The knights of Eyre marched out next, grandees on huge stallions fully covered in horse armor—an imposing sight. A sea of green cloaks gleamed, and a forest of spears towered next to it. The knights were followed by infantry, both soldiers and guardsmen, each squad led by a noble. The Err himself, Endved Elyon, was riding under a huge “old barley” banner surrounded by “barleys,” elite members of the Guard, and Lord General Laort was to his right.
A private message chimed, drawing me away from the spectacle. It was Alex.
AlexOrder: Waiting for you on a birdie at Rose Square. The raid’s assembled in Condor.
The courtyard of Cloud Castle was also full of commotion. I had never seen so many players with the Watchers tag before! Scores of birdies were roaming the sky around the castle, and straight lines of cavalry and infantry occupied the inner yard. I was assigned to tactical group number nine, with other members of Liberty. I had already counted that the raid had more than two hundred people.
We were handed out equipment and elixirs, and the buffing started. The Watchers spared no expense: each member got items corresponding to their task, a few uncommon elixirs, a set of healing potions, and some scrolls, for those who could use them. I was given a rider kit: a spear, a shield, a shortbow with arrows, three Greater Healing Potions, a few Critical Hit Potions, some resistance boosters, and a Restore Stamina Potion. The group leader checked our equipment and informed the raid leaders that we were ready. Then, the waiting started.
“I almost hesitate to ask, but how will we get to the battlefield?” I asked Nico. “Will we fly by birdies?”
“Of course not,” he chuckled. “What birdies? One of our groups that has marched out with the Eyre’s army has a portal master. When it is time, he’ll activate a penta, and we’ll jump there.”
“A penta? What penta?”
“A pentagram,” Nico explained patiently. “It’s like our own teleport. The entire raid will pass through it, and get to the spot where it was lit.”
“I didn’t know Sphere had stuff like that.”
“There’s lots of things about Sphere you don’t know yet. Anyway, pentagram portals are a luxury! The ritual requires some very expensive ingredients, plus lots of skills. Portal Master is a very rare archetype, not all clans have them.”
“So who’s our portal master?” I asked.
“That’s confidential, Cat,” Nico said, throwing me a weird look. “No, I mean it! I don’t even know myself!”
* * *
Mirgus: They’ve marched out.
Tao: All of them? How many?
Mirgus: Around five thousand NPCs, two thousand riders, three thousand infantrymen. Davna, Erda, Vista, Ardat, and the Err.
Tao: What about players?
Mirgus: We’ve counted five hundred. Mostly solo players and small clans. Three separate raids.
Tao: The Watchers?
Mirgus: Their raid’s in Condor in full battle mode. Three hundred and fifteen people.
Tao: Good. What about us?
Mirgus: The armies of Daigor and Dyre are marching to meet Eyre, about three thousand NPCs in total. They’re accompanied by three hundred clanless players and a Legion raid of seventy three people. I was unable to come to an agreement with Baghir. They will act on their own.
Tao: Stubborn fools... All right. Thank you, Mirgus.
Tao: We’ll wait until the battle starts.
Tao: What about our eyes?
Mirgus: They’re fine. We have two stealthed scouts plus Bird’s Eyes.
* * *
The sun shone in the clear blue sky like a freshly minted gold coin. There wasn’t a single cloud in the sky — the weather was perfect. With an armed escort, they left the ranks of their dust-covered troops and looked over the wide field between the two forest walls. Short yellowish grass grew all over it, occasionally giving way to low-sloped hills. General Laort reined in his horse and waved his hand.
“We’ve arrived! There they are, standing over there, just like our recon told us.”
Endved examined the enemy troops arranged in straight squares that blocked passage through the fields. In the center were long lines of infantry, Dyrian militia. These were flanked by mounted squads, five to six hundred spears each. The standards of the Free City of Dyre and the Principality of Daigor fluttered above the armies, silver axes against a blue background, and a black lion against a crimson background.
“They are outnumbered,” said the young Err. “By far.”
“True, my Err,” Laort grinned. “We’ll kick their asses in an hour’s time.”
“What about players serving the House of Darkness? Are they here?”
Without saying a word, the Lord General pointed at the hill to the left, where almost a hundred fighters were standing in a circle. Above them, the air was full of the players’ flying mounts. Before their eyes, one of the players broke away from the others and flew toward Err and his retinue, coming closer with each passing second. The “barleys” closed ranks, defending Endved and Laort with a shield wall, but as it turned out, there was no need.
A long lightning bolt shot out from the bulk of the Eyrian army behind the commanders, hitting the birdie and enveloping the player and his mount with sparkling tendrils of the electric discharge. In a second, a second lightning followed suit, then a third. A powerful thunder strike stripped leaves from the few trees on the edge of the field, forcing the heavy silk of the banners to ripple. The player crashed down to the ground, like a pigeon in a shooting contest.
“My Err, it’s not just them who’s supported by players,” said Laort. “Those who joined our faction are also here. They’ll help us in battle!” Endved Elyon, the Err of the Nation of Eyre, clenched his teeth and quietly gave his command.
“Get the troops into formation.”
Behind them, in a swirling cloud of dust, the army of Eyre transitioned into battle order, accompanied by the neighing of horses, the clatter of hooves, and the clanging of steel. The nobles were shouting orders in raspy voices, arranging their soldiers, and in the end, after seemingly chaotic movements, the host fell into straight lines, the sun gleaming on the tips of their spears.
The horns trumpeted: once, twice, three times. The army froze in place and then, with an ominous swelling roar, began to advance.
* * *
Mirgus: They’ve engaged each other! Eyre’s plowing ahead, it’s a real sight! Legion’s attacking, too, they’re countered by the Sworn Brothers. Hard to tell what’s going on, lots of no-names from both sides.
Tao: Watch the resp point! Is it far, by the way?
Mirgus: I’ve linked it. Three leagues, at the Old Crossroads.
Tao: That’s pretty far... I got it, keep watching.
Fifteen minutes later...
Mirgus: Legion raid’s almost down, I spy seventy players at resp point.
Mirgus: Tao, here’s my opinion: you can’t wait any longer. The NPCs won’t last long without support! We might not make it in time.
Tao: I see. Attention, raid! Full rebuff! One-minute call.
Tao: Mirgus, light the pentagram. Pass through and attack on my assist!
* * *
We were standing inside Condor’s inner courtyard, watching the stream arranged by our scout from the battlefield via Bird’s Eyes. He broadcast it into the raid channel, so we could follow the events in real time.
It was a sight way more exciting than a football match! We saw the battalions of Eyre clash forces with Dyre and Daigor, and carnage reigned. The players on both sides were fighting each other as well, raining down arrows and spells, and birdies glided down and collapsed, shot dead mid-air.
An Eyrian wedge, consisting of knights, tried breaking through into the center of the enemy formation, but got stuck in the thick ranks of infantry, bristling with spears. On the flanks, Errats’ light infantry was fighting the riders from Daigor. Our side had a numerical advantage, which was noticeable from above, as the scout's birdie circled in the sky above the battlefield
. They tried to surround the troops of Daigor and Dyre, as the latter lost ground.
“PROJECT’s still not here...” remarked Svenn, who was watching the stream beside me.
“Do you think they’ll come?”
“Absolutely!” Nico replied for him, a wide smile on his face. “They’d never miss a rumble like this! And that’s where we’ll smack them!”
My clanmate bumped his fist against an open palm to show what exactly our raid would do to PROJECT.
“Well, you asked for it!” Svenn blurted out. “Look, a pentagram is opening!”
Just a little apart from the battling armies, a bright scarlet, almost crimson light broke out. It soon became apparent that it was coming from the lines of a huge, blood-red seal, in the shape of a star inside a circle, no less than fifty yards in diameter. The familiar rainbow light of a portal appeared above it.
“There they are, the PROJECT!” Nico exclaimed, rubbing his hands in anticipation. “So we didn’t gather in vain after all...”
Hundreds of birds were flying out of the portal that had been opened with the pentagram. PROJECT HELL tags could be clearly seen. They rushed into battle immediately, cutting down enemy players and NPCs alike. The power of their charge was so overwhelming, that some of the Eyrian NPCs turned around to face them, ignoring their opponents, while their player allies, judging by the stream, couldn’t muster any resistance at all.
* * *
Damian: Sworn Brothers say they’re retreating!
Komtur: It’s time. Raid, one-minute call! Light up the pentagram!
Balian the Raccoon: Commander, the pentagram is ready.
Komtur: Got it. We go in together!
Komtur: All right. Did everyone get here? Archers, mages, get ready. Healers, stay alert. Target callers, start working. Pick their healers and controllers first.
Balian the Raccoon: Roger that. First target marked, second target marked! Primary target: Tasmith, secondary: Dearie. On the count of three, fire. All together, it’s important! One! Two! Three! Fire!
Balian the Raccoon: Great, we’re damaging them. They’re healing her, focus, change target! Primary: Dearie! Go on, all together, mages, where’s your damage?
Komtur: Group three and group five, go into melee. Group three and group five, free fire at PROJECT! Engage them, embrace them, kiss them!
Balian the Raccoon: Good job, mages. Change target to Tao. Shoot the bastard! Mark him, somebody.
Carramba: Mark up.
Balian the Raccoon: One, two, three! Start damaging!
Komtur: It’s pointless, he’s too solid, and he’s being healed by two or three healers. Balian, kill off the healers and Tao’s gone!
Zulu: I’m under fi—I’m down!
Komtur: Healers, wake up!
Komtur: Healers, wake up! Support our guys! Tell those targeted when the mark’s up, not when damage has started!
The Watchers attacked the PROJECT at the flank. On command, our archers and mages rained all the might of our clan down on the marked PROJECT HELL players. In a non-target system, with nothing more than a mark lit on the moving target, only the most skilled players could score hits. Now I realized why we had been ordered to practice Archery; during battle, a team of good archers, firing on command, could one-shot even a high-level opponent.
More than ten thousand NPCs and a thousand players had already engaged each other on the battlefield. Our well-coordinated raid, three hundred and seventeen fighters, ten tactical groups, plus an unknown number of pawns, performed something called hot drop in MMO slang: we had descended onto battling enemies from above. A strike from disciplined players, firing all at once, and backed by healers was sudden and unstoppable.
Balian the Raccoon: Primary target: Midnight! Mages, alert! Hit her with an Antimagic Sphere! One, two, three! Great job! You’ve finally found your groove! The next’s Nestor, secondary is Eyrin! One! Two! Three! Who’s the idiot not shooting on command?
Damian: They’re trying to get to the Err!
Komtur: All raid, to me! Who are the closest? Group nine, go into melee! Protect the Err from PROJECT!
* * *
Tentacle: Tao, we can’t hold under fire!
Tao: Nothing’s going to change if you repeat it a third time!
Mirgus: We’ve already lost twenty-nine people...
Tao: To all down, regroup at resp point and wait for my command!
Illith: They’re killing our healers and supports! We’ve got to do something, Tao!
Illith: Tao?
Illith: Tao, dammit, half the raid’s already down! Say something! Command!
Tentacle: Don’t disturb him. Sometimes, I think boss’ listening to voices.
Tao: Calm down, girls! Are you fighters or not? Don’t let yourself get killed! Maneuver, hide behind NPCs! Do I have to do everything myself?
* * *
Group nine was us, Liberty. Today, we didn’t have Balian with us and were commanded by Argentum, our Mounted Combat trainer. After closing his helmet’s visor, he commanded on our subchannel,
Argentum: Let’s go. Release the pawns. Stay close to me.
Our mounted squad charged forward, catching up with NPC cavalry that was rushing into battle. Snowflake easily broke into a gallop, and to avoid getting lost, I marked Argentum, who was racing ahead of me. As he rode, he started spinning his poleaxe, swooshing it around.
Soon, we saw a dark wave of enemy riders, with PROJECT’s birdies gliding above them. Their black and red flags fluttered, and the tips of their spears shone in the sun. I heard a growing roar.
“Daigor!”
“Eyre! Charge!”
These were the Daigorian NPCs, easily recognized by their crimson standard decorated with a black lion, yellow cloaks, and a battle cry that resembled a lion’s roar. There were coming in huge numbers, setting upon us and like a black river. Arrows whistled above my head. I clung to Snowflake’s mane, feeling a wave of fear. Everything seemed so realistic, loud, and furious; my throat was parched, and my hands started shaking. Enemies were charging at me head on, screaming like demons and swinging their swords, fierce and numerous.
Argentum: Archers! Fire, stay close to me! HotCat, wake up!
I came to my senses and clasped at my bow. This part of training was especially hard for me: Mounted Archery required a high-level skill. Just try shooting from a shaking saddle on a mount, while riding at full speed! I managed to fire a few arrows that flew toward the approaching cavalry, their trajectory flat. I couldn’t target the mark, and was sure I had missed it.
The enemies’ arrows were getting closer and growing in number. I saw NPCs getting shot and knocked down, and could hear the whining of wounded horses.
“DAIGORRR!”
Argentum: Forget the bows, ready your spears. Go into melee!
Argentum: Valkyria, don’t lag behind. Stay close.
I was not especially good with a spear either, but I had leveled it up to a hundred to open Ram Attack. I shifted the spear to the crease of my arm, preparing to trigger the ability, when our cavalries collided with a roar and a wallop, kicking up a cloud of dust. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Argentum skillfully maneuvering to the forefront of the battle. Right off the bat, he cut down a charging Daigorian knight, then knocked down a grandee from his saddle with a blow of terrible force.
I squirmed, expecting an attack—a spear-wielding Daigorian was rushing toward me, roaring like a mad bear. His yellow cloak flashed before my eyes. I noticed a bearded face beneath the rim of the helmet, and then came the strike, its power great enough to push Snowflake to the side, while I barely held onto the saddle. With a dry crunch, my spear broke in half, while the shield repelled the main impact, losing a few fragments in the process.
You dealt Mounted Equiner (Daigor) 740 damage with Ram Attack! Mounted Equiner is dead! You receive 30 XP.
Two-Handed Weapons increased to 179. Spears increased to 108.
Medium Cavalry Spear: durability decreased to 0/100.
The Daigorian NPC was dying on the ground, a piece of my spear in his chest. I threw away the useless stub, drawing my sword. Around me, madness reigned. Players and NPCs alike were killing each other furiously in savage bloodshed. Just ten steps ahead of me, a birdie collapsed — an archgriffon that resembled a huge hedgehog due to the number of spears and arrows sticking out of its body. Its rider rolled down off it in a lifeless heap. He was already dead when his mount hit the ground.
Komtur: Raid, follow me. Release ALL pawns. Report as soon as Knights and Pack are ready.
Popinjay: Knights are ready.
Abel: Spectral Pack is released!
Balian the Raccoon: PROJECT’s trying to mix with NPCs... Alert! Mark on primary target: Tentacle! Secondary target: AeroWing!
Komtur: Send all melee pawns into close combat.
Balian the Raccoon: What a tricky bitch, she escaped! Switch to AeroWing. The next target’s marked.
Going by the raid window, almost all Liberty players were still alive. I was attacked by two NPCs at once, who were pressing me from both sides, heaping a series of sword blows on me. I blocked the left with my shield, which was rapidly losing durability, and parried the strikes of the other with my blade. They did not allow me any reprieve, but all of a sudden, Argentum wedged himself into our struggle, and I glimpsed his fanged mask. With a powerful blow of his poleaxe, the Watcher unhorsed the first NPC, while his war mount pushed the other one back.
Argentum: Follow me! Everybody, follow me!
One of the portraits in the group interface flickered and faded away. We lost Diareus. Argentum indicated to us the direction of our charge with his poleaxe, pointing at an opening in the combatants’ ranks. Suddenly, I realized that there were not many Daigorians left around us. Most of them were retreating to their infantry, firing back at their pursuers from the backs of their mounts.
Cat's Quest Page 29