kon* *kongbong* *bongbingkon* *konbingong*
"That's all four warning bells going off! What is going on!?"
I regret that statement as the soldiers that were with me loosened their stance in confusion. But what could they do, as they watched the reinforcements-soldiers from Windmire fight those beasts, coupled with royalty practically stealing the show.
"Captain, that's to recall all the soldiers and the civilians to the fortress! We are now besieged on all walls!"
A soldier knew this knowledge, and I didn't? I turned to Gunter. "Why in the seven hells did no one ever mention this to me before, Lieutenant?"
"My age! I had never had this happen to me since the time the Hoshidan Army tried to storm!"
"Captain Hans! Captain Hans!"
A soldier was running and stumbling his way towards us. He was coming from inside the fortress.
"Monsters everywhere! The town is under attack!"
Not good-I have to-!
Gunter placed a hand on my shoulder. "It's no good! We can't fight on two fronts, even with the royalty assisting! We must protect the outer walls!"
Hope to the gods that Weiss and whoever was left inside can manage herself.
"Captain Hans!"
It was Prince Xander and Prince Leo. They and their respective retainers broke through the fighting and speedily rode to me.
"Prince Xander! Your timing couldn't be more impeccable. We are now under siege!"
"Where's Weiss?"
"Interrogating prisoners, but she's likely evacuating the civilians into the fortress, after hearing those bells."
"Good head on her. Leo!"
"Yes, Brother?"
"Your magic is strengthened through the trees and roots here. Take command over this wall and our force!"
"Yes, Brother!"
"Good. Captain Hans! Will you let allow me take over your forces?"
Commands from a crown prince that's rarely here, but here enough to know what was important, and who my soldiers will answer to. I nodded.
"Thank you, Captain." He then turned his attention to the rest of my men.
"Warriors of the Northern Fortress! We head to the East Wall to save your crops and your livelihood! My brother and sister will handle this wall and the West Wall! Move out! Double time!"
Relinquishing command to royalty was a strong worry, but I trust Prince Xander's command, and him and the rest of the royalty here to see a battle through. As we departed, I could see Prince Leo's magic at work, as roots from the grounds were springing up to attack the monsters.
…
The East Wall. Damn, they made it to the radishes and potatoes.
"Look! Reinforcements!" "It's Prince Xander!"
The presence of royalty was the motivation that they needed.
"Charge!" ordered Prince Xander. "Assist your fellow warriors!"
"For Nohr!" "For the Crown!" "For the Fortress!"
As commanders over the soldiers, the old man and I were forced to stand back, but the idea of charging all our forces here against an unknown foe was tantamount to suicide, and while our force of soldiers was charging the enemy, Prince Xander, his retainers and the rest of us made our way to the gate of the East Wall. Suddenly, the area around Prince Xander started to glow. It started to get really warm despite the harsh weather conditions.
"Captain," one of his retainers spoke, "we should stand back a bit."
"Oooh! Laslow! Laslow! He's going to 'R'!"
"Yes, Pieri. He's going to 'Ruin'."
The retainers and myself stood back as the area surrounding Prince Xander turned a harsh white, but we could still see the Crown Prince's actions as he turned his sword to the sky, and then towards the battle before us.
Roots from the ground started to spring up, in a similar fashion of how Prince Leo did with his magic. And while my soldiers were in the mix of fighting those monsters, the roots were assisting them in wrapping around the monsters, bring them down to the ground. My soldiers were making quick work of them. The enemy was effectively routed from this wall.
Of course. Royalty carrying the blood of the divines-they would have the power to rend heaven and earth if they could. Finished with his efforts, the crown prince sheathed his blade. "Your fields are safe, Captain."
"Thank you, Prince Xander."
"I apologize that I couldn't do much to save the crops that were growing."
"Not to worry-our fortress has plans for something of this nature." And I could thank the old man and the advisor for making it easy for me to understand.
"Prince Xander! Crown Prince Xander!"
One of the wyvern riders was slowly descending from the skies.
"Princess Camilla and Prince Leo have completed their operations."
"That's good news. Have the convene at the center of the town. We'll meet them there."
"Sir, that's the problem. Princess Camilla went on ahead immediately after given your orders to hold the West Wall."
The crown prince could only sigh deeply. "Weiss." He then gave a nod to the wyvern rider, who then flew back up-
whoosh*
Whoa! That rock almost got both of them!
The wyvern and her rider swooped down and landed safely on the ground.
Prince Xander's eyes narrowed. Before the rider could take off-
"Rider! Hold for a bit."
He then went to me and the old man.
"Captain. Lieutenant. Is there a way we can get to the Fortress without having to go through the gates?"
We both knew, but the old man knew better, so I had him answer.