Chapter X
Battle at Mount Rok
During the night a gong sounded throughout the City. The walls vibrated to the sound, Achil jumped to his feet and raced outside, where Andreas and Nicholas were ready and waiting for him. Apparently they had been unable to sleep too. Some guards ran urgently passed carrying dispatches.
“What’s going on?” asked Achil.
A Guard stopped a moment.
“Our scouts have spotted a mighty army, many thousands strong, in a few days maybe a week they will pass beneath Mount Rok, come with me; I will take you to Wei who can better explain.”
"That could just be the Dragon People heading to Findolin," cried Achil.
"No the Dragon People have yet to pass this way and they are not heading to Findolin but away from it. Our spies have told us there are Wolfmen and Vendigo among them, and unless the Dragon People have taken to shapeshifting then they are surely legions sent by Jin."
An army of the Mandrake, Achil shuddered at the thought of it, there was a sudden tightness in his stomach, and did this mean that Findolin had fallen, especially if the Mandrake were now approaching Askalon. They were hastily escorted through the long winding corridors of the palace, finally arriving at an antechamber which led into a large hall; within which could be heard raised voices, as a heated debate was taking place. Achil was ushered into the room, followed by Andreas and Nicholas, recognising Wei; he joined him by the side of a crowded table.
“It appears you are right Achil,” said Wei. “The Wrath are descending upon us. It has been agreed that we will send out scouts to the Army of the Dragon People, in the hope that they will join with us.”
“My people should be approaching the Haven Mountains in the next five maybe six days,” said Andreas. “Take Nicholas with your scouts to seek them out. Do you know the size of the Wrath Army?”
“It is strong enough to deal Askalon or any other a decisive blow,” said Wei. “We cannot take the risk that they are only heading passed us, and must therefore prepare for the worst. I do not believe that Jin has forgotten his people, nor the insult that was afforded him; we must strike and fast.”
“Then we will aid you,” replied Achil.
Achil stood defiantly staring round the table. The anxiety he had felt had lifted, it was replaced by a deep resolve and determination to defeat the enemy. Wei gestured at the map of the Haven Mountains which had been laid out on the table.
“Leave a small contingent of men to guard your city,” said Achil. “We will meet the Mandrake in the open, where the terrain is suited to our way of fighting: the plain that lies beneath Mount Rok would afford us the most advantage. There is too, further over to the side of Mount Rok here.” Achil pointed at the map. “A great Marsh, we should try to force the enemy to retreat into the bog. We shall hide the Arches in the marshland so that when we drive the enemy into it, they will be unable to manoeuvre; and the Arches of the Cashel can cut them down, and destroy them.”
Wei looked over the plan whilst listening to Achil’s council.
“If we can maintain the initiative it just might work,” said Wei. “If the Mandrake are unaware of the arrival of the Dragon people and the Cashel, and if we Askalons can take the initial thrust of the enemy, and if the Dragon People can then attack their flank here, and drive them toward the Marsh; my people can then swing round and go on the offensive and close the trap.”
“That’s a whole lot of ifs,” said Andreas.
“This is war, everything about it is if," replied Achil.
After the discussions were over Nicholas left to intercept the army led by the Dragon People, to inform them if they did not know, that the Mandrake were coming.
Queen Lariset entered the room, composed as ever: she wore a soft green tunic with blue breeches.
“We have for some time wondered why the Vendigo had ventured so far west, now we have our answer,” said the Queen.
“When we were on the Planes of Dunne,” said Achil. “We encountered what must have been a scouting party, we discovered on one of the bodies an accurate map of Osgaroth, I thought it was for some future campaign of the Mandrake, now I realise his intention must be to sweep away the Kingdoms of Western Suberia in one strike, he has sent an army against us in the hope of inflicting a decisive blow.”
“But instead what he has done, is unite us,” said the Queen, “And now we understand his true design he shall find our resolve firm, our allegiances strong, our determination unbreakable. His deceptions have turned inward if he truly believes that people would give up their freedom so readily.”
“They gave up in the east,” replied Achil.
"We do not know what occurred there," replied The Queen, who was grim faced and determined.
An Askalon guard walked into the room; his arm was in a sling, there was a grimy bandage over his forehead, he carried a dispatch for Wei. The Askalon had been part of a small column on the further reaches of the Plain of Rok when he had been confronted by a party of Marauders. He and one other had been the only ones to escape, but they had carried back with them important intelligence on the movements of the Mandrake.
Wei took the note and looked back at the plan.
“There are several legions of Marauders, and Mead Cavaliers,” said Wei, “And many more of Wrath, and worse still there are Vendigo among them, they are moving in a tight formation creating havoc as they pass each settlement and township. There are a lot of people on the roads fleeing from them, trying to escape to the mountains, we will try and help them find there way safely to Askalon, and beyond. The Mandrake, appear at present to be making straight for Osgaroth. But it could be a feint, their real intention being to swing round and enter Askalon from this direction. The Dragon People and the Cashel will have to march through the night also if they are to meet us at Mount Rok. We are mustering what force we can, and by tomorrow morning we must ride out to meet them.”
Achil turned to Andreas who was standing by his side.
“Leave now you must join up with Nicholas,” said Achil. “Inform our people of this new information, and of what we have discussed here today, that the roads will be full of women and children and will prove difficult to traverse. Tell them to make all haste, I will leave here with Wei in the morning, by the day after tomorrow the Mandrake would have reached the Plain of Rok, and so must we.”
Andreas took Achil by the hand wished him good luck and left. Achil turned back to the plan on the table.
“Tell me, do you know anything of the Mandrake Imperium?” asked Achil.
“Only that it is made up of provinces and principalities, each with a Governor as overseer,” said the Queen. “You should direct yourself to the fact that their leader is Jin, so do not concern yourself with the Wrath or the legions of Marauders he has with him. Concern yourself with what they have become. One united mighty force that moves like an unstoppable wave, creating terror and chaos. This is what we face. And that is why I will also ride out with you tomorrow. I have been blind too long to this threat. I will lead the Army.”
Throughout the day the Askalons debated the coming threat, only stopping briefly to eat. Eventually as evening approached the voices fell sullen and silent, as the realisation of the inevitability of what was to come loomed ever closer, that one of their own was willing to destroy them was as tragic as any defeat could be. As the sky outside began to darken, the chamber began to empty, as each person with their assigned task departed to prepare for the coming conflict. Soon the only ones left were the Queen, Wei and Achil.
“So it has come to this,” said the Queen. “Findolin overrun, Osgaroth ravished, Askalon desecrated and our forests burnt. I wonder if this is always how it happens in war, you never realise its there, until it's upon you.”
“I think that’s partly the case, but then us Finns were not blind to the threat posed by the Mandrake,” said Achil. “It was for this reason I was despatched to Osgaroth all those years ago. We just did not expect them to come upon us the
way they have done, and so soon, we also thought that when the time came we would be strong enough to repel them.”
“I wonder if that’s always the way of it,” said Wei. “War I mean. We were blind to the threat, and have been caught unprepared. You knew of it, and yet there was still nothing you could do about it. Perhaps wars are thrust upon some, whereas others realise the coming storm, and try to board up the house as best they can before it arrives. We thought we were impervious to the ravages of the outside world, so did not concern ourselves with it. Blinded by this thought, we were willing to believe something contrary to the truth, which was that the outside world had no relevance to us, when it certainly does. You knew of the threat, you were not even complacent about it, unfortunately the threat when it came was far greater than any could have conceived of.”
“Well if that’s the case,” said the Queen. “Then perhaps we should learn a lesson from this situation and in future we will send aid so that the border with Mead is properly protected.”
The Queen retired to rest a little before their march. She was closely followed by Wei. Achil remained looking over the maps of Findolin and Osgaroth thinking about what they might find when he finally arrived at his city, he then, with a deep sigh, also turned and left. The chamber now vacant and void of life felt cold and barren, the candles slowly burnt to a nub, until the room was consumed by darkness.
The next morning was filled with the sound of steel on steel, as weapons shields and spears were all gathered together. People that had fled the villages, settlements and townships had been helped to the sanctuary of Askalon. Some wished to be armed and rejoin the fight against the Mandrake. By late morning the numbers of the Army to face the Imperium had swelled to almost double the original size. There was column upon column of armed men and women on horseback and on foot ready for battle. The Queen waited patiently at the gates she was majestic in full battle dress and sat on her white steed encouraging the rows of warriors as they passed her, the sun gleamed off her helmet like a fiery crown. She then rode off to the front of the army with her personal guard. Wei to one side of her, Achil to the other. They left the valley through paths and tunnels unknown to outsiders. There was the Cavalry to the front; further back the main body of the Army walked six abreast. They made steady progress as they headed straight for the Plain of Rok. By the evening of the fourth day they had arrived.
The Wrath scouts that had been out surveying the lay of the land had retreated back to their encampment. After many days of pillaging, they were now ready for the assault on Osgaroth. They were undoubtedly aware of the arrival of the Askalons but were unconcerned by it. Their fires could be seen in the distance, lighting up the night. Like most battles of that age, they did not take place at night, because mainly you could not distinguish friend from foe in the darkness. The Askalons set up camp, there was still no word as to the arrival of the Dragon People and the Cashel. The Queen held one last council before they all tried to get some rest. Tomorrow would be a long day, where the tide of battle would likely shift one way then the other. The disturbing news had already reached them that the army they faced was greater than they had anticipated and hence why it had not arrived too far ahead of them.
Their strength was their courage and the belief that even though they at present stood alone they would give a good account of themselves. That morning horns sounded across the camp. The army was ready. The sun shone on the helmets and spears of the Askalons. The army of the Mandrake was laid out in front of them. From it, rode out the Wrath general with his attendant, a Vendigo dressed from head to toe in black, his most prominent feature were his rasping jaws, he held aloft a flag of parley, signalling that they wished to discuss terms. The Queen rode out accompanied by Achil and Wei; they met in the middle of the plain separating the two Armies.
“Who is it that wishes to pass through lands protected by Askalon,” said the Queen.
“All are subject to the Lord of The Mandrake, he who is called Jin. We have no quarrel with Askalon. We only seek to pass through these lands and beyond into Osgaroth. Any that oppose us we will consider our enemy.”
“And what business has such an army in Osgaroth,” said Achil.
“Our business is our own, it does not concern you, but if you must know I have some merchants with me that wish to trade with the Dragon People. And I have come to guard them to make sure of their safe passage through these wild and unfriendly lands filled with rogues and bandits.”
The Generals attendant laughed.
“They are certainly filled with bandits this day,” replied Achil. “You may not pass, turn back and take your merchants with you.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that.” said the General. “My men long to see Osgaroth you see, and I simply could not disappoint them.”
“Then prepare to be disappointed. Any of your men that try to pass this field will trade with Askalon,” said the Queen.
The Queen turned with Achil and Wei and rode back to her Army. The General sat there for a moment watching her. He then let out a deep menacing sinister laugh that made the hairs on the backs of their necks stand up. The Queen rode along the line of her warriors letting them see that she was unafraid. She drew her sword it shone in the morning sun. It was ironic indeed that only a few days before the very notion of riding out to battle would have met with disbelief, how quickly things had turned around. She returned to the heart of her army, where Achil and Wei had been waiting for her.
“The cavalry will attack them head on leaving the rest here,” said the Queen. “They will try to out flank us, when they do we shall retreat to the main body of our force drawing them onto us, if we can manoeuvre them between the mountain and the marsh their numbers will count for less, and they will not then be able to flank us, after that it will be about courage. I’m afraid we will have to do without the Dragon People and the Cashel, so let's set to it.”
Without another word she leant forward on her saddle, raised her sword and rode forward, Wei and Achil at her side and the Army in formation close behind. As they approached the Wrath, a hale of Arrows darkened the sky. They lifted their shields over their heads as protection, as their horses sprang forward. The distance between the two armies evaporated in moments as the Askalons slammed into the front line of Mead Cavaliers, like a wave breaking upon the shore, slashing this way and that, some Askalons were dragged from their horses and hacked to pieces, whilst others were pierced by flying spears, still they pushed on.
The Main body of the Wrath army and its Marauder allies did not engage them, but stayed ominously in the background. The general watching from a distance seemed to yawn, unmoved by what was occurring in front of him. Then the signal was given for the rest of his army to engage the Askalons, but before they were cut off from any means of escape, horns sounded the retreat. The Askalons turned and frantically withdrew.
The Wrath with many Vendigo in their ranks did not pursue aimlessly, this was a well drilled and organised fighting unit; they marched in large lines slowly towards the Askalons. As they moved within arrow shot, the Askalons fired a volley which bounced of the Wraths shield defence. Though the narrow pass was a great equaliser of numbers, it also meant that the cavalry were unable to manoeuvre: the Askalons dismounted and prepared to meet the Mandrake on foot. The Wrath General had not believed his luck when he saw the retreating army of the Askalons; this terrain was perfect for his men. They would be like a hammer, he would use the mountain as the anvil, and would smash the Askalons in one fell swoop annihilating his foe altogether. The Queen had known that her strategy was a risky one, but there simply had not been time for anything else, so surprised had they been by the sudden emergence of the Mandrake only days before. The two armies clashed shield upon shield, sword against sword, and axe against helm. The Marauders attacked with great fierceness; the Shadow Warriors were as vicious as they could be. The Queens guards fought to protect her, and themselves. Some of the Wrath with the stench of so much blood, started to alter and
change into wild savage Wolfmen, ripping people's limbs from their bodies. The Askalons began to be pushed back towards the mountain. The Wrath general knew that soon the hammer blow would fall and the trap would be sprung. The smell of blood and the cries of his enemies began to excite him; he suddenly started to change becoming a Wolfman also. As he leapt forward into the fray, he grew to an immense size. His face contorted as jagged long teeth sprouted fourth from monstrous jaws. His limbs became misshapen elongated intensely muscular like rugged sinewy trunks, each step he took was a prelude to a more altered state; until the change was affected. His armour seemed to stretch around his torso and flex so as to adjust to its new stature. He began to claw, rip and savagely slash at any that came near him. And it was not long before he reached the Queen. But just as he met her he suddenly stopped a moment, his ears pricking up, alerted to a new sound echoing round the Battlefield.
A horn blasted out clear and proud, a response came from the marshes. The Dragon People had arrived. As soon as they had heard of the Wrath army and the need of the Askalons, they had marched with only short breaks so that they might eat. Suddenly Mount Rok echoed with their horns. The Cashel archers were in position in the Marsh and fired their arrows, thick long bows with shafts as great as javelins carved an opening in the ranks of the Mandrake.
The Dragon people fell upon the Wrath from the flank. The general of the Wrath was now in the midst of the battle. He made straight for the Queen with his long large spiked club in one hand and his long sword in the other. His teeth dripping with blood, his eyes burning with rage, he smashed, hacked at, and decapitated all those in his way; until he broke through the Queens bodyguard. The Queen stood there in front of him unflinching, he lifted his sword and swung it round she parried the blow, he then swung round his club, it smashed into her shield. She staggered back and dropped to the floor; he jumped in the air bringing the sword down on top of her. The Queen rolled to the side kicking out at him, hitting him in the midriff; he gave out a grunt of annoyance. The Wolfman with much savagery swung round its club striking her with a glancing blow that was enough to knock her dazed to the ground.
With sheer delight the General stood over his victim, lifting his powerful weapon above his head and bringing it swiftly down. But before the blow could land, it was met by another, it was Achil, he had frantically made his way over to the Queen when he had realised she was in danger, and had managed to parry what would have been a fatal blow. He kicked the Wolfman away.
The General roared and hurled himself at Achil, who fell back behind his shield, with the creature on top ripping it from his grasp, Achil managed to break free and jump to his feet. The Wolfman once more pounced. Achil quickly knelt down picked up a spear and as the General came crashing down on top of him he pierced him through the heart with it. The creature fell at Achil’s side with a disbelieving gasp. Achil fell back and lay there a moment breathing heavily, then a shadow came over him, it was the Queen her hand outstretched, she helped him to his feet and slapped him on the back.
“Thank you Achil,” She said sullenly.
Even with the General dead his army still fought on, but it was not long before their ranks were broken and they fled into the marsh where they were then picked off by the waiting Cashel. Soon a strange sort of quiet descended over the scene. The battlefield that had been like a growth of choking weeds, it was now still and eerily silent. The Queen was surrounded by her personal bodyguard, while her personal physician bandaged the gash on her arm. Achil stood speaking to the Queen while at her side was Wei; they were also joined by Nicholas, Andreas, The Prefect, Ulador and Ulathorn they all looked weary.
The Prefect bowed his head in respect.
“We can only stop for a small respite, we must find out what has happened to Findolin,” he said urgently.
“Askalon will help defend Findolin,” said the Queen. “Today, we woke to the sounds of an enemy, but by the evening we Askalons have found ourselves surrounded by friends.”
“For such an army to have ventured this far west must mean they are confident of a quick victory," said the Prefect. "Perhaps they believed that our separate kingdoms are too distrustful of each other. They cannot conceive that people are willing to work together for a common good. We have our spies out in the lands of Findolin. We have been informed that the army in front of Findolin is at least five times the force we fought here today. We should not meet the Mandrake in open conflict. We would surely lose.”
“What are you suggesting?” enquired the Queen.
The Prefect leant forward, “We must somehow force our way into Findolin where we will be able to better defend its walls.”
Achil & The Rise Of The Mandrake Page 16
