“Soldiers, elves, and dwarves of Draden Weir, I wanted to gather you together before we face the challenges of tomorrow. We face a fierce and determined enemy, but if we work as one, one sword, one bow, one mind, we will be victorious. Like in our training, know the men beside you, their strengths and weaknesses, the style of their sword swing or shooting technique. Complement each other like the Capital Wing, which flies as one powerful soul, making them almost invincible. I want all of you younger soldiers to know it is all right to kill those we will be facing in battle. Those we will fight are evil, such as the orcs and their cousins, or have evil in their hearts, like those who serve a dark regime that celebrates death. So even if they are human, do not hesitate, for seconds in a close fight could mean the difference in your life or theirs, and in getting that quick thrust or blow. We are soldiers of the Alliance, so always give quarter if it is asked, and it will not endanger you to do so; for we are an honorable army, even if our enemy is not. Crossbowmen, I know you will make your aim true and your cadence swift, especially with your new weapons. Gallanth and I will be with all of you, as will all of the weir council.
“It is said that among most armies, out of every one hundred men, ninety are nothing but targets, nine are soldiers who can be depended on when it counts and who carry the battle, and one, one is a true warrior to whom all others look for courage and who can turn the tide of battle. For most armies, I would agree with this; however, we, as brothers and sisters in arms, are all soldiers and warriors, worth many times our numbers. You have all trained hard, fought well, and I know we will be victorious!
“You can all have faith that Gallanth and I and the weir council will do the utmost to support and protect you as well. I am proud to say that you soldiers of Draden Weir are those who, when fortune frowns, do not become discouraged, but seek the challenge. For this, I am the most proud of you. This fight will test our mettle, as the battles our veteran brothers of the Great War had to endure, but I know you all will pass this test. Remember above all else, to fear no evil, for light casts away the shadows, and you are that light,” Mkel finished his speech to the cheers of the garrison.
“All right, you lazy dogs, we have work to do to make ready for battle. Lieutenant Clydown, I need your sappers to prepare a defensive works across the pass here, and a hide and archer positions up the ridge as per Captain Mkel. Work with Senior Sergeants Gemorg and Hartsean for this. Platoon Senior Sergeants, oversee and coordinate with each other and myself and Lieutenant Ablich to get this accomplished,” Pekram started to organize the defense as per the officers’ plans.
He is the perfect taskmaster, Mkel thought.
Platoon Senior Sergeant Gustoug grabbed his platoon leader, Lieutenant Howrek, as they walked back to their men. “Lieutenant, we must get the men ready for tomorrow’s fight, and we must also prepare you for tomorrow’s exchange,” the wry old fighter explained to his eager lieutenant as they walked back to their platoon. He handed him a yellow silken scarf.
Sternlan, the weir’s supply master came up to Mkel before he turned to his council for final preparations. “Yes, my old friend?” Mkel asked the old veteran soldier.
“Mkel, I am proud of your speech, and I know you will do well in battle tomorrow, but no matter what happens tomorrow, never forget your men,” the old warrior said to the dragonrider.
“Have no fear, my friend; you know Gallanth wouldn’t let me anyway,” Mkel replied with a smile. Sternlan smiled back and also confirmed that the garrison and the elves were fully supplied and had prepositioned caches of arrows and bolts among all other necessities. Captain Vicasek was also busy coordinating with the legions for the wounded transport and healer care, as well as resupply once the battle got heavy but pulled up to the back of the garrison’s defense line. Mkel thanked Sternlan, and he walked back to his supply wagon, which was now a floating one—thanks to the levitation crystals the weir had received—to coordinate with Vicasek. Mkel waved to her, and she smiled in acknowledgement. He did not need to check in with her, for she had his complete confidence. This will make the resupply of the garrison much easier, Mkel thought.
As dusk approached, Mkel walked over to the edge of the pass to look down at the valley to where the main fight would take place. Gallanth had moved beside him with his massive head at the same height as Mkel’s. “Just wanted to see how this was going to unfold tomorrow, my dragon, and feel this gentle wind,” he said.
“You feel the breath of the Creator in this breeze, for even in this forsaken giant-controlled land, there is still evidence of the grandeur of life in the forest below. This fact is inescapable to even the most evil of creatures, like the fire giants or the chromatics, who only want to destroy it,” Gallanth explained to him.
“Gallanth, what we do is difficult at times. The risks are so high, and then to come back from it is not easy. I worry about my soldiers, about our family and the Alliance,” he said to his dragon as he leaned against his crossbow with the stock on the ground. He had one hand on Gallanth’s cheek.
“My rider, to do what we do, for you to be a dragonrider, you almost have to edge the suicidal at times. The trick is, my young friend, to know when to come back from the precipice. I loved your father, and part of me and my soul still fly with him and fight by his side in the afterlife, but he couldn’t veer from it. I know you have the strength; that you can—we can. You just have to have faith, my friend, as I have faith in you,” the gold dragon explained to his rider, who was comforted by his dragon’s words. Just then, Mkel’s seeing crystal vibrated, as General Becknor was hailing him.
“Yes, sir?” Mkel talked into the crystal face as the senior dragonrider’s image appeared.
“Mkel, I understand you are readying for battle tomorrow,” the dragonrider general said.
“Yes, sir. My weir and all its forces are ready for whatever comes our way. I have sent some of our elves forward with Colonel Lordan’s centaurs to intercept and ambush the fire giants’ advance guard. Gallanth and I are ready to lead Eladran Weir’s wings to attack first thing in the morning,” Mkel explained.
“I have faith in you, son, but we are trapped here by an honor bound promise to the Enlightened senators to not rise and eradicate the squadrons of chromatics that are still fighting with the Shidanese manticores. The battle has gone on for hours with neither side showing any sign of victory or defeat. This doesn’t make any sense to us, and we are trying to deduce a motive for the attack. I know your and the legions’ plans are sound, and we will be there as soon as possible to reinforce you, for all the coastal weirs are currently engaged by pirates. Apparently, there is a coordinated naval attack, reinforced by the saragwin and many kraken, along with black, green, and white dragons. There seems to be a very massive effort underway against us. Not an all-out assault but enough to keep all busy and isolated. This, however, doesn’t lend itself to giving you any help should you need it, so as of right now, you and Colonel Lordan’s weir, along with the 29th Legion and the Draden Regiment, are on your own,” Becknor explained.
“Yes, young gold dragonrider, you are on your own, but I must tell you, I know you and your dragon have the courage to see this challenge to victory. You held in on the dragon race during the Honors Day Games and did not falter under the pressure of defeat. Your performance in the dragon strike competition was also exemplary. For it is better to have dared mighty things, win triumphs in spite of setbacks and failures, than to take rank with those who neither enjoy much or suffer much because they live in the gray twilight of safety, that knows neither victory nor defeat. In the end, I have faith in you, boy,” Therosvet prophetically stated to Mkel, much to his surprise.
“Gallanth, I also have faith in you, my young cousin. Do well in battle tomorrow, and cast away the darkness,” Valianth told Gallanth.
“Dackesh Onaba ham,” Gallanth replied, meaning “Honored thanks, noble comrade” in Draconic to the senior gold drag
on. This all took Mkel back a step, for he wasn’t used to being complimented and encouraged by the Capital Weirleader and senior Alliance dragon.
“Mkel, one last word of advice before the battle you are about to commit yourself, your dragon, and your soldiers to. Trust in the Creator, trust in your dragon, trust in your fellow soldiers, and most important, trust in yourself,” General Becknor stated, which made Mkel pause and remember his dragonrider oath. The words sank in for a couple of seconds, as he said a prayer for strength for himself, Gallanth, and his soldiers, but he was interrupted by Colonel Therosvet.
“Sir, that white is diving on us!” he yelled as a white dragon broke from the chromatics’ feint attacks and dove on the Capital Wing metallics standing ready on the ground. The riders and anyone gathered beside the dragons quickly moved under them for protection. The white had apparently grown impatient in the predawn morning and decided to attack on his own. The icy beam was absorbed by the multiple metallic dragon magic shields and the response was immediate. Valianth and Eagrenth breathed a blast of intense fire on the attacking white, reinforced by multiple lightning bolts from three bronze dragons and a disruption beam spell from two silver dragons. The angry but impatient white dragon didn’t know what hit him, for the powerful combined strikes shattered his shield and killed him instantly. The dragon’s charred and perforated carcass crashed into the Shidanese palace, toppling a tower in the process.
“Mkel, we have to go. Luck be with you,” Becknor hurriedly stated and ended his crystal’s conveyance.
“Capital Weir Dragons, to wing. Form on me once we are airborne. Second Wing, form behind us. These fools will regret this mistake!” Valianth’s booming voice echoed over the two dozen gathered metallic dragons as their riders scrambled to get seated and secured on their mounts. As soon as he was signaled by all the Capital dragons that their riders were mounted and ready, he bellowed out a forceful roar, and they were all airborne, ignoring the protests of the Enlightened senators. The chromatic dragons in the air all immediately began to pull back at the sight of the formidable Capital Wing rising from the ground and began to merge into their V-attack formation.
“Who was the fool who attacked the metallics?” Traxsus roared as he hovered above the city with Tbok mounted on him.
“It was Frizark, my liege,” another blue dragon answered the demon dragon’s question.
“It doesn’t matter now; she attacked too soon. All assault the metallics before they establish their formation!” Traxsus roared as the dozens of chromatic dragons started to fly toward the Capital Wing. Valianth took a wide ascending approach to give the Alliance dragons time to get into proper attack formation.
“Zumanth, Taeranth, form the second Capital Wing on our Y axis to shape the arrowhead strike formation, and we’ll tear through them!” Valianth roared as the Capital dragons quickly formed interlocking horizontal and vertical V formations hinged on Valianth at the apex. Just as the metallics locked in their battle formation, the hoards of chromatics attacked. Their aerial charge was met with a fusillade of breath weapons, energy beams, and spells from the Capital dragons and their riders. The uniquely shaped double formation cut through the massed chromatic dragon charge, with them downing eight of their enemy and driving off the rest with their magic shields either partially or completely obliterated.
Valianth then ordered the Second Capital Wing to separate to allow them more flexibility in the air for the next run at the chromatics now that they had dealt them a pretty substantial blow. Traxsus was cursing at his fellow dragons for allowing the metallics to form and pressured them to attack the Capital squadrons.
“Ashram, the attack on the Alliance dragons has been triggered too early, and we are in the midst of a fierce fight. I’m not sure how long we can hold them off. They have both the primary and secondary Capital Wings fighting against us. This is not what Stalenjh told us would be here. I need another two or three wings of our dragons!” Tbok yelled into his dark crystal as Traxsus was swerving away from the metallic dragon squadron bearing down on them.
“Tbok, keep your head, or they will down you and that overconfident demon blue dragon of yours. You should not have launched the attack this early, for now I have to get the fire giants to attack sooner than they are ready, as well as the wings of chromatics here, fool. This is Stalenjh’s mismanaged plan, so call him for help,” Ashram barked back.
“Damn you, you son of a worm! Remember that if we are defeated here, their power will be brought down on you!” Tbok yelled back to the elder sorcerer and then called to Stalenjh for reinforcements.
“Molotoc, come here, you pathetic excuse for a death knight,” Ashram ordered the Morgathian army’s warlord.
“What, my liege?” the heavily armored Morgathian general answered.
“Make ready for your attack immediately; I’ll get the oversized oaf fire giant clan leader to move his clumsy brutes out as well,” Ashram ordered the senior death knight.
“What will Marlok say about an early attack?” he questioned.
“I will deal with Marlok; just get your rats on the move now!” Ashram ordered back.
“Yes, my liege,” the death knight growled a response and turned to get the army up and moving.
The elves and centaurs had been moving fast for hours through the woods on an old path that the centaur chieftain had known when he was younger and used during the Great War and their running battles with the fire giants. They had moved to a site where he remembered there was a small stream beside the main trail the fire giant advanced guard would be traveling from their fortress. This would provide an excellent covered and concealed assault position. They had sent two of his fastest centaurs with a squad of elf rangers to scout ahead and locate the giants so they could warn them of their approach.
Just as they moved into position, Dekeen received a message from his elf scout that the advanced guard was approaching. He and the centaur chieftain quickly arranged their forces for an ambush and strike and then a delaying action and withdrawal through the secondary trail they came from. This would allow them to use the forest as concealment, limit the ability of the giants to mass their forces, and make the best possible use of the elves’ ability to utilize the forest as concealment to fire arrows and the centaurs to perform quick hit-and-run strikes, as long as the giants took the bait.
Within minutes after they took up their positions, the fire giant advanced guard started to approach. There were just over a dozen common giants led by six large fire giants, accompanied by two dozen ogres, a platoon of gnolls acting as their scouts, a company of orcs, and a few grummish. Strangely enough, the elves noted that there was no cavalry in this advanced guard force. Dekeen whispered a signal to his elves to prepare to fire; he had told them to concentrate on the gnolls first since they were as fast as elves on an open run and could make fighting the delay much more difficult.
Dekeen moved around the tree he was behind and drew a special slaying arrow. It had a small dragonstone chip embedded in the mithril-steel-alloy arrowhead that was empowered by Gallanth and Ordin to slay giants. The elven elm-wood shaft had both Draconic and elf runes written in dragon, elf, and dwarf blood that basically stated, “Death to the giant struck by this arrow.” He sighted in on the first fire giant, who was both the largest and seemed to be that group’s leader. With a quick whisper of the words written on the shaft, Dekeen drew and aimed at the fire giant’s chest. An easy one-hundred-yard shot, he released the arrow, its dragonstone chip glowing brightly as it streaked toward the giant’s black armor chest plate.
The mithril point easily pierced the one-inch-thick armor and sank to the fletching. The surprised giant paused for a second as the deadly energy of the dragonstone transferred into its hulky body and then exploded outward throwing his sixteen-foot frame backward to the ground and leaving a gaping hole in the brute’s chest. Immediately, thirty arrows were let loose with almost
all finding their mark on an unsuspecting gnoll, which was either killed instantly or severely injured. As the remaining fire giants began to roar for an attack, the elves quickly fired another volley that finished off the remaining gnolls or began to take aim at orcs and ogres. The centaurs then rushed from the streambed and waded into the orcs and ogres with either their large two-handed swords or oversized bows.
As the centaurs were moving through the enemy taking care not to become decisively engaged, the elves were picking off targets to reduce their numbers. As the fire and common giants finally started to get their forces organized, the centaurs began to withdraw into the forest on the path they wanted the enemy to use. The giants, angry at the loss of their leader and the surprise attack, took the bait and ordered all to pursue the retrograding centaurs. In the meantime, Dekeen had his elves move along the sides of the path and allowed the giants and remaining ogres and orcs to move past them deeper into the forest. From there, they began to pursue the slower enemy and deliver decisive arrows to their backs from the rear of their column, so as not to alert those in front while they were pursuing the centaurs.
While giants at full stride were faster than a man, they were nowhere near as quick as the quarry they were pursing. The centaurs kept just ahead of them, stopping to fire arrows and then moving again to allow the elves to do their work at the end of the enemy column. When the centaurs reached a larger clearing, they formed a battle line and several picked up prepositioned lances and shields, while the archer centaurs grabbed another quiver of arrows. The lead fire giants stopped to look at the forming centaur battle line and then realized that they were almost alone. All of their orcs and ogres and many of the common giants had been felled by the platoon of elves that now stood behind them, with Dekeen in the middle.
Confused, the largest fire giant ordered two of his comrades with three common giants to charge the elves and moved with two of his clansmen and several other common giants to attack the centaurs. As the giants lumbered toward Dekeen and his archers, Elm’s dragonstone started to glow brightly, and he drew and fired at the lead fire giant. The arrow exploded on the giant’s right shoulder where he had aimed to avoid the thick chest plate, rendering his arm useless, and a second arrow hit the giant in the left thigh knocking him to the ground. His elves were firing as fast as they could, trying to bring the giants down before they got to them, but they had to hit them where their armor was weakest. All but one common giant and the remaining fire giants made it to the elves, all riddled with arrows. They tried to swing their oversized weapons madly at the elves, who proved to be very nimble and difficult targets to hit. In the meantime, they were constantly being hit by arrows and quick sword strikes, and before long, they were felled. Four elves were injured, one badly. His comrades administered aloras on the wounds and began to carry him back to the legion’s assembly area.
Dragon Alliance Dark Storm : Dark Storm Page 34
