Chapter Seventeen:
Failing Traditions

Akula's POV:

So this is Chilaquand, where all of our legends were born. By most accounts, the valley could still be called pristine, which seemed to be why Askinqua is destroying everything in sight.

"Major Akula! This way!"

Afrin's voice led to a large tent, apparently the one used for the High Council. I entered, and found myself in front of every leader, with the exception of Elephande. A wizened figure, whom I recognized as Allysulia's legendary prophet, Elder Afrin, stood at the front of the tent. He spoke first.

"Hear me Indosyne, for I present to you your next legend. Allysulia-Major-Akula, here is your task: You are to lead Allysulia in the name of Elephande until he returns."

"That's a daunting task, Elder," replied young Patriarch Dilan.

"Indeed, young Dilan. As the second largest and secont oldest herd on record, the leadership of Allysulia is a task for a brilliant leader. Akula! Take your place in history!"

I then noticed another legend: my own leader, Suliantig, whose presence was almost tangible.

"This is Elephande's wish. Akula, your linage speaks for you. If we are correct, you are of the eldest line of Frontain, a descendant of High General Isteanoc. His title is bestowed to you now, Akula. High General Akula, lead our people!"

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"He'll do fine," said Suliantig, after Akula had left. "I've had the honor of meeting Isteanoc, and his blood runs true."

"Yes, but I'm afraid the Age of Indosyne is near its end. Our traditions are failing, and we exert all of our energy trying not to follow them," said Afrin.

"Akula uses the style perfected by Elephande, Zambiandë, and the other Dwindlers, an aggressive style not used as much any more."

Rebomo spoke up. "If this is true, then Akula will achieve victory at the end."

"He is our chance."

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"So, exactly how far are we from Chilaquand?" Chris asked.

Alinqua studied a readout for a few seconds, and the replied, "The 17th, or sometime around there."

"Be ready for a sight when you get there. None of the strife you have seen can prepare you for the sight of Chilaquand. Hopefully, at least, Afrin will still be there to provide the spectacle."

A technician strode up to Altoda. "Patriarch, we have something out there. It's only one ship, but there's the energy signature of a large fleet."

"What!"

Altoda and the others ran to a viewport.

"By the High Elder, it's Elephande! Let him in!"

The group ran down to a docking bay, where Elder Afrin, Elephande, and Zambiandë waited, along with 10 other wizened figures.

"Patriarch Altoda, I trust you need no introduction to the monarchs of Frontain, but the others have heard only legends. From the Dwindlers, I present Elephande, Zambiandë, Elephate, Dagot, Zela, Qwen, Quien, Agola, Reheboth, Assir, Erandel, and Guathed," started Elder Afrin. "To Frontain, let me present to you Altoda, Alinqua, and Delagog, heroes of Graupia, along with the Company of Anegon."

"Well met, indeed," replied Elephande. "Thirteen shall be the number that swallows Askinqua. I fared well, and the monarchs of Frontain can add around a million to our cause. How did you do?"

Altoda laughed. "How many, Elephande? At last count, Istean numbered twelve million. Askinqua will choke on our fury."

Delagog spoke up. "Also, nearly a million stand by, in case he decides to invade our planet."

The monarchs of Frontain's faces showed various degrees of astonishment. Zela was the first to recover.

"Strong is the race of Isteanoc. Now we better understand the scale of Graupia, I think."

Elder Afrin spoke again. "And now Isteanoc's line is revealed. Akula of Allysulia, descendant of Isteanoc, has been named High General of Indosyne, completing the lines."

"Well then, we are all accounted for," said Elephande. "I trust the signal is ready?"

Richard spoke up. "It is. The Company will reach Chilaquand first, and provide the beacon for the First and Second Strifes."

"So it will be the same as it was on Balecroft?"

"Yes. Again, we shall turn the tide."

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An aide showed Akula to a good-sized tent.

"This will be your command post, sir."

"Post? My post is with our people, not sheltered in a hole somewhere!"

"Forgive me, High General. This is allocated to you for your use."

Akula brushed away the apology, entered the tent, and found Afrin waiting for him.

"Greetings, High General Akula!"

"Afrin, you know the titles aren't required between the two of us."

"At least, that's what Suligan's been trying to cram through my head," laughed Afrin. "But anyway, your first task is to coordinate the defense of Relenda."

"I trust Goraban –"

"It is not Goraban that worries me. He must order his leaders to fight in Frontain's style."

"All right, I'll tell him that."

Afrin nodded, and walked out of the tent.

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Marzan, one of Goraban's Intyde aides, shouted, "General! High priority message from Chilaquand!"

"Thanks, Marzan, I'll take it now."

Although Goraban recognized his friend's face, something about Akula seemed different. Now, he exerted a palpable presence throughout the room. He also had an unfamiliar insignia on his screen.

"Akula! How are you?"

"It's the rank of a High General, Goraban."

"So you can read minds now?"

Akula laughed. "No, but I can see when you're staring at a particular area of the screen. I have a task for you, my friend. Your forces must use the style of Frontain when you fight the renegade Adepts."

"That won't be easy," warned Goraban. "Many leaders are confident in the style of Balecroft."

"Maybe the loss of their soldiers will convince them? Tell them they will lose far too many soldiers fighting in a defensive style, such as Balecroft."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I am, Goraban. I proved just that when they last attacked Relenda."

"That's true. I'll do my best to convince them."

"That's all I ask, my friend."

"Understood. Relenda out."

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The leaders of Istean stood with the Company and the monarchs of Frontain, debating over the best course of action.

"My army is divided into four different corps," explained Altoda. "Makes it easier to control, and will make life very hard for Askinqua."

"We can keep Askinqua busy, very easily," said Erandel. "That's not the question."

"No," agreed Delagog. "The question is, will there be enough of you to do it? That depends on how good a job Akula does down there."

"He's doing excellently," replied Zambiandë. "He's stalling Askinqua at the crossings, but most of his troops have already dug in around the hills to the east of the lake."

"But the Dreg," asked Reheboth.

"Sulit-Aladan will follow Akula," Altoda said simply.

"Yes, and he will decimate his army in doing so!"

"Sulit-Aladan will know when to withdraw," Elephande replied. "I fought him. He is not cowardly, nor is he rash."

"I agree. He knows exactly what he is doing."

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Sulit-Aladan had to yell when he spoke to Akula.

"Can you hold out for three more hours?" Akula called. "The defensive positions will be ready by then."

"Three hours?" asked Sulit-Aladan, astonished. "I doubt I could hold two, but I will hold as long as I can."

"Then that's all I'll ask you to do. Tell Mastredocil to coordinate the fall back to our positions."

"I can do that. One question, though: will we be covered when we do so?"

"Our cover fire is already in position. You won't be exposed."

"Right. I can guarantee at least another hour."

Sulit-Aladan told Mastredocil the plan.

"Are you sure you can hold out that long?" Mastredocil asked.

"I'll hold as long as I can. That's all Akula asked for."

Mastredocil knew he had the easier defense. Elephande's Crossing, a small metal bridge, could be defended easily from his side of the river. However, Sulit-Aladan's position, holding the Fords of Chilaquand was a test of Sulit-Aladan's tactics. His forces we decreasing rapidly now, and he was finding it very hard to hold the wide crossing.

Fortunately, he did have one advantage: a well-known tactical superiority over Dilaq, his Cladlen opposite. Dilaq was throwing large, unorganized masses of troops at various points in Sulit-Aladan's line, attacks that were easily repelled, even by a small number.

However, Dilaq outnumbered the Dreg commander nearly three to one, and he could hurl his troops directly at Sulit-Aladan, which he soon did. As Mastredocil's signal flashed and Askinqua overran Elephande's Crossing, Sulit-Aladan addressed his vanguard.

"We may fall here, but let this be our finest hour!" he cried. "On my signal, let's give them something to remember us by!"

Sulit-Aladan's vanguard readied for Dilaq's strike. Just then, he heard uproar among Akula's defensive lines. Sulit-Aladan turned quickly, and saw Mastredocil's vanguard take direct fire from Askinqua's pursuers. Mastredocil himself was hit, to a chorus of fury from Delphi-Gladicle's troops inside the defensive position.

Akula called to restrain them, but Mastredocil's troops rushed back to aid their fallen commander. Sulit-Aladan let out an audible gasp, and explained the scene to his comrades, many of whom turned to go help Mastredocil.

"Wait!" he commanded. "We must hold our position!"

His troops obeyed him, and ran back to the lines, just as Dilaq got within range.

"Now! Attack!" cried Sulit-Aladan.

Dilaq's line couldn't stop in time, and the crashed into a heavily defended Dreg line. Sulit-Aladan's signal flashed, and immediately, cover fire came from Delphi-Gladicle, Delagace and Dilan, covering Sulit-Aladan's withdrawal. His sudden withdrawal confounded Dilaq's troops, whose attacks were suddenly falling on comrades rather than enemies.

The ruse worked, and Dilaq was drawn towards Akula's lines, following the calculated retreat of Sulit-Aladan. As Sulit-Aladan reached the relative safety of Akula's entrenched position, he knew that Askinqua, who almost surrounded them, could attack at any moment. When he chose to attack, it would probably be Indosyne's final stand.