At the Gates of Magaval

"Whoa!" i shouted to Pegasus, my white stallion. The Knights of Leonodor followed suit. Behind us, infantrymen from the Leonodor Battalion, men of spears, swords, and arrows. It was just before dawn, in the wee hours of the day, that we reached of Magaval. We had been hunting down the Orcs that attacked our protectory human nation of Simar-il-Ghas for a week now.

. . .

"Help, Your Royal Highness, we are being attacked by the Orcs from Magaval!" Thus read the simple note from the messenger. My heart was filled with rage and anger, the thought of the Orcs is enough to set me off. But what impressed me was, the Grand Chancellor still wrote with a sense of calm. We had been mortal enemies since our creation, apart from the Rayczaqs.

By the time the messenger reached Leonodor and Blitzkriegburg, three days has already past, two days to reach Erathia, another to reach here. And by means of a Rider. The Rider stood beside me, anxiously, he asked, "Sir, your command?"

"Get Leonodor armed, we are going to hunt!"

"Yes Sir!" And he sped off, swiftly as Quellvars always do. i got up, and walked to where Lauren was, all the while briefing Arianne. Though she already knew when i read the note. After all, we always maintain contact with each other, except only during sparring.

. . .

i reached Simar-il-Ghas four days later, leaving Leonodor Battalion on their way here. Of course, i was on dragon back, if not, how would i reach here so soon? Arianne flew non-stop to get here as quickly as possible. However, we did not went straight into battle; we scouted from above, and also rested. Leonodor's men would not arrive for another 3-4 days, so i have to strategise and plan my tactics thoroughly before entering battle.

The next day, i woke up before sunrise and got ready. Arianne had been hunting for food. i put on her armour before putting mine on. i sheathed Elyon Crux, strung Esh-Quela, and held El-Con'r. i climbed onto Arianne, and she took off with 2 flaps. And within a few minutes, we were already circling the small village of Lion-del.

From what we saw, the orcs were looking for something, rather than the usual plundering. i was wondering what were they looking for when all of the sudden, a flight of arrows struck off the sides of Arianne's scaly armour. They caught me by surprised, we weren't scathed though. i looked around and realised the glint of the first ray of the Sun reflected from my armour. 'Kurnan!!! They've spotted us!'

Swiftly, Arianne dove towards the Orcs. i could feel the heat building up in her body as we prepare for battle. i ready myself with my bow and arrow, and prepare for magical attacks. Immediately, balls of green flames whizz past us, some even came close to hit. i quickly dis-spelled. A couple hundred metres before hitting the ground, Arianne opened her mouth and breathe an immensely hot blue flames, which spread outwards upon contact, just like water eing poured onto the dry earth. Only, this one incinerated everything in its path. i let go an arrow, aimed at the Orc's captain. It flew with deadly accuracy and struck him in the forehead.

'Headshot!'

. . .

After 2 days of heavy riding, the Gates of Magaval came into view. We were at the edge of the dead Forest of Magaval. Hidden by the dark shadows of the trees, we waited for our scouts to return. After two hours, i decided to set up camp. So, we retreated back deep into the forest, to conceal our presence from the Orcs. It was at sundown, when the sentries cried, 'They're back!' i immediately rushed to greet them.


'Sir, we've been spotted by Orc archers! They're massing up, we've got to leave!'


'How? Didn't you cloak yourselves? Nevermind... Men, we strike now!'


'But...'


'We are faster than the Orcs, we'll strike from the rear. Ready your weapons, we strike deep, we strike hard!'

Within 5 minutes, all of us got ready, with full armour, we geared up for battle. Arianne was already scouting for Orcs in the sky, soaring cautiously, ensuring that the enemy doesn't spot her bright scales or shiny armour. i looked to the heavens, the Sun shining brightly, the Eastern winds carrying dark clouds towards us. i know what it means, we shall battle today. Then, Arianne shouted in my mind, 'Hurry! They are coming! Range, 3 kils.'


'Numbers?'


'Like ants... i'm too high to count' She was flying at more than 15 kils. Her vision is blocked by low cumulonimbus clouds and affected by long distance. With the Logistics already left, the remainder of the army, Infantry, Ranged, and Calvary, started off. All in an orderly fashion. i saddled up and rode with the Knights of Leonodor. The Logistics will head deeper into the forest, avoiding the upcoming battle. i sent Crusader, the Epic, with them, along with the sentries.


Swiftly and stealthily, we reached the northern end of the forest, facing the Northern Keep of Magaval. To the southwest, the volcano of Magaval, inactive but still alive. Surrounding the southeastern base is Magaval Fortress. With high walls and many towers, this is one of the most powerful strongholds in Ghass'ar. i looked to the skies, 'Arianne, how many sentries in this keep?'


Swooping a little lower, she said, 'i put their numbers at less than 200, but i can't be sure.'


'Good, 200 is nice. But do you smell that? The foul smell of sorcery...'


'Aye, i do. This fort is heavily guarded with magic. No wonder our scouts were spotted earlier. Something evil and powerful is the source.'


'The Orcs don't have this much power, who is it then? Can't be the Rayczaqs, they're too arrogant to defend this place. A shade?'


'Perhaps... Look! The Orcs searching for us earlier are forming lines now! i guess they already know. Must be that wicked thing in there'


'Men, we're compromised, there's a sorcerer in there that gave us away, if you're asking how. Now, formations! Infantry, take front lines! Ranged, take rear! Calvary, charge from the flanks! You know the drill! Move! Knights, spearhead. We'll take the fort.'


First Lieutenant Andrew Andersson, my field coordinator shouted, 'Men, arm yourselves with magic. This would be one bloody battle!'


'Raaahh!!!'


Arianne came down low, circling the battlefield-to-be, keeping a safe distance from Orcish archers. Then the Orcs' war drums pounded. Our own band started playing, following the tempo of the enemy drums...  A deadly harmony of musical symphony. 


Everyone waited anxiously... 'lub dub, lub dub, lub dub', our hearts pounded, or at least mine... The beat of the drums gained speed... i gripped the reins of Pegasus tightly...