Epic Unearthed
Page 37
Chapter XXXVII
Campiton Gorge
Atlanteans from the Great West Wall are en route to Atlantis. Cregnikias hears the last bell message from Masaba. In encrypted military code, the message says Quentoris is marching to Atlantis and an enemy army is on their way to intercept. Cregnikias’ army is eight miles from the retreating Atlanteans.
Cregnikias gathers his generals and says, “I am going against Daygun’s direct orders. You have the right to relieve me of my command. Does anyone have any objections of going forward to assist our comrades from Masaba?”
A general responds, “I don’t agree with disobeying orders, but if we do not act now, Quentoris and the survivors of Masaba will be lost. We do not have time to get permission. We are with you. We must act now.”
Cregnikias looks at his officers and orders, “All cavalry full-speed to Campiton Gorge at once. Order all fifteen-thousand youth archers to carry two extra quivers and assist Quentoris. This is all or nothing. The rest of our divisions will follow.”
A general responds, “What if we are attacked in the process?”
Cregnikias says, “Scan deeper for any enemy activity with our scouts. Take a task force to the nearest bell post. We need to let Quentoris know we are on our way.”
Twenty minutes later, the task force sent by Cregnikias finally arrives at the bell post and sends the message to Quentoris. The retreating Atlanteans from Masaba hear the message. There is still hope to make their journey to Atlantis. Everyone moves faster to Campiton Gorge.
Over the horizon, the fleeing Atlanteans see their enemy closing on their position. Quentoris orders his warriors to prepare for battle. He is still fifty minutes from the gorge where they are to converge with their reinforcements. The Atlanteans cannot run anymore. Quentoris does not know exactly where Cregnikias’ army is located or its strength, and the Ladonean and Sabathean cavalry are behind them. He sends a messenger to locate and guide the Great West Wall divisions to his location.
Arriving close to the gorge, Quentoris’ messenger sees light and heavy cavalry riding toward him. The messenger does not know if they are Atlanteans or the enemy. He stops his giant elk to investigate. Moments later, he sees the Atlantean flag and hurries to his comrades. Upon reaching reaches the Atlantean commander, the messenger reports the situation. Eight-hundred Atlantean cavalrymen rush toward Quentoris. As they ride off, the messenger sees the Atlantean youth right behind, running full speed.
When the enemy’s heavy and light cavalry catch up with the last survivors of Masaba, they attack. Quentoris’ men are in a defensive formation as the battle begins. The enemy cavalry is overwhelming. The Atlanteans’ archers start to run out of arrows within minutes of fighting. With little cavalry, Quentoris is doomed.
Quentoris looks from a hill and witnesses the enemy destroying his left flank. He sends his infantry to compensate. Then, out of nowhere, Cregnikias’ light and heavy cavalry charge into the Ladoneans’ and Sabatheans’ offensive, precisely where reinforcements are needed.
The enemy generals see Cregnikias’ cavalry attacking, halting the reinforcements of infantry and beasts they sent to finish Quentoris. As the enemy watches their cavalry lose momentum, they finally give the order for all-out attack. They do so at full speed and Quentoris braces for impact.
Before the charging enemy hits the Atlantean formation, Quentoris counters with his reserve infantry, using twelve foot spears to stop the enemy cavalry. Unfortunately, Quentoris’ archers deplete their supply of arrows and cannot help their infantry with only their bows. The Atlantean archers draw their swords and fight alongside their fellow warriors. Because of inadequate numbers, the Great West Wall cavalry is starting to lose numbers at a substantial rate. The enemy reinforcements overwhelm the Atlanteans.
The Atlantean youth finally reach the battlefield and form a line to fire their arrows. Quentoris’ adversary is being attacked on two fronts. The enemy cavalry and infantry attack the youth archers, but to no avail. After the Atlantean youth take an enemy stronghold, they charge forward into the battle with their swords. Cregnikias’ youth run and assemble with Quentoris’ archers, giving them a quiver of arrows. Now, Quentoris has twice as many arrows flying toward the Ladoneans’ and Sabatheans’ divisions. In two hours, the Atlantean threat is taken out completely.
After the battle, Quentoris desires nothing but to attack the whole Continental Alliance back at Masaba, but reconsiders when he sees his injured warriors. Cregnikias’ divisions finally meet up with the retreating Atlanteans and proceed to Atlantis.
On the return march to the capital, Quentoris no longer feels emotional pain. He is dead inside. Before, the commander had compassion for the men he led. Almost ninety percent of the warriors Quentoris has led into battle are dead, and he feels he should have died with them. During the journey, Quentoris sees a badly wounded warrior who fought at Bardia. He was stationed at the Great West Wall after the fight. He picks him up and carries him on his giant elk all the way back to the capital. There is so much death in his heart that he can only love his own men. Only honor and loyalty to the new Atlantean Empire help him cope.