A Queen's War
Disclaimer: I do not own anything except the plot.
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(A/N: Let's get this party started?)
Chapter 3:
Early morning
Tantrum prepared to start her day as usual, gulping down watered-down soup made from a share of her rations. her uncle left early to meet with Koll and his boys, leaving a portion of his ration for her to eat as well. she hefted on her empty pack, knowing that her morning shift of running fuel between the charcoal pits and Grubhall would be exhausting.
Later, the charcoal pits
the pits were alive with the sounds of laborer grunting and guardsmen barking orders, many of the former villagers had worn through their few clothes. the unluckiest men had nothing but stained rags to cover their thin frames, loose crude shorts held up with frayed old rope. although the work of the charcoal kilns was just as demanding as the mines, many chose to labor in the pits for the warmth of the kiln's roaring flames. the air was harsh with the smoke, but view of the sky was better than the mine's dark passageways.
Tantrum sat on the flat rock, waiting as her pack was filled with charcoal. she silently watched as her fellow tribesmen were worked by their oppressors, tired men wobblily lifted axes to split wood into billets to feed the kilns. the pit workers had to use crude sleds to carry them to the burners, the spryer men were given that duty.
"On yur feet, silver", she obeyed the head guard, rising to her feet despite the heavy load. making her way to the gates and then the Grubhall, her path was blocked by a familiar face.
"Going somewhere, silver eyes?", Bram and his crew stood in the way. Tantrum kept silent and tried to step around the men, but two grabbed her by the arms. she kept quiet, only grunting as the third berserker tore off her loaded pack.
Former Great Hall
"How long did you think you could fool me?!", the berserker boss had Tantrum's uncle held on his knees, Koll and his friends also being in a similar situation. "Did you do this because the great chieftess Dagny had your brother Ug executed?", he weakly thrashed in the grip of the guards, "The former chieftain Rage, seeking vengeance for his pathetic brother!".
The dilapidated doors swung open, "Hello, Boss!".
"Bram, can't you see I'm in the middle of something right now?!", the berserker leader snapped at him.
"I know, that's why I've brought the missing guilty one", the pair of guards pulled in Tantrum, Rage tried to break free.
"That mute boy?", the leader question Bram's thinking.
"Oh-ho, not exactly", Bram marched to the trio, the pair lifted Tantrum up. Bram gripped his fingers on her collar, Rip, tearing the many layers open. the berserkers and their boss gasped, seeing tantrum snarling as her breast binding were revealed.
"Tantrum O'Ugerly, the long-lost daughter of the late Chief Ug", the boss chuckled, "Thought to have been cast out by her father after the birth of his son". he walked up to her, pulling off her fur hood and looking her over, "You must've been quite a beauty".
"Get your hands off her!", Rage struggled to free himself.
"Ha-ha, I'm planning on doing much more than that", the leader scoffed at him, "Take her to my hut, make sure no one goes in!". he went over to her uncle and bent to his ear, "I'll see to her interrogation... personally", he whispered. Bram frowned and led the pair dragging Tantrum back towards the doors. before they reach them, a hall door opened, "Get outta the way".
the frightened berserker uttered, "Boss, we're under-!", an explosion erupted into the hall.
Earlier, Beach wall
A towering wall encircled the lone beach to the island, constructed with logs from the beginning of the occupation. guards that fell out of favor with the Boss found themselves on the bitter cold wall duty. only a handful of iron braziers were spared to the wall, leaving the watchmen to bundle up to resist the freezing sea mist. "Bah, I complain once and that bastard throws me out in this cold hel!", a berserker holds his spear tightly, wrapped in many blankets littered with holes and patches.
A larger berserker harshly pats the shoulder of a guard huddling close to the brazier, "Get up, it's my turn!". the smaller man obeyed, moving out of the way for the taller man to plop himself down in his former spot.
He went on patrol to look for another free spot, "My face is starting to go numb", a guard manning the frosted ballista shuddered.
"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?", a watchman called out to his comrade huddling below the wooden battlement, tightly wrapped in a blanket.
"I swear, I'll bash yur' face in if you make me get up again for nothin'!", he rose and looked into the disappearing morning fog. he sees shapes slowly take form. "Oh gods", he muttered, the wall guardsmen started calling out the emerging ships.
"A demon fleet, this far out?!", the watchman captain's blanket slipped off, "Impossible!". he orders the guards to get to their positions, "What the hel are the watchtower crews doing?!", none of the wall guards heard a battle horn. "You", the captain called to a watchman, "Go look for the crews, I want to know why they didn't report!".
"Yes, sir", the warrior grabbed a lit torch from a brazier to keep warm and jogged back towards the village.
"Sir, what about us?", the surrounding berserkers waited for his orders, the vast numbered Citadel fleet closed in on the island. "To your posts, we have to hold them here!", the order was not well received.
"Are you mad?!", a young berserker snapped, "Look at the size of those boats!".
"Then go ahead and run away", the captain unstrapped his crossbow, "Take your chances, the demons will have the island surrounded". his threat silenced the others, "There's nowhere to run, I'll rather go down fighting then die like a coward".
"The ships have stopped just outside the range of our catapults!", the Citadel's destroyer classes turned to face their broadsides, "What are they doing?".
The echoing thunder of the boomer cannons rung, "Get down!". the howling shells soared well over the wall, smashing into the great hall.
"Boss!", the captain bellowed.
The captain and his fellow sergeant looked at each other, "You just got promoted", he muttered.
"Ready your positions!", smaller seacrafts closed in on the beach, each with smaller wakes on their sides. "Ready", the squared hulled boats surged forward, beaching themselves onto the sand. "Steady", the wall guards shouldered their crude crossbows, waiting for the order. "Steady", the flat bows swung down, thud, digging into the soaked sands.
"Raaaggghhh!", Citadel soldiers rushed out from the landing ship hulls.
"Fire!", the berserkers rain down bolts on the invaders, the projectiles bounced harmlessly off their dark grey armor pieces.
The mass of strange, armored warriors continued to charge up the beach, the berserker's ranged weapons useless against the plates, "They're not goin' down!".
"Get that ballista working, you gobs!", the captain barked at the crews huddling behind the battlements. the men nodded and cleaned off emplacement's frost coating. one hopped down onto a lower platform, throwing open a long crate. he pulled out poorly maintained large bolt, tossing it up to his fellow berserker. the crew manning the ballista loaded the bolt in and aimed it at the nearing first wave, Thu-wang. the projectile struck down a trooper, knocking him into the cold sand.
"I think we got 'im!", their joy was short lived as the 'downed' warrior picked himself up.
"Get that one!", a pair of guards obeyed the captain, reloading their crossbows.
The second wave of landing ships beach themselves, "We need a healer!". three troopers carrying oversized shields followed a lightly armored woman to the injured warrior. the three formed a wall between them and the wall defenders.
the bolts pinged against the tall cover, "You'll be just fine", she pressed a slime covered cloth pad below his under-suit and dented chest plate.
"Damn", the captain saw the first wave reach the beach wall, "Don't let them climb up!".
Berserker reinforcements arrived with the messenger, they took up positions and used their long spears to prod any warrior trying to climb the wall, "Sir!".
"What happen to the watchmen?!", the first landing ships were pulled back to the water by chains that led under the surface.
"All of them were missing, I just found blood splattered around each watchtower", the news stunned a few defenders.
"What are they doing now?", smaller ships broke away from the fleet, sailing to encircle the island. a lone frigate followed behind the approaching third wave of landing ships. the vessel came to a stop and turned broadside, "GET DOWN!". the order was heard before the boomer cannons thundered; their shots smashed across the battlements. most of the defenders were flung off the top, a single brazier was also knock off in the bombardment. the contents rained down on the tents behind the wall, setting the shelter and occupants alight. a shellshocked defender watched a tall creature emerge alone from a larger landing ship, before he too was thrown off by a second barrage.
"Boss, something big is coming, a monster!", the wall gate bar held the doors together when something rammed against them.
"Block this off before they break through!", the captain pushed a cart snug against the gate, other berserkers scrambled to stack anything that wasn't nailed down. they had to readjust the debris every time the battering ram struck the gate, "Hold". the doors kept being battered, the wall pummeled with cannon fire, "Hold". the ramming stopped, as did the bombardment, "Wait". the wall a little way from the gate creaked as it bulged, "No", the wall shook violently again.
"Oh.. YEAH!", a screech sounded out before a huge club-like chitin appendage smashed through the log wall. it pulled back and widened the breach, the berserkers rush to seal the gaping hole. they were too late as a mass of armored men and 'demons' poured in through the breach, washing over the remaining defenders like a deadly flood. more and more warriors and creatures chased the fleeing berserkers back to the village, the deafening of footsteps and claw clattering mixed with screams.
Back at the Former Great Hall
The dust was beginning to settle in the ruined hall, "Cough, Koll, you still kickin'?".
Said man was crawling out from under the debris, "Yeah, I think I've still got my arms and legs". Koll dug out his friends, thankful that the three were relatively unharmed. while Rage pulled out his niece from the rubble, Koll spots another figure crawling free.
Rage recognizes him and calls out to Koll when he pressed knife to the berserker boss, "Wait!".
"Chief?", his friends round up the rest of the surviving berserkers.
"Keep him alive", the former chief hands Tantrum a coat to cover herself.
"What?!", the rest of the group finished tying up the berserkers.
"If it is indeed the demon's fleet attacking the island, we need this scum alive", Rage punched the boss to relieve his anger and to daze the wretch. "I've heard the demons, and their allies despise the berserkers, we could these fools to bargain with them", Koll gagged the boss before he could protest.
Less than an hour later
The newly promoted Vice Admiral Hosver marched through the abandoned beach wall gates, his many armored escorts marching behind him. he heard from the advance party that most of the berserkers were exterminated, hunter groups were dispatched to find the few that fled into the thick forest. those that ran to hide in the mines were ambushed by the smaller secondary assault force, they had dug into the tunnels during the night.
"Sir!", a soldier leading his squad approached the commander and saluted.
"Report", Hosver motioned his entourage to spread out.
"Most of the resistance has been crushed", Citadel troopers marched the few berserkers that surrendered back to the beach to be loaded up, their hands held on their heads. "We're heading to finish up at the top of the village", the surviving tribesmen that were questioned had been round up at the village square, food and medical care were administered under the watch of Hosver's officers.
"Lead on", the admiral's escort formed up with the squad, marching towards the great hall.
The ruined Great Hall
When the battalion of soldiers arrived in formation, they see people dressed like the villagers holding men in berserker uniforms, "Sir?". Hosver held his hand flat and low, signaling his soldiers to relax, "Understood".
"Are you the leader?", asked Rage, Hosver's armor had slightly more flair than the surrounding troopers.
"Yes, My name is Hosver, commander of his majesty's expeditionary force", Hosver removed his helmet, "Who are you?".
"Rage O'Ugerly, I was chief before the berserker thugs invaded my village", Koll tighten his hold, making his captive wince.
"Yes, what you say does match with the information given to us", Hosver looks behind him when his entourage parted to allow a female messenger to approach. she handed him a sealed scroll, his brow rose slightly when he broke the seal and read message, "Hmm". he dismissed her, she gave him a slight bow before departing, "Where were we?".
"I kept the boss in charge of the berserker army alive", Hosver motioned for Rage to continue, "I want to bargain with you".
"You believe we want information he might have on the deranged chieftess' war efforts?", Rage nodded, "Perhaps, but I have to wait until my superiors arrive". his response made them stiffen, "Their fleet shall arrive in a few hours, my soldiers will clean up your village the until then".
True to his word, Rage and Tantrum watched as the Citadel's army began their cleanup. the villagers were frightened when sekärs and behemoths flew in the sky above, the massive flyers ferried crates to the waiting builders. tents were setup as temporary housing, medical posts and meal distribution. the starving villagers cast aside their distrust when the aroma of the cook's creations overwhelmed their senses. they lined up alongside the alliance's troopers, devouring the warm and tasty meals when it touched their palates. when the officers sent word to Hosver, the commander ordered the cooks to allow the people double portions.
The kindness and generosity of the Citadel's forces quelled any fear the villagers had, their injured were treated with the upmost care. Rage and Tantrum shadowed Hosver, watching as the notorious demon lord's army behaved contrary to the rumors. besides sekärs and behemoths, the arrival of the sentinels awed the placated tribe. the towering creatures patrolled alongside the armored troopers, projecting a feeling of calm serenity.
The sound of a familiar horn to the ears of the Citadel forces changed their behavior, much to the surprise of Rage, Tantrum and their tribesmen. Hosver hurriedly organized his troopers, the warriors and workers worked furiously to arrange the partially cleaned village. a second horn blared out, one much closer. his troops organized the civilians behind their line of warriors, the main path through the village was cleared of any trash and debris.
The confused villagers stood behind the troopers, who were at attention. Deep drumbeats and low droning horns sounded the distance, the rhythm of boots stomping in unison with the beat. the people closest to the edge of the village were the first to see a similar army marching along the main path. the troops lining the path crossed an arm over their chest and slightly bowed as the honor guards marched pass them. the first group were mounted soldiers, four lined up with the second row of four behind them. the cavalries on the right were riding sentinels, their armor plates a rich green with gold trim. the riders on the left rode molossus, their armor white with gold trim.
the group following the sentinel and cavern fury riders were foot soldiers, four rows of six soldiers marching with their polearms held high. like the cavalry before them, the right half wore green armor and the left white, flags fixed to their weapons matched their colors and hung like small banners. the honor guards march timed perfectly with the drummers following the entire parade.
Great hall
Hosver stood before the repaired great hall, Rage and Tantrum standing beside the commander. they heard the approach of a marching drums and horns, the sounds of rhythmed footfalls alongside the instruments. the cavalry arrived first, the sentinel riders turned right, and the fury riders moved left. they formed up as the foot soldiers approached, spinning on their heels and forming up alongside their respective cavalry. when they parted, the two princesses of the Citadel were revealed.
Mira wore her unique armor, her identity hidden under a matching armored hood and behind a half mask. she rode a white cavern fury female, her saddle extravagantly decorated. Heather rode beside her in her armor, her face hidden behind identical hood and half mask. she rode on her own decorated saddle fasten to Lily's abdomen, her bonded sentinel.
"Greetings", Hosver bowed deep, "I hope your voyage was pleasant?". they nodded kindly, "Should I introduce you?", Mira shook her head.
She pulled down her hood and removed her mask, "I am Mira Eiran, first princess of the Citadel". her snow-white hair flowed out, slightly dancing in the wind. the former chief and his niece sucked in a breath, spotting her strange scrutinizing eyes. the normal white was a light onyx and her iris glowed gold, her smooth cheek chitin glisten in sunlight. Tantrum looked her over, seeing her second set of smaller arms holding the fury's reins.
Heather did the same, "And I am Heather Ragisson, second princess of the Citadel, Heiress of the Beartooth Tribe". her eyes caused the same reaction, her cheek coverings more angular and forest green. Rage noticed her smaller back limbs, the scythe-like blades twitched subconsciously.
"Are you sisters?", asked an intrigued Tantrum, which made the female Hybrids look at each other.
"Not exactly", Mira corrected.
"We're both betrothed to the same man, Lord Veran", Heather elaborated, a slight hint of longing in her tone.
"Two contracts?", Rage wondered why their parents would do such a thing.
"My love is a wonderful, strong and kind gentleman", Mira smiled.
"He's fought against impossible odds to protect my family and tribe, he saved us", Heather's cheek coverings became slightly redder.
"We both love him too much to let him see us fight each other", both girls collected themselves, "His mother made him accept both of us equally". their genuine expressions calmed both Rage and Tantrum's thoughts.
"I see", the former chief breathed in, "What is going to happen to our tribe?".
Mira saw the anxiety he was trying to hide, "Do not worry, Mr. Rage", she motioned to Hosver
He stepped up and unrolled a scroll from his leather bag, "Our orders from Lord Veran are as followed: Locate the origin of ore supplies going to Berserker Isle". he nods, "Once found, disrupt the source by any means necessary. secure any prisoners for interrogation, if possible. once liberated, restore the island's infrastructure, render aid to the local populace if hospitable. once reestablished, depart back to the Citadel if the local populace requests it".
"So, you're not bringing us under the demon lo-", Rage caught himself, "Lord Veran's banner?".
"No, our alliance abhors the Berserkers cruel tactics", Heather remained calm, "Our armies are becoming stretched thin, it would be difficult to keep all the freed islands under our control". Rage's anxiety vanished, "All we ask is that our ships be allowed to cross your waters, nothing more".
"I understand, we're grateful for your kindness", Tantrum bowed silently beside her uncle.
"Our fleet will remain offshore, may we ask to use the beach to set up temporary housing for our soldiers?", Mira waited for his response.
"Yes, that is acceptable", Rage nods, "Will you continue healing our people, we have but a lone novice healer?".
"Of course, if you require further aid until we depart, please speak to Hosver", she motioned to the commander, "He'll pass it onto us, farewell, Mr. Rage". Hosver ordered his men to gather the prisoners, thanking Rage for his help. Mira led her molossus back towards the beach, Heather mirrored her. their honor guard escorts moved back into parade formation, with cavalry leading the foot soldiers, the princesses on their mounts, and another cavalry with more foot soldiers following after. the band of drums and horns followed behind the soldiers. Rage, Tantrum, Koll and the rest were still reeling from the awe of the Hybrids and their personal guard.
(A/N: Yes, I know it was a bit longer than my usual chapter, but I needed to get this all in one. Next, will be a look into how the Alliance handles this tribe's interests.)