Second Born

by Lance Wilson

  “Radu will know we are serious now.” he says and walks over to the edge of the cliff overlooking the sea.

  Toph watches as he sits cross-legged at the vary edge of the cliff then lays his blade down. As she watches him in the moonlight she wonders what it is that makes a man like him. His life his only heart belongs to the blade. She knew that at one time he was a lover to Kenshi, but looking at him now, the one born for battle, she wonders if he even still has a heart. Slowly lord Hitori walks over and bows lightly to Radu.

  “Lord Radu, what are your orders” Musashi asks looking down at the leftovers of the battle.

  “Clearly they are not to be taken lightly. Tomorrow we will unleash all of our greatest at them. Prepare the Gnolls” Radu says and then begins to walk to the camp, his mind in a fury.

  Hitori only looks down at the battlefield. This is not something that he was prepared for. The immortals have always succeeded in the past, yet here with one man they had fallen. With that though his mind flashes back to so many years ago when he helped Mecmed take the grey elf kingdom of the Unagi, the elfling Attonnan, looking closely at the man he wonders if it might be Attonnan, but it can’t be. The skin is far to pale and the fierceness, no, Attonnan was a warrior perhaps, but this man, this elf is made of steel, this can’t be the same one. He does no one thing, this elf has struck fear into Radu and if they can just hold out they may beat back the moon elves.

  It is early in the mourning and the warriors have gotten a great rest. In no time they are ready for battle, their weapons prepped and armor ready. This happens only in a matter of minutes and just in time at that. Before they know it the sounds of drums begin to reverberate through the empty air. They know the sound well, battle is coming and they must be ready. Toph watches as the men form the ranks and then looks over at Attonnan. He still sits his eyes only on the ocean.

  “Sir, orders” she asks calmly sure that he knows what is going on.

  “Form ranks, two walls. The same trick will not work a second time. We will hold them for two charges, then fight, stay in tight groups. Three’s and fours. I will fight solo.” Attonnan says and gets up stretching his legs.

  Toph only nods and looks over at the men. There is no need for the orders to be repeated. The men instantly fall into the ranks in front of the hell gates. Shields up and the spears at the ready. Attonnan walks to the back and waits. He knows how he will enter this battle and he will make an incredible entrance.

  The men watch as over the horizon the army comes marching at them. This army is made up of Gnolls and what appears to be half orcs. The gnolls are huge creatures of almost eight feet tall with the appearance of hyenas. Most of them are wielding large axes with large shields of steel. The half orcs stand about the same height. Most of them have greenish brown skin and dark eyes. Their hair is black and in braids. Both of the species are dressed in chain mail but the half orcs wield basterd swords rather then axes but the same size steel shields. The lead of the army, a half orc walks across the battlefield, some of his men right behind him tell he is soon half way to the hell gates. Carefully he looks over the situation, he can see that Attonnan’s men are trying the same tactics. He only smiles, this is what they thought would happen. With a grunt he raises his hand, then quickly lowers it. The sky darkens with the shafts of arrows filling the sky. Attonnan’s men taken off there guard quickly raise their shields in defense. This is just what the army wanted. As the arrows begin to fall the gnolls and orcs begin the charge. Attonnan’s men are taken off there guard and almost the entire front line is destroyed in the first attack. Shields clash with shields, swords cut through the elves and screams fill the air. The enemy is as brutal as the barbarians of old. Their blades and axes ripping easily though the flesh of the elves. Attonnan cannot take it any more and quickly jumps right into the fray. His blade moving likes a storm of steel. Gnoll and half orc alike begin to fall to his will. Taken back by the quick reactions of the leader, the gnolls and half orcs are driven back. This is just the opportunity that the elves need and they quickly come to their senses. The elves quickly break ranks and begin fighting along side their leader. The elves however remain with the orders given and remain in groups of three and four. That way everyone has there back watched by a fellow soldier. The battle is fierce but and the tide appears to be changing for Attonnan’s side. Again it seems as if the warriors may be able to turn back the moon elves and win another battle. The lead orc, now standing in the back of the battlefield only lets out a grunt and then a huge roar. Attonnan’s eyes now focus on what is coming. Behind them all is a beast like none other then he has seen in all his life. It is easily 10 maybe 12 feet tall and as wide as two and a half elves. The beast is chained at the wrists and shouts for its freedom. Its skin is muddy gray and its eyes are like hot coals. Atop its head are two sets of horns. One that angles outward like that of a bulls, and another set that rolls away from the face and over the first only to curve under the chin and out, much like that of a rams. It’s mouth holds two tusks like that of a boar and its nose is pierced with a golden ring. Attonnan has only read of such beasts, this is a troll. The troll roars in rage that it is not part of the battle. Two gnolls dash over to it and quickly unchain it. The troll grabs each gnoll with its bear hands and snaps their neck. The gnolls flop onto the ground like rags and the troll grips a huge battle-axe. Surveying the battle it’s eyes fix upon Attonnan. He however doesn’t charge, no. With all of its might the troll hurls the axe at him. Attonnan whose eyes have not left this new beast easily ducks out of the way of the blades of the axe. The troll then grips the handle of what Attonnan can only assume is a great sword and slowly makes his way to Attonnan. Attonnan is shocked at what he sees, the troll doesn’t charge or run, but calmly walks to him. Slashing down those in his way, weather they are from Attonnan’s force or his own. When the troll is close enough it is like a battle of tightens. The troll wields the blade quickly but with much greater force then Attonnan has, but Attonnan’s speed more then makes up for his lack of power against the huge beast. The troll slashes out across the land, but Attonnan rolls under the attack. Attonnan quickly counters with a slash to the leg, but the troll’s hide is too thick and it barely makes a scratch. Attonnan can already tell that this is going to be like no other battle he has ever fought. The troll brings his blade down for a crushing overhand strike, but Attonnan lifts his blade in a block. As soon as the two blades meet Attonnan quickly has to place his left hand against the tip of the blade holding it firm as he is dropped to one knee by the shear force. The troll’s muscles ripple as he puts even more force into the blow. Attonnan lowers his had as drops of sweat hit the battlefield. He knows he cannot keep the troll at bay like this, the weight is too much. Using all his speed he slides his blade away and quickly rolls away as the troll’s blade hits the ground. Then quickly he slashes the back of the troll’s knee dropping him to only one knee. He then grabs a near by spear tip that was cleaved from its shaft and plunges it right through the bicep of the right arm of the troll. The troll only laughs at him and quickly grabs Attonnan’s hand as it is still griping the spear tip. Staring deep into Attonnan’s eyes he slowly pulls the tip from the arm and with all his strength throws Attonnan to the ground. Attonnan is winded and can barely move as he lies on his back. The troll then goes for a downward strike for his killing blow. Attonnan only barely raises his blade blocking the attack. Then just as the last time he rolls to one side. He is exhausted fighting this monster and knows he cannot go on much longer. He can hear the sounds of battle begin to die around him. He wants to look to see which side is winning but he cannot allow himself to get distracted. Another overhand strike forces Attonnan to roll once more. As he rolls his hand gently brushes against an arrow. Without even thinking Attonnan rolls under the troll between the legs and as the troll turns to face him he plunges the arrow into the trolls eye. The troll lifts it head lets out a bloodthirsty howl of pain. Attonnan watches as it pulls the arrow fro
m its eye but waist o time. With all of his strength he kicks the left knee dropping the troll back down to one knee. Then with a clear determination he makes his final move, a clean cut right for the throat, the troll is too stunned and doesn’t have time to react. The blade moves through the trolls flesh like it was only butter. He then turns to see that the rest of his army is just now finishing up the last of the half orcs and gnolls. He himself has to drop to one knee and rest. The battle is over in only a few more moments and a roar of victory echoes through the hell gates. Attonnan walks over to the head of the troll and with his blade slices off one of the ram like horns. When this is all said and done, this will be his drinking horn, and when he is finished with it the first drinks he shall take from it shall be to all the men that died on this field.

  “Bury our dead, leave theirs where they lie.” rest, Radu will not be this easily finished with us” Attonnan says and like always sits at the edge of the cliffs overlooking the sea

  Toph watches, as he seems to separate himself from the men. She wonders why and how he can do something like that. She herself only joins the men in dragging the bodies of their fallen brothers to the edge of the hell gates and buries them. Each man in the army sheds there tears openly for there fallen brothers, Toph remains calm and focused but no mater what she tries to show outwardly, she can still feel a tear slip down her cheek.

  It is late at night and Toph is taking the latest of the night shifts. The night has gone without incident. She is sure that Radu must have learned that he might as well let his men sleep. She watches as Attonnan sits his eyes on the sea. She wonders if he is asleep or even if he ever sleeps. For hours she watches him, wondering what has come over him. She remembers him as the young apprentice to Fuma, true he was always loyal to Fuma and Fuma alone, but still there was someone there. Someone other then the assassin, the swordsman. Now, having spent all this time training under him and watching him in this battle she knows that something has happened. All there seems to be now is the swordsman. The elf that once was Attonnan is gone now. All that is left is the ghost. Hours pass by and she watches the sky light up slowly. The men soon begin to stir and those in charge of breakfast begin to gather the supplies to feed everyone. The men eat and talk to one another. Most of the conversations are of home and what it is like to be a warrior now. Some even talk of the past and what it was like before they joined the unit. Some were slaves and some were just commoners.

  “Hay Toph” one of the men says snapping her out of her daze.

  “Hu, oh sorry, just thinking about things to come that’s all” She says and smiles at him.

  “We were asking you a question” he says and smiles at her.

  “Oh, what was it” She asks sure that she probably has an answer, of some kind anyway.

  “You knew the Ghost, what was he like before all this.” he asks calmly and they all look over at him.

  Attonnan’s back is too them as he sits cross-legged staring at the sea

  “He was a prince” She says and looks down at the ground

  “A prince” A younger member says shocked.

  “Of the Unagi clan. Then he became a slave to Fuma Hojo. That’s were I met him. But he wasn’t like this. I’m not sure what happened but he vanished and by the time he came back he was like this,” She says looking over at him with the others.

  “Weren’t the Unagi some of the first to fall to Mecmed” one of the soldiers asked

  “Nah, I heard it that they were the last to fall” another said smiling

  “Does it really matter? He is the last I think.” Toph says a tug of pain hitting her as she thinks of what it must be like to be the last of you clan.

  “There coming” Attonnan’s voice penetrates them all

  His voice is soft and calm, but it seems to cut though everyone and instantly they are up on their feet preparing for battle.

  “Your orders sir” Toph says her voice now that of a soldier and not the concerned friend.

  “This will not be like the other battles. Line up at the hell gates. Shields up. Lets see what we are up against first.” Attonnan says walking back to the hell gates with the others.

  Like ordered the men line up at the hell gates and raise there shields to make sure there is only a wall of iron.

  As the force begins to approach Attonnan is shocked at what he sees. In lead is seven huge trolls like the last one he fought, each of them holding a set chains, hooked to the chains are two beasts like nothing he has seen before. They are down on all fours, there faces and a body like that of wild cats but the fur color is like dark oiled metal. Their eyes glowing yellow. They snarl and roar out as they struggle against the chains. Behind the trolls is a small force of orcs and Gnolls, and behind them are seven other men, each shrouded in black robes, hoods up so the faces cannot be seen. From a distance a horn blasts and just like that the trolls let go of the chains and the beasts charge the enemy. The beast charge with all there might and slam against the shields knocking many of the men to the ground. A crack in the defenses the beasts attack like they have gone ravenous slashing with their claws at any bit of flesh that they can cut. Men slash at the beasts only to have there swords bounce off the spiked fur. Attonnan’s suspicions are correct, it is not furs at all these are some kind of demon and the fur is steel. Men fall left and right to the beasts. It takes five to eight men to fend just one off. Attonnan then hears the sound of charging. The gnolls orcs and trolls are all engaging in the battle. The moon elf force slams into Attonnan’s men with all the fury of a thunderstorm. The beasts attack everyone, enemy or friend. Attonnan watches as men fall to his left and right. This is chaos and his men are not ready. The trolls cut down men by two or three at a time as the beasts keep them on the defensive unable to strike back at anyone. Soon there is a whistling sound and Attonnan looks up to see five or six large round objects flying through the air. His men take the idea and quickly fling there shields up to block the items. But the items are only clay pots and as soon as they hit the hard surface of the shield they shatter and flame ignites on the shield and even the soldier behind it. The men are panicked now. They are fighting man, beast and magic all at once, they cannot hold and if something is not done they will parish in a matter of seconds. His men fight back as hard as they can but they are no match. Attonnan is almost sure this is the end. He is engaged in a fight with two trolls barely able to fend them off but not good enough to strike back. Doing as his masters have always taught him he takes in the whole of the battlefield. He must save his men. Looking it the back of the battlefield he sees that the men shrouded in black are not mages at all. Next to them is a pile of the casks. It is a simple matter of alchemy not magic. Taking a risk Attonnan rolls to one side of one of his trolls and slashes the leg. Then as it is distracted he races to the back of the field as fast as he can. Like always he seems to move beyond what people can see and in no time at all he is at the black shrouded figures. With the ease of a master he cuts them down, then quickly he snatches up one of the casks and flings it at the pursuing trolls. Like he thought the two trolls burst into flames. Smiling he takes up cask after cast flinging them at the enemy. The casks shatter against the enemy lighting them on fire. With this the battle changes and Attonnan’s men are given the chance to gain the advantage they needed. Now with the enemy in a panic Attonnan watches his men cut them down as he flings cask after cast at them. It is also during this chaos that one of the soldiers finds the weakness to the beasts. The eyes, the eyes are soft and unprotected. If pieced deep enough it will go straight into the brain and kill them. Toph quickly shouts at seven of her men to fall back. They get the end of the hell gates as the others hold off the enemies. Then the seven pull out their bows and let loose arrows deep into the beast’s eyes. One by one they fall. With Attonnan flinging the casks and his men now able to fight the enemy back, and the beasts weaknesses found the battle barely lasts much longer and before he kn
ows it Attonnan is staring down the field at the remaining members of his troop smiling with pride. Another battle fought and another victory. Lord Hitori smiles as he watches from the distance. They fought them back one more time. He wonders if Radu knows what kind of man he is fighting. Sure this time it was perhaps only a second’s difference between victory and defeat in this battle. But a true warrior will tell you that it doesn’t matter if you win by one man or a thousand, a win is a win.

  Slowly lord Hitori makes his way to the camp and once at the feet or Radu he smiles and drops to one knee his face down looking only at the ground.

  “Well Musashi, what is your news” Radu says the smile never leaving his face.

  “Sir, our forces have been defeated once more,” He says trying to keep the glee from his voice. If this youth can beat the moon elves then perhaps there is a chance for the other gray elf kingdoms.

  “No matter. By dawn they will be dead” Radu says and reaches down and lets his fingers run over something tucked into his shirt.

  “Sir” lord Hitori asks his voice one of questioning.

  “This is not your concern. I want the Hitori clan to stay behind. Tomorrow the moon elf kingdom will march on the gray elf force. For now have the men rest.” He says and walks back into his tent.

  Lord Hitori is shocked and confused at such a boats. He was sure that this would be proof enough that the men below are not to be taken lightly and that it will take more then just confidence to kill them.

  He makes his way to his men and relays the orders for them to rest and that in the mourning they will hold back as the moon elf forces make there way to the hell gates.

  Meanwhile Attonnan looks over his men. So many have died in this last battle. They are down to almost a quarter of what they started with. If this keeps up none of them shall live to see the end of this battle. Like always after the battle he sits at the edge of the cliff thinking of what he is going to do and how he is going to do it. How can he keep them alive? It is late that night when the moon is high in the starry sky that he looks over to the fire. All the men are asleep, all but Toph. Slowly Attonnan makes his way to the fire then sits across from her. For the longest time the two only stare at each other. Attonnan slowly opens his mouth to speak but is quickly interrupted as a messenger scurries to the campfire out of breath and falling to his hands and knees in exhaustion.