Hope in the Shadows

by Umut Ersezer

  They had to strike now or wait until next year after the winter season.

  “Each platoon is now accounted for and marching in formation sir,” Captain Mitchim reported.

  The march was broken into sections, with scouts on fastback horses leading the way, ensuring the path was clear. Followed by heavy infantry with shields. They would be able to absorb any ambush thrown at them until reinforcements arrived.

  These were followed by career soldiers wielding all manner of weapons with the new recruits following behind them.

  To the rear of the army was the mounted soldiers who could rush to any skirmish along the march to provide overpowering support. Behind them still, the war machines were towed by crags. Sandwiched between all of these fighting men and women were the slaves, merchants, attendants, high commanders and perhaps a general to oversee the march.

  It was a sight to behold, tens of thousands of soldiers in uniform and armour, horses, caravans, war machines all with a single purpose marching out into the grassy plains before them.

  The sun was shining across a clear blue sky but lacked the intense heat the heart of summer brought with it. Ideal conditions to go to war. As far as the eye could see, the humans washed across the land as if they were one creature, where the wave would inevitably come crashing down upon the darkspawn.

  Trajan felt a stir of proudness to watch his soldiers so ably led by his captains. They would do him proud on the battlefield. He held out his chest and head higher than usual on this day.

  He was still haunted by the nightmare two nights ago, the visions that he saw did not bode well for what was to come. He reasoned that it must have been due to his nerves of leading such a massive assault against an unconventional enemy. He wouldn’t be cowered by it. Even if it was sent to him by some dark force he didn’t understand, he would not be intimidated. He would fight. He would win.

  Shala, on her smaller blonde horse, was never far from him. She continued to provide reports and support with the logistics of moving such a large army.

  He tried to forget the condition he saw her in within his dream. It was unbearable. He would keep her safe. He had to. Away from the fight.

  He returned his gaze to the marching army, the flow of men and women hypnotising, like watching a fire. Both taking on a life of their own. Trajan just had to make sure his marching army stayed alive.

  The March - Part 2

  Calidum sat in silence by a fire with Webil. The two drank from a cup of hot tea, staring blankly into the flickers of the flame. They had been marching for days, blurring into weeks towards the Pointed Forest.

  They had finally arrived early in the day, exhausted and dirty. The days were growing shorter as the seasons shifted from summer to winter with little relief in between. It was the opportune time to strike out against the darkspawn.

  The military operation spent all day and into the night setting up their forward camps in preparation for the assault to come. Word of its timing had not been shared, due to the fears of spies amongst the camps, but it was obvious they were here with a purpose and wouldn’t need to wait long.

  “Cal?” Webil asked.

  “Yeah?”

  “You look distant…”

  Cal sighed as he took a sip of his tea. “I think we should get some shut-eye Webil, who knows what tomorrow’s going to bring.”

  “Are you okay?” Webil asked.

  Cal looked up from his tea towards Webil. Shadows danced across his face with the flickers of the flame.

  “I’m just thinking of my family, I hope they’re okay.”

  “They will be after we do this. We all will be. Once we get rid of the darkspawn…”

  “Then what?” Cal interrupted.

  Webil looked back down to his mug of tea.

  “I’m sorry Webil, I’ve just got a bad feeling and I’m tired. I shouldn’t take it out on you,” explained Cal.

  Webil gave a smile to Cal. He could always break out a smile even in the most awkward of situations. It made Cal feel guilty for feeling so gloomy.

  Cal laid back on the cool grass, staring up at the stars above. He reminisced about the times he and Fidum debated their nature. They often wondered if the points of light were simply other suns, with their own set of planets like Celestus orbiting them, their own set of life living on them. Did that life share the same thoughts and worries he and Fidum had with raising two boys?

  Cal at this moment, wondered if his own family was staring up at the same sky, wondering where he was, what he was about to do in the coming days. Everything seemed so far away. But thinking about it only made his longing for his family grow more profound, so he turned his thoughts to the fight against darkspawn. That was his immediate concern. He had to fight. He had to survive.

  He closed his eyes, trying to find peace in this tiny space he occupied amongst the incomprehensive expanse of the heavens above. He couldn’t escape the thought of these darkspawn turning up in other places in the cosmos, causing havoc to other lifelings out there if they even existed, so he dwelled on that a little longer.

  He heard Webil crawl into their double tent, interrupting his thoughts. He decided he should get sleep as well but wanted to do it under the stars by the fire. He watched the stars dance across the sky until he couldn’t hold his eyes open anymore. Eventually, sleep consumed him as he closed his eyes and let himself drift into oblivion.

  **

  Captain Mitchim and Shala stood by Trajan’s side, all three on horseback. He was increasingly relying upon them managing the logistics of his army.

  Trajan wore his black plate, feeling invincible within the power of it. His hand was never far from his firebrand sword. The feeling of wearing and wielding such power was intoxicating. Trajan hated removing his power-infused tools of war, he would wear them permanently if he could.

  “They are ready for you, sir,” Captain Mitchim stated.

  “Thank you, Captain.”

  The soldiers from his garrison stood at attention before him as he peered down from the hilltop. Their perspiration and hot breath rising and condensing in the chill air around them. The sun was just now peeking above the horizon, flooding the skies with crimson light, bringing life and warmth to the grasslands surrounding them. It was an ideal space for staging war. They could spot the approach of any sneak darkspawn attack through the nights. An attack that didn’t eventuate.

  The generals and commanders were growing nervous that the darkspawn no longer occupied the Pointed Forest. They were met with no resistance during their march or camp set up. The silence and calmness of it all was unsettling. Ironic, Trajan thought.

  The time had arrived, preparations made, and the soldiers rallied into formation. They would make the final short march to the Pointed Forest and confront the darkspawn.

  “I’d like to see the platoon captains, Mitchim,” requested Trajan.

  “At once, Sir.”

  Captain Mitchim rode off on his horse, down the hill towards the captains standing to attention at the head of their respective platoons. All made their way up to Trajan.

  “Captains, I understand orders and battleplans have not been forthcoming, it places you and your men under stress,” Trajan said.

  “No bother Sir, we are ready at your command,” replied Captain Vix.

  She looked fierce in her battle armour with a curved sword hanging off her hilt.

  “Thank you, Captain. Our scouts have spotted darkspawn lurking at the boundaries of the forest. They are indeed there, waiting for us to make our move. The generals believe they want us to march into the darkness and confines of the forest. King Hastam has commanded to flush them out,” explained Trajan.

  The captains were all listening intently, hanging onto every word, eager to know what their next move would be.

  “We are going to launch fire into the forest with the use of our trebuchet. Our hope is the heat and light drives them out and forces them to meet us on these plains where we hold the advantage.”

&n
bsp; “But, sir the forest is massive, they could be based anywhere in there, they could hide, wait it out,” Captain Vix retorted. She was never afraid of voicing her opinion. Trajan respected that about her. Trajan closed his eyes before speaking again.

  “Yes Captain, it is a large forest, and we have a large army with a wealth of trebuchet amongst the high commanders. We will do what it takes,” said Trajan with a tone of finality.

  The captains looked at each other. Trajan felt a notion of frustration. Here they were, on the brink bringing destruction on the enemy and his captains felt anxious about burning a blasted forest.

  “Captains! We are here for a reason. Don’t lose sight of that. We will accomplish our mission at all costs, the future of our people are relying upon us, here and now to do what is necessary!” Trajan bellowed.

  “YES, SIR!” they all shouted back. Trajan always felt satisfied with a strong response from his captains.

  “Attention, here are your final instructions. Follow them to the letter, or you will find yourselves at the end of my sword. Platoons 1 to 10 will take point on the assault,”

  “SIR!?” burst Captain Gregibus. Trajan ignored his outburst and went on.

  “With platoons 11 to 33 supporting them from behind. The cavalry divisions will wait behind until the horn is blown, then they will ride in from the sides to execute a pincer move. The darkspawn will be surrounded by death. It is only when we have dealt a decisive blow we will march into the forest to find their source and root it out,” explained Trajan.

  “SIR!?” Gregibus interrupted again.

  “Silence!” bellowed Captain Mitchim with a wave of anger rarely shown.

  Trajan held up his hand to Mitchim to signal for him to calm himself. Mitchim’s face relaxed.

  “Captain Gregibus, do you have something to say?” asked Trajan.

  “Y…yes, sir. Platoons 1 to 10 are the recruits! They are not even close to ready,” blurted Gregibus.

  “Then you have not done your job well enough Captain,” Trajan retorted as the other recruit captains shuffled on their horses looking at each other.

  “Sir, with respect, they will be killed, within minutes, it will be a routing. Thousands will die in the initial confrontation,” explained Gregibus in both the most respectful and stern tone he could muster.

  “I understand the consequences Captain, I am prepared to accept them, I am prepared to do what it takes to give our fighting forces here the best chance to power over the top our enemy. Are you?” asked Trajan in an almost mocking voice.

  “You’re using them as bait…” concluded Gregibus. Trajan stayed silent, not breaking eye contact with him.

  “Are you prepared to do what it takes today, captain?” I will need to replace you if you are not. Be clear with me.”

  Trajan was now staring into the very soul of Gregibus, daring him to challenge his commander. The captains continued to shift uncomfortably on their horses at the confrontation, while others remained unnaturally still.

  “ Sir…yes, I am, Sir. I apologize. I understand.”

  “Good. One more thing, Captain,” said Trajan, never breaking eye contact.

  “Sir?”

  “I will expect platoon 7 to be at the front of the formation, with you at the head leading your men into the fray. Showing us all not only your fighting spirit but of your men as well.” Trajan turned his horse away, breaking eye contact. “Dismissed! Mitchim, attend to forming up the platoons,” concluded Trajan.

  The captains dispersed, and they made their way back down the hill to pass on instructions to their fighting force.

  Captain Gregibus was left there, looking aghast from what had just transpired.

  Another of the recruit platoon captains placed a hand on his shoulder.

  “It could be worse Greg,” Captain Malam said.

  “How do you imagine so?”

  “You could be stuck with my worthless lot instead,” chuckled Malam. “I still need to remind my crag heaps to use the pointy end.”

  Gregibus forced a smile, it would be his last ever.

  ** Chapter 20 **

  The Assault – Part 1

  Calidum stood at attention at the rear of his platoon, soldiers ahead of him shuffled restlessly. The soft, clinking sounds of plate and chain armour rubbing over each other washed the air.

  It had taken hours to march and form up, but the men had received their final rations before the assault would commence. The tension in the air was palpable. No one spoke, descending the grasslands into an eerie silence, filled only with the shuffling of men and trees around them.

  The vast Pointed Forest lay ahead of them, only a couple hundred metres, close enough to see a few layers deep through the trees. Cal thought he saw shadows darting around amongst the wide tree trunks.

  A massive horn sounded behind him, he wasn’t sure what would come next; none of them were. They had all been surprised to learn that their platoon, along with the other recruits, were being sent to the very front.

  Thousands of recruits stretched hundreds of metres, forming a massive front line across the edge of the forest. Behind them were the career soldiers. Cal felt trapped, there was nowhere to go, there would be no retreat for them.

  In the distance, he could hear thunderous machinery come alive, the movement of cogs and ropes, something heavy setting into motion.

  Massive balls of fire were launched from the distant rear of the formation. They sailed high into the air, leaving a blistering trail of fire behind them.

  Cal immediately remembered the ballistae used when the humans first pushed into Dritura. The military was employing the same tactic he realised of flushing out the darkspawn. This time, however, the fireballs were many times larger, the size of a house.

  Over his head they sailed, the recruits and soldiers all staring in astonishment. More were launched, tens of them, all sailing over their heads. Cal looked forward into the forest to catch the first fireball crash into the trees. Explosions of fire engulfed the area. More fireballs crashed into the forest, giving rise to embers and black smoke billowing upwards.

  Screeches and screams sounded from within the forest. More fireballs rained down in an unrelenting hail of fire. The heat from the fires within was growing more intense, sweat was beginning to bead on Cal’s face. Yet more fireballs came, spreading the line of fire broader and deeper into the forest.

  Black smoke rose in massive and billowing columns, blocking out the sun. Cal’s eyes stung from both the smoke and intensifying heat, he could barely keep them open. Men around him began coughing, choking on the plumes, they needed to pull back. Cal looked behind him, he could see some of the recruits trying to shuffle their way away from the forest, but the career soldiers held firm, shoving them back into line with their shield, barking orders at them to stand fast.

  It was so dark, impossible to see through the haze, he could barely make out the forest now it was so consumed with smoke. Cal thought he could hear a rumble of footsteps, coming from the direction of the forest. The very ground beneath him was vibrating. Something was coming, a horde, his mind raced with all the possibilities of what he could be confronted with. His stomach was churning with anxiousness, Webil next to him threw up on himself in sputtering coughs. Gods help him, Cal thought.

  “THEY COME! READY MEN!” bellowed Gregibus and the other captains.

  The recruits formed their ranks once more, standing shoulder to shoulder but leaving enough room to swing their swords. Cal’s chain mail felt heavy, he could barely breathe. The rumbling got louder, closer, the vibrations beneath Cal’s feet growing even more intense, now rattling his chain mail.

  From within the smoky haze, he could see shadows, charging at him, four legs, like the ones he saw when he was being transported to Honour Haven.

  “Damn these hound beasts!” he said out loud.

  “Cal…what’s happening?” Webil said with a tremble to his lip. His eyes were wide, it was obvious he was terrified.

  “Stan
d strong Webil! Shield up! Sword to the side! Block and swing, just like we practiced! Focus on your breathing, your feet, your balance, use your training, move just like we’ve trained. We’ll get out of this!”

  Webil turned away from him, towards the forest, half-heartedly following Cal’s advice. His very muscles were frozen with fear.

  With an immense crash, the darkspawn leaped into the front line of the recruits, jumping over the top of them. Thrashing their claws and jaws about, looking to tear limb from limb. Gregibus wore the brunt of it, lasting mere seconds before a darkspawn hound ripped at his throat.

  The recruits swung wildly, all training and muscle memory gone in the fit of fear consuming them. The hounds kept coming, barrelling themselves into the swords and shields of the men. They showed no restraint for the loss of their own lives, their only purpose was to overrun and kill the human army.

  A darkspawn hound threw itself at Cal, colliding into his shield, nearly knocking him over. He shoved the darkspawn creature back and swung his sword, cleaving the beast in half. They didn’t seem to possess any bones, his swing was met with surprisingly little resistance.

  “CAL!” Webil called out.

  Cal wheeled around to find Webil hiding under his shield with a hound on top of it, trying to get at him. It’s jaws only centimetres away from snapping around Webil’s face. Another darkspawn was thundering towards him, he wouldn’t last much longer.

  Cal launched himself at the beasts, using controlled swings to cleave the one on top of Webil’s shield. The other leaped towards him, Cal reacting quickly enough to decapitate it in mid-air.

  “Get up!” ordered Cal, reaching a hand down to Webil.

  “I…I can’t Cal. This is too much!” Webil whimpered as tears ran down his face.

  “By the gods’ man, GET UP!” he ordered again. “Put your back to mine, we’ll cover each other as we retreat, I need you Webil, let’s go!”

  Webil took Cal’s hand to finally stand. Chaos was unfolding around them, darkspawn were ravaging the field, thrashing blood left and right as they tore men apart.