VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, [2], 3 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 16:15:41 03/27/03 Thu
Author: The Challerain Defense
Subject: The horde attacks and Challerain's city burns
In reply to: No post. 's message, "War of the Everdark" on 12:38:20 03/27/03 Thu

December 24

She woke the next morning and yawned softly as she slipped out of the bed. Her dressing gown removed and she cleaned herself as best she could with a basin of chilly water. She rubbed her eyes with the cloth and then brushed through her hair which was then pulled back into a tight herring bone braid. Fortunately her hair was so thick that it showed little signs that she'd been unable to properly wash it. She dressed then warmly and donned her chain mail and then eiderdown. The cloak, her sword, and then her quiver. Slipping from her room she made her way to the war council's chambers where she had been told to join them to eat. The door was pushed open to the chamber and she stepped within, moving to take her seat. Not all had yet arrived, so at least she was not late.

Just so. The King had not yet arrived. When he did he took his seat between Vidron and Adaron. Matters were brought to the King by heralds as he took his breakfast. Rage crossed over his features when a messenger came bearing the news that the Rukha now plundered the barrow mounds along the north wall. "If, for naught else, they shall pay for this," he said grimly.

Young Brill shuttered at the thought of the maggot-folk digging in the barrows and looting the tombs of dead Heros and Nobles and of Othran the Seer. Doom!

A hand came up to support her forehead. The sound of the drum was driving her mad, and it did not help the headache which only throbbed with each pounding of the drum. She was feeling feverish this morning and it was showing in her features, though it could be passed off as lack of sleep as many of the men suffered.

With their breakfast finished all now made their way to the northern rampart. Ashes and cinders had been spread upon the paths and up the ramps along the battlement ways, for the hoar-frost and ice made the footing treacherous. The cold was bitter, and hoods were pulled up and cloaks drawn tightly about to fend off the icy clutch. As last they looked down upon the Horde, and it was vast and mighty Doom! and berings the mount. Yet the enemy had moved neither forward nor aback since last they had seen them; instead, they waited. Doom! Doom!

Standing near the wall she glared down at the drummer and made a frustrated sound. "Agh! That infernal, cursed drum! If naught else comes from this battle, I would like stuff that Ruck right inside his own instrument and pound it to a fare-thee-well!"

All found her words greatly amusing. Even stoic Adaron managed a chuckle and a smile sent in her direction. Vidron especially burst out laughing, who found the thought of a Ruck trapped in a drum being whaled by a tiny woman hilarious.

She was quite serious though! A soft huff as she turned her eyes to the horizon, blinking a few times. "What is this? A fire. Something burns in the distance. Look...around the blade, riders race. There is a battle raging, but I know not who fights."

"A! Now I, too, see the fire." Adaron commented. "But not the riders." Even as he watched, the flames mounted upward and grew brighter, winging light through the Everdark. Higher leapt the fire. Doom!

Bitterly King Aurion and Vidron and other Men on the wall stared with their Man-sight to the north, as if willing their vision to pierce the murk. Yet they saw naught but shadow. "What size the force?" barked Aurion. "Men or Ghola?"

"I can not say...I can only see their silhouettes, but there is a tower where none once stood, and it burns tall." It was the best that she could tell the King no matter how much she tried to see further.

"Hola!" Cried Vidron. "Now I, too, see the blaze--yet faintly, as a far-off candle in a dark fog." "Or a dying coal from the hearth," breathed Aurion, who now at last could dimly see the fire.

"Hsst!" Adaron shushed them. "Listen below." The blatting sound of Rucken horn was mingled with the harsh call of Ghuls, and there was a great stir among the Horde. All could see Ghuls springing upon the backs of Helsteeds and riding to the horn blares, gathering into a milling swarm. And with a hideous cry, they raced away to the north, toward the swirling blaze.

"They ride as if to defend something, or to intercept a foe." said Vidron, a glance given to Leila. "What of the other riders, the ones at the fire?"

She looked up to where the tower burned and then turned to look at Vidron. "They are gone."

Doom! Aurion was lost in thought. Yet after a moment a flicker of understanding seemed to pass over Aurion Redeye's features, and he smacked a fist into the palm of his hand and a gloating, "Hai!" burst forth. Yet what his thoughts were, he did not say, but instead turned his gaze once more unto the dim red glow. Below the racing Ghuls rode north through the Winternight. Swift they were, passing through the foothills toward the prairie, and before long they had ridden beyond any vision into the Everdark, streaking toward a distant fire that shone like a solitary beacon through the blotting murk. Still the warriors watched, and the flames grew dimmer, but at last the silhouettes of the Ghuls could be seen as they arrived at the waning blaze. Doom!

Leila sneezed, the action carrying enough force to make her jump. Grr. Irritation showed on her face. Her cloak was pulled tighter around her. Though all the layers of clothing the human men had fat or muscle much greater than she to insulate them. She wanted to sing. She wanted to see Talar more than anything, well, perhaps not more than anything. Ahem.

"I can no longer see it, "growled Vidron, and the King, too, gnarled, for the fire was now too dim for Man-sight to dectect.

Yet Adaron continued to watch the flames until he could not see the fire. "Perhaps it was..." He started to speak but then: "Hsst! Something comes. Once more Elven hearing proved sharper than that of Man." With wide eyes Adaron leapt atop the wall and listened intently, his head turning this way and that. "I cannot say what it is, yet I sense that it is evil." Doom!

She climbed atop the wall beside Adaron, watching for a moment. "There!" she cried. "Something looms in the dark!"

Vidron cast a glanced up to those on the wall and then turned his attention to the darkness before them. "What is it? What comes upon us?" His voice was grim.

She squinted her eyes, confirming before she spoke. "There are beasts. Great, giant beasts that walk upon two legs. They pull something with them."

"Trolls!" Spat Adaron. "They must be Trolls."

"Ogrus....." Growled Vidron.

Now Adaron saw them. Out upon the plains came giant plodding Ogrus, hauling upon massive ropes. Behind them, on great creaking wheels turning upon protesting iron axles, they towed a mighty ram, and catapults, and giant siege towers.

She looked up to Adaron then. Obviously she was not versed in the ways of war. "What is it that they pull with them? One looks like a...battering ram? But what of the other things?"

"En!" (Look!) Shouted Adaron, pointing. "Now we know what it is that the Horde awaits--the siege engines needed to assault the Keep! What an evil day this is." Doom! With a single shake of is head Adaron looked grimly to Leila. "In the fore is is a great gram, indeed." His gaze turned back to the oncoming. "And then three catapults come next. But behind are four...no, five tall towers, each tall enough to overtop the walls. 'Round them rides an escort of Ghuls." Doom!

Leila frowned deeply as near-glowing eyes watched the spaunen pull their quarry. "That is what we must have seen burning out on the plains." Turning then to look at Aurion. "The towers, Sire, the towers! One of them must have been what we saw burning! But who would burn the tower? Surely not the trolls, for they would not torch their own engine of destruction..." She paused, snapping her fingers then. "Lord Gelan! Your son must ride this way, Sire."

"Aye," said Aurion Redeye, a look of fierce pride upon his features. "'Twas my son Gelan and his company who did that deed, striking from the cover of the Enemy in Gryn's own fouled darkness, turning Drego's own vile cover 'gainst his lackeys, then melting away into the shadows ere the foe could strike back. I deem that it was Gelan and his Men you saw silhouetted by the flames of the burning tower."

"Just so." Adaron nodded. "And too, now I think that the glimpses you had of distant riders slipping in and out of shadow at the limit of your vision were also of Prince Gelan's band." Unsaid, he believed this to be true for he sensed that the shapes seen afar only by the Leila were not foe.

She tapped her silken lips lightly with her forefinger. "I wonder how many towers they burned beyond our view..." and then the thought faded. The war loomed closer. She jumped down from the wall where she stood, her cloak puddling about her feet for a moment before she stood erect again. "What now do we do, Sire?"

"We know naught how many they burned, yet I would that it had been five more." In response to Lady Leila's last question the High King called heralds to him. "The machines of the Enemy have come, and now his minions will assault the walls of the Keep. Go forth unto all of the companies and have them make ready their final preparations, for the Horde will not long wait." The messengers sped away and Aurion turned fully to Leila, about to speak.

"Sire!" exclaimed Vidron. "Look! Now I see them come from the darkness." At last the siege engines lumbered into the view of Man, and Marshal Vidron shook his head in rue, for they were mighty, and cunningly wrought to protect those using them. Forward they creaked, axles squealing--ram, towers, catapults.

Misty-eyed from the chill wind she watched as they moved closer. Leila drummed surprisingly long fingers against the mail upon her belly anxiously as her cloak did little to protect her from the cold whenever a gust of wind swirled it out and around her.

"A! What a vile bane is that ram!" cried Adaron, pointing at the great batter. Now they could see that it had a mighty iron head, shaped like a clenched fist, mounted on the end of a massive wooden beam. "It is called Whelm, and dark was the day that it rent through the very gates of Lost Duellin. Lord Mallorn had thought it destroyed in the Great War of the Ban, but now it seems that evil token have come upon us again." Doom!

Though Adaron seemed most dismayed by the ram, it was the siege towers that held Vidron's eye. Tall they were, and massive, clad with brass and iron. He did not see how Lord Gelans company could have sent one on fire. Yet inside was wood: platforms, a frame with stairs mounting up, ramps set to fall upon the besieged battlements--bridges for the foe to swarm across.

"'Tis well that this castle is made of stone," Said Aurion, "but I fear that the catapults will prove the undoing of the city below, for they are terrible machines and will fling fire. Much will burn to the ground. Doom!

"So are we to sit back and wait for them to come to us? Or do we go to them once they reach a closer wall? Where does our barrier of fighting stand?"

No response was made to her as sound came from below. Slowly, the siege towers and trebuchets were drawn by the mighty Ogrus to places spaced around the mount, while the great ram, Whelm, was aimed at the north gate. The sound of the Rucken drum pounded forth Doom! Boom! Doom! and the ranks of the Horde readied weapons: for the most part, cudgels and War-hammers and crescent scythes and great long dirks were brandished by the Rucks. The Holks held flails and curved scimitars, wicked and sharp. The Ghuls, upon Helsteeds, couched barbed spears or broke fell tulwars. And great Troll Warbars were clutched in massive hands of the Ogrus. Yet the Horde did not attack. Instead, a bleat of horns sounded, and a Ghul and one other rode forth upon Helsteedes, while at their side loped a Ruck bearing the Sun-Death standard. Toward the north gate they paced.

"They come to parley," stated Lord Adaron.

"Then I shall go forth to meet them," responded Aurion, turning to the ramp.

But, Sire, I must protest!" cried Vidron. "There are two upon 'Steeds. It is a trap to lure your forth."

At a glance from Aurion, Adaron turned his gaze long out upon the field, since out of he and Leila, she saw a great distance, but he could more easily recognize various foe. "One is no Ghulk," he said at last, "and he bears no weapon."

"Then he is Drego's messenger and speaks for the Evil One, " Said Aurion, "and the Ghol is his escort."

"Sire, let me go in thy stead." Vidron dropped to one knee and held the hilt of his sword forth to the King. "If not that, then at they side."

"Nay, Hrosmarshal," answered Aurion Redeye. "Put they sword away, until it is needed defending these walls. This I must do for myself, for I have been pent here too long--and I would have words with Drego's puppet."

"But, Sire, I beg thee, take one of us." Vidron's hand swept wide, gesturing to all the warriors upon the rampart.

Aurion turned to Leila. "I shall need sharp eyes at my side: Lady Leila, you shall bear my colors."

And as Vidron looked on in dismay, the King strode down from the wall.

Adaron’s eyes had fallen shut at the Kings words and a soft breath escaped his slightly parted lips. Before Leila could hurry off after the King he gently took a hold on her upper arm and pulled her close as he walked with her after Aurion. He lowered so that his face was close to hers as he spoke ugently, quietly, quickly. "Kingsgeneral Vidron has told you of the Ghulka, what you would call a Ghol. Now I will tell you of Rucha, Loka, and Trolls. What you would name Rukh, Lokh, and Troll as well."

Leila was stoic, though upon hearing that she would confront such creatures she had paled slightly, but said nothing. She turned then to follow the king, but was halted by the Elven Emissary. Pulled close to him, she took comfort in being so near to him, though she knew the comfort would not last long. Listening intently as she spoke, her eyes turned to watch him. It was almost amusing the way he had to lean over in order to be on her level. Either way, she walked with him slowly, waiting for him to explain to her the horrors she would face.

His ocean blue gaze locked onto hers for a moment before turning to their way before thim, his voice coming again. It did not sit well with him that she would be accompanying the King, for all thought it should be they who should go in her stead or even his. "The Ruch is smaller than you, a hand or so taller than a child. Unlike the corpse-white Ghulk, the Ruch is night dark. His legs are bandy and his arms thin. His ears look like that of a bat and he has the eye of a viper--yellow and slitted. His mouth is wide, with gapped, pointed teeth. He does not have much skill with weapons, but he does not need it. There are so many of them when they attack they just swarm over, conquering by their very numbers. They fight with cudgels and hammers. Weapons to smash and crush bone. Some use bows though, with black-shafted arrows. The Lok often wields scimitars and maces. Man-sized he is, like the Ghulk. Their appearance is different: the Lok more Ruch-like, dark skinned, viper eyes, bat-wing ears. However his legs are straight and his arms strong. Unlike their small look-alikes, the Lok is skilled with weapons, and clever, too. And cruel. There are not as many Loka as there are Rucha, but the Loka command the Ruch squads, and in turn, are commanded by the Ghulka. "

The young gypsy looked at him with nearly glowing eyes, especially so close in proximity to her in the werelight. Her face did not show fear, but something about her eyes told him that she was afraid and was choking it all back so she did not disappoint anyone--especially him. "Is that all there are?" she asked in a forced voice.

"There is also the Troll, as you have seen. Though who commands them, I deem it to be Drego himself. You saw they are massive, ten or twelve feet tall. They have a stone-like hide, but scaled and green in color. Ordinary weapons do not usually cut Trolls, and the only sure way to slay them is to drop a rock onto them, throw them from a cliff, or impale them with a 'special' blade. Sometimes they can be slain by a stab in the eye, or groin," his head turned to the side, hiding a light grin, for he knew that she knew just where to strike, "or mouth. "Ah, and yes, fifty or more Drimma have been known to band together in a Troll-squad and hew a Troll down with axes, but at a frightful cost to the Dwarves." He stated the race in the common tongue this time." They had arrived at the stables and he stopped. She was on her own now.

She looked at him for a long moment, a queer smile upon her lips. "Diola lle, Heru Adaron," (Thank you, Lord Adaron) A nod was given then. "Do not worry for me. I will return safely." Whether or not he actually worried for her she knew not, but it was a comfort to her to imagine that he did. With that then she turned and entered the stables where she would find the king and her mount upon which she would bear his standard.

Out of the stables Aurion led Wildwind and upon mounting up a stable boy came running, cheeks flushed, holding out the flag of a golden griffin rampant upon a scarlet field. Aurion gestured that the flag be given to the female, and the stable boy complied.

Her brown mare had been led out as well. She swung herself up into the saddle and took the flag from the stable boy, thanking him softly. A glance given to Aurion once more. "I am ready, my King."

After a nod down the mount they rode, passing through the gateways of the upper walls. To the north gate of the first wall they came at last, and Aurion bade Leila to give over her weapons to the gate guard--for standard bearers at parleys are honor-bound to carry no weapons, else treachery would be suspected.

She looked at the king as though he had lost his mind but finally gave over her bow and arrows, the long sword upon her hip and then the daggers in each of her boots. A strand of black hair broke free from the braid to blow across her forehead and her head turned to glance back at the upper walls from where they had come. Her eyes scanned the ramparts in the fuzzy darkness until she found Adaron, taking comfort in her heart that he was there, though he could do nothing if she needed him. She looked then to find Talar but was not able to find him before the gate guard motioned for her to continue. A soft clicking sound and the mare moved forward once more, the King's standard held tightly.

High above them upon the rampart of the fifth wall a fair face blenched to see his Elendil riding out to meet the foe. Talarin's knuckles were white as he gripped the stone infront of him.

A small side-postern was opened, and the two rode forth. Aurion upon grey Wildwind, prancing and curvetting, the horse's proud neck arched, hooves stepping high. They approached Drego's emissaries. Adaron had done the Ruck justice in the way he had described the short creature before them who held Drego's standard at the side of the two on Helsteeds. Vidron on the other hand, had done little to the Ghul. Indeed he was corpse-white, yet had flat dead-looking ebon eyes. Like a wound, a red mouth slashed across his pallid face, and his hands had long grasping fingers. Yes, tall he was, Man-height, but no Man was this malignant being, clothed in black and astride a horselike creature. A Helsteed. Leila might have been prepared for the cloven hooves and the rat like tail, but when the tails lashed about, she would be able to see that they were scaled; and the eyes of the beasts bore slit pupils. Yet nor her mare nor proud Wildwind, even the riders themselves, would be prepared for the fetid miasma that the creatures exuded, a foulness that made even the King gag and caused his steed to sky and skit. Only firm hands would be able to keep the animals from bolting.

The third emissary was a Man, dark, as if from far Hyree or Kistan. Yet he was strange, for spittle drooled from the corner of his mouth and his features were vapid, empty-eyed and slack-jawed, holding no spark of intelligence.

Duila danced under the command of her mistress until Leila was finally able to render the mare still. The gypsy did not breathe any more than she had to as she held the king's flag in one hand, the other holding her steed tightly inplace. Green-gold eyes seemed to flare a bit upon looking at the wicked minions of Drego. Those faces...they would haunt her dreams long after this war had come to pass.

The Ghul escort then turned to Drego's messenger, and in a dreadful voice, like the dead would sound, the Ghul spoke a word in the harsh, slobbering, foul Sluk speech: "Gulgok!" The vacant features of the swarm Man's face writhed, a malignant look of utter Evil filled his eyes, and his lips twisted into a cruel mocking snarl.

At this sight the High King turned pale, for a great malevolence lashed out at the two.

A voice followed, sounding like the hissing of pit adders. "Aurion Redeye. I had not expected you," the voice gloated, and the evil eyes turned to Leila and glittered. "This is even sweeter, for you draw mine other enemies into the trap with you."

The chestnut mare reared fitfully, dancing in a circle before coming to rest. Leila's heart raced knowing how dire the consequences would be if the horse would not obey her. By the time the horse had stopped in its fits Leila met the wicked eyes of the messenger. A dagger of terror fled straight to her heart, lodging there and she could barely breathe, but she held her horse steady and held Aurion's standard high. Her chin tipped up arrogantly as she looked upon the messenger, showing no fear, whether or not they could sense it.

The vile stare turned back to the King. "Look around, you fool. With your feeble one eye see the might that has come to throw you down, and think not to oppose it. This great boon I offer you: lay down your arms, surrender now, and you shall be permitted to exist in slavery, serving me for the rest of your days. Think upon this with the wisdom you are reputed to have, for no second chance will be offered. But you must choose now, for time slips swiftly through your grasp. What will you have, slavery or death?" The sibilant voice fell silent, and scornful eyes leered from the mocking face.

"Pah!" spat Aurion. "Say this to your vile Lord Drego: Aurion Redeye chooses freedom!"

A bone-chilling shriek of rage burst forth from the swarm emissary, and malignant hatred blasted down upon the two like a vile living force. "Then, Redeye, you choose death!" screamed the voice, and the cruel mouth screeched a harsh command at the Ghul and Ruck. "Gluktu!" speaking in the foul Sluk speech. The Ghul flung up the tulwar and spurred his Helsteed forward, while at the same time the Ruck tugged at his cloak, drew a bow from concealment, and fumbled at a black-shafted arrow to aim at the King. The maggot-folk finally set his black arrow to string and drew aim upon the King, the barb dripping a vile black ichor.

"Treachery!" she shrieked, kicking hard into Duila's flanks. The chestnut mare charged forward and Leila swung that large banner through the air, bringing it to crack down upon the skull of the Ruck that aimed at the King. The force of her blow snapped the standard which she carried, bringing now the first death in this war to the Ruck that had betrayed them.

The black arrow hissed wide of the mark as the Ruck fell dead--skull crushed, neck broken.

In the meantime Aurion had drawn a gleaming sword from its scabbard and spurred Wildwind forward, for it was only that the standard bearers were to march out unarmed. Then came the clang of sword upon tulwar. And the Ghul was skilled, for his blade slashed through Aurion's guard and skittered across the King's chain mail.

The third emissary upon the Helsteed moved not. His eyes were once again vacant and his maouth slack, the face now void of wit.

Clang! Clank! Sword and tulwar clashed. Thunk! The King's blade bit deeply, cleaving a great gash in the Ghul, yet the foe did not bleed and fought on as if unwounded. Ching! Thock! Now the tulwar slashed across the King's forearm, and blood welled forth. Chunk! Again Aurion's sword rived, once more the Ghul's flesh gaped, yet it was as if nothing had happened.

"His mount, Aurion, slay his mount!" Leila cried, her horse still dancing impatiently as if waiting for direction to run.

Aurion's sword slashed through the throat of the Helsteed. Black gore spewed forth as the creature fell, flinging the Ghul off. There was the snapping of breaking bones, yet the Ghul rose to his feet as if unharmed and slashed his tulwar up at Aurion, but the blow was caught by the King's blade.

Now the Ghul emitted a chilling howl, and like cries answered from the Horde. Helsteeds bearing Ghuls raced forth from the ranks.

"More come!" she shouted, urging her horse forward. She rode furiously forward, jamming the now splintered end of the standard through the Ghul's back, exploding through his heart and out the other side of his chest. Her horse reared upon seeing the advancing Helsteeds and threw Leila to the ground who landed prone, the wind rushing out of her lungs.

She would be able to hear the King calling out to her, as his heels dug into Wildwind's barreled side. With the sound of skirting steel the sword was sheathed. He prayed she would stand so that he could pull her onto his own steed, hers having continued running. But Leila was struggling to get air in that panicked way that most were when the breath was knocked out of them. She saw him coming toward her though and forced herself to her feet, yet unable to breathe, but something had pushed her, told her to stand.

Upon reaching her, Wildwind skid to a halt, hooves digging into the frozen snow. With amazing ease both firm hands of the King latched on each side of her ribs as he leaned over. Lifting her then, he laid her over the withers of the giant grey and with a call sent the wide-eyed horse galloping behind the mare, towards the portal at which they exited form, with the Ghuls in pursuit. But Wildwind was not to be headed, and he raced under a canopy of arrows shot from the walls at the pursuers. With howls of rage, the Ghuls sheered off the chase as Wildwind came to the side-postern and quickly through.

The pounding against her chest did not allow her to get her air back. Eyes watched as the ground moved under her, a mix of mud and white snow. She was growing dizzy from lack of air that she tried to draw, though each beat of the horse's hooves stole it from her again.

The portal shut behind them.

"Killed 'em! Killed 'em both, she did!" cried Hogarth, the Gate Captain, a fierce grin splitting his face as he pulled Leila from Wildwind's back and to the ground. Thinking she could stand, he turned to the King, taking the reins.

As soon as she was placed to the ground she fell to her knees, and then forward, one hand supporting her, the other clutching at her chest as she tried to pull in air but was far too panic-stricken to do it. Tears formed in her eyes then began pouring from the ducts, sobs overtaking her, which definitely did not help her to breathe and left her choking on the sobs that tore from her throat.

Aurion lept down from the grey equine to land beside her. "She's got the wind knocked out of her. Stand back." And the King gently held onto her shoulder, while the Kingsmen upon the wall roared a mighty cheer.

Finally after a few moments she got her breath back and was able to push herself to her feet, the heels of her hands used to wipe her eyes and push the tears away. She turned then to Aurion, green-gold eyes pained, but bright. "I... I am glad that you are safe, my King."

Aurion said to her, in a low voice that only she could hear, "Lady Leila, you must mount up the wall so that all may see you. Heroes are needed in these dark times to rally the spirits of all of us."

And in an equally quiet voice. "I am no hero, my lord, I am just loyal. I did what I had to do," she said and then turned to glance up at the ramparts. "But I shall do as you ask." A few more coughs to straighten her lungs out before she climbed the rampart of the first wall, her head turning instantly to glare that spawn on the other side. Dirt smudged her features now, but she had regained composure, allowing no fear to show.

As they walked the King looked at Leila in astonishment. "No hero, you say? Fie! Whether or not you feel like a hero, you are one, and we need you." And so, up the ramp and to the battlements above the north gate he led her, and all the Men shouted great praise. If she were to look upon the field before them, of the third emissary there would be no sight. Yet near the carcass of the Helsteed lay a skull-crushed Ruck and a shaft-pierced Ghul, slain by her own hand. But there was another sight upon the field that none took notice to, though it was a good thing, for it might have filled them with dread had they thought it an omen. There on the field, where the Ruck had planted it, stood the Sun-Death sigil of Drego, and below it, laying crumpled in the snow, was the broken scarlet-and-gold standard of Aurion.

Leila saw it though and sighed softly but returned her gaze to those below and smiled triumphantly; however, the smile was forced and the only two people she really wanted to see were not there.

~*~


Another great cheer went up when the Men saw her standing upon the rampart. But this hail was cut short by the enemy: Boom! Doom! Doom! The great Rucken drum took up a pounding beat, and harsh horns blatted. "Sire, they move the trebuchets forward," called Hogarth.

"They begin the attack," replied Aurion. "Signal our own catapults to prepare."

Rahn! Hogarth blew upon his oxen horn, and a signal flag was raised. Upon the open field great Trolls wheeled forth one of the catapults. Word soon came from the east and west that the other two trebuchets were drawing toward the first wall, too. Behind came more Ogrus, towing wagons.

Leila then moved back to a ramp and rushed down the rampart. From the gate guard she took her weapons back, re-sheathing everything and strapping it back on. She glanced up to Aurion then. "What are your orders for me, my king?"

"Return to the fifth wall..." And he would have spoke on but was inturrpted by Hogarth.

"Lor, look where they stop," he breathed. "Our mangonels have not that range." He pointed up the mount toward the King's own catapults between the first and second walls. "We cannot return their fire, for we cannot reach them." Doom! Boom! Doom! Doom! The Rucken drum pounded on. Through the pulsing drum beats, a distant clatter of gears sounded, and the throwing arm of the catapult was hauled down and loaded with a black sphere from one of the wagons. A Ruck with a torch set fire to the missile, and at a cry from a Holk, Thuk! Whoosh! the arm flew up, hurling a flaring pitch-and-sulfur ball sputtering through the sky and over the wall, to smash and explode upon one of the buildings. Fire splashed outward, and smoke rose up into the air. Warriors rushed to quench the blaze but another ball burst nearby, and flames raged. Again and again the blazing missiles burst upon the city, crashing down upon the tile roofs and wooden walls, and flaming liquid splashed and dripped. Soldiers rushed here and thither and yon, trying to extinguish fires, to beat out the flames. But the burning sulfur and pitch clung tenaciously to the blazing wood and ran in rivers of fire beyond reach, spreading in swift strokes. And were quenched, flames would burst forth anew as fire ran back to spring up again.

She found her mare which had run back into the fortress and mounted her, swiftly galloping through the portals moving through each layer of the keep until she reached the stables. The horse was handed off to the stable boy and Leila quickly made her way up to the ramparts, pulling herself up onto the weapon's shelf to peer out over the horizon just in case...just maybe there was something there. But there was not…

~*~


Missile after missile crashed down to add to the fires, and raging flames grew and fed upon the shops and houses lining the streets, and swept across the town. Away to the south and west rose the smoke of other fires as the great trebuchet there flung its hideous cargo of holocaust upon that part of Challerain Keep. And the third catapult of the enemy hurled fire upon the eastern flank of the city. Thwok! Thock! The fuming falls hurled forth, sailing down to blast apart. All around the mount the flames raged wildly, springing from building to building and street to street, the fires from the north racing toward those raging forth from east and west. Black smoke billowed up and sent warriors reeling and coughing. The heat choked off breath, for the very air seared the lungs, and many collapsed. The fallen were borne forth from the inferno by their exhausted comrades, yet others perished, trapped in the fire storm.

Hours passed, and still the siege engines of Drego hurled sputtering Death, the thwok! of the great arms now unheard in the roar of the flames. The answering shots of the King's mangonels fell short, and the Men on the wall wept in raged frustration, for the city burned and they could do nothing to save it. Unchecked, the missiles crashed, and red and orange columns of roaring flames cast writhing shadows out into the Everdark. The works of centuries of man's existence upon Mont Challerain fell victim to the ravening fire.

From the fifth wall there was nothing she could do but watch the city below her burn. Her vision had been obscured by the black smoke that billowed from the burning muck that clung to the houses and buildings. Unable was she to give aid to Aurion when he looked to her to do so.

~*~


And thus the city burned, the great engines casting holocaust nearly unto the fourth wall. When it became apparent to the King that nothing could be done to quench the raging flames, he ordered that the fires be let to run their course unchecked, for the warriors must needs save themselves for the coming battle. And so for two 'Darkdays they watched the burning of much they held to be precious and wept to see such destruction. The Horde beyond the walls jeered in revelry and brandished their weapons, but they made no move to assault the battlements. They knew that the fires sapped at the strength and spirit of the Kingsmen, and they waited for the moment when the defenders' will would be at its lowest ebb. And all through the burning, and finally unto the time that black char and ashes and thin tendrils of acrid smoke were all that remained where once stood a proud city, the great drum knelled: Doom!

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

  • Astariel & Elomir are captured, Igon is felled -- Astariel, Elomir, Igon, wagon defense, 16:20:27 03/27/03 Thu
    [ Contact Forum Admin ]

    Forum timezone: GMT-8
    VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
    Before posting please read our privacy policy.
    VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
    Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.