Adventures of Melannya:
Part Four - First Battle
"Group leaders ready?" The shout came over the crowds from a young hero named Cavis who was heading the Battlegroup. "Remember, focus all of the attention on my target and do nothing to get separated from the main body. Everyone listen to your Group Leaders and we'll do well." I smiled nervously down to Cimyr standing beside me, who reached up and patted my arm in reassurance. She knew I was extremely excited to be in my first battle to protect our homelands, but also apprehensive as to how much I could provide support and assistance. Being so green to the battlefield, I felt that I could not contribute very much though I had learned quite a lot in the last month of being trained by my Sylvan and Firbolg instructors at the Village of the Vale.
"Cimyr, I'm a little afraid and a lot eager. I hope to be able to do my fair share!" I blurted in a jumble of words as we began to slowly move across the inside of the large keep where we had mustered. She smiled at me with patience and assured, "You'll do fine. Just don't forget the training and stick close to me." I nodded, grasping my beautiful dark purple scythe tightly in my hands. I loved to swing the weapon as each time it landed, sparks rained upon the target. It created a rainbow with each slicing arc, making me love the new scythe (which had been a gift from one of my new guild friends). I was eager to earn my mark in battle as I had been promised a very special Scythe by the guild leader if I were to work hard and do well.
"Here we go!" Cimyr stated in a half whisper, half shout to be heard above the din of many leaders prepping their groups for the battle to come. We exited the keep, crossed a long bridge and seemed to march forever. Finally, after stopping a few times for some water & resting, we came across a grisly scene. Bodies littered the grass, now flowing red with the blood of fallen soldiers. A battle had taken place here and not very long before. A call for stopping was given as the scouts (including my friend Finde) reported their findings to Cavis and the group leaders. The moments that passed seemed to drag on for eternity as we waited for strategies to be developed and plans to be made.
"Ahead we have enemies from the Bluelands. Stay together, assist your battlemaster and above all do not let panic rule this day for you all!" Cavis shouted and then with a yell lead us forward up over a hill. Awaiting us on the other side was a sight I shall never forget as long as I live. Masses of creatures I had never seen before were grouped up on the other side of that hill and in to the valley beyond. There were large rock type folks with heavy shields and enormous hammers, little blue creatures with staves and magician hats, normal looking men and women in leather and chain and a multitude of weaponry, and what seemed to be elves but with a dark twist also wielding staves and had odd balls floating around their heads like pets of some sort.
"Foul scum!" Cimyr snarled at the massive group ahead, and I wondered if we were to survive the day. As the two forces collided, a sea of enemies swallowed the proud people of my lands; I began to use the magics I had learned to reduce the health force of many, as well as other tricks I had learned to cease the casting of their own magics. I swung my scythe when anyone came near and left quite a mark as they fled me or died. I did my best not to give chase even though quite a few taunted me to do so. I knew that if I was separated, I probably would not live long and so stuck with as many as I could. In the confusion of battle I had lost track of Cimyr, and so I began to fight my way back to where I had last seen the diminutive Enchantress. Upon finishing a small blue man who had tried to kill me with a few balls of blue, I espied Cimyr finally in the flood of fighters. She was attempting to fend off an assassin type, but it did not seem as if she were going to be victorious. Her charmed minion she summoned during battle had already fallen, and now it looked as if she were next in the line of death cries.
"No!" I would not let this happen! I ran with all my might, hurdling the blue folk, dodging the large rock people, and avoiding the general melees as best as I could. Cimyr, my dear friend, had slipped on the blood slick ground, and the assassin fellow was preparing for the final slices of his dual axes. Sparks flew as my scythe deflected both deadly blows, and I began to unleash everything I had and everything I knew on the villain. I was angry and had the bloodlust that began to boost my strength and health greatly, giving me incredible power against the fellow. His eyes grew wide in fear, and he turned away to run. Instead of landing the final blows upon his back that would have ended his life and secured my latest victory, I turned to make certain my friend was alive and well. She stood up shakily with my assistance and smiled at me. Relieved, I began to give chase to the fellow, ignoring the pleas of Cimyr to stop coming from behind me. As close as my friend came to death by the hand of the cretin, I was not going to let this one go…