Wrath of Fate
Chapter the Fourth
Ambush in the Woods
General Voltaire adjusted his cloak. The success of his ploy depended on how well his soldiers could camouflage themselves before the enemy force arrived. They were more accustomed to open fighting but to openly engage a greater force would be foolish. He checked his lance again to make sure its tip was carefully concealed in the foliage. Then, he heard the sound that signalled the approach of the enemy.
Several footsteps could be heard in the distance. They were slightly muffled by the leaves on the ground but as they neared the noise level increased steadily. The weapons of the enemy could be heard clanking against their own armor as they navigated through the cramped forest.
General Voltaire lifted his hand with all fingers up. A soldier across him mimicked the movement. General Voltaire lowered one finger. Again the officer across him mimicked the action. General Voltaire proceeded to lower his other fingers one by one and the officer across him copied the actions each time. When the last finger was lowered, the soldiers sprang into action.
Lancers and knights appeared from behind the trees on both flanks of the advancing Ositian party. They took the more heavily armored side guards by surprise quickly disposing of them and leaving the less heavily armored units open. They charged into the center of the Ositian army and quickly lowered their numbers.
It took a while for the Ositian army to compose itself and so the battle was going in favor of the knights from Ivalice.
Hector retreated to the rear of the army and grabbed a dismayed runner. "Run to the second unit and tell them to take a different route. I'll head for the third unit and head for the southeastern edge of the forest. Tell the officer-in-charge of the second unit to lead his soldiers there." The runner sped off.
Hector looked for Oswin amid the mad fighting going on between the knights and his own units. He soon found him protecting a group of weaker soldiers. Hector cut down a knight that had approached him then ran towards Oswin. "Oswin get out of here. Head for the third unit! I'll follow."
"No sir. I shall not abandon my soldiers!"
"This battle is lost! Come with me!"
"There is hope yet! It seems that they are without a suitable leader."
"I shall be at the southeast of the forest. If you survive go there."
"Yes sir!"
Hector ran off further to the back of the Ositian lines and away from the fighting completely.
Zephiel lifted his sword slowly from the table, balancing it on his finger. Its balance was perfect. He continued lifting it and lowering it, waiting for the army to finish its preparations.
Eliwood, Marcus, Lowen and all the other Pheraen generals and vassals sat around a table in one of the larger tents in the Pheraen camp. A map of Ivalice was lying table in front of them.
"Our target is this area." Eliwood said, pointing a thin iron rod at the northwestern area of Ivalice. "These are the plains and plateaus of Fovoham. But in order to get a foothold in our campaign, I have decided to attack one of the castles here, in the west-northwestern area of Ivalice, Igros Castle. If any of you have any other ideas please voice them out now."
The tent was then filled with murmurs and whispers amongst the generals and vassals. They discussed for a short while then silence resumed.
"Very well. Prepare your soldiers, tomorrow we march upon Igros."
A cloaked man stood atop a giant pedestal, a sceptre in his hand and a scroll laid down before him. The design on his cloak designated him as a member of the mage guild of Ivalice. A band around his arm designated him as its archmage.
A number of mages stood around him in a grand arena that was covered in runes from top to bottom. They came from all orders of magic known to the people of Ivalice: the red mages, the white mages, the summoners, the oracles and the priests. They talked in hushed tones as the archmage prepared himself and cleared his throat. Finally he began the meeting. He raised his staff and let out a weak flare.
"Members of the council of mages of the mage guild of Ivalice welcome to the seventy third gathering of mages. Today we are here to discuss the occurrence of war in our already war ravaged land. Whether or not our guild is to participate is to be of great import in deciding the fate of this nation. It could be that our apathy could mete their doom and that our intervention could grant them victory. It is for this reason I ask that you consider well every point you raise, every bias you hold and every point raised by your fellows."
Another speaker rose and approached the pedestal. "If the leaders of any of the orders of magic would like to raise other issues please do so now." He said, and then he stepped down.
None of the leaders rose so the archmage proceeded. "My fellow mages, summoners and other magic wielders, we are faced now with a most pressing issue, the issue of whether or not we are to aid our nation in this war. If there are any who would wish to voice their thoughts, and I'm sure there are please do so now in an orderly and proper manner."
Voltaire stabbed an oncoming soldier. He drew his spear out and headed for the back of his lines. The battle was going well but not as good as he expected or wanted. His side was just barely winning and was losing its advantage fast.
"Pull back! Pull back! Retreat!" Voltaire shouted. His soldiers slowly began to run off into the woods in groups of two to four. Voltaire hung around a for a while before finally retreating.
Vaoltaire dashed past the gigantic old tree that was the trademark of Yuguo woods. He entered the thicker part of the forest near the tree and stopped to rest. His breathes were deep and heavy and between his gasping he managed to hear the clanking of arms and armor approaching him.
He grasped his lance and steadied himself as five heavily armoured figures came into view. They lifted their shields and began pounding their lances on them in a rapidly quickening beat.
That's all for now. Hope you liked it… and pls review.
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I do not own Fire Emblem, Final Fantasy or any of their developer/publisher companies…I just own copies of the games…