From a hilltop vantage, Lord Marcus Barden peered down at the River's diversion, a scar on the verdant landscape beyond the mountains. The Swine had constructed a crude dam near the mountains waterfalls and channelled the life-giving waters, depriving the underground caves beneath the Mountain of their vital flow. These same waters were vital and also nourish the fertile farmlands of Sorina to the north, just a few days' march away.
The weight of concern pressed heavily on Marcus' brow as he pondered the situation in the city. Were its inhabitants grappling with similar hardships? A city without food would soon descend into chaos, with its people turning on each other in desperation. He could almost hear the cries of the hungry, the panic of parents trying to feed their children, and the unrest of the masses echoing in the back of his mind. Every passing hour, the stakes grew higher.
Over the past two days, they'd navigated sheer mountain trails, always angling northward. The biting cold, treacherous winds and the weight of their packs tested their mettle, and navigating in the shadowy hours of the night made the trail feel like trekking through a hellish landscape. Marcus was haunted by the tragic loss of Shaunson, a loyal soldier who'd been by his side for years. On the second morning a momentary lapse in attention led Shaunson to misstep, sending him plummeting off a crumbling cliff.
There was nothing they could do to retrieve his body from so high up.
I should have allowed more breaks, Marcus mused, guilt evident in his mind. But they needed to press on.
Thomas had seen the shift in Marcus’s expression and spoke, "time's against us, Sir. You made the right call. Shaunson knew the risks."
Marcus nodded, still his heart felt heavy.
Despite the challenges, the bond between the Wolvegren and humans grew. Guiding each other over rugged terrains and sharing dwindling supplies, their shared purpose and tenacity drove them onward, unwilling to let anything halt their progress.
Chief Ironfur stood tall beside Marcus his expression dark and calculating. His dark rusted fur caught glimmers of afternoon sunlight, and his piercing eyes surveyed the diversion intently. Marcus felt the weight of their combined failure; they had arrived too late.
Thomas and Greypaw were locked in a heated discussion not far off, their voices occasionally rising over the murmur of wailing wind. They both looked up as a group of human scouts approached swiftly, their faces painted with urgency.
"The Swine move quickly, my lords," one scout reported, panting slightly from his run. "Their numbers are vast, but they are unorganised and seem more interested in charging into the humans’ lands and sowing chaos than defending their entry point."
Marcus' brow furrowed. "How many guard the cave?"
"Only a few of the smaller ones, m'lord," another scout replied.
Chief Ironfur growled softly, his fangs gleaming. "We might not halt the ones that already passed, but we can stop any more from joining them."
Marcus nodded, a plan formulating in his mind. "We'll collapse their dam. The excess water should flood their underground passages."
A murmur of approval rippled through the assembled group. The destructive operation they had in mind would require precision, but the combined might of humans and Wolvegren was formidable. With the sun beginning to make its descent across the sky, time was of the essence.
Marcus locked eyes with Chief Ironfur. "Let's drown these pigs."
The battle for the river’s control had just begun.
As chief Ironfur and Marcus barked orders, the unlikely pact moved swiftly into formation, each group taking on its designated roles. The setting sun cast elongated shadows as the two groups parted ways, both teams filled with determination.
Ironfur led the first group, the sub diversion. Comprised of him, Greypaw, Jacob, and several of the fleet-footed Wolvegren, their objective was clear: create a distraction and drive the Swine away from the diversion point. They would rely on their agility and cunning to avoid any direct confrontation. Instead, guerrilla tactics would be their weapon, striking quickly and disappearing before the Swine could retaliate. But spill enough blood to force the Swine to stay away from the diversion.
"Stay low and move fast," Ironfur instructed as they made their way closer to the cave's entrance. Greypaw, always eager for action, shot him a confident grin, while Jacob, the only human, nodded nervously. This was no easy task, but they were prepared.
Meanwhile, Lord Marcus led the second group. Alongside him were Thomas, the bulk of the human unit, and several Wolvegren who bore the scars of past battles. Their role was equally crucial. As the sub diversion lured the Swine away, Marcus's team would move in to break the dam.
Thomas stared at the soldiers and the few Wolvegren, his face grave. "We must work in tandem," he said, addressing the group. "While the Wolvegren flank and distract, we must break down the dam with everything we've got. Speed is essential."
This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.
Marcus stepped forward, his armour gleaming in the fading sunlight. "The damn’s made out of mud, rock and sticks. A crude mark on the land.” His expression determined he pointed at the camp where the Swine were emerging. “We have one shot at this. We must make it count."
The murmurs of agreement from the group strengthened their resolve. Each member knew their part and the risk that came with it.
Marcus stood tall; his voice filled with conviction. "The moment we breach the camp, seize any tool that could be of use. Today, our weapons won't be swords and shields, but hammers, axes and chisels! We are here to bring that dam crashing down," he commanded, a fierce determination burning in his eyes.
As the sub diversion team began their assault, the sound of skirmishes erupted. Shouts and the clash of weapons echoed through the valley. The Swine, caught off-guard, scrambled to confront the new threat of Ironfur’s forces.
“Ready yourselves!” Thomas barked.
Using this chaos to their advantage, Marcus's group advanced on the camp. With axes, ropes, and sheer determination, they sprinted towards the damn and began their task.
Exposed, with the water behind them and a barren riverbed stretching towards the tunnels ahead, their task was perilously conspicuous. Yet, as they laboured, they could glimpse the other group clashing with the enemy in the distance.
The sheer amount of rocks mud and sticks to create the crude damn was impressive but the craftsmanship was shoddy, allowing the humans to quickly begin the task of dismantling it.
As Marcus ripped up a tree root and threw it into the trickling waters he created then shouted, “Careful of your footing. Don’t be caught off guard by your own folly.”
The Wolvegren, with their keen senses, served as an early warning system for any approaching Swine yet had not been detected by the enemy.
The sounds of battle and the urgency of their mission melded into a cacophony of focus and determination. Every swing of an axe, every tug on a rope, or pounding of a hammer, brought them closer to their goal. The men scrambled around looking for anything that would aid the destruction and quickly pilfered crude instruments left by the greedy monsters.
As the first cracks began to appear in the mud of the dam, hope surged among Marcus's team as water flowed into the barren lakebed. But with the rising hope came the growing realization that the true challenge would be escaping the flood they were about to unleash.
Marcus heaved back, leveraging every ounce of his strength into the two-metre-long metal bar he’d found among the rubble. With a powerful wrench, the tool shifted the large rock, ripping it free from the crudely assembly. The impact sent tremors through the structure as water jetted out of the hole he’d made.
"Move! Move now!" Marcus roared, urging his men into action.
The dam shifted and cracked, rapidly giving way beneath their feet. Every breach made by the humans now spewed torrents of water, eroding the dam's integrity at an alarming rate. Every second was precious, every foothold disappearing.
A guttural war cry echoed from the distance. The Swine had spotted them. From all sides, the enemy charged, determined to quell the threat and protect their construction.
However, the humans had already unleashed nature's fury. The water downstream engulfed the unsuspecting Swine, sweeping them away with its merciless current. Rocks, debris, and Swine bodies clashed in the tumultuous waters.
Swine on the banks, not caught by the first rush of water, lunged at the humans. Their snarls and roars filled the air. Marcus's group, realizing their tools were now redundant, quickly reached for their weapons. The battle cries of men and the growls of Swine collided in a cacophonous symphony.
Amidst the chaos, Marcus led the charge, his weapon cleaving through the enemy, his eyes set on the escape route. Every step they took was a testament to their determination, every fallen Swine a step closer to safety.
From his position, amidst the chaos and sounds of clashing weapons, Marcus's eyes darted to find what he sought. Through a swirling mist of dust and water droplets, he saw the distinct colouring of Ironfur's group. They’d navigated clear of the water's devastating path and now stood their ground on a rise.
Ironfur’s Wolvegren were legendary fighters, and it showed. Their formation was tight, their movements calculated. Each Wolvegren seemed to move in harmony with the others, parrying attacks and launching their own with lethal precision. The Swine that weren’t swept away by the raging waters found themselves ill-prepared to face the Wolvegren warriors.
A relieved grin stretched across Marcus's face. The sight of Ironfur's group, not only safe but effectively engaging the enemy, bolstered his spirit. The combined strength of the two groups had always been their best chance at victory, and here it was in action.
Amid the rushing waters and the chaotic melee, Marcus quickly noticed that not all his soldiers were with him. Some had been separated during their rush from the collapsing dam. Through the mist and the spray, he could see their silhouettes, isolated and trying to navigate the treacherous edge of the dam. They needed a strategy, and they needed it fast.
"Thomas!" Marcus shouted to his lieutenant, "Take ten men and circle around the dam's rear. You need to regroup with the separated squad!"
Thomas nodded, quickly signalling to a handful of soldiers. They began their arduous trek, avoiding the Swine where they could, and engaging them when they had to. Every step was a calculated risk; the mud was thick and treacherous, and more than once, a soldier lost their footing, only to be helped up by a comrade.
The separated soldiers could see the approaching reinforcements, and they too fought to close the gap, battling the Swine and the unstable terrain. The sound of clashing weapons resonated, mixed with the occasional shout of a familiar voice or a rallying cry.
After what felt like hours but was only mere minutes, Thomas and his group reached the isolated soldiers, forging a path for them to return to Marcus's side. As they moved as one unit, skirting the back end of the dam, they could hear the roars of the Wolvegren in the distance, urging them forward.
Drawing in a deep breath, Marcus raised his weapon high, signalling his men. "To Ironfur! Regroup and reinforce!" he commanded, urging them to join forces with their allies.
Regrouping was essential, for there was strength in numbers. And as the two groups converged once again, the resolve of Marcus's men was evident in every face – they were ready to continue the fight.
As the waters continued to rage and the last of the dam crumbled away, the escaping group managed to put distance between them and the pursuing Swine. Breathless, wet, and exhausted, they finally reached a safer vantage point, looking back at the destruction they had wrought. The dam was no more, and the waters flowed free. The chapter closed on a scene of nature reclaiming its path, with humans and Wolvegren having made their stand together.