The bowmen would follow next in their red jackets and white plumes. They would sprint full pelt to the edge of the forest behind the cavalry and provide cover until the infantry arrived.
*
Balian broke through the wall of boulders in the barbican, got a brief glimpse of light, and was just about to shout ‘we’re through’ when a pike plunged into his eye socket ripping through his brain and exploding the back of his skull. Such was his reward for two weeks of abominable work.
It then became a battle of attrition as the Horde tried to grapple more stones back while both sides lunged and thrust with spears at each other. Terramian bowmen stepped in and fired crossbow bolts into the dark tunnel. Screams of agony could be heard from the hordesmen that were hit. Their bodies were dragged back and discarded into the lake at the main gate.
Vane’s forces were massed on the hill. The drums rumbled in the background, hordesmen pounded their shields with their swords. After weeks of waiting they were now a bloodthirsty swarm desperate to be unleashed. They howled and yelled, their faces contorted with the thirst for blood. They cursed the King of Ampheus who seemed to cower before them. Horsemen spat in his direction. They laughed at his plight.
“I’m going to rip the heads off your Terramians and feed them to the pigs, King of Ampheus.”
“We’re going to tear down this castle of yours brick by brick.”
“We will wipe all memory of Terramis from the world. This is the age of Vane. You are a feeble King.”
King Armanar did not respond but held his ground and waited. If he got a moment he would be ready.
*
As the Horde edged closer the Amphean bowmen rushed to the battlements. They had to hunch down behind the crumpled walls of the battlements for protection. They fired down on the massing troops, ducking for cover again to reload their arrows. They did not have time to aim and so fired randomly into the Horde whose archers had found their range and were covering the soldiers. A few of the Horde crumpled grasping at arrows that struck.
“Whatever you do don’t hit the King,” yelled Keilif. “We’ll never live it down.”
The hordesmen made a push forward clambering over and through the battering ram.
Guards poured cauldrons of boiling water from the towers, burning and scalding the attackers below. Those caught in the spray shrieked as it seared their skin. They’d stopped using pitch as food supplies started diminishing, but the effect was still the same. They made it as unpleasant as possible to reach the castle. If you made it there hopefully you were in no condition to fight.
“You four!” yelled Keilif. “To the corbelling, take out as many as you can crossing that battering ram.” They stood at the edge of the tower jutting from the top part of the wall looking down the holes on the attackers beneath. The Horde may have been wearing helmets but arrows struck the hordesmen’s shoulders or were deflected into other body parts. The firing stemmed the attack momentarily as the Horde became wary of the bowmen above. But the force of the infantry behind pushed them forward, staggering over fallen bodies and into the castle. If they were still alive, they were crushed under the oncoming forces.
*
Sumnar stood next to Aron, Urien and Dorf. “Here we go again. It does not seem so long since we were last in this predicament.”
They formed the first line. For the moment the archers poised in front of them waiting to bring down any Horde that first emerged from the barbican. Then they would retreat and the guards would take their place and meet the rush. They watched the pike men cut and thrust, holding back their attackers for now, but they would come soon.
Dorf turned to Sumnar, “Do you want to say a few words to rouse the men?”
Sumnar looked at him, “The King is the best at that, he’s got a way about him. Very inspiring.”
“Urien?”
“I’m more of a quiet confidante, rather than a someone who can get your blood pulsing.”
A couple of the Horde broke through past the pike men and were brought down by arrows. A dribble turned into a flow and suddenly the resistance broke and they burst into the square behind the barbican.
“Anyone?”
“Honestly, I’ll have to tell my father how rubbish you all were after all this is done.”
The Prince raised Golden Blade above his head and shouted, “Yeaaaaaaarrrrrrrr,” and burst forward to meet the Horde.
“Short and to the point!” agreed Sumnar. A shout of “Yeaaaarrrrr” roared from the line and the guards of Ampheus once again pitched into battle.
Chapter 25
The Battle for Ampheus
The Windstrom cavalry thundered through the woods. The lead chargers checking along the line to make sure they did not edge ahead or fall behind the rest of the column. Then they burst out into the sunlight. They instinctively squinted their eyes within their visors to avoid sunspots blurring their vision. They could not see much through their helmets and could only hear their own heaving breaths. They could feel arrows clatter off their armour and the chargers’ body plates. Some were thrown forward as their horses crumpled to the ground, trampled by those following. Many fell into the ditches or impaled themselves on the defensive stakes but the rest cut a swathe through the Gamuran defences, trampling any Horde that stood to engage them. The masses collided, with the Horde crumbling on its left flank as the Windstrom cavalry drove forward to the centre of its ranks.
*
Gulden approached on the griffin, soaring above the tumult. He’d seen the charge of the Windstrom cavalry and its devastating effect, but now they had stalled and were caught in a melee, isolated and being picked off by the archers and the infantry below. The core of Vane’s army was intact and streaming into Ampheus but the first line was holding for the moment. He signalled for Ailin and Raisa to land on the central tower and pushed his own mount down in that direction.
As he was gliding in, a glint in the distance caught his eye and he pulled at the reins. The griffin shrieked as it kicked once more and gained height. He urged the griffin forward to the south east over the battlefield. Nobody was looking up but if they had they would have seen the most majestic sight as the griffin glided to their right.
Gulden led the griffin down, and then corrected it to land on its rear legs in front of the Aquamuran forces. Commander Orrick cantered up towards him.
“That’s quite an entrance!”
“You’re late! Ampheus could fall within the hour.”
The commander cursed and called his general forward.
“General send the cavalry ‘battle charge’. Have the rest of the men drop everything they have apart from a sword and shield. And follow the hoof prints.”
“Thank you commander,” said Gulden.
He watched as brigades of cavalry thundered past him.
“Hopefully that will give Vane a surprise.”
“Vane?” queried the commander. “Who the hell is Vane?”
“Long story. Perhaps for another time.
“See you at Ampheus.”
With that he kicked his griffin back into the air. It did occur to him that he was quite enjoying himself. He wondered if Windstrom would let him keep the griffin. He pulled on the left rein and they arched back to the castle.
*
The Windstrom archers had finally escaped the woods and were now providing cover to their cavalry and the infantry were also making inroads and adding to the assault. Once again their slightly shorter swords proving effective in close man-to-man combat. They were edging onwards but not with sufficient momentum to reach Ampheus.
The Black Wizard stood at the top of the hill next to Vane.
“I’m going to tip the balance.”
“I need you here next to me. In case…”
“You have thirty thousand men at your disposal you don’t need me. I have a score to settle wi
th that Terramian wizard.”
He stepped forward slightly hunched, the weight of the bundle lashed to his back. The wooden frame to which a body was strapped. Stumps protruded from under the cloak. Under the hood, the contorted features of a man, his face grey, scarred and an ugly lump in his mouth caused his voice to hiss, “Let’s teach them a lesson my brother.”
Gulden saw the Black Wizard walking towards the King. The Wizard cast his hands right sending fireballs that burst against Windstrom knights turning them into flaming torches that collapsed and spasmed to the ground. Gulden cursed, scanned the castle then dropped down. “Sumnar!” he yelled, “grab my arm.”
They bound forearms and Gulden twisted and lifted Sumnar behind him. “The Black Wizard, can you deal with him?”
“If you can get me close.”
The Black Wizard stood and waited.
Gulden lowered Sumnar to the east of the castle, he dropped to the floor and strode towards the Black Wizard walking past the King.
“Your Majesty. Enjoying yourself?”
“This should be fun.”
He stopped some way from the Black Wizard.
“You off somewhere? What’s that on your back, heavy?”
“Never, he’s my brother! Today we both get our revenge!”
“Two against one, hardly fair don’t you think?”
The Black Wizard sent another fire bolt towards Sumnar, which he just sidestepped.
“What is it with you and fire bolts. Last time we met you ruined my favourite cloak. It’ll take me an age to wear in another one.”
The wizard picked up a stray boulder, which he pitched at Sumnar, and Sumnar just ducked under it.
He shook his head and flicked his staff at the Black Wizard and sent them both tumbling. The cradle’s straps broke from the wizard’s back and Ladryn was left lying on the floor, tangled in the cradle, unable to move.
The Black Wizard cursed and strode towards Sumnar sending firebolts towards him. Sumnar did his best to cast them aside, the bolts bursting into flames as they struck other members of the Horde. The Black Wizard had lost control and did not care; he wanted revenge and it was focused on Sumnar.
The King watched everything unfold around him helplessly. There was nothing he could do. He could feel the frustration building up inside him. “God’s bones,” he cursed under his breath.
“Father language, there is a lady present!” said his daughter.
“Let’s see if we can get you free.”
She slowly worked on the leather straps and cut the bindings. The King felt the lashings release from his hands but did not move. Instead he took his time to let the circulation burn back into his fingers. He rubbed and massaged them and flexed them back to life.
“I need a sword.”
“I have one of Windstrom’s finest,” and produced it from beneath her cloak.
He weighed it up. “It’s a bit short and light, but it will do.
“Now what?”
“I have something else to do. You figure out what you need to do for yourself.”
“Fayette… Fayette…?” But here was no answer, she had moved on.
*
The Aquamurans came out of the trees in their hundreds. The south east defences had been abandoned as the Horde had pushed north to meet the Windstrom and advanced on Ampheus. Those that remained turned in shock to see a wall of cavalry descending upon them and once past the defences, shattered what remained of the Horde camp. Soldiers were dragged under the horses’ hooves, tumbled and were pummelled under the weight of the chargers. The Horde found themselves wedged and crushed between two cavalry forces, unable to find space to defend themselves. Crammed and crushed, many were dragged down by the weight of their own forces, gasping for air and choking.
The Black Wizard drove Sumnar back as he tried to defend himself. The Black Wizard was stronger than anyone Sumnar had faced. The blows slowly penetrated his defences and shuddered through his bones. He was doing all that he could to hold the wizard at bay and was unable to retaliate. Finally, he stumbled and covered his head with his arms in desperation.
A unit of Aquamura cavalry swept behind the wizard and Sumnar watched as one of the chargers reared up, surprised by the crippled body of Ladryn under its hooves. The Black Wizard turned just as the horse’s hooves fell with a devastating blow on top of his brother’s body. His head and face were crushed into a bloody mass of grey matter and bone shards. The wizard screamed with pure hatred and rage. He turned back at Sumnar, fire emanating from his fingers, and threw a jet of flame at Sumnar who threw his hands in front of his face to defend himself…
Armanar stepped into the path of the fiery bolt and blocked it with a shield. It burst into flames scorching his skin and hair but he continued to press forward standing between the fire and Sumnar.
“Roll away!” he yelled at Sumnar then twisted, letting the flames pass and scorch the earth where Sumnar had been lying only a few moments before. As he twisted away from the flames, he rotated his sword arm and hurled his sword at the wizard.
The blade sliced through the air plunging through the face of the Black Wizard and splattering out of the back of his head. The fire sucked back into his fingers, and he slowly pitched backwards, his body dead before he collapsed to the ground.
“To me… To me!” the King shouted to the Aquamurans.
“Sorry, we need two horses.”
“Your Majesty, but…”
Armanar cocked his head.
“Certainly Your Majesty,” apologised the knight. I’ll find another one.”
King Armanar nodded, pulled his sword from the face of the wizard and mounted the stallion.
“With me. Raise the standard!!”
He kicked the charger and galloped down to the main gate striking hordesmen as he passed. The train of cavalry behind him cutting a swathe through the Horde.
*
In Ampheus the Horde pressed forward savagely wielding swords, maces, pickaxes and hammers. Up close and in the melee they punctured the armour of the Terramians that still held their ground, cracking skulls and bones, crumpling bodies to the floor. The Horde archers had also gained an advanced position and were picking off the Terramian bowmen one by one. Trapped in the melee and isolated, the guard were now incurring significant losses themselves.
Prince Aron was suddenly struck by an axe on his shoulder. It was a glancing blow but enough to send him flailing to the ground landing on his back. The impact shook every bone in his body knocking the wind out of him. A hordesman stood over him with a battle-axe and swung it down on him. He spun sideways just avoiding the blade, which dug into the earth. He twisted and plunged his sword into his attacker who fell on top of him trapping his legs. Aron struggled to kick him off and realised the first line was lost.
“Sound the retreat!” he screamed, “Fall back to the second line.”
A horn sounded behind him.
The signal caused momentary pause and then the Terramians staggered back from the first line, buying a few seconds before the hordesmen re-engaged. Keilif and his bowmen provided some cover to the guard as they retreated. Prince Aron looked at the faces of Dorf and Urien. Their eyes still showing the shock of the intensity of the fighting, their faces scorched and blackened by soot from the towers and covered in blood. The fighters slowly disengaged. Aron winced at the bodies left sprawling in heaps. Guards staggered back or aided others who stumbled, injured and dazed, back to the second Terramian line.
Aron climbed over the barricade that had been established. His heart was pounding and he was gasping for breath. “We have to hold here for as long as possible,” he shouted at Dorf and Urien.
“There is no more retreating, we hold or we die here to the last man.”
They nodded and turned to face the Horde once more.
The men cried out as the first
arrows fizzed through the air and hit their targets. Those at the front of the Horde infantry charge crumpled under the barrage of arrows. Some fell backwards, others pitched forward, dead before they hit the ground. All trampled by the weight of the soldiers straining from behind them.
But they made it to the barrier in dribs and drabs. Again, bowmen brought them down. Ailin and Raisa joined the archers. Ailin firing bolts from Flare felling man after man. The guards’ pikes gored them as the Horde tried to clamber over the barricade. Soon the barrier became a front with both sides pushing and stabbing each other from either side.
Gulden pitched forward stabbing with his sword arm at the Horde as they scrambled up the barricades, his blade slashing into faces and then digging deeper into chests and bodies.
The Horde infantry slowed momentarily. Then the mass of the infantry behind forced them forward. The barricades started to fail and the Horde gained ground as they cut into the ranks of the guards and archers. Keilif’s bowmen bravely kept firing. The struck hordesmen bowled over to the earth as they breached the top of the barricade and slashed down with their swords on the Ampheans. Suddenly the Horde was in the ascendency. It was difficult for the Terramian soldiers on their feet to defend themselves but they still sliced up at the legs and bodies of the hordesmen.
Chapter 26
Gorath
Leo walked through the melee. Soldiers clashed in a frenzy, cutting and thrusting at each other. Most covered by chainmail were already exhausted from the effort, but their vital organs protected, they fought on. Only when they fell to the earth would they succumb to a blow. Many of the Horde wielded weapons more suited to this close-quarters fighting. Hammers and maces battered riveted helmets and armour, breaking skulls and bones. Bodies were scattered on the ground, many still alive but bloodied pools soaked into the earth. Leo stepped around some of the corpses and kept his hood down over his face. He held the Staff of Talisien ahead of him as he walked. His other hand gripped the Totem of Alethea in the pocket of his cloak. He surrounded himself with a force to ward off any attacks and eased soldiers out of his way as he walked past and strode up the hill.
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