Achil & The Rise Of The Mandrake

by David Papa-Adams

  ***

  At his hospital bed Kranz was sitting in the chair placed by its side, the other Elementals had gathered round, they were all holding hands, trying to use their powers to effect the battle raging outside, as they did so from the window came a sheathe of light that encased them all. It held them for a moment and then disappeared, as it did, they all lost consciousness and dropped to the floor.

  Along the walls the battle was fraught, frenetic and cruel. Limbs were hewn at, and savagely cut from bodies. Achil was slashing in every direction. A thick wooden bridge had been placed between the ramp and the castle gate, as soon as the Finns saw it drop down they reacted immediately, throwing rubble on to it, and collapsing it, which briefly averted the danger of the Rams head. Most of the Siege engines were aflame. And many of the climbing ropes had been cut. The battle had turned against the Mandrake, and by the evening they had retreated back over the walls.

  After they were sure that no further assault was on its way, the defenders of the burning city had convened once more in the great hall. The Prefect raised his voice above the clamour.

  “If we do not go out and meet the Mandrake on the plain in front of the city they will merely wait us out, and strike again and again until we are worn down. We cannot afford to let that happen. I for one do not wish to be humbled in halls of stone waiting to be crushed by an insidious overlord. He will not expect defence to turn to attack; your weapon is ready let us use it.”

  The King also knew that they would not withstand another onslaught without the Dragon Chamber.

  "And what of the Elementals," replied the Alchemist. "They have been struck by Jin's foul hand, and we do not know when they will return to us."

  “Then we proceed without the help of the Elementals, in the morning we ride out,” said the King slowly. “Tell everyone to prepare themselves. Tomorrow we conclude this affair once and for all, the time for debate is over and so must this siege be.”