The Realms of Animar (35 page)

The horse jerked her head forward and snorted.

“Alright, head to the gate.”

Together they galloped through the heart of the village where the population had dwindled to a few scattered soldiers. Those who were fighting had either taken position upon the walls or assembled near the gate which left the village interior practically deserted.

He scanned the outer wall platforms as he rode and spotted the numerous buckets of arrows that had been placed where he had requested. They had made thousands of arrows but he wondered if they would have enough.

Guderian then noted that the focus of the archers was locked on the advancing army, a sight that had clearly left many in shock. As he looked upon the farmers, bakers and weavers now turned to soldiers, in his heart, deep inside where he hated to look and dared not think about, where his most locked-away thoughts and fears hid, he knew they were doomed.

His horse galloped along knowing well her rider’s destination. After a brief sprint they reached the area just inside the gate where the main force of foot soldiers had gathered.

After scouring the faces of those present, Guderian spotted Joli in a short lookout tower atop the gate. Her eyes were fixed on the horizon while she stood, calm as ever, with her bow at ready in her left hand and her right within inches of a quiver. He expected no less.

“Work your way to the gate tower,” Guderian directed the horse.

Without hesitation, the horse obliged and carried him through the gathering of soldiers and closer to her position.

“Joli!” Guderian yelled when they drew near. “Joli! Down here!”

She spun and looked down from her perch. Their eyes locked for a brief moment and then Joli shook her head slightly, indicating her impression of the challenge they faced. Guderian had not peered beyond the walls in several hours but he knew that if she was in doubt, he would likely agree.

“You stay behind these walls,” he instructed her. “No matter what, you stay inside. If they push past us you get out of here. You can outrun them.”

“Darling, they have us surrounded now,” she replied calmly. “Where would I go?”

Guderian looked to the walls once more, this time noticing that the archers were not concentrated solely on the front but spread out around the entire village perimeter. They were indeed prisoners in their own sanctuary.

The rumble of the looming army intensified and the soldiers assembled nearby grew restless. He turned his gaze to the dark clouds overhead while his thoughts were stuck in the web of confusion. So much he wanted to say.

“I hate to say this, but you better get out there,” Joli said.

Guderian took a deep breath and nodded. “I love you,” he replied. “Never forget that.”

Sadness finally appeared on her face and although she spoke her words were drowned out by the rowdy troops. It made no difference, his ears were not needed. He could read her beautiful lips that he hoped to kiss once more.

After one last glance he patted the horse and together they turned to the entrance.

“Open it up!” Guderian yelled to the guards.

A loud
clank
sounded and slowly the massive gate rose. As he peered through the opening, Guderian spotted Avryn sitting atop a spotted grey and white horse. To either side were the men and women that made up the charging line as well as the Aquan soldiers.

He urged his horse forward, over the land bridge that divided the pit, and soon sat alongside his king.

“All secure?” Avryn asked.

Guderian remained speechless, having been momentarily stricken mute when he reached the edge of the hill and looked upon the incredible size of the enemy force. Where the fields once stood was now a wall of death, formed by a mixture of man and beast that blotted out the horizon and provoked fear in the hearts of the bravest of men.

“Come now, surely the great Guderian isn’t afraid of a few hungry lions?” Avryn mused, noting the obvious alarm on the face of his friend.

Guderian simply shook his head.

“So the tunnel is secure?” Avryn asked.

“I hope so….yes.”

“And the Avians?”

Guderian paused while he recovered his thoughts then replied, “They are manning the walls for now but they know to listen for their signal.” He tapped a curled, white horn that was strapped around his neck.

“Did you see Felia by chance?”

“No, she may have gone to Thane. Definitely not in the tunnel.” Guderian then chuckled to himself and added, “Well, at least they have stopped their advance. Think they are considering surrender?”

“Maybe you should go find out,” Avryn quipped.

The men turned in unison as a cloaked figure emerged from the soldiers around them. He lowered his hood when he approached. It was Mordigal.

“Out there,” Mordigal said as he pointed in the distance. “Near the front in that small clearing. Do you see that large cat?” The assassin waited for the men to find his target then continued, “That’s Fatalis, I’m sure of it. We kill him and his army will crumble.”

“That simple?” Avryn asked with a smile.

“No simple task,” Mordigal replied. “His instincts are incredible and just reaching him will be quite a feat. But if he were to fall the difference between our kinds would be evident. When our Alpha falls the effect ripples through our ranks. Our courage suffers and the most courageous of our kind turn to cowards. Your death, however, your death would enrage your men and merely drive them to fight harder.”

“I would just assume you stay alive,” Guderian mused.

“Either way, killing him is our only chance,” Mordigal said.

Avryn remained silent, his eyes focused on the distant figure that had brought so much suffering to his people. It was there, in that small clearing, that his destiny waited.

***

Now in his human form, Fatalis stared at the beckoning village. On the outside he was confident but inside he was torn. Part of him wanted to send in all of his forces and wipe the village clean. But something urged him to be patient. Why hadn’t they fled? They knew the army was coming. What advantage did they have? Stupid cattle, they just knew no better. Mordigal was with them however and surely he had prepared them as best he could. There had to be a counter to his treachery, a way to outwit the assassin’s advice. He would expect Fatalis to let loose a massive assault. He would have to do the unexpected. He would be methodical and patient, destroy them slowly and savor every glorious moment.

Even before he stepped from the crowd, Fatalis knew a figure approached. His instincts were supreme. His gift was constant.

“Your order?” Ash asked.

Fatalis peered up at the walled village and the tiny figures that were standing in front. He wondered where Avryn was but more importantly he wondered where the boy was - likely hiding in some crawlspace, cowering with soiled pants while tears streamed from his rosy cheeks. He couldn’t hide long. Fatalis would find him. It was only a matter of time.

“Send in the dogs,” Fatalis suddenly ordered. “All of them.”

“Just…just the dogs?” Ash questioned.

“Do it!” Fatalis yelled, causing the veins on his forehead to bulge. “The silly cattle have dug a trench around their precious home. Let your cousins test their defenses.”

It was a worthwhile risk. The dogs alone likely outnumbered the entire village and besides, if the cattle had any tricks up their sleeves, who better to uncover it than the canines? He only hoped they didn’t somehow manage to win the war before the rest of his forces could share in the victory.

***

“Here they come,” Avryn said to Guderian as he pointed to a rush of movement that spilled from the carnivore army. To his surprise it was not the entire force, just a sliver of their size, likely intended to test their defenses. They had a few minutes which left him just enough time to address his people.

He turned his horse toward the village and peered over the collection of faces that stared back at him, waiting to be inspired, desperate for hope.

Over the sound of faint enemy chanting Avryn said to his people, “My friends, many of you who stand here today joined me on our journey to this place. It was a journey that claimed many of our own but provided a welcome peace that lasted until this day. It wasn’t easy but together we survived, together we built our homes and together we stand here today.”

“Your eyes do not deceive you. We are outnumbered fifty to one and the odds are grim indeed. But we came here because we were tired of running, tired of being hunted and tired of never knowing when the next attack would come. But today my friends, today we know. Today we can look into the eyes of our enemy as they attack and know that on this day we can fight on
our
terms and on
our
land and for
our
freedom!”

A loud cheer erupted all around him. In response the villagers lifted their spears and swords into the air as their cheers continued, fed by a rush of emotion that provided a brief and welcome respite from fear.

Avryn turned back to Guderian who was watching the legion of dogs as they charged up the hill. To his surprise the blacksmith was smiling.

“Well said my king,” Guderian said.

“You look amused.”

“Just a thought about those anxious puppies coming this way. Why don’t we send the charging line to greet them?”

Avryn stoked his beard. It was an interesting idea, aimed at using the hill to their advantage. “Let’s do it.”

Guderian nodded and turned to the villagers gathered around them. “Chargers!” he yelled. “To the front!”

On cue, a large collection of makeshift soldiers lumbered to the front and formed a side by side line that stretched across the edge of the hill. Made up of both men and women of varying ages they shared in one most notable and identifiable trait – their significant girth. Being unarmed and clearly lacking in agility and speed, they were not an intimidating lot by any means. Their value, however, was hidden, waiting to be tapped.

***

Fatalis watched from afar as his canine troops began up the hill toward Avryndale. His heart quickened as he anxiously awaited the carnage that was about to unfold. Finally, after so long, the blood he craved would be spilled.

As if signalizing the start of war, thunder boomed in the distance and momentarily forced his attention toward the dark, ominous clouds that blanketed the sky and drowned out the efforts of the now stifled sun.

Around him, his bloodthirsty minions chanted and roared, thousands of rage-filled voices accompanied by rumbling war drums that spurred on their allies that were about to strike. He knew they were eager. Their time would come.

“Look at that lot!” Ash yelled over the ruckus as he pointed to the fat string of cattle that had taken position on the hill. “If that is the best they have this will be over quick.”

Fatalis stared at the curious enemy soldiers. They were unarmed but standing defiant while the dogs continued to close in. Their confidence was remarkable.

Suddenly a horn ripped into the morning air. Although not frightening in itself, it froze his thoughts and briefly stifled the cheers of his men.

Fatalis grew uneasy. He ran forward and pushed his way through his men to obtain a better vantage point. He stopped when he reached a small rise and watched as the pack of dogs climbed the hill at an incredible pace. They were hungry and focused, unfazed by the steep rise or the collection of plump villagers that had started down the hill towards them.

The distance between the two forces closed quickly and the cheers from his men continued to build with each passing moment as the collision drew closer and closer, just seconds away.

Ash joined Fatalis on the small rise. He noted the fresh look of concern on his leader, “What? What is wrong?”

Fatalis ignored the question. “Send in the birds.”

Ash looked befuddled. “Now? But—”

“Watch you fool!”

Urged forth by the cheers of their allies, the dogs pushed forward, fighting for position amidst a pack of hungry, lashing teeth that longed to taste victory. Just moments before contact, however, the herbivore soldiers morphed in unison, precisely timed and with such seamless execution that the dogs were unable to counter or slow their progress and instead piled upon themselves in a heap of chaos.

Before them, where just seconds before a collection of ill-fated villagers had been, was now a line of massive creatures, a combination of elephants, rhinos and hippos that bore down upon the dogs like a galloping wall of flesh. The canine legion had no time to react. The sides collided violently and Fatalis watched with dread as scores of dogs were tossed back down the hill while most were simply crushed by the weight of the giant beasts.

Those that survived the initial contact were soon run down before they could scramble to their feet. A few even attempted to morph to human form, but to no avail. They were no match for their colossal opponents.

Within a matter of seconds the entire canine force had been destroyed. The triumphant beasts looked over the fallen dogs. Content with their handiwork they then started back up the hill to prepare for the next attack.

Fatalis clenched his fists while he felt the eyes of his stunned army that anxiously awaited his next move. “Send them Ash!” he roared. “NOW!”

***

Cheers erupted from the people of Avryndale. Although their home was surrounded by an insurmountable army, they had won the first battle. Their charging line had proven to be no match for the carnivores.

Avryn did not share in their enthusiasm. From atop his horse, he looked out over the multitude of soldiers that stood in the distance. With the initial victory in hand, he feared that the full force of the army would be coming. It was just a matter of time.

“We need to get them back up,” Avryn said to Guderian who was seated atop his horse. “Quickly.”

Guderian nodded and lifted the horn to his lips. After taking a deep breath, he blew two loud bursts from the horn that echoed across the countryside.

Still near the bottom of the hill the charging line quickened their pace after being signaled to retreat. The rise that was once an advantage now slowed their progress.