Chapter 38
The Calm Before the Storm
Once the Nordlings pitched in, work on the defences proceeded very quickly. The moat was further deepened, the walls of spears were broadened, and the towers were given more cover.
As the sun began to set, there was nothing more the inhabitants and their allies could do in preparation, so they all retreated to the inn for a Nordling tradition; a feast before the battle.
The main hall was easily filled to capacity, and despite what awaited them the next day, they were having a good time.
Letting his eyes sweep the room, Tyroth couldn't help but smile at how so many different kinds of people got along so well. It didn't matter if they were humans, mutants, orcs, elves or anything else, for at that very moment, they were all like a big family.
He would have been happy to simply stay in that moment, let all of them stay in it, but there were a few things that he had to bring up, things that could potentially ruin the mood. Downing his mug of water, he wished that he had something stronger to help steel his nerves.
"Everyone, can I have your attention, please!" he said in a loud and clear voice as he stood up, and the room fell silent in the blink of an eye.
"Thank you. Now, after we arrived here, things have not really gone as we anticipated, we've had our share of challenges, and tomorrow we're facing our greatest so far.
But despite all that, when I look at all of you here, so many different people from all kinds of lives, having come together like a family, I can't help but feel proud to be the Jarl of this community. It has been an honour!"
Cheers erupted among the Mutopians, and Tyroth let it linger for a few moments before raising his hands to signal for them to calm down again.
"I don't want to bring down the mood, but there is something very important I need to tell you. Before we go to battle tomorrow, be it tonight or in the morning, take the time to speak to anyone you want to talk to, say the things that you feel you need to. And if someone wishes to speak to you, let them. Do not tell them to wait until after the battle, for there is a very real chance that there will be no after the battle, so take this chance while you have it.
With all that said, I got one final thing to say. Back in our old home, we had a saying, a motto, a philosophy, whatever you want to call it, and we tried to live by those words to the best of our ability. Here, on this eve before battle, I don't think those words have ever been truer.
A second chance, a second life. Fellow outcasts born anew, now never alone. We stand as a family, we stand as one. Whatever happens, we will stand our ground."
As Tyroth recited the words, the entire room fell dead quiet, as if refusing to utter a single sound out of respect.
For the original Mutopians, those words were as close to sacred as could be, and the Hamato clan knew this well, especially Leonardo, who stood up and placed his hand over his heart.
"A second chance, a second life. Fellow outcasts born anew, now never alone. We stand as a family, we stand as one. Whatever happens, we will stand our ground." he repeated. "All together!" he then called out, to which everyone, be they Mutopian or native rose to their feet, mimicking his stance with one hand over their hearts.
"A second chance, a second life. Fellow outcasts born anew, now never alone. We stand as a family, we stand as one. Whatever happens, we will stand our ground." they chanted, repeating it several more times, each time with more fervour, until it turned into more of a song of valour.
"A second chance, a second life!
Fellow outcasts born anew, now never alone!
We stand as a family, we stand as one!
Whatever happens, we will stand our ground!"
The moral of the inhabitants and allies now soared, Tyroth's speech having had a far greater effect than he could have thought. While he was still worried about the upcoming fight, there was nothing more that he could do until then, so he focused on enjoying the moment.
Eventually, it got so late that everyone would call it a night, as they would need all the energy they could get for the next day.
"This feels so unreal." he said as he lay down in bed with his gecko mate. "I never thought we'd be going to war like this. By this time tomorrow, we could all be dead."
"I know, it's a really terrifying thought." Sephie agreed. "But thinking about it won't do it any good."
"No, you're right, but it's not easy not to either."
"So what will you do tomorrow then?"
"I'll do some quick scouting, see what we're up against, then we'll plan based on that."
"But you'll still go at them on your own, won't you?"
"I have to, hun. I have to." Tyroth sighed. "I need to unleash all I have in order to reduce their numbers as much as possible, and I can't go all out if I stay here with the rest of you, even if I really want to be by your side."
"I was afraid you'd say so." Sephie sighed. "I understand why, but I don't like it. If you're all alone, no one's going to be able to watch your back."
"I promise that I will be careful, love, I promise with all my heart. Once I've done all I can do, I'll fall back and join you here."
Sephie snuggled up closer to her mate, letting her head rest on his chest as she listened to his strong heart beating inside, but not even that gave her any real comfort. The dangers of tomorrow were just too much to ignore. She needed something to help her take her mind off of all of it.
She crawled up onto her husband, straddling him as she looked him in the eyes.
"Tyroth... please make love to me. Help me think of something other than tomorrow."
Tyroth reached up and stroked his wife's cheek, letting the tips of his fingers brush through her hair as well, he then pulled her closer and the two shared a passionate kiss. The two lovers would spend this potentially last night together as only they could.
Early the next day, Tyroth was flying high above the area south of the village, hoping that the still lingering darkness would hide him as he scouted the enemy forces.
The horde itself was easy enough to find, given its size, and Tyroth was convinced that it had to be more than a thousand. Using the binoculars they had, he was able to get a better look at just what they would be facing.
The wast majority were, as one would suspect, gnolls, some being slightly larger than the rest while others were slightly smaller. As far as Tyroth could see, nearly everyone of the gnolls had some form of weapon and armour, though it seemed like the quality was declining.
Swords, axes, clubs, spears and bows, from all manner of materials.
Metal equipment was rusty and damaged, while leather and wood were missing larger pieces. Some gnolls even used weapons made from bones.
On an individual level, the equipment they used was not a big threat, but it was the sheer number of them that tipped the scales so heavily in their favour.
But there were not just gnolls in the horde. Mixed among them were regular hyenas, around a hundred of them, having been drawn to the horde by their kinship. Over time, the hyenas would multiply, and after every battle, they would gorge themselves on the carcasses just like the gnolls, and eventually transform into new gnolls themselves.
At the front of the horde were creatures known as witherlings, several hundred of them, the reanimated remains of gnolls that had died, their flesh being consumed by their comrades before the bones were brought back to life by their dark master.
Lastly, there were roughly a dozen members of another kind of creature, one that Tyroth recognised as well, trolls. He had read that it wasn't unheard of trolls joining gnoll packs, as the gnolls' 'life-style' appealed to the trolls, resulting in this unusual alliance.
The inclusion of these extra foes certainly didn't tip the odds in the Mutopians' favour, not that there was any risk of that happening to begin with, but with this new knowledge perhaps they could adapt their plans to at least mitigate it somewhat.
His thoughts returning to the upcoming battle, Tyroth was tempted to engage the horde right away, burn as many of them to ashes before they get too close. But he couldn't, he had to return to the village and discuss his findings with the others, as they too needed to know what they were up against.
With mighty flaps of his wings, the red dragon turned around and headed back home.
Some time later, Tyroth had gathered everyone at the beach, having drawn up a rough map in the sand as he explained what he saw and how they were going to deal with it.
"Once we're ready here, I'll head out and engage the horde before they can reach us, try to thin their numbers as much as possible." Tyroth explained.
"In the meantime, I want our best shooters in the towers, picking off any they can. They need to make every shot count while staying behind cover. Once they run out of ammo, or the gnolls get past the wall, they have to join in with the rest of the defenders on the ground."
"I got some archers among my battle brothers and sisters." said Harald. "I'll have them remain behind the wall and fire over it. With so many targets, they're bound to strike something."
"The witherlings are undead, and seem to form the front of the horde." Tyroth continued. "Anyone that has blunt weapons will have to make them their priority, as cuts and stabs won't do much damage. If any of the trolls make it here, we have to light their bodies on fire or splash them with acid."
"Maybe I can help with that." said Ragnir. "Unless I'm mistaken, I still got some vials of acid and alchemist's fire in my cart from my adventuring days. Those should do the trick, but someone will need to… apply them, if needed."
"Let me handle that." said Percy, with an unusual level of seriousness. "With my unrivalled jumping ability, I can get pretty much anywhere in no time."
"As can I." said Heather. "Anyone that can fly should be able to, in fact. But I will admit that flyers will be easier targets compared to someone that just jumps around."
"Make sure to distribute the vials among you then." said Tyroth. "But we got two more options for this." He eyed his children.
"Us?" the twins asked in unison.
"You two got innate fire, so you're the best equipped for dealing with trolls, should they reach here."
"But Dad…" Freya objected. "I thought we could come with you, since, you know, we're fire-proof as well."
"That may be true, but that is also irrelevant." Tyroth said firmly. "It's not just about my fire being a danger to others, it's about having to think about if others are nearby. If I am alone, then I can focus all my attention on the fight, but having anyone else nearby, even one of you, will distract me whether I want to or not."
Freya's shoulder slumped in disappointment as she lowered her head slightly, then she felt her father's hand under her chin, gently lifting her face up again.
"Listen, my Valkyrie, I appreciate that you want to help, but this is something I have to do alone. Besides, next to me, you and your brother are the closest we got to a heavy hitter. Just like our dragon ancestors, it will be your call to protect the others."
"I understand." Freya said with a nod.
"That said, I want you to fight smart, be effective with your magic, and check your fire."
"Will do! You can count on us, Dad." said Loki.
"That goes for all of you." Tyroth continued, looking out across the others. "Kill your target and move on to the next. Keep your heads in the game and eyes sharp, watch each other's backs and help anyone that needs it. Keep it simple, no flashy moves."
After the last sentence, Tyroth gave Pandora a hard glare, knowing full well that the hybrid enjoyed showing off, and she knew that that specific point was heavily aimed at her.
"They come here expecting easy prey, but they are wrong. This is our home, so make them work for every inch of it that they take from us. Force them to climb over their own dead to pursue you."
"The gods will sing of this battle for generations to come!" Harald exclaimed, and his Nordling warriors loudly agreed.
"Of that, I have no doubt." Tyroth said, then he went silent. The time was almost upon them, and other than getting into position, there was little more they could do at the moment.
He took a deep breath before he spoke again.
"No matter what happens, know that I'm proud of all of you, and I promise to do my very best to keep those monsters from reaching you. Now, let's make our final preparations. Dismissed."
A little while later, Tyroth stood at the edge of the village, taking one final look of his home before leaving for war. It was such an unreal thought, and yet it was real without a doubt, and a part of him hated having to leave everyone to fend for themselves, even if it was in the hopes of stopping as much of the horde as possible.
At least he wasn't alone at the moment, for as he prepared to leave, he was joined by his parents, his children, his sister, Leonardo and Sephie, all having gathered to wish him luck, and perhaps say their final farewells.
"Take care, son." Richard said, as he and his wife hugged their son.
"Give them hell." said Erica.
"I'll do my best." Tyroth replied as he held them close.
Next, the geckolings wrapped their arms around their father's neck.
"Wish we could go with you, dad." said Freya.
"Me too, hun. Me too." said Tyroth. "Look out for each other, and everyone else."
"We promise, dad." said Loki.
"Stay safe, brother." said Amber, as she hugged her brother tightly.
"You too, sister. And remember what I told you."
"Don't worry, we'll use them when we need them."
Leonardo walked up to Tyroth, and the two shook hands, only for the turtle to be pulled into a big hug.
"If I don't make it, you are in charge." Tyroth said in a low voice.
"Then you'd better stay alive, for both our sake." Leonardo chuckled as the two broke the hug.
Sephie was the last to approach, and the two didn't say a word, they didn't need to, as they embraced each other, sharing a final, passionate kiss, which told them both everything they needed to know.
As the two lovers broke their embrace, Tyroth turned and took flight, steering his course towards the approaching horde, silently praying that his loved ones would be kept from harm.
They've done all they can at this point, so next time battle will be joined.