Prelude Chapter 12: Stars Of Gold
Rennala III
The armies of Raya Lucaria and the Golden Order stood on opposite sides of the swamp that surrounded Raya Lucaria, Rennala felt as if the anticipation would kill her then and there, but she walked forward. Behind her a growl was heard from Smaurag, the drake she had ridden upon, and the third egg she had taken from Greyoll's nest. Unfortunately in desperation she had used her magic to mature the dragon to adolescence, and bound him to her will using magic. Rennala was not fond of what she had done, and thought that his unnatural immaturity may cause issues later on, although she silenced him with a wave of her hand.
"Denizens of Raya Lucaria, Royals of Caria, please stand down, we do not wish to harm you, The Golden Order seeks your allegiance. Blood does not need to be spilled." A voice rang out from across the swamp that startled Rennala with its loudness. She looked in the distance and quickly found its owner, a red-haired man, Radagon Of The Golden Order, as his description matched what her friends and faculty had told her.
Upon observing the enemy force, Rennala saw mounted cavalry, not just the famed Tree Sentinels of Leyndel, but almost every other knight rode atop a steed, this put her at a disadvantage, one she was not fond of. As much as the Carian Queen looked, she did not see the Crucible Knights nor their master, though she knew not what Godfrey looked like. Rennala gazed into the forest nearby and saw a glint of silver, and she nodded to herself as her plans were coming to fruition, she then stepped out into the murk to speak.
"The Golden Order shall not make a mockery of our institution, we will stand against your request, that is final, young man." Rennala spoke politely as she projected her voice using magic, making sure it was heard by the entire host of the enemy.
The air was tense, all that could be heard was the slight croaking of the swamp-life around them, perhaps a shuffle of a soldier, or the breath of one of her sisters behind her, yet Rennala knew the second she stepped forward the battle would commence. Rennala steadied her gaze as she raised her staff towards the Golden Order across from her, and without making a sound she stepped silently forward, gliding through the ire of the swamp towards her enemy. Beside her roared the subjects of Raya Lucaria alongside the knights of Caria, and facing them she heard the hoofbeats of the Golden Orders Cavalry as they too charged forward to meet in glorious battle.
Rennala hovered above the water as she soared toward the enemy, she was flanked by her two sisters, Rellana who ran by her right, and Renna who flew above them both. Rennala knew that after the battle she would have to talk with Renna, but now was no time to worry as she knew Renna had set aside the matter so all three of them could stand united against the Golden Order.
Cries of reverence were sounded from both sides as they met in the swamp, clashing together, mixing hues of blue, gold, and blood. Rennala raised her staff, and casted several Glintstone comets which dismounted and slew several soldiers who fought around her. With her already keen senses amplified by the conflict around her Rellana felt danger, and she bent down to dodge a colossal axe that had been thrown in her direction, along with the massive figure that followed the weapon. The man who threw the weapon stood upright, towering over her, yet Rennala felt no fear as she looked upon the Elden Lord. Rennala then turned her back to Godfrey as she walked into the conflict, but not before she saw a blur of silver and blue barrel into Godfrey at breakneck speed, as her younger sister began her own battle.
Rennala continued her path of magical destruction through the ranks of the Golden Order, thinking about the ease of the task. In the corners of her eye she saw Renna and Moongrum fighting side by side against a slender man, and one of the Knights of Leyndell who seemed well-accomplished due to his unique armor. Rennala also saw flashes of the other Carian Knights who combated the Tree Sentinels and many of the opposing knights, the Raya Lucarians alongside the remaining faculty of the academy took on the stragglers.
Rennala worried about the whereabouts of the Crucible Knights, she had set countermeasures in place to deal with their potential appearance, as she had Smaurag who soared above, occasionally diving down to pick an unlucky scholar from the ground to consume, and waiting in the woods nearby where the Cuckoo Knights. Rennala had hired them and equipped them with rudimentary glintstone weapons so the mercenaries could join the fray and take the place of Carian Knights in combating the cavalry and heavy forces of the Golden Order if the Crucible Knights were to appear.
"I did not wish for this, Rennala of the Full Moon." Rennala's thoughts were interrupted as a flash of golden light flew past her head, she swung around as her staff constructed a blade for her to wield as she blocked a hammerblow from her opponent. The impact sent her backwards from the force, which she quickly recovered from. "Please stand down, for the sake of your people."
"Foul brute of the Golden Order, I shall not meet your vile request, as the headmaster of this academy, I cannot let it fall into the hands of usurpers." Rennala scowled as she faced Radagon, her staff held high above her head in both hands, she saw that strands of her long black hair had escaped her high crown and slightly blocked her sight, but no matter. Rennala lunged, casting Carian Piercer which Radagon blocked with his hammer, and the two were locked in place neither wishing to move. Rennala in their stalemate continued to glare into her opponents golden pupil's, although the gaze that met hers was not one of intensity and warmongering, but one of the determination of an equal foe.
"Again, I do not wish for blood to be spilled on the grounds of your great institution, I do not wish even to fight you or your kin. Truly, Carian queen, I wish to find a way to resolve this peacefully." Radagon said as Rennala felt him shift his weight forward to attempt to break free of their predicament, which she matched his strength with her own, pushing him backwards and into the mud using a burst of magic from her hand.
"Then perhaps you should surrender before I release your soul to the Erdtree you so fervently worship." She said, stepping forward as she released a torrent of glintstone projectiles at the downed warrior, which he rolled to his feet dodging the onslaught. He came at her with a wide swing of his hammer, which she lowered herself under, dodging it entirely. Rennala's successful dodge was interrupted by a cascade of golden light which she failed to notice from the initial swing, the light hit her and she upheld her left arm in an attempt to block, but she was unsuccessful as she felt pain spring up her arm.
"Listen to me!" Radagon yelled as he readied his hammer to crash down upon Rennala's head, although she would not be taken so easily. Rennala spun her staff and hit Radagon under his elbow with it, causing him to temporarily lose his grip upon his weapon, and in his moment of weakness she summoned her inner strength and pushed it through her staff into one of her strongest spells, Comet Azur which struck her opponent in the chest, and Radagon flew across the battlefield landing in a nearby hillside.
Rennala knew the battle was far from over, especially the one between her and Radagon, although the war raged on around her she stood prepared using spells and martial arts to dismount and engage any who came near her. Rennala heard a storm of wing beats above, far too small to be Smaurag or any of his kin, and she turned her head to the sky to witness the new arrivals. All sixteen of the Crucible Knights flew down from the sky on wings of gold, and they all landed in separate locations that Rennala could not see, although she knew their plan, to sow discourse throughout the battle by attacking at separate locations. She scowled and raised her staff to the sky letting a blue flare reach the clouds as she called for her own backup.
The Knights of the Cuckoo have allied with us, Renna, my knights of Caria, please engage the Crucible Knights, and let the Cuckoo's take your place against Leyndel's forces.
Rennala sent out her instructions telepathically to all her subjects, as the Cuckoo Knights upon their own steeds burst forth from the forest canopy nearby. In seconds the third force was upon the Golden Order, and with viscous swings of their new magical weapons they began to mow through the enemy.
Rennala after taking a brief moment to watch the Cuckoos turned, yet again to see Radagon standing covered in dirt and grime, even so he raised his hammer to the sky, and around his weapon tiny golden flecks materialized as he charged up his attack by hovering above the ground below him. Rennala knew that whatever attack he would cast would be strong and that she would need to interrupt or dodge it, she chose the second, as the moment he slammed his hammer to the ground she jumped upwards, coiling her staff to her body as she felt the power of the Fullmoon course through her. Rennala was able to avoid three of the strikes that Radagon performed upon the earth, although many of the soldiers that surrounded them were not so lucky, and had been sent flying through the battlefield. Rennala let loose her sorcery as a miniature moon blasted forth from her staff, targeting Radagon, the moon flew slowly but hit her opponent squarely, causing him to step backwards.
"Wait please-" Radagon tried to say as Rennala closed in on him, he weaved between her attacks causing her great frustration as she continued her onslaught. "I am not here of my own will, Queen Marika sent us, she wishes for all of the lands to be under her rule."
"If she had such a wish, she would fight me herself." Rennala retorted as she kicked at Radagon's chest.
Radagon scowled as he grabbed his chest as a golden light materialized from it. "Not now." he continued to dodge as the light slowly dissipated, although Rennala had no care for whatever secret he harbored.
"I am the governor of these lands, I have lived in The Lands Between my entire life! I will not have Luirnia taken from me by a non-native like Marika." Rennala growled. "These are my people, and I will protect them."
"I know your plight, but please think, this battle need not happen. I swear on my name I will find a way that our factions can unify without the Golden Order interfering with the academy." Radagon was desperate, his voice said as much, although Rennala could not believe him.
"Perhaps an action would back up your words, scholar." She said as she swung upon him with her staff.
Rennala in a moment of environmental awareness, and in her vision she looked behind Radagon to see her disciple, and Knight, Loretta in combat with a Crucible Knight. Upon horseback, Loretta had an advantage and swung her glaive against the knights shield, causing him to falter, and Loretta prepared a thrust aimed to pierce the armor of her foe, although through her action the knight grabbed the glaive and ripped Lorretta from her steed, snapping the leather that restrained her. Loretta cried out as she hit the ground unable to stand due to her status as a cripple, and looked up as her foe as he readied his next strike, aimed to silence Loretta's beautiful life.
"Loretta!" Rennala cried, pushing past Radagon and running towards her former student. Rennala knew that she could not make it in time, yet she had, no, she needed to try. She outstretched her arm reaching towards Loretta in pure desperation.
Suddenly beside her, Rennala saw a golden flash of light, and she thought that if Radagon attempted to stop her from reaching her pupil by striking at her in her moment of weakness, she would kill him where he stood. No such attack came, and Rennala looked upon the scene in front of her as the Crucible Knight swung down and before the attack could meet Loretta, a flash of gold was seen between them, as Radagon blocked the sword from landing with his hammer, while simultaneously being pierced by Loretta's glaive as she had readied her own attack.
Rennala tumbled through the swamp as she lost balance upon witnessing the scene before her, she eventually crashed to a stop at Loretta's side, quickly checking on her before turning her attention to Radagon, who had used his hammer to render the Crucible Knight unconscious.
"Why would you do such a thing? You are my enemy." Rennala said, her voice wavering, showing her confusion at Radagon's act.
"Like you said, I needed an action to back my words." Radagon said, clutching the wound in his side. "Please, look around, our forces are too equally matched, if this continues we shall both lose, even if there is a victor. I do not wish to see such bloodshed of innocents, and I am sure you wish not to lose those close to you in this conflict."
"No- I do not." Rennala looked around, seeing her sister engaged against Godfrey, her shield was shattered alongside part of her helmet where her lifeblood spilled, yet Rellana fought her opponent. Renna held the unconscious form of Moongrum as she struggled to fend off three of the Crucible knights, obviously being worn down. Iji was locked in a stalemate against the hammer-bearing Crucible Knight, many of Rennala's friends and subjects were in similar situations against foes, save for Jerren who she saw brutally beating down on the slender man who she saw Renna face earlier.
"I shall withdraw my forces, in hope of finding a solution to this, please wait for my word which I shall send from the capital." Radagon said as stepped forward, commanding his men to retreat. As he moved away from Rennala he nodded to her, she saw him give the order to retreat and he alongside the Golden Order gathered their injured, and began their march backwards.
Rennala quickly helped Loretta back atop her steed, and exchanged brief words with the knightess, telling her to head back inside the academy to recuperate and rest, which Loretta did after thanking Rennala generously. The Carian Queen surveyed the battlefield to see who remained, and to her surprise the only member of the host of the Golden Order who had remained was Godfrey himself. He stood in front of Rellana who squared her sword at him, aiming the blade at his face. Rennala quickly ran through the mire in hope of reaching her sister before any tragedy could occur. Her feet pounded through the mud with every step, fearful of what would occur.
"Thou are warriors, strong and capable, I, Godfrey, commend thee on your strength." The Elden Lord said in a booming voice that startled even Rennala with his kingly reverence. He set his axe upon the ground, signifying the end to his duel against Rellana. "Alas, I am ordered to return to Leyndel, may we meet in battle again, Twin Moon Knight." Godfrey turned his back and began to stride away towards the Crucible Knights who stood nearby awaiting him.
Rennala stopped at her sister's side the moment Rellana collapsed to her knees. Rennala touched Rellana's shoulder gingerly, although Rellana reacted by pulling her helm from her own head, throwing it into the swamp, and using her sword to carry her weight as she rose, her blue robes and armor tinted by the water around her.
"I… am… not finished." Rellana said weakly as she attempted to catch up to Godfrey. Rellana's will was strong, although her body surely could not keep up with it.
Rennala stepped in front of her sister stopping her by holding her shoulder, as she looked into her sister's eyes, or rather eye, as during her duel Godfrey had seemingly landed his axe upon the right side of her face, taking Rellana's eye, and leaving a grievous injury which spurted blood down her front. Rennala gasped at her sister's injury. "Rellana, it's over. We must get you assistance."
Rellana nodded, before she clenched her fists and spoke. "That bastard took my eye, sister I must…" She trailed off weakly before she fell into Rennala's arms, unconscious at last. She checked her sister's breath and pulse which both were normal, although Rellana had never collapsed in her life, which worried Rennala deeply.
"Mirriam! Help please!" Rennala cried out for the preceptor and was met by her, almost immediately as the elderly witch materialized directly in front of the sisters.
"Yes my queen?" Mirriam said, although she saw the state of Rellana and immediately grabbed bandages from her pouch and wrapped them around Rellana's eye. "We have many injured, I may be in need of assistance from any able-bodied survivors to transport them back to the academy."
"I understand, I shall assist you myself." Rennala said as she began to use magic to transport the many wounded so they could be cared for properly. Quickly Azur, Lusat, and Jerren began to assist as well. In the distance Rennala heard familiar cries of her other sister, screaming for help, her heart sank as she took flight towards Renna's cries.
Rennala eventually found Renna hunkered under a downed tree in the ire of the swamp, the young witch held a body close to her, and her eyes were full of tears as she wailed, Rennala deduced that Renna's eyesight was compromised from the waterworks, as she did not see her elder sisters approach.
"Renna, are you ok? Please answe-'' Rennala attempted to reassure her sister, although she quickly saw Moongrum's form clutched close to her sister, as Renna interrupted Rennala's supportive words.
"Sister, Help! Moongrum, he can't breathe!" Renna cried as she attempted to revive her companion by slamming her hands into his chest, all the more wailing as her cries were the only thing heard in the swamp. Rennala felt the wide world close in around her, as she finally lost someone close to her, a nightmare that she dared not dream of in her sleep.