any illusions that this was merely their scouts. They didn't have to wait long for the main force. A shouting, jeering mass, pale skin distinct against dark armor and robes. Banners with mutilated runes held high. In a matter of seconds Anahid once more began cursing the mages decision of waiting. The Druchii soon began running towards them.
"Archers! Notch Arrows!"
Archers reached to their quivers, placed the arrows on strings and pulled
them to the ear, the Druchii continued running, fueled by their hatred
and will to slay their kin.
"Loose Arrows!"
The sound of arrows piercing the air was heard even above the Dark Elves
howling. Even before the volley hit the order to notch was repeated and
another volley hit the Druchii.
"Spearmen! Shield Wall!"
Anahid repeated the order, at the same time kneeling along with the first rank, the second stepped forth and placed their shields atop those of the ones in front, those in further ranks formed something of a roof. A moment after the formation was finished, a clatter of steel against wood informed him that the dark kin were trying to weaken the ranks of spearmen for the attackers, though they did not take into account that the shields of the High Elves were large enough to protect them better from the hail of bolts that the Druchii loosed from their crossbows than the shields of other races.
The shout of ,
"Shoot at will!"
informed him that the enemy was getting close, moving his shield slightly
he was in time to notice a number of lights disintegrate the first rank
of the Druchii. Chireaden was useful for something after all. Another
volley of bolts struck the shield wall as Anahid shouted the psychic
order that he received from the mage,
"Spearmen! Form up for advance!"
Even before the spearmen reformed he shouted the next order,
"Charge!"
The ranks of spearmen ran down the hill into the ranks of their kin,
because of the speed gained, they managed to push back the Druchii a
number of meters before halted. The two walls of spears and shields met
with a clash. Archers renewed their volleys aiming at something Anahid
could not see, though he guessed that it was the Dark Riders trying to
find a way to outflank the defensive positions of the high elves. A magic
blast must have made the attempt vain as arrows once more began falling
on the further ranks of the Druchii.
Thrusting his spear Anahid pushed the spear point into the Druchii's bare
throat, wrenching it out he noted with some satisfaction that the dark
one tried in vain to catch his breath as he fell to the ground.
Using the moment of respite gained Anahid looked around, though a number
of his men fell, the Druchii were suffering worse from fighting both up
hill and against soldiers better trained at fighting with spears.
He did not get much time as another Druchii waving a sword tried to rush
him. With some disgust he noticed that it was a woman,
"How could they go so low and use women as soldiers?"
His spear thrust was deflected by the she-elves sword witch, in a
whistling arc smashed into the side of his shield. Desperate Anahid
kicked the female Druchii in the leg, it didn't do any harm to the mail
covered body, but it made the female stumble and lose her guard for a
second, a second that Anahid used to regain a firm grip of his spear and
drive it below her breastplate into the hauberk. The mail splintered
under the force of the thrust, the Druchii could only gasp in pain as he
twisted the spear in her insides and pulled it out along with some
innards. As she fell to her knees Anahid stabbed her in the throat ending
the warrior's life.
The sun had set leaving the world in the half darkness when the day has
ended yet the night has not yet began.
The line of dark elves broke and fled, rushing down the hill, the
Druchii near the bottom stood there not wanting to attack the position of
those that had already slain so many of their number, that moment cost
them a lot. A small hail magic bolts followed by a larger hail of arrows
rained upon them, the raiders that came expecting an easy victory were
dumbfounded and lost their nerve and began running. Steeling themselves
the High Elves once more charged the Druchii.
Most of the Druchii invaders were either dead or fleeing, yet there was
still a strong unit awaiting at the base. Corsairs wrapped in their
dragon cloaks stood ignoring the arrows that fell and deflected off the
scales. Amongst them stood a figure in armor clearly showing him as the
leader of the expedition. Many of the dark elves fleeing once more stood
their ground, whether being inspired by their commander's example or
because they were more afraid of him than the Asur, was of little
importance. Slowly they began moving towards the spearmen picking up
speed while the spearmen braced themselves for the charge. Many of the
Corsairs were impalled on the spears, though many more ran into the ranks
of the Asur as combat was renewed. Anahid wrenched his spear free of a
now dead corsair and deflected the blows of another, putting the shaft
between the druchii's legs tripping the warrior who was soon slain.
Anahid barely deflected the next blow and took a step back, finding
himself fighting the suspected leader of the expedition. The Druchii
masterly wielded his blade and forced Anahid step by step back. The Asur
launched himself at his foe who sidestepped his attack and struck out
with sharp blade, slashing through the top of his opponent's shield.
Anahid stumbled, but used his spear as a cane and stopped himself from
falling and stabbed again. The Druchii lord blocked the attack with his
shield and slashed the spear's blade off with his counter stroke. The
Asur threw his ruined weapon at his opponent,drew his own blade and
attacked again. The raider, slightly distracted by the thrown shaft
hardly blocked the high elves attack, but struck out with his shield
knocking the Asur in the helmeted head. Anahid stumbled and tried to
regain his balance, however; the Druchii did not allow him to do so. He
unleashed the hatred he had for all the residents of Ulthuan, blow after
blow fell on the high elf turning his shield into a ruin. One of the
blows fell on his neck, the mail buckled yet held though the wearer fell
to the ground hitting himself hard in his helmeted head. Dazed Anahid
looked up to see the Druchii above him ready to deliver the killing blow.
