Nathaniel waited.
Before him the peasants pressed up against the closed gate of the keep, banging and scraping at it as they howled for the few within to open it. Yet no one did, as they had been ordered.
Within the second wall of the castle the wind wasn't felt, and the rain barely even hit the courtyard due to its near horizontal descent. Even the baying of the darkspawn, a rhythmic thumping sound, was a distant thing, making it hard to believe that they already were about to climb the first wall.
Crossing his arms in front of him he frowned in distaste, letting his feelings, for once, show plainly in his face. These are the brave Fereldians I spoke with respect of with the mercenaries in the Free Marches? Ten of those men would be worth more here than these cowards. He shook his head, scolding himself. I'm being unfair, these are just farmers.
The howling was petering out, the peasants unable to keep up the frenzy of their panic as they made no headway.
Still, work with what you get...
"Where are you going?" He raised his voice just enough to let it carry over the few moans drifting from the frightened people.
A few heads turned, people looking at him as if through a daze.
He kept his voice even, calm, but his eyes were narrowed. "Into the keep? And when the darkspawn enter it? What then? Will you hide under a bed?"
More heads turning, people sharing frightened glances.
"There is nowhere to go." He punctuated the word with a snarl. "I tell you now, I know we can win this battle." His voice carried the calm of conviction weighted on fact. A very small chance, no need to say that though. "But not if you just stand there and cower like frightened dogs."
A man, face turning scarlet with embarrassment stepped forth, large mouth opening to protest-
"One chance." Nathaniel snapped, raising one finger at them to make his point. "You have one chance to try and survive, I'm not giving it to you, the circumstances are, either you take it now, or you die."
He saw the man's mouth snap shut, only to find a woman next to him open hers, her face pale like a sheet.
"No, it's not fair." Nathaniel growled, feeling a growing tension as he felt the time tick on, it was only moments, but moments were precious now... "It's never fair, haven't you learnt that? Fereldians have endured hardship upon hardship and never bowed their backs and shied away from struggling against injustices wrought upon them..." He let it hang there, let them remember. "...will you be the first?"
He didn't wait for them, he didn't have time, he turned, and marched for the single set of stairs leading to the inner wall. Besides, he already knew what would happen, there weren't really many options...
A scuffle and some whimpered words and he heard the peasants furtively move to follow.
Good.
Not paying any attention to the peasants passing him by atop the wall as they moved to their positions, careful like scolded children, Nathaniel eyed the battle before him with an eerie calm. The anger was bubbling beneath, held in check by a mixture of horror and determination.
The darkspawn were clearly visible on the first wall, despite the pouring rain. Dark monsters climbing over the battlement and streaming down its stairs, resembling animals more then men as they bound across the courtyard.
They got nowhere though, volley after volley of arrows loosed by the soldiers atop the hill the inner wall stood on, just beneath Nathaniel in fact, cutting them down before they even got halfway across the field.
"Make them count!" He barked, hoping against all logic that the peasants would at least try to follow his lead.
He found his target, a hurlock leaping over the first ditch of pitch, his arms swinging wildly as it hurled itself forward, barely in control of its own body with all the pent up hatred blinding it. It leapt over the next ditch-
And crashed back down into the ditch with a splash of dark pitch and blood as Nathaniel's arrow bored itself into its collar just above its breastplate
An instant later the bows of the peasants sang, followed by a volley of arrows from the soldiers beneath the wall.
Before them the darkspawn on the courtyard, even one on the stairs of the wall, twisted and stumbled, felled by dark missiles that had struck with surprising accuracy.
Good.
On and on the darkspawn came, spread out and charging as soon as they had climbed the wall, vulnerable and uncaring as they blindly rushed forth...and all dying before they even got halfway to the lines of troops at the bottom of the hill.
Good.
Then the gate crashed open, one of the doors flying into the courtyard by the force of the blow.
An instant later the darkspawn floods through the entrance, like dark bile being spewed over the wilting grass of the courtyard, threatening to cover it in blackness.
My home...
The light was sudden, a fiery explosion right at the gatehouse entrance, tearing apart the flowing bile at the mouth with the purity of fire and sending scorched flesh splattering against the walls.
Those that had managed to enter already were scythed down by arrows, Nathaniel barely aware that his own shot had felled a Genlock as he saw Velanna take a step forward, the rain striking her was steaming as she spun her staff around, her chanted words distant even as they echoed against the walls with surreal force.
"Aim for the entrance!" Nathaniel's order was punctuated by another shot from his bow. At the scorched gatehouse fresh darkspawn were already pouring in, crushing the burnt and gory remains of those before them heedlessly as they charged forth.
Nathaniel's arrow smashed into the chest of the one at the head though, sending flakes of iron dust flying through the air in a silvery sparkle. A roar exploded from the entrance as it and those around it staggered to a halt, only to get pushed forward by those following as the horde stumbled forth into a tangled and chaotic mess.
A volley from two hundred archers, along with over a hundred peasant archers, spoke...
And the ground around the gatehouse was suddenly covered in corpses.
A quick glance told Nathaniel that Velanna was still at it, her arms moving quicker and quicker, the rain hitting her practically boiling off her as whatever power she gathered threatened to burst forth. Maker don't let her do anything rash... It was a foolish request, he knew it. He made it anyway.
Now ignored in favour of those entering through the gate the darkspawn climbing the walls charged across the field unmolested, only to be torn apart by swinging blades and crashing shields as the soldiers formed a protective fort of steel and muscles around the mage. Lynn was, not surprisingly, at the head of the group, her blades darting left and right, slaying two monsters for every one the others killed. Don't rush ahead...
But she didn't, she held the front, somehow keeping her position despite her spinning and weaving moves slaying creature after creature with something approaching casualness.
Ahead, the gatehouse was once again swarming with beasts, an ogre bashing its way forth among its smaller kin.
"VOLLEY!"
Over three hundred arrows shot out at Nathaniel's roar.
The ground became covered in blackened shafts, pins pitted into flesh and dirt as thick as grass. Black blood oozed over the ground from the dozens of darkspawn that had just fallen even as the ogre stumbled sideways. Its hide was covered in arrows, it's steps crushing two dark corpses into a bloody pulp as it blindly swept at the missiles covering its face. Then it sunk to the ground, the one missile having struck its eye having gone deep enough to reach its brain.
A small groan...and it toppled forward.
Nathaniel let himself nod in satisfaction. A good shot.
Then light descended from the sky.
"Maker's breath..." Someone muttered, Nathaniel wasn't sure it wasn't himself as he looked up, his jaw hanging slack with wonder.
The black clouds above had parted, churning as if it they were water being boiled away by the spear of white light suddenly coming down from the hint of blue above.
It came right down, thick and solid, like a massive column coming to crush anything underneath.
It struck somewhere behind the second wall, into the horde...
A ungodly wail rose as orange flames, taller than the obscuring wall itself, arched up at the edges of the scorching column of light, like splashing waves against a coastline.
The column swayed, like a tree in the wind, then veered sideways, twisting along its length as it turned and moved. And Nathaniel could do nothing but stare in wonder.
A tornado of light...
The yellow flames violently shot upwards with each turn of the column that was now a twisted shape of destruction, of nature taken beyond itself...
No, of fire...
Nathaniel found himself grinning and looked down to give Velanna what praise he could...only to find the elf held by Justice as the warrior carried her under his arms, a moment later and he realised Sigrun, nearly hidden under the elf, was carrying her by the feet. Velanna didn't protest to their help, didn't complain, she only lay there, motionless.
Motionless!
Nathaniel didn't realise he was holding onto the battlement with his free hand until it stopped him from falling over, his legs suddenly weak, his mind fogging up. I should have... He couldn't finish the thought, didn't know what he should have thought...he only knew a sudden rush of guilt that made him sway even worse then before.
A man next to him fell backwards, an arrow in his shoulder, then screamed as he slipped on the slick wall, falling over the ledge and to his death.
Dammit...
He bit down, hard, blood filling his mouth as a molar broke, the sharp jab of pain making him straighten.
Focus...assess...they are carrying her back.
He nodded to himself, taking comfort from the thought, clinging to the reasoning.
They're carrying her back...she must be alive...she must...
He looked back down the wall, finding the pair carrying Velanna nearly at the gatehouse. Justice didn't look up, his dead eyes set on his objective. Sigrun did though, with her helmet on there wasn't much of an expression to find...only blue eyes holding a soothing message in them...and a nod.
Nathaniel breathed out, his lungs deflating even as he doubled over, hand still resting on the battlement, gripping onto it, ensuring that it was all real. I should... He turned, a step towards the stairs leading down to the courtyard, to the forge serving as a makeshift aid centre...then stopped. No...I shouldn't...
Hesitation.
She's alive, she needs rest, not me, I'm needed here... He breathed in, realising that his lungs were hurting due to him forgetting of their need.
Go.
He whirled about face, bow raised in his right hand, his left finding his quiver, eyes roving the field.
The volleys were not enough, not any more, the creatures were pressing through in a rush, those that were too slow being pushed down and crushed underfoot as the darkspawn surged forth in a frenzied stampede. Atop the taken walls dozens of genlocks, who steadily grew in numbers, stood and sent whistling arrows at the soldiers before the walls. Their aim was bad, their missiles lacking force, but they were many...Nathaniel barely registered the scream of a bowman beneath him as the soldier fell down the steep hill.
The darkspawn were still held though, at the base of the hill, by the single road, the wall of Fereldian soldiers swung and lunged with a frenzy nearly matching that of the darkspawn, dammed up tension being released with vigour upon the monsters responsible. Lynn was still there as well, a small space cleared in front of her as her dizzying swings tore apart anything in front of her, slowly building a wall of torn flesh before her that only served to further impede the darkspawn.
There was a great roar, followed by more...and Nathaniel let a curse softly slip his lips as he found a dozen ogres, clad in crude steel riveted directly to their skin, gigantic and twisted images of knights wielding nothing but steel-clad fists as they punched their way towards the beleaguered defenders.
We won't hold.
Nathaniel wet his lips, knowing the order would have to be crisp and clear, the slightest mistake and...he didn't dare to think about it. "ARCHERS!" The men below him looked up, heeding him, the men below them didn't, focused on the thrust and parry of close combat. Good. "Retreat!"
As one the soldiers at the steep hill moved towards the gate, eager to come behind the momentary safety the wall would give.
Nathaniel turned his attention from them, the plan had been clear, they'd be on the wall in moments, but now to save the rest... He moved his hand, finding his quiver of arrows with points wrapped in cloth and dipped in pitch. Coming down on one knee he gingerly rested his bow against the floor as he freed a piece of flint...it slipped out of his hand, clattering against the floor.
Nerves, calm...
A deep breath...and he reached down and picked up the flint, his movements felt awkward, stifled by worry for Velanna, of the battle, of everything...but he kept things simple and managed to light the arrow's point on his second attempt.
A simple shot...quickly now!
He grabbed his bow, jumped to his feet, took aim and swiftly loosed the arrow.
With a whoosh the ditches of pitch dug across the courtyard were set on fire. It was but a pale imitation of the tornado of fire outside the castle, even now that the thing was slowly dwindling in size and ferocity. Yet they did their job, sending howling darkspawn staggering away, living torches swinging at their own kin in panic as they watched their own flesh being seared from their bones.
The ogres continued though, arrows drumming against their armoured plates as if it were nothing but rain, the fire beneath their feet simply ignored even as the armour around their ankles began to glow red.
Damn.
Nathaniel grit his teeth, but knew what he had to do. They're momentarily unmolested, let them try to disengage.
"Troops! Retreat! Retreat now!" He didn't need to say it twice, the ranks of the soldiers broke apart as they as one turned to run up the path to the inner gatehouse. Many turned their heads to stare in fright at the ogres that, not bothered by the fire turning their smaller kin to cinders, lumbered after them, the creatures swiftly closing the distance...
If they don't get in fast enough...Nathaniel didn't want to give the order, but if the gatehouse fell to the ogres...if only for a while...then the keep would be lost.
Shooting the open gate an apprehensive look Nathaniel drew a fresh arrow and sighted down. Then give them time. Inwardly he sighed at the many arrows wasted by the peasants as they uselessly broke them against the armour of the onrushing ogres. But he couldn't think about that, not about Velanna...not about anything but that moving little gap...that little light, that little reflection glinting out of the darkness...
The arrow hummed as it was released, crossing the rapidly closing distance in a second.
A grunt and the foremost ogre stopped, a tiny sliver of ash compared to its size sticking out from the slit of its visor. It swayed, a hand half rising, as if to politely ask a question...
Then it was smashed aside, sent sprawling by those behind it as they crashed forth, breaking into a charge that rapidly grew in momentum...
Maker no... Nathaniel turned to yell the order, to cut off the retreat for their own troops...only for a blur in the corner of his vision making him turn back to the battle.
Lynn had jumped out of the ranks of the soldiers, her armour flashing of silver through the gore covering it as she seemed to float towards the charging ogres...
With the narrow path the ogres could only come up two and two, the first two had their heads bent as they ran, only to look up as they sensed the approach of the elf hurtling towards them. Lynn swept past their heads before they could raise their arms though, axe and sword swinging with her flight...and the two massive creatures stumbled off the path as they clutched at their necks, spraying dark blood over the field even as they collapsed.
Lynn landed in front and between the next two, the beasts staggering as they tried to come to a halt. Their heads turned towards the new threat even as her two arms, now crossed in front of her as she landed on one knee in the dirt...swung back out as she moved to rise...
More blood, the blades carving through steel as if it was paper. Through flesh and bone as if it were butter. Leaving sizzling blood in their wake as the two ogres fell face first into the mud, their legs nearly torn right through, their roars of pain muffled as their armoured heads sank into the wet mud.
Spirit of death...
Nothing else came to Nathaniel's mind as the elf leapt onto the ogre to her left of the next pair coming at her, her swiftly moving legs kicking her up from its knee as the axe in her left hand swung up in a vicious arch. With a crunch it sliced through the armour of the ogre's jaw, then sprayed blood over the elf as it cleaved through the flesh and bone underneath. Even as the dying monster stumbled back she landed upon its chest, kicking off from it as she leapt onto the next one uselessly swiping at the deft Commander.
A thrust of her sword...and the ogre howled in agony as smoke rose from within its visor, the blade momentarily disappearing within being yanked out in a fountain of blood. The blinded beast swiped at her, but the elf had already used its chest to kick herself up...spinning mid-air she landed upon the beast's head.
"They are inside now ser!" Nathaniel was jerked back into the moment by a peasant yanking at his sleeve, the man pointing at the courtyard where the soldiers, panting, turned their heads to look back from whence they ran, eyes widening in awe.
Nathaniel nodded, once. "Prepare to close the gate." Then, turning back to the field before him, he yelled: "Commander! Come back now!" He raised his hand in readiness...
She wasn't listening, her axe slamming into the side of the ogre's armoured skull, the elf yanking it and forcing the whole creature to turn, its ponderous fist catching one of those next in line in the shoulder and sending it staggering back with a growl of surprise.
"Lynn!"
To his surprise she jerked up at that, her head becoming cocked as she regarded the still living ogres, a mere two in number, with the dark slits of her visors.
Then she tore her axe free, slipped back against the back of the blinded ogre...and kicked out, sending herself flying up towards the path even as the blinded beast stumbled into its comrades, forcing them backwards with its confused swings.
A spin mid-air...and the Commander deftly landed on the ground, weapons already sheathed as her gaze lingered upon the ogres, the two left roaring in rage as they tore the arms off their blinded kin.
Then she turned and ran, easily entering the gatehouse before Nathaniel lowered his in a silent order, the gate crashing down a moment later.
At the courtyard he heard a few cheers, even a few calling out in congratulation of the impressive feat.
He himself only saw the flames of the ditches dying out, the tornado of fire beyond the walls faltering...and a black mass of darkspawn swarming into the outer courtyard without a hint of fear over the massive numbers of dead littering the ground...numbers the still living beasts quickly dwarfed as they come forth...
And now the battle truly begins...
8
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Thanks to Abydos Jackson for saving me on this one.