* * *
Sophia was the first to meet with Alkorn. She waited for him at the palace gates, and made sure to participate in all the pleasantries that were required for a returning general. Alkorn had little patience for these events, but he understood that the people were watching. He bowed, and flattered, and made sure that all who were in earshot, peasant and noble alike, knew he had not come to conquer.
He was beginning to believe that it was the throne itself that was poisoning the minds of its rulers. The previous king had always been a bit too zestful in his quest for combat, and Debra had quite obviously gone insane. He wondered if this king would also succumb to madness.
Finally, when the people were sated, he was allowed to enter and meet the king. To Alkorn's relief Muda smiled graciously, and bade him sit at the king's table, ignoring the pomp that was necessary in front of the people. After introductions Alkorn immediately went into detail about his journey through the void. He told of the twists in time and the eternal twilight, then he spoke of the battle that ensued. He told Muda of the shard, but did not go into detail about its powers, instead reassuring Muda and Sophia that it was being contained by his own mages. Sophia was not entirely satisfied, but Muda seemed delighted that he would not have to handle the weapon.
Alkorn also kept Yaros a secret. He would not be able to feign ignorance if the truth came out later, but he felt the young king and queen had more pressing issues.
When Alkorn had told his tale, Muda and Sophia also told theirs. They would bounce back and forth, each filling in details they felt necessary, then picking up with the parts of the story they were more familiar. They spoke of the worm-like creature that had attacked in Sikeran, and of Debra’s calls for peace. They spoke of Yannick’s death, and of the battle against the enemy's scouting forces that had just been won. Alkorn finally understood what troubled Muda. It was a hard thing to send soldiers to battle, and most commanders did not have to handle such pressure for their first battle. Perhaps he would eventually pass through this trial, but that was not the most pressing matter. Now they needed to speak of the upcoming battle.
“They approach from the north. We do not believe that the scouting force came against us intentionally, none tried to retreat and give report to the larger army. We believe they may have been trying to escape.” Sophia said.
“I have heard that retreat is not an option for them. Those that have been captured were all half-mad, and would rather die than return as prisoners.” Alkorn responded.
“That would explain their ferocity.” Said Muda quietly.
“It seems that the main force is staying in one group, but we suspect this may be a trick. It’s too obvious an attack.”
Alkorn let a rogue-like smile creep onto his face. “I have some reports of their past efforts. It does not seem like their commander is overly creative.”
Sophia nodded at this comment. “Smaller scouting parties are more likely to run than to fight, they likely do not know much about the surrounding area.” Sophia said.
“They have a type of dog that they use for general scouting. Most likely it brings kills back to the camp, where the enemy can assess the threat.” Alkorn responded.
Muda perked for a moment. “We could use that to our advantage… get the mages to tamper with one of the corpses, cause it to spread some disease. Could serve to make some of their soldiers sick, or at the very least make them think we are.”
Alkorn thought he saw a hint of a smile on Sophia’s face. “Not a bad idea. A bit grisly…” Muda looked downwards. “But I suspect the enemy would hold no qualms about doing the same to us.”
Muda perked up again at this.
Sophia did not give Muda time to abandon this encouragement. “There is no doubt that your experience would be greatly appreciated, General Alkorn. We will need you to help us with the planning.”
“I am ever at the kingdom’s service.” He replied. Perhaps they had a chance after all.
Alkorn, Sophie, Muda
It was just as Alkorn said, the enemy came straight for the capital. They briefly considered a siege, allowing Ibalize the opportunity to waste units on attacks against the walls, but decided a field battle was the only way they could win. There were creatures they had never seen before, and they did not know what to expect from the attack.
They had decided to keep Alkorn’s troops separate from the rest. They had not lost their strength from the void, and it was too dangerous to place them with regular troops. They would be more effective if they could remain mobile.
Some of the gryphons had been trained to carry soldiers and would be used for tactical strikes. Alkorn’s mages would help the untrained gryphons with anything that attacked from the sky, while the remaining mages would be necessary to counteract any spells the enemy forces may have prepared, as well as to heal injured soldiers. While mages could often decide the fate of a battle, Yaros believed that Ibalize would likely be unable to use his own efficiently.
They had managed to trick a few of the dogs into carrying poisoned corpses back to camp. Muda and Sophia weren't sure if this had had the desired effect, but the dog scouts had shown up much less often afterward. Whether many had died or they were now locked up, Muda and Sophia did not know.
The two armies arrived within a day of one another, the Yaloran forces arriving earlier. Defenses were sparse, only a few trenches and some make-shift stakes, but the soldiers were well-rested and well-fed. They had attempted to muster the troops in time to make an attack, but the enemy had known they were coming and marched in ranks.
They faced each other at dawn. Dew clung to the knee-high grass that covered the field, but the sun shone brightly from the east. It would not have time to drink it up the moisture before it was replaced with blood.
Ibalize was not creative, but he was practical. Units were divided so that it would be nearly impossible to make a push for their own mages and archers, but infantry was still far enough apart that they would be able to maintain mobility for much of the battle.
Alkorn studied the enemy from the distance. They were organized by species, more or less. The undead, which Ibalize did not have the good fortune to bury like his brother had, were in the front ranks. They were good protection for the rest of the troops, and were easily replaced should the enemy be victorious. Behind them were the cow-heads, who were big enough and dumb enough to take the brunt of any attack that passed the undead. After that the ranks began to blur. There were creatures that looked as if they might be part fish but walked on two legs, creatures shrouded in darkness, bird creatures, cat creatures, creatures of fire and lightning and ice, creatures that looked as if they could not be alive, some with a dozen slithering tentacles, and others that appeared to fade in and out of existence. There were even some small groups of humans, frenzied almost beyond recognition, that shoved their way through the ranks, eager for the chance to finally die. Ibalize had gathered every twisted creature he could find, and thrust them together into a mismatched engine of death.
Fights broke out occasionally amongst the many creatures, but these quickly ended in a loud and painful death, executed by one of the minor gods that Ibalize had enlisted to help him.
The dog-creatures were nowhere to be found, meaning the poisoned meat had probably worked. Alkorn once again felt a glimmer of hope for the young king.
It was just before Alkorn launched their attack that the true challenge appeared. It was a creature that neither Alkorn nor Erik could hope to name. It floated through the air, held up by what they both assumed to be magic. Its body was a fleshy blob, cover in spikes and spines that jutted out in every direction, and in the middle of the flesh was a single red eye that never blinked. Half a dozen thick, slimy tentacles hung down from its body, darting out every direction. It would randomly pick up one of the surrounding creatures and thrust the screaming victim towards its underside. The screaming would end with a crunch and a splash of red that fell towards the earth.
“The Yaloran sold
iers will be massacred if they try to attack that thing.” Erik said bluntly.
Alkorn knew he spoke the truth.
“Then we will deal with that…whatever it is. The young king will have to command again, at least until we get back.” Alkorn said.
“Do you believe him ready?” Erik asked.
Alkorn had constantly been with Muda, strategizing with him and Sophia. The man had a tactical mind, Yannick had trained him well before giving into despair, and willingness to experiment that would be key in the upcoming battle. Sophia was more practical, with a knowledge of people and infrastructure that far surpassed Muda’s.
“She will be strong when he cannot, and he will do what he must.” Alkorn said finally.
“I will send a messenger.” Erik replied.
“No,” Alkorn stopped him, “I should tell them myself. The boy-king had been hoping to have me nearby. He will not be happy.”
Muda was not delighted by the news, but he understood the necessity. He had begun to formulate strategies on how they might deal with the creature, and was excited to share his ideas with Alkorn and Sophia.
“Its weakness lies either in its eye or its underside. It likely has some sort of magical protection, but the mages should be able to deal with that. Once they have figured out how to bypass the wards the gryphons you have brought with you can attack from multiple angles. The Sikeran soldiers will provide cover fire, and our mages will do what they can to shield them.” He told them, proud to be able to contribute.
“It is a solid plan.” Alkorn told him. “Except for one small detail. I will need to participate in the assault.”
Both Sophia and Muda balked.
“You are needed here.” Sophia told him. “Muda has never dealt with such a large army before.”
Muda hastily agreed. “One enemy cannot take from us our greatest asset. The gryphons will be enough.”
Alkorn looked between each of them calmly. “They will not. You have both seen what the creature can do, grasping soldiers from the earth as if they were playthings.” He stood up, and let the full weight of his transformation flow over them. “I was changed in the void. I was given the power to combat creatures such as this, and that’s what I must do.”
He pointed towards the map that lay in front of them. “We have worked for many weeks on this attack, and it is solid. Do as we planned, adjust when necessary. Our enemy is a fool, and his armies badly trained.”
Muda looked up at him. “But…I am not ready.”
Alkorn shook his head. “Then we are lost. Today you prove yourself a king and a general, or we die.”
Muda and Sophia looked at each other, then they clasped hands and stood up.
“May the goddess bring you victory.” Sophia said.
“We will be here.” Muda followed.
Alkorn bowed, and left for battle.