Chapter 26: The March of the Feral (Flynn)

A long trek. That is what it is to move a larger armed force. Which is exactly what the army of Flynn and Peter Valtrex is. A larger force. They march with purpose as the words reach them that the enemy army that was predicted by Malachi is now on the move to challenge the Valtrex house. "Lord Bruin really is seeking to decimate the world without pause." Flynn says to his younger brother.

"Would all of this had happened if we had not been so aggressive in carving out a large fief a few years back?" Peter asks. He doesn't care for peace as he enjoys the confusion and brutality of war but wants to understand why it all started. He was fine with competing in tournaments and traveling around slaying champions. Why did open war set off.

"Who knows brother? People that see chaos as opportunity, they simply look for an excuse. We just need to get to Lake Ike and establish our camp lines and dig in for long term battle." The two were at the head of their army that numbered now 400 in total as earlier in the march they intercepted the 300 sent to reinforce their numbers from the armies of both Meagan and Fulcrum. Despite this being the largest army currently in service around the Valtrex lines, Flynn knew this was nothing compared to the ability to pull soldiers and warm bodies of the Bruin lands of control. They had Dol the largest city in the world, so large that it is believed more live there than the rest of Wiera combined. In addition they now had all of the south lands except for the sea port of Sultra. And they had established strength in the south central plains. Flynn knew that whatever was coming would be a problem.

Hooves thunder as up the road further in the direction of Lake Ike, which was now only a day's march for the army. The sound is of a single rider hustling as quickly as he can to relay the message of his eyes. Orlando the cavalier is doing what he always has done, report in.

"LORD FLYNN. MASTER PETER!" Orlando was screaming as he galloped toward the lead. Flynn seeing the rider raised his arm to signal the company to halt and await further instruction.

"What news rider?" Flynn called as Orlando approached. He slowed his steed quickly before dismounting out of respect for his betters. Flynn appreciated the gesture but visibly could care less for the extra pomp of ceremony and respect. Peter was even less concerned and seemed excited as he knew that seeing the rider in a visible panic only meant blood in the future.

"Lords, ahead is an enemy force nearing the southern border of the lake. While this was as you anticipated. My lords….they have laguz with them."

"Laguz?" Flynn was shocked at the notion. "You say it as though they have more than just a small cluster." Flynn remembered during his schooling how the laguz under the lead of the old dragons of Wiera fought for the side of Iagus back in the Deity War. He remembered how at that time many laguz nations and holds stood alongside the beorc holds. And yet as a result of the war their nations and strongholds were no more and nothing. No scholar knew how many existed still in Wiera, but all agreed that their numbers were few in comparison to the Beorc.

"There were perhaps as many as there were Beorc soldiers." Orlando replied.

"Rider, I know you are no expert on laguz, but were you able to distinguish any particular races?" Flynn was beyond curious and concerned, They had gotten reports of the might of one polar bear laguz in the assault on Winter's Edge, and the power of just one seemed more than a whole squad could deal with. With this report he was afraid, perhaps for the first time in his life he felt fear in his soul. He was unsure if He had the power strength to quell this encroaching army.

"I did not see many transformed but their thick fur gleamed in the sunlight, and some even had wings." Orlando spoke with fear and passion.

"Damn, we need to hurry and establish a defensive. Honestly I do not know much about fighting the feral, but they are ferocious warriors in comparison to us beorc." Flynn signaled the company to march at double the speed. He was eager to set up his camp on the northern perimeter of the lake but feared with his slower march the enemy might preemptively pass it and move straight to the Valtrex keep at Valor.

"If the laguz as so scary brother then why have we never dealt with a massive uprising from them. Sounds like a small village could be decimated by only a handful."

"Its because of Reto & Scythe." Flynn spoke as he hustled with pace even with his heavy armor and weapons slowing his steps. "When they fought Iagus they with their allies crushed and destroyed the laguz races that sided with Iagus. They slaughtered their races to the point of near extinction and several races are all but extinct from the ensuing years. While others are used for exotic slaves in Sultra."

Peter smiled as he hustled faster to get a jump on positioning, he wanted nothing more than a good fight and felt this might be the chance for him to get his desire.

….

"Onward. We will press a few more miles and establish camp here." The words of a commander glad in solid plate armor were greeted with mixed responses from the military present hearing his commands.

"Varus. Why would we stop to make a camp? Why not simply press in and slaughter the capitol?" The reply was from a confused and large voice. There stood on the ground a Tiger laguz with yellow and black stripes. His body was worn from years of hard fought survival. He wasn't ancient but he had more wisdom than the more feral ones of the youthful years.

"Lets us make camp then we shall gather up all and discuss the plan." Varus replied. The march soon came halt for the men of the Bruin. On the South Eastern coast of Lake Ike. They were far enough around the lake to ensure that no Valtrex or allied force would flank from the rear narrowing the options for battle. This was something Varus enjoyed seeing. He knew from here he would have more control over the coming battles ahead. And he did expect several battles.

The initial part of establishing the campsite went very smooth for them as while they were finishing their preparations off in the distance they could see the hustle and dirt clouds created by the men under Flynn and Peter. "Seems the Valtrex do have a response for us." A winged laguz spoke standing outside the nearly erected hall of officers to discuss the upcoming plans.

"Come all, we have much to discuss today." Varus called to the other leaders outside of the tent. Some were quick to enter while others were hesitant, weary of their alliance with a beorc.

"Page, what stands our numbers?" Varus asked of his page to know the construct of his military.

"500 foot soldiers, 200 archers, 6 ballistae, and from our laguz allies we have, 200 cats under Aram, the tiger. 106 birds under Vibral, the raven. 37 wolves under Brail, the dire. 12 rabbits under Javy."

"And Rigel, the Kodiak." The page was stunned as he forgot to mention the largest person, beorc or laguz in the camp as he tilted his head under the rafter to enter and sit near the compatriots. He was larger than even Issachar who served Shenis savoy. The bear was no dragon in their beast form, but he dwarfed all others around him as he made his seat on the ground and was still nearly at standing height of several men around him.

"He meant no disrespect bear." The comment from Varus made the Kodiak growl slightly as he crossed his hands. None of the laguz enjoyed being there, and it was evident from the body language of the laguz and general mistrust of the Bruin men they both verbally and non-verbally said.

"Heard what he said little man." The bear spoke with power in spite of being seated. "Your master Chile Bruin came and sought out our small clusters, somehow knowing where to find us hidden throughout Wiera, he promised us a chance to get revenge and finally free our people and races from the shadows. Yet where is he for this fight?"

"The bear speaks truth. My birds and I have remained alive throughout the years, hidden on Jali and yet your master speaks so boldly about freeing us to have dominion and open regency upon the mainland once more. Yet, where is lord Bruin?" Vibral was equally concerned.

"I care not what was promised, only that I may see beorc by the many fall at my feet." Aram was more concerned of having a chance to fight than tactics or anything else. He craved blood and opportunity to rend flesh.

"My master sought your tribes out because we knew how Kaya forced your hands, or rather your ancestor's hands and put you all into extreme subjugation a millennia ago. Lord Bruin sought your power that your dwindling clans had left to help us remove the cult of Kaya and reinstate the true power of Beorc and laguz upon these hands under our lord Chile Bruin. In which you will all have fiefs and lands returned to your people. Do not forget that again!"

"Varus you speak as though you are my equal. Are you?" The bear's words carried great authority.

"I have never fought a bear in all my years. Partially because your race does not tend to do well outside of the snow drifts. Though I am more than able to hold my own in combat. That is why lord Bruin sought me out to be in charge of this army to attack Valtrex. As this is his greatest opponent on the main portion of the lands."

"Doubtful, he has never laid siege to Yannis." Aram spoke.

"You are correct, we have never been stupid enough to charge the fortified walls of Yannis from the desert plains, as your tribe has many times over the years, each time to leave defeated and lesser." The comment silenced Aram quickly, he did not like being reminded of all the times the beast tribe that called the desert sands home, had failed to rise up and attack Yannis in attempt to regain access to their rich highlands and cool weather.

"Together we have a diversified and strong army that will crush the only challenger that my lord fears. And then we can move to his other goals."

"Which are?" Javy questioned.

"To be fair, I am unsure. I only know that for now we are to destroy the armies of Valtrex and claim their lands in the process." Varus then rolled out a map and began planning the first of the many battles he foresaw coming ahead. The laguz wanted to rush in and swiftly attack the capitol, but Varus explained that to be patient would allow for them to draw out more soldiers and weaken any chance for a defense in their lands. In addition, it would give time for the fear to take hold, as stories of the ferocity of the laguz would seep through the ranks and make each battle easier as the fear takes greater hold of the men in red.

The tension in the tent was thick, as centuries of mistrust existed between the two races and suddenly as a people, not individual to individual they were going to have to put their feelings aside and be a cohesive unit thrusting themselves upon the army of Flynn and Peter.

….

"Holy Kaya, you are right Orlando." Peter says to the rider as they position themselves on the eastern most tip of the lake in view of the Bruin forces camp. Peter from their position could clearly see the ranks of laguz among the swarms of beorc men.

"They outnumber us as we stand on sheer manpower alone by nearly two to one." Flynn said as they established their lines. The men were quickly told to dig trench and barricade lines to funnel enemy soldier movement when they would attack.

"How do you know they will come at us?" Peter asked his brother.

"Because that army is not here for peace, and we are in no manner going to advance on them." Both laughed as they rallied the men to stations with battle preparation in mind. Flynn was truly concerned. He knew the situation the realm over. How the Bruin were nearing full conquest, in spite of resistance from small patches throughout the lands. Yet, he knew in the eyes of the world it would be his military, and his house's stand against the Bruin men that would define the tide of the war. Failure by the Valtrex would mean an effective end of the fight against Chile Bruin.

The commander of the Bruin and laguz army Varus, stood outside his tent with the view of the lake on his left side as he looked and made eye contact across the vast but visible distance with Flynn Valtrex, who stood outside his tent. As they stood. Both recognized the other as a worthy challenger. "Calm down little Flynn, we will test your resolve soon enough."