Contributed by Larissa Peltier
Two beasts, with white coats and ivory canines opened their massive muzzles and a deafening roar shook the ground underfoot. Long claws struck down the Ralorn soldiers effortlessly, slashing through Commander Kaid’s men. One swat from a massive paw sent a horse and rider flying. Resembling bears, Kaid did not have a name for the twin enchanted creatures that sent his army into a panic, but he knew they had flesh like himself and could be killed.
He shouted to his second-in-command, Ariston, “Lead the riders through the center and separate the two beasts. We need to take them on one-by-one!” Ariston gave a quick nod, then did as he was told, riding out with his unit with a yell of attack. Then Kaid pointed to Trave, “I need an infantry unit surrounding that one, force it into that hollow with spear! Get the other one into that ditch and do the same.” Trave ordered his unit with the bruins encirclement. To his expert archer Lorne he shouted, “Support Trave! I want a barrier of archers, order to shoot, even if it puts the spearmen at risk!” Lorne moved. Kaid looked to his main infantry battle leader, Valen. “Hold off the Raths as long as possible,” were his only words. Valen nodded.
The infantry could not spare the diversion of so many soldiers to the enchanted creatures, but it was the only choice Kaid had. The sharp-tipped spears kept the beasts at bay. The puny men were swatted down like flies, but another soldier filled the space where another had fallen an instant earlier. The archers kept up an unceasing rain of arrows on the beasts. The enraged bruins roared in fury, their tough hide and thick muscles seeming unaffected by the spears and arrows. They continued to crush the Ralorn soldiers with swipes of their boulder-like paws. And yet, with so many flies, even the enormous enchanted creatures could not avoid the stings. Eventually the bears fell under the onslaught of stab wounds and a bristly coat of arrows, thrashing in their own blood and the blood of those they had mauled.
After both beasts went down, the decimated Raths fled into the forest. By nightfall, the carcasses of the fallen had stiffened under the moon-lit sky. Crematory pyres for the deceased lit up the field. Commander Kaid had lost more than he had figured from initial calculations. The enchanted creatures had cost him countless more lives than he could replace once again.
When the carnage was cleared, the Ralorn Army camped out for the next few nights. One very skilled and specialized soldier walked away from his tent. It was Shadre, the hired sword. As night fell, he shunned the groups of men sitting in circles around the fires sharing drink and telling stories. He could hear the incessant jokes and slurred tales. The men were so carefree and lighthearted, even with battle and their possible deaths a day away. Shadre had wandered his whole life with the knowledge of war and the atrocities committed by both sides. It was not an adventure as these young men thought. Lives depended on it and innocents suffered and died along with the soldiers.
Shadre found himself concealed in the shadow of a tree, he leaned against it and tried to relax. He was a man apart from the rest and it never grew easier to be such. A loner, traveling without companions, fighting without a comrade by his side. But being alone had its benefits. He didn’t have to care about anyone else, there was no one to mourn and bury when they died. Shadre set his jaw. Yes, it was much easier to be alone. Easier to fight for gold than any lost cause. But this was different, he had to admit. For this, he would try. Because, if he didn’t and Ralorn was overtaken, then everyone would become a mercenary. Alone and killing for food, for territory, for power. That was what drew him here, to the camp full of those allied to Ralorn. Allied while he walked without a land, without a history, only the desire to see things remain as they were.
A woman’s voice awoke him from his musings. Shadre lifted his eyes and saw her standing before an audience of sitting soldiers. She had long hair and wore a loose cloth blouse with the full skirts of a Nadeaun dancer hanging from her hips.
