The day after the Battle of Cree -- WRETCHED STATE

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Date Posted: 10:09:56 08/08/00 Tue
Author: Sir D
Subject: The day after the Battle of Cree

A frantic horseman in furious gallop charged pass the little opening in Tancan front and towards the Cannaday walls. Observing him, the lookouts on the walls signaled for him to be let through, before enemy could make a move. The man brushed past the gates and into the compound, heading straight for the King's tent.
Short of breath, he slipped down the horse and rushed to see the king. Belamore, hearing the commotion stepped outside to see the newcomer.
"Your majesty... " The young lad, visibly exhausted, paused trying to catch his breath. "The Cliffs of cree... our defenses have fallen there..."
The King showed little emotion, though it was apparent the news was something he did not like hearing.
"Easy now boy," he said in a soothing voice. "Try and calm down first, then tell me exactly what happened." He signalled for some drink to be brought for the messenger.
The messenger drank the offered drink down like a man that has been travelling through desert for days... Putting the bowl away, he took a deep breath and continued, now in a more composed voice.
"We ambushed the Tancan force as planned, your majesty, and caused them big losses, but some of them started to break through nevertheless. Then the dragon came, and turned the odds back into our favour. He killed them in hundreds by flames alone before they fell back to reorganize their attack...", pausing again, he took another drink.
"And then?" Belamore asked.
"Then... I don't know how to explain what happened fully... skies went dark, and grave terror came upon us. Many men lost their minds, some jumped off the cliffs... some were struck by lightings coming from nowhere... That is when the Tancan attacked again... those of us that still had the will to fight were far too few to stop them... they say... that some foul magician is aiding the tancan..."

Belamore lowered his head, and his face now revealed worry. "And the dragon?"
The young messenger shook his head. "He had been struck down first... and three times more as he kept standing back trying to fight again. In the last fall he must have taken another hundred tancan with him... and that was the last I saw him..." He sat down, his face revealing the memories of terror of that battle coming back to him. "I... I was one of the dozen that were sent ahead to flee and warn those of you here... I don't know if any of others are still alive... I would have been chased down myself if it wasn't for a group of your scouts that intercepted my pursuers."
"Was there a knight of the Six with them?" Belamore interrupted.
"Aye sire... one of them wore the holy insignia. But I had no chance to speak with them..." Boy looked up, as if trying to apology. "they were outnunmbered at least 10 to 1 sire. Even with a knight, I fear they sacrificed their lives for no good avail..."
The king put his hand on the messenger's shoulder. "They made it possible for you to alert us. Now it is going to be up to US to make all those deaths count!"

---

Lord Mayan el Tankan yelled in anger as the battle griffen tore down into siege weapon emplacements again. "You filthy incompetent scum." He adressed the archers in rage. "Can you not but take down ONE single animal." Little he got in return were looks of disorder and fear. He took a bow into his hands. "HERE, let me show you how to do this."
With a steady aim, Tankan lord waited until the griffen made another areal pass, then released the string on the large longbow. The animal stumbled in air, and climbed back up. The arrow hit target, though little could be said with what effect. Still, the Griffen did not return for another attack, and Tankan put the bow down with satisfaction.
"Now GET on with the advance, we need waste no more time." He yelled at the troops that now just stood there. Slowly, the soldiers grabbed back onto their work, leaving behind ruins of a couple of the battle machines that this strange animal destroyed along with many dead bodies.

Tankan walked back to his tent as the wind rose, and soon after, a man descended from the skies, riding a large demonic steed.
The blind warlock was given a dismissing glance from Tankan, as he stepped down. "You're late sorcerer. Scouts already came here from the battle at Cree."
Shal El Bayodi was not a man to be talked off like that, even by a Tankan lord. "I helped your incompetent troops to win there, so it's my bussiness how long I take to get back. Or do you believe I can expend my powers for free and never get tired, just so I can serve you?"
That said the sorcerer walked to the tent, calling up his pet tiger.
Tankan brushed off the last comment by changing topic.
"Fine. But I believe it's my bussiness when I hear the dragon you encountered survived the battle. I thought you were supposed to kill it. Scouts tell me he was seen limping away after battle was lost for the Canaday troops."

White haired wizard stroke the giant cat gently as he replied. "I could not divert my full attention to the beast. There wasn't time for me to check if he died in the last fall. Besides your men could have stepped up to finish the job... Regardless, he is no longer a threat. And I do believe we have another battle to fight. And I still need to rest before it. Any news from the Lake Tampion troops yet?"

Tankan's face turned on expression of anger again. "None. We will have to do this without them. Once they DO get here, the men in charge will answer to me for that delay. In any case, I need to get the rest of the troops moving and organized. Our mercenary allies have been acting restless again. I'll talk to you later, wizard."
As the Tankan lord walked off, Shay El quietly spoke back, not loud enough for Mayan to hear him. "IF they get here..."

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Replies:

Uhmm... -- Sir D, 11:58:24 08/08/00 Tue
- Re: Uhmm... -- Janora, 16:06:10 08/08/00 Tue