Crimson Twilight: Dusk

Chapter 42: Counterattack

"I've called you all here to discuss our next move after the repulsed kobold attack."

Quai Hune looked over the gathered Knight Commanders of Prontera's Regular Army. The meeting had taken place as soon as the remaining kobolds were either driven out or slain. Now that the Geffen Wizard Academy had washed its hands of the whole matter with Trenzein Zaisen and Raven Huer, the next matter of discussion involved taking steps to break the siege. He studied each one of the Knight Commanders present. The success of whatever operation planned today would depend on how well each one of them handled their troops. In particular, he focused his attention on four important figures in the room.

The first was, of course, First Knight Commander Eliarainne Sialsanderin. He knew that if there was anyone present in the room that he could count on to lead the army to another victory, it would be her. She possessed the traits of a great leader. She handled her troops well and they respected her greatly in return. When she charged, morale soared. She had a keen grasp of military tactics as well as superb riding and fighting skills. While her temper was notorious when it came to personal matters, she has never let her anger get in the way of her duties. Quai Hune watched the First Knight Commander worriedly this time though. She was pale from lack of sleep and an overabundance of stress. He knew that she also had to handle her meddlesome father and, at the same time, recuperate from the wounds she had received from the last battle.

The second was none other than Makaelthos Solcry. While not a Knight Commander, he took part in these meetings because Quai respected his abilities as a tactician. Not only that, he served as a consultant for any involvement from the Church. He was also a keen judge of character; able to make the right decisions on which Knight Division to use on what situation.

It was this same ability to judge the character of someone that made Quai Hune a little uneasy over the third person. Makaelthos did not completely trust the newly-appointed Knight Commander of the Fourth Knight Division. Sir Agranias was assigned to lead it after the untimely death of its former commander, Sir Gardzen Haelungrein. Quai Hune was dubious about the whole incident with Sir Gardzen. Official reports stated that Gardzen Haelungrein was killed by Priestess Silmeia Cafilence in an act of self-defense when he had attempted to rape her. Agranias was appointed after much careful thought from the rest of the Knight Commanders and the recommendation of the rest of the Fourth Knight Division. According to Sir Makaelthos, he was a rogue knight reformer who was almost killed by his fellow rogue knights for trying to join the Regular Army. Despite his dubious background, he was a fine warrior and exhibited a lot of potential as a leader. In fact, Quai had a feeling that he had led troops of his own before. A more thorough investigation about Sir Agranias's background will have to be undertaken after the siege.

If Sir Agranias was a little uneasy to consider as a Knight Commander, the most peculiar person in the meeting hall right now had to be the Knight Commander of Prontera's newest Knight Division. The Fourteenth Knight Division was actually composed of newly-promoted swordsmen who had proven themselves in the battles with the orcs. Fourteenth Knight Commander Joe Buck seemed…too proud of his new status as a knight. Quai Hune considered his ascension to his rank to be too hasty. After all, the former swordsman had enlisted in the army only a few weeks ago. The Grand Knight Commander had agreed to his promotion because he believed that Prontera could use an extra division. Sir Joe Buck was an excellent warrior; he was extremely brave and skillful in a skirmish. He had an incredible enthusiasm about serving Prontera and inspired a lot of the swordsmen during battles. What really made him strange was when he received the news of his promotion. He practically did a jig in front of the Grand Knight Commander. Later, Quai watched him run to a cloaked man he called "Seiros", shouting joyously that "they had made him a knight". The cloaked figure quieted him down though. Dame Eliarainne, Sir Makaelthos and Sir Agranias were obviously anxious about the new Knight Commander.

"The death of Werewolf has all but scattered the kobold tribes." Quai told the assembled Knight Commanders. "That leaves their western flank exposed. The orc and goblin tribes will be hard-pressed to recover from the resulting vacuum in their forces. Now would be the perfect opportunity to launch a counterattack to further put us in advantage. In fact, this next attack has the possibility of routing our besiegers."

The Knight Commanders nodded grimly at Quai Hune's proposition. All except Sir Joe Buck, who nodded a little too eagerly to his liking.

Sir Makaelthos pointed a finger at the map of the lands surrounding Prontera. "If the kobolds get it in their heads to retreat back to their lands, they can easily take the western route through the goblin forests." he said. "An easy means of escape will ensure that they retreat quickly from our lands. If the Orc Hero plans to make them hold their positions, he would have to maneuver some of his orcs to block the entrance to the forests."

Eliarainne concentrated on the map and traced her finger across the plains where the orc tribes were positioned. "If the orcs do move, it would expose the orcish high command to a direct attack from us." she added.

Quai Hune nodded at the two. "The question is how do we ensure that the kobolds flee?" he asked. "Their leader may be dead but kobolds can be stubborn."

Makaelthos concentrated for a while. "The kobolds will probably have a fear of magic right now." he answered. "After all, Werewolf was slain by a wizard. A severe attack from several wizard divisions will break whatever morale they have left."

The other Knight Commanders voiced their assent to the plan. Quai Hune watched each of them carefully. "We can't just send a wizard division or two without some form of escort." he said. "We'll need some back up for them."

None of the Knight Commanders volunteered for the job. The wizard attack was, after all, a feint to lure the orc tribes to make the wrong maneuver. The glory in this battle will lie on the main attack on their high command. The one who can slay Orc Hero himself will be the hero in this war.

Quai Hune turned towards Sir Joe Buck. "Knight Commander Buck, I will assign your division along with the Fourth Knight Division to escort the wizards on this attack." he said.

Sir Joe Buck's eyes widened in surprise. "But wolf-boy's dead!" he protested. "Theres no one for me to-!" He stopped himself as he drew stares from the other Knight Commanders. "-I mean…yes sir!" he amended.

Quai Hune turned towards the other Knight Commanders. "The rest of you will take part in the main assault on the Orc Hero's main camp!" he told them. "Get your divisions ready before sunrise!"

Sir Agranias suddenly raised a hand to call the Grand Knight Commander's attention. "Sir, we have to keep in mind that the Lord of Death is probably still near Prontera." he said. "An all-out attack might leave yo-I mean our defenses open to a surprise attack from his raydric army."

Quai Hune acknowledged Sir Agranias's point. It also reminded him that the orcs were not the only enemies of Prontera. "The raydric army is no where within at least several miles from the orc tribes, Sir Agranias." he replied. "Otherwise, orcish scouts would have spotted them from afar. It will probably take a few days of marching to get here from wherever their army is. That's long enough for us to complete this attack."

Agranias seemed about to say more but he decided to stop himself.

Quai Hune watched as the different commanders went out to handle their divisions. He then approached Sir Makaelthos before he could leave. "Sir Makaelthos, A word with you for a while." he said.

Sir Makaelthos stopped and nodded at his partner to move on without him. "You need something, sir?" he asked.

Sir Quai Hune waited until the room was clear of everyone. "I've noticed that your partner doesn't look too well these past two days." he said. "Any problems I should know about?"

Sir Makaelthos was silent for a while. While he knew that a problem of one Knight Commander had best come to Quai Hune's attention, he wasn't sure if it was a good idea to tell him about his partner's nightmares. He knew little of it himself. "Dame Eliarainne's just working too hard lately, Sir Quai." he answered. "Her issues with her family and fiancé isn't helping to improve things, I'm afraid."

Quai Hune watched Sir Makaelthos in concern this time. "I did not know Dame Eliarainne had a fiancé, Sir Makaelthos." he said.

Makaelthos's eyes narrowed. "She's against the whole engagement." he replied. "Her father's pushing for it but-"

Quai Hune nodded in understanding. He was well acquainted with Cafilex Sialsanderin. He had been dealing with the man for years, ever since he allowed Dame Eliarainne to take swordswoman training. "Cafilex is never the one to understand." he said. "Can she handle it?"

Makaelthos remembered the frightened look his partner gave him earlier that night. From outward appearances, it didn't look like Eliarainne could handle the mounting stress but he had never known her to succumb to anything before. "I trust that she can, Sir Quai Hune." he replied.

The Grand Knight Commander nodded and started to walk away. "I certainly hope so, Sir Makaelthos." he said. "The army needs her more than ever now."

Makaelthos went to attend his preparations for the upcoming battle. 'Not just the army, Sir Quai Hune.' he thought.

"How did your meeting go, doppelganger?" Osiris asked his ally.

The doppelganger strutted about in his new set of full plate. Despite the additional weight, he still moved as if he was merely wearing cloth. He often looked at the Pronteran symbol that was engraved onto his cuirass; finding the two-headed eagle very amusing. "That's Sir Joe Buck now, Seiros!" he said.

Osiris's eyes flashed as the doppelganger continued with his antics. Of all things, he was practicing the knight salute! "Be serious!" he growled. "We failed to anticipate Werewolf's demise, "Joe Buck"! We need to slay at least one of the immortals right outside the gates!"

The doppelganger stopped his antics and put on a subdued look. "The meeting didn't go so well." he answered. "They assigned my division to guard a bunch of wizards and assault the remaining kobolds."

Osiris' eyes flashed again. "It's to be expected." he said. "You're barely out of swordsman duty to them, doppelganger. But we can gain some good here."

The doppelganger began to sharpen his broadsword with a bit of whetstone that he found in some smithy. "Good?" he asked. "All I'll be doing is butchering some dog men. Nothing good about that!"

Osiris watched as the first rays of the sun began to shine on Prontera. "There are ways for you to change your division's assignment, doppelganger." He replied. "I will handle that during the battle."

The doppelganger patted his partner on the shoulder. "I'm counting on you, Seiros!" he said with enthusiasm. Then, his eyes narrowed menacingly. "No cheating."

"So what did Sir Quai want to talk about?" Eliarainne asked. She talked to Makaelthos as she inspected her troops. The First Knight Division, as usual, was the first to get ready among the knights.

"Sir Quai Hune was just worried about your state, Eliarainne." Makaelthos answered.

Eliarainne looked at him curiously. "My state?" she asked. "I'm perfectly fine!"

Makaelthos did not look convinced. "Perhaps…be careful in the battle later, Eliarainne." he replied. "I don't want to do what I had to during the last fight."

Eliarainne lowered her gaze at the response.

"Perish, demon!"

The image of Makaelthos's holy sword was still vivid in her mind. 'That's ridiculous.' she thought. 'Makaelthos would never-"

"What I had to do."

Eliarainne was silent after that.

"What do you mean I'm not part of the next battle?"

Trenzein Zaisen tried to rise from his bed and failed. A warning glance from Seihanine told him not to repeat that. Silmeia's expression was determined as she stared at him.

"You're still resting, Trenzein." Silmeia said firmly. "Besides, you've already contributed enough to this siege."

Trenzein sank back to his bed. "Great." he sighed. "I suppose the Second Priest Division is going as well?"

Silmeia nodded. "I have to get my division ready, Zein." she replied. "Please stay here."

Trenzein nodded in resignation as Silmeia left. It wasn't like he had the strength to disobey her. Seihanine sat beside his bed once again. "What are you still doing here, Sei?" he asked.

Seihanine leaned against her chair. "The Second Hunter Division's ready by now." she said. "I'll just stay here for a while."

Trenzein stared out the window of the infirmary. "That's not necessary you know." he said.

Seihanine hid a slight smile. "How does it feel to be the invalid this time, Zein?" she asked.

Trenzein bristled at the remark. Suddenly the memory of a similar situation made him laugh. "I suppose the great Seihanine Xalascent can cast a Jupitel Storm at Werewolf without taking a scratch?" he asked in mock indignation.

Seihanine was about to reply when she heard a familiar sound.

Soft laughter echoed inside the room.