by Wolf Golan
Max saw General Ryzen slap his visor down and draw his sword. He rode into the left flank and yelled:
“CHARGE!”
Max heard the unsheathing of hundreds of swords at once. Max drew his and followed. The Command clashed into the army, as Ryzen began swinging away.
Max came near the Groargons but couldn't reach any to fight, so he waited. The Knights reached the River's edge and had now surrounded the Groargons. The Groargons had black armor with spike-lined shoulder guards and pouldrons. Their helmets completely hid their faces with only two notches for eyes, two horns sticking out of the front.
A couple Groargons reached Max and attempted to attack him. He chopped the nearest one on the head with his sword, but only nicked it. The Knights turned to them and cut them down and Max was in the clear, so he waited again.
The Densmerian Army neared the river and Max saw boatloads of Groargons crossing. He jumped off his horse and slid out his PM-10 from the saddle. He made his way to the bank and aimed at the boats.
“Rocket,” he said.
“ROCKET,” the gun repeated.
Max aimed at one of them and fired.
The rocket whistled its way along to the boat with a smoke trail blowing it to pieces. It caught the attention of the soldiers on both sides for a moment, as he aimed again at the next boat and fired, blowing it to pieces as well.
A Groargon came charging him. Max pivoted as it chopped his ax into the ground. Max hit the Groargon with the gunstock and knocked it into a daze. He unsheathed his sword and attempted to stab it when a Knight came and sliced its head off. Max stood frozen and the Knight rode back into battle. Some of the green blood of the Groargon sprayed on him.
“Eewww! Ahh!” Max violently wiped himself off.
He spit a few times and wiped his mouth, then took aim at another boat and fired. The rocket whistled its way to it again and blew it in half.
“GRENADE ROCKETS EXHAUSTED,” The gun said.
Max flipped on the Long-Range Mode with voice-activation again.
“Long-Range,” Max said.
“LONG-RANGE,” the gun repeated.
Max clicked the scope up and took aim. The sight lent itself to the boat and he could see the sharp jaws of the Groar'gons with their helmets off, screaming in rage. He put the sight on the boat and squeezed the trigger. His gun ripped holes in the boat and it started to sink. The boat went under and the Groar'gons struggled, but soon sank and drowned from their heavy armor.
Max saw no more boats crossing, so he ran back to his praides and stuffed his PM-10 back in the saddle. He mounted and turned towards the battle and rode.
He noticed the Knights had killed most of the Groargon and huddled the rest into a small spot to finish them off.
As he made his way along the plains, he saw hundreds of bodies everywhere. A Groargon struggled to get up from wounds, so he rode over and sliced it across the body, it dropped dead. He jumped off his praides and looked about for more enemies but saw none.
A Groargon jumped out of nowhere and started swinging at him. Max blocked all his swings with his sword, remembering Guyin's Lessons. Max blocked another when the Groargon jumped on Max trying to bite him on the neck. Max fell with the hideous creature on him. He pushed and held the Groargon up as it tried to bite his him.
The Groar'gon had long stringy black hair with humanoid features, red eyes black pupils but deformed bumpy dark brown skin and sharp teeth oozing green slobber.
Max flipped it over him and it went flying. He jumped up and grabbed his sword. Max turned to see it coming at him again but swung and sliced it across the chest. It shrieked and went down. Max ran over and stabbed it again. He shuddered and snapped his head around aiming his sword everywhere. It was clear.
Max saddled his praides and rode back to the battle.
The battle was over.
Max looked over across the Glord River and saw the Groargon army at last and still. He heard their distant growls but saw no more movement. General Ryzen galloped to Max’s side, as Max wiped perspiration from his forehead.
“Max we've beaten the forces and sealed the Line. Thanks to your weaponry, the Groargons reinforcements stopped.” He said looking at the Dark Army across the river. The Groargon army slowly started moving back from the banks, retreating.
“It looks like we have won the battle for today my young lad.” General Ryzen said smiling down at Max. “Good work.”
“Thanks General,” Max replied.
Ryzen gave a warm smile, whipped his beast, and galloped north.
Max jumped up on his praides and hit the sides to gallop to the Densmere Army riding back down the plains toward Headquarters.
###
In the evening, the army started merrymaking with flutes, hand drums, lutes all playing into the night. The men sang and danced around giant fires with mugs of ale. They would die any day, so they made the best of their parties.
Max watched the celebration from his tent, sipping on a cup of tea.
He looked up to see the beautiful stars and its different constellation. He smiled. The planet was starting to grow on him and he began to like it. He was almost sad that he would have to leave one day. He turned his attention back to the parties and finished his ale.
The next couple of days were spent at headquarters.
Max helped the General plan his tactics on the South Push and changed the defense tactics to stabilize the Northern front. The General was a little disappointed that Max had run out of Rockets, seeing their strength, but Max proved his worth in the planning.
After a day of planning, Max followed the General to the South Front and the Push. This time Max and the General would watched from hilltop, and not participate.
“The Groargon army had chosen this part of the Glord Battlefields, because of hills they could hide behind, from arrows and catapults.” General Ryzen explained looking through a scope. “This part is also the shallowest too, easy to cross. They had already attempted many crossings.”
General Ryzen continued to star at the battle through the archaic scope. Commander Ti'gor stood by watching from behind him. Max regretted not having a binocular and his PM-10 was slowly charging from its mini-solar panel.
Ryzen handed Max the scope and he took a peek. The Densmere Knights fought fiercely. They pushed the Groargon army into the river. Max lowered it and saw the archers at the base of the river on the northside, thinning out the Groargons with barrages of arrows.
“Well,” Ryzen said putting his scope away. “It appears it's stalled for now.”
He walked over and mounted his praides, hoisting his big body onto it.
“Commander Ti'gor, you inform me if anything new develops.”
“Yes General!” Commander Ti'gor nodded.
General Ryzen whipped his praides into a gallop across the plains and Max followed.
When they got back to headquarters, General Ryzen ordered Max and everyone to rest. Max walked back to his tent and slept for a couple of hours then in the evening, slept all night long. It was his first real rest in a long time.
He was shaken awake by a Squire the next morning. “Sir Max! General gave word. You're free to leave back to Densmere sir!” He said in his high, youthful voice.
“Okay,” Max replied with a nod.
Max went to see the General before visiting the outdoor mess hall for breakfast, he wanted confirmation. He walked up to the tent between the two guards, and into the tent. He met General Ryzen's Assistant.
“I'm here to see the General.” Max said to the Assistant.
“Let him through,” the General replied from the back looking over papers. The Assistant moved aside and gestured Max inward. The General walked over and spoke to his comrades on a sofa. General Ryzen laughed, drank his wine, and finished a lighthearted conversation with them.
Ryzen glanced at Max approaching, walked over, put his arm over him, and walked him out of the tent.
As they walked along the camp, the General explained the situation
holding his chalice of wine.
“You've been most helpful to our efforts, so you are free to return to Densmere. The battle is now at a standstill. For how long? I do not know, but you are relieved. There is nothing more you can do here.”
“Are you sure? Because I would like to stay and help!” Max said turning to him.
“No!” General Ryzen shook his head. “You go back and see your lady and your comrades. They probably need you more than I do.”
He stopped and padded Max's shoulder.
“Thank you General,” Max bowed. “It was an honor.”
General Ryzen slowly bowed his head to him and walked him on. Max smiled at the thought of seeing Alex again. It had only been two weeks on the Droe Front, but it felt much longer. Afterwards, Max walked back to his tent and started packing.
###
Max Wilkes had come from a Warrior Culture so was particularly upset about leaving the General in a time of war, but he wanted to be with Alex.
Early the next morning, an airship awaited Max outside the main tent. General Ryzen met Max as he arrived. He shook his hand one last time and saw him off. Max ran aboard and nodded to the General, as the General smiled one last time and raised his chalice to him before walking away.
The Airship bounced and rocked to Max's fright, as it lifted into the windy skies. Max breathed and calmed himself. The ship continued to rock, and the crewmen were nearly thrown over the rail, but as it rose, it got calm.
For a whole day, Max hugged a blanket over him as the ship rode into the wind currents swaying and jumping with the turbulence. Max would hang over the rail sometimes staring below at the Eastern Densmere Forest. On flight, he was forced to eat a bowl of ghrin soup, he tried not to vomit it back out.
The next morning, the ship was flying over Densmere City with its countless rooftops. Back in civilization, Max thought. Max saw the many heads of Densmere folk going about their business, until Densmere Castle loomed before him in its mammoth structure. The airship rounded its massive towers and seamlessly floated to the North platform.
They descended slowly until the ship set down.
The wooden clamps went down with a soft thud. The fans died, and Max got his things and waited. The two Baelyin Shipmen took the side door out and threw down the brow. The Knights walked down to the surface and Max followed. He was glad to step onto the hard-stone floor of Densmere.
He started to the castle along the walkway.
The treetops over the stone ledge had grown bare, along with the forest to the north. Max realized it was now mid-winter in Chandeera. He heard distant gawking of crows and looked up to Densmere's Towers to see tiny flocks of birds fluttering along the walls.
Max got to the North wall and walked around to the front for the doorway. He walked in and came upon a small corridor and then turned up a stairwell.
He finally arrived at the bedchambers.
He knocked but there was no answer.
He slowly opened the door and looked in, no one was there. He walked in to put his sword away, took off his corset, and sat down. He walked over to the bathroom and wanted to see if there was any water in the barrel.
A Baelyin Assassin with a black scarf around his mouth jumped out from the stall with a dagger. Max pivoted, and the Assassin’s knife hit the hard wall sending sparks off. Max pushed him against the wall, then slammed his head against the wall, kicking his ankle out as he went down. He grabbed the knife out of his hand and held him against the wall.
“WHO SENT YOU?!” Max yelled.
The Assassin kicked Max and got free. The Assassin attempted to run when Max jumped on him and wrestled to the ground. The Assassin punched Max into another daze and ran out the door. Max shook his head, got up, and ran after him.
Max chased him down the hall and tackled him to the floor. A couple of Guards saw the commotion and ran over. They pulled Max off and subdued the Assassin.
“HE TRIED TO KILL ME!” Max yelled panting.
The Guard nodded as they took the man away. Max got up and rested on his legs panting. He walked over and sat against the wall in shock. He couldn't stay in the castle a moment longer.
He started down to the Great Hall.
He descended the steps but didn't see anyone around, so he continued out the giant door and down the grand staircase. He walked all the way down, rounded the statue and into the city. The streets were a bit bare, as he continued to the tavern for a drink. When he entered, the tavern was mildly, but Donald was seen sitting at a table enjoying a cup of tea.
Max met him and told him the whole story. Donald tried to calm him down.
Max ordered a cup of ale from the waitress. She brought it and he started drinking.
“Max my boy!” Terry cried from behind.
She hit his shoulder and rounded him to sit down.
“Jeez Mrs. Wang!” Max said jumping holding his chest. “Don’t do that!”
“So sorry!” Terry laughed, as she set a plate of food in front of him.
“Its fine,” Max assured her. He looked at the plate, it was brown rice with chow Mein. Max raised his eye-brows at it in surprise. He turned to Terry.
“Terry, where did you find the ingredients to make Chinese food in Chandeera?”
Terry rubbed his shoulder.
“O Max! Don't worry your handsome head about that! Just enjoy!” She said walking back to the counter and speaking with the Barkeeper Pondwa and started back upstairs.
Max shrugged and started into the dish. Terry finished his tea and started upstairs.
The food reminded him of earth and anything tasted and smelled like home was much welcomed. He realized he felt particularly homesick at that moment.
Ryan came through the door and looked around. He spotted Max and walked over. Max nodded to him and Ryan slowly nodded back. Ryan walked over to the bar, ordered a drink, returned with it, and sat down taking his gloves off.
“Hello Max man how is it going?”
“No bad,” Max chewed another piece and swallowed it.
“Coz,” Ryan said taking a drink.
“What have you been doing with yourself?” Max asked forking his food.
“I go out with the fishing boats and help pull in the harvest.”
“Huh!” Max said taking another bite.
“Yeah it's keeping me occupied and keeping me attached to something that reminds me of home, it keeps me sane.”
“Know what you mean, sort of getting homesick myself.” Max replied taking a drink of his ale.
“Well do you think the group's decision is as stupid as I think it is?” Ryan said leaning into him.
Max thought about it for a moment.
“I don't know.” Max said continued eating.
“I want to leave badly.” Ryan said.
“I know I do too,” Max added as he chewed another bite. He swallowed and continued.
“Alex told me about the meeting and everything that happened. Like it or not, we're a part of a group and they want to stay to help them fight the Dark Lord.” Max replied.
Max sat back and thought for a moment before continuing. “For me, if you met some of the people I met here, especially in the Woodlands, they seem like people worth fighting for. Besides, I believe the God has guided me here, so He meant it for me to be here.”
“God?” Ryan answered.
Max nodded and took another bite.
“You a Christian?”
“Yeah, I was raised Episcopal by my aunt Benning.” Max replied.
“Puh!” Ryan sneered as he took another drink.
“Yeah right Max, I know why you're here, the whole group knows. You chased Alex from Shin Bay and that's how you ended up here… lover boy.” He grinned.
Max shot him a grim smile before continuing his dinner.
Ryan took another drink shaking his head.
Max wanted to forgot the incident, so he encouraged the conversation.
“So what's your story?” Max asked.
“I'
m from Chicago, Illinois. I transferred to the University of Washington because it has one of best Zeno Studies Master’s Degree Programs in the Americas. I want to work in Colony Management on Pandoma.”
“Everyone wants to go to Pandoma. They say it’s one of the most beautiful worlds in our galaxy.”
“I know,” Ryan replied. “But now all I want is to get home.”
“THE KING!” A yell came from the door. The King’s Guard stood with his pike at the door.
Instantly, the bar noise died, and everyone stood up to attention.
The Barkeeper Pondwa stopped washing cups and stood still. Max had never seen her stop working before and it astonished him momentarily, before he and Ryan took a que and stood to attention as well. Max quickly wiped his mouth and threw the handkerchief down, as he returned to standing still.
King Laedin stood in the doorway of the tavern looking about, calmly smiling. He saw Max and Ryan and started over. The clicks of his high heels could be heard from the dead silent room. Everyone bowed as he walked by them.
“As you were everyone,” King Laedin said. The bar slowly and hesitantly resumed their business but remained quiet. King Laedin sat down at Max's table. “Good day to you too young Max,” Laedin said smiling with a gleam in his eye.
“Good day,” Max and Ryan said together and bowed.
“You two can sit.” He waved them down.
Max and Ryan looked at each other and slowly sat down but remained firm.
Pondwa personally came up to the table-which she never did-and tended to the King herself.
“My King it is honor, what may I get you?”
“Just water,” he replied.
“Sire, as you wish!” She bowed and walked away.
“Max I came to see you. I heard about the attack. I’m happy you’re okay.” King Laedin tensed his eyes at Max in concern.
Ryan snapped at Max.
“What happened!” Ryan asked wide-eyed.
“One of Lutherick’s Assassins,” King Laedin answered for Max, “In my own Kingdom… ” he said shaking his head in disgust.
Pondwa sit a cup of water in front of the King, bowed, and walked away backward. The King nodded back to her and grabbed the cup.