by Dean Henegar
“Hold, Brother. He cannot be saved. Did you complete your task?” the warrior asked while nodding at the fleeing monster.
“Yes, as much as was possible. Thank you for saving me. Your axes swung true this day,” Gunne told his companion.
“Aye, Beremund figured we might be able to help out with whatever has been stalking our skirmishers. Let’s head back to camp before more of these monsters show up.”
The party ran at its best speed back toward the mountain in the distance, where the warriors of the tribe had joined the Goreaxe ogres for the coming fight. Gunne liked the ogres; they were powerful fighters who relished battle just like he did.
The approaching army was massive, but the legion, along with other reinforcements, would soon arrive. No matter what happened in the battle, Gunne knew he had done his part. At least now Raytak and Beremund would know the size and composition of the enemy, even if Gunne had never seen half of those monsters before. While they ran, Gunne had the other warriors memorize the report. He would send them back to Beremund while he headed directly toward the legion to give his report in person. The legion had to be either on the road between Holdfast and the transition point or delayed in the town for some reason. Gunne picked up speed and headed toward the legion with his important message. Despite the monsters lurking in the shadows, he was determined to get this message through.
Chapter 13
I had pushed the men as hard as I dared, right to the edge of debuff territory. The tall grass and the terror birds were now behind us as the legion followed the road toward the transition point. Soon, I would have to make the turn toward Goreaxe Peak, but I still wanted to use the road as much as possible. Traveling on an Imperium-maintained road gave us a small speed buff as well as decreased the chance of accruing any exhaustion debuffs.
The war mage had worked with me on some strategies while we were traveling, and I couldn’t wait to watch the mages sow confusion in the enemy ranks once the battle was joined. While a few fireballs would be welcome, these mind mages had the potential to turn around a battle or give our army enough breathing room to disengage, if needed. Turning from my thoughts, I saw one of the soldiers from Alpha Company moving toward me with a haggard-looking Drebix skirmisher in tow.
“Sir, a runner coming in from the Drebix says he has the recon reports.” The skirmisher was bloodied and looked exhausted as he handed me a rolled-up piece of animal hide. To make the report readable for me, the AI transformed the marks and symbols into something I could understand. The numbers were troubling.
Invading Forces:
Reavers: 4000–5000.
Executioners: 200–300.
Monsters: 500. These creatures are described as large hairless wolves that walk upright.
Humans: 3000-plus. These humans are described as poorly equipped and trained.
Ikbose Elves: 100-plus. An unknown number of elves was spread about the camp.
Humanoids: 2000-plus. Unknown type of primitive humanoid armed with clubs or other simple weapons.
Giant Snake: 1. The scout observed a snake creature that was longer than 10 wagons.
Giant Spider: 20. A few giant spiders were sighted. They moved fast and were the size of a horse.
Kobolds: 20. A few kobolds were seen moving about the camp.
Giant Skeletons: 4. These undead giants were following several black-robed humans.
The invaders are protecting their camp well with monsters that have taken a heavy toll on the scouts sent to monitor them. There was no way to get a precise count, as the scouting party had to flee once it was spotted. While the scout observed the camp, several of the monsters attacked some of their poorly equipped human allies, killing and eating them. The army is moving very slowly, but even with its lethargic pace, it should reach Goreaxe Peak within a few days.
“Thank you, Gunne,” I said as the Drebix skirmisher’s name appeared above his head. “Soldier, see that this man’s wounds are tended to and that he gets something to eat. Then give him a comfortable place to rest in one of the wagons.” Gunne was led toward one of the medical supply wagons, where he would get patched up and fed while he recovered his strength. “Blevins! Call the NCOs together, on the double.”
As the private went out, I considered our next move. Holding a meeting while marching wasn’t too hard, and I didn’t want to stop the column if I could avoid it.
“We finally have some recon reports in,” I said once the NCOs arrived. “It looks like we’re facing anywhere from eight to ten thousand enemies. Beremund’s scouts are getting mauled pretty badly and couldn’t get an exact count. The enemy army is heading toward the ogres, as we suspected, and we’ll be making the turn toward Goreaxe Peak shortly. We should be there in less than a day if we push it. Any ideas or suggestions, people?”
“Sir, the mountain home of those ogres would be a tough nut to crack, but it’s really not set up for an army to defend. A few hundred defenders are about all you can stuff in there without everyone getting in each other’s way. I would suggest we hit them in the field and keep the mountain as a fallback point, but the enemy’s numerical advantage is disturbing. If some of those monsters are fast, they could cut off our avenues of retreat,” Sergeant Brooks advised.
“I can see that, but the monsters look to make up only a small portion of their force,” Tavers replied. “I’m always happy to fight anywhere my siege engines can do the most damage and help overcome the enemy’s numbers. The mountains and hills around Goreaxe Peak are fine for the catapults, but the scorpions won’t be much use in that terrain. It’ll be hard to move the carts around, not to mention the line of sight issues.” His siege engines were a big chunk of our offensive ability, and I didn’t want them to be neutralized by the terrain.
“According to the scouts,” I began, “we should have a small window before the enemy reaches the mountain. We also have other forces on their way to join us. Elements of the 14th Legion, one of the mercenary units I hired, and Ignominia should arrive before the enemy gets here. With Beremund’s Drebix and the ogres added to the mix, I think we have a good chance at beating the enemy in the field. Our siege engines outrange anything we’ve seen them bring to the table, and our army can outmaneuver and outfight their force. A large bulk of their forces look to be chaff units, poorly trained and equipped warriors that will break easily under the legion’s steel. With Tavers and his siege engines dropping the big monsters, we have a very good chance of winning.”
I dismissed the NCOs to their units as we continued east. Eventually, we hit the remains of the roadblock where I had first encountered the Ikbose. Piles of rocks still stood where the soldiers had cleared them off the roadway. This was our pivot point, and the legion turned off the road and began heading directly toward the towering reference point of Goreaxe Peak. The sun was beginning to set when a section of Drebix scouts joined our army to guide us in, though I doubted we would have had any trouble finding it on our own, given it was the only mountain in sight. As we drew closer, I could see that the Drebix had camped at the mountain’s western base. A few crude tents reminiscent of teepees had been erected. Even more numerous were the simple bedrolls placed beside large fires, around which the Drebix warriors sat.
Despite their sloppy camp, the Drebix kept a good watch on the surrounding area, and everyone was armed or within arm’s reach of their weapons. The terrain was much as I remembered: broken hills at the base of the mountain giving way to solid rock farther up. The Goreaxe knew all the small gullies and pathways through the mountainous area, but I doubted my men would have enough time to memorize them. Our Drebix scouts led us to the largest of the bonfires, and I recognized the familiar faces and forms of Stench and Beremund.
“Sergeant Brooks, have the men form up camp wherever you think is fit. I’m sure our allies already have a place in mind, but use your best judgment,” I ordered. The sergeant gave me a salute, which I returned before he moved off to organize our defensive camp.
“You come with yo
ur army, as promised. I welcome you to Goreaxe Peak once again, Raytak,” Stench rumbled. I was glad that the traditional greeting of shaking hands wasn’t expected, as I feared the musclebound ogre would crush my hand with little effort.
“Good to see you again,” Beremund started. “Here we are at yet another fight. You know that you are invited to visit the Drebix anytime. You don’t need to start a war just to enjoy the company of my people.” It was true that I had pretty much only interacted with him in battle, both as an ally and an enemy. Once this war was over, it would do me good to just travel around a bit and get to know the various folks in the zone, hopefully without worrying about an enemy army popping up.
“True, we do seem to always meet this way, Beremund,” I replied.
“Ha! Who am I kidding? There is no better way to spend time with friends than in battle against a common foe. Speaking of our foe, they should be here the dawn after next if they don’t change their pace. How do you suggest we fight them?”
Before replying to Beremund, I took a slice of meat off a large haunch that was roasting on the fire. This proved to be a mistake. I bravely chewed and swallowed down the first bite of tough flesh as its horrible flavors assaulted my taste buds; I had forgotten the ogres’ preference for mukok meat. In the future, I would have to stick to my own rations. In a rare stroke of luck, Private Blevins appeared to take notes on the meeting and, I assumed, to annoy me.
“Have a bite to eat, Blevins, as you take your notes,” I said, passing the foul flesh over.
To his credit, Blevins dutifully consumed the remaining meat in a bid to not offend our hosts. Score one for me . . . finally.
“I believe our best option is to meet them in the field while at the same time,” I said, “preparing a fallback defense here at Goreaxe Peak in case they prove too much for us. There are reinforcements on their way, the first of which should arrive by the end of the day tomorrow.” I crossed my fingers in hopes that the detachment from the 14th, the centaurs, and Ignominia were close behind us. The other mercenary bands would take longer to arrive; they didn’t have the head start the legion forces did or the speed of the horse-like centaurs.
“Agreed, I have most of my army here and ready to fight. The skirmishers have taken some serious losses in trying to get eyes on our enemy, but that just made them angry and ready for some payback,” Beremund added.
“We too will fight, but some will need to remain behind to protect our home,” Stench said. He had not taken my advice and moved his people away from the conflict where the noncombatants could be protected behind city walls.
“Stench, why not send your people out now? They could make it to Holdfast quickly and be in Hayden’s Knoll a few days after that,” I offered.
Stench appeared to consider my suggestion for a moment before shaking his head. “No, these are our lands. My people live or die here,” the stubborn ogre replied.
“I understand the need to defend your lands, but the Goreaxe isn’t a place—they’re a people. Send them to safety. We can retake land that falls to a foe, but we can’t replace lives,” I argued. His people would be doomed if the fight ahead went badly and we were forced to flee the mountain. While I would do everything I could to defend his people, I would not sacrifice our army in a futile gesture that would doom the entire zone.
“My Drebix are already on the move. I had to task a hundred of my warriors to escort them, but they will return once my people are safely within the town’s walls,” Beremund added. While I would have loved to have an extra hundred warriors in the coming fight, I understood his need to protect his people while they were vulnerable. The Drebix knew the plains and forests that separated their lands from the town and should make good time to Hayden’s Knoll.
“We’ll wait until tomorrow evening for our reinforcements to arrive,” I said. “Once they have arrived, we’ll march out to meet the enemy army. Our siege engines outrange anything that we’ve seen so far, and I intend to pummel them at extreme range and fall back as they advance. Their army is undisciplined and consists of groups that don’t necessarily play well with each other. The scout’s report mentioned that there was even some fighting within the camp earlier. Their lines will be broken up by our fire and movement, giving us opportunities to strike and deal real damage. We’re going to win this, but it will take coordination. My men fight as one, and we only have a single day to meld your forces into our fighting style. Starting at first light, I need you to form up your warriors and be ready to train hard.”
The others agreed to my plan—reluctantly, on Stench’s part—and we spent more time fine-tuning the training schedule for the next day.
True to their word, the next day, both Beremund and Stench had their forces formed up. I was familiar with Beremund and had a good feel for how to integrate his forces into my plan. Stench and his troops were a bit different. They had the elite tag, making them even tougher than normal ogres, who were formidable enough in battle. We had fought well together against the Ikbose city of Stonetree, but his army seemed to have changed. The upgrade to elite status had improved their weapons and armor. Makeshift reinforced leather armor had been replaced with strong chainmail, the links of which were double the thickness of normal mail. Their weapons were still varied and consisted of twelve-foot-long spears, giant swords or axes, and a handful of javelins the size of scorpion bolts.
We began our exercise a mile away from the mountain, where the terrain would match more closely what the coming battle would be fought upon. Rocky plains covered in scrub brush extended as far as we could see. Slight depressions in the ground were too small to hide an army in, which meant that each side should have decent visibility of the other. I placed Stench and his ogres—much to his initial dissatisfaction—behind the siege engines. I would use them to counterattack any weak point or send them off to flank the enemy. Stench did brighten up when I advised him that the ogres would be responsible for stopping any of the giant-sized foes accompanying the enemy army.
The men marched in triplex acies formation, which wheeled to form a line of battle facing our practice foe. I had many of the ogre younglings and old ones to pretend to be the enemy army, a task the kids took to with relish. As our main battle lines formed, my scouts and the Drebix skirmishers raced ahead of the army to do their work. Behind the skirmish line, the Drebix raiders waited, ready to take on any foe that overextended itself in an effort to try and catch our skirmishers. The Drebix, even the raiders, were faster than my men, and if the enemy pushed hard, they would fall back behind our line and assist against enemy flanking attacks.
Getting our timing right took a bit of work, and our three armies weren’t completely polished by the time the noon sun was high overhead, but it would have to do. I had a feeling that despite only having limited time to coordinate our efforts, it was more than our enemies had done to prepare. The exercises were called off in the early afternoon so we could rest the men and welcome our reinforcements, which the scouts said were on their way in. I looked on with relief as the forces of the 14th, Ignominia, and the centaur mercenaries came into view, their leaders making their way over to where I stood.
“Captain Landry of the Fighting 14th reporting, sir!” Landry said with a crisp salute.
“We’re glad to have you and the 14th join us, Captain Landry. Welcome to Hayden’s Knoll,” I replied while returning his salute.
“I met up with some friends on our way in,” the captain said while pointing at Ignominia and the centaurs that followed alongside his legion detachment. I was excited that the first of my mercenary units had arrived, and based on their looks alone, I decided that I had made the right call. Over their horse-like bodies they wore heavy chainmail reinforced with steel plates where it made sense to do so. They marched in formation and in step, leading me to believe the claim that this was an experienced unit. All the centaurs carried a long steel-tipped lance and a kite-shaped metal shield. Huge bows were strapped on their backs, and several quivers of arrows hung fr
om their flanks. Each centaur also had a greatsword sheathed and ready for use. One of the centaurs, who I assumed was their leader, trotted over to meet me.
“Hail employer, I am Nergui of the Devlin Horde, and we are here to fulfill our contract,” the centaur said in a deep, gravelly voice, one that reminded me of a drill sergeant after several weeks of yelling at recruits.
“Greetings, Nergui, I am Colonel Raytak, in command of this force. We also have Stench of the Goreaxe clan and Beremund from the Drebix fighting with us,” I said, introducing the others.
“Before we go over your battle plan,” Nergui began in a businesslike manner, “let me advise you on what we will and won’t do for you since we’ve never fought with—or against—each other before. My force is two hundred strong, and we excel at charges and skirmishing, depending on your needs. We will fight as hard and as bravely as our reputation states, but we will not be used as fodder or given an impossible task. The difficult we do—the impossible will negate our contract and free us to leave the battlefield. It is also up to my discretion to determine when my horde yields to a foe or quits the field. Should our casualties become too high, we can exit the contract to preserve our remaining force.”
“Understood. I didn’t hire you to throw your force away, and if things work out, we might wish to hire you for a longer-term campaign,” I added, thinking of a potential future invasion of Bharga’s Crossing. “That being said, I am in command here, and you will obey those commands unless they directly violate our agreement. I can’t have one of my formations deciding to only follow the orders they feel like. We don’t have any cavalry and could use your help in screening us from any enemy cavalry-like forces. They have some giant spiders and other creatures that are very fast. Keep them from slipping around our lines, and I’ll be happy. Throw in a few charges against weak sectors of the enemy line, and I’ll be ecstatic,” I said, laying down my own ground rules.