“That is a lot of bull.”
Cathan turned from watching the border to raise an eyebrow at Sarjen. The Beast Caller had that vacant look of long-distance communication with his partner. After a moment without further comment, he growled slightly. “Explain yourself.”
Sarjen gave a start, turning to look at Cathan as his eyes cleared. “Sorry about that. I was trying to make sense of what Daria was sending me. It looks like a giant gray bull, pulling hundreds of wagons.”
Cathan frowned. “No beast could do such a thing.”
The Beast Caller agreed. “I’ve never even heard of a creature this size. It’s like a building walking on four legs.” He trailed off for a moment. “Wait… that’s no animal. It’s an elemental! I didn’t think they came that big!”
“They do not. More of the humans meddling with the natural order of things” Cathan’s frown deepened. “You say it is hauling wagons? Then their army could be here a lot sooner than expected.”
Turning back to the border, Cathan rested his paws on the railing, claws digging into the wood. “You must send your companion to warn the city.”
“And what will you be doing?”
Cathan turned to make his way down the tower. “My duty. I will work to delay the humans however I may.”
The Tigra shook his head. “There is nothing you can do to slow that type of force.”
“Even if it is only the time it takes them to stop and kill me, it will mean that much more time for everyone to prepare. And I may learn something as I die. I count on you making sure I do not die in vain.”
Sarjen sighed. “Then fight with honor, Warrior. All Majestix shall know what you do this day.”
***
“That is a lot of bull.”
Khan Kubla turned his head to glare at the Warrior who had spoken, not that he disagreed. That was the largest beast he had ever seen. What was more frightening was the seemingly endless train of wagons being hauled by the beast. Fortunately, it did not move swiftly, for all its size.
“We can cull some of these humans. The bull is irrelevant. We must defeat and slay the warriors in their wagons. They’re connected by ropes, which we can cut separate groups from among the wagons.
“If we cut strings of wagons free, we will break their sense of unity, of purpose. Then we pull smaller groups from the herd. It will be just like the great herds of plains buffalo. Together they are an unstoppable river but break them off and it’s good eating.”
A fang bearing grin adorned his lips as he continued. “We will make several passes through, each slashing the ropes once. Only once. The key is speed. Do not allow yourself to be caught up in the hunt too early. There will be plenty of killing to be done later.”
There was a round of grins and nods from the gathered Warriors. Each was adorned in the new enhanced scale armor from the Shartha and carried a blade from the clan forges, based on the new metals inspired by the captured human armor.
After a few more instructions, they broke into the slash groups, then loped towards the first intercept point. Situated within the lead group, Kubla felt his pulse racing, his blood singing with the call to battle for which he’d waited his entire life. His claws tightened on his blade. While he longed to sink those claws into the flesh of his prey, the blade was what was needed now.
They rapidly crossed the plains, angling to meet the lumbering train of humanity midway through. Over the rumble of the massive bull and creaking of the wagons, Kubla was able to hear the shouts of humans. They were shouts of excitement, of anticipation. The humans were looking forward to the slaughter.
A low growl rumbled in Kubla’s chest as he neared the wagons. He could see the thick ropes strung between the wagons. In a blur of blade and fur he was between and through, with one slash per rope.
Screams and shouts followed his group as one of the wagon trains snapped free under the strain and attack. Before he could learn more he was springing away from the humans, turning in a wide arc to begin his second run.
Risking a quick glance, he saw every one of his Warriors streaming out of the human lines. A roar of triumph escaped him, taking up by many of his fellows.
Soon he was back amongst the wagons. This time it seemed some of the humans were ready, as some weapons were thrust his way. None came close, given the separation between wagons.
Rope threads parted beneath his blade, with his fellows following through to complete the cuts. Again they were quickly through and out with no loses.
More wagons fell out of formation, entire strings falling behind the ponderous mass of stone. He could make out the humans from the first wagons abandoning their vehicles and struggling to catch up to the rest. Some of the agons had even fallen over, spilling their armored contents.
Turning into his third run, Kubla set his sights further along the train, closer to the bull. As he neared, he saw several of the humans looking his way. Arrows began flashing towards him, forcing him to break his stride to dodge. Behind him a roar of pain spoke of some of the humans finding their mark.
Snarling, he cut into the line closer than his objective, slashing through. Before he made it all the way, his blade caught in a rope, ripping from his hand.
Pain lanced through his shoulder as a spear skidded off his armor. Finally, he was free of the train, chased by more arrows as he loped clear.
Once far enough to be out of bowshot, Kubla pulled up to make an assessment of his team, as well as the situation. Two of the Warriors in his group were missing and a few others sported arrows and other wounds.
While he had expected losses, this was too early to be missing Lyonin lives. Rotating his shoulder, he worked out the pain, then reached for his secondary blade.
“The humans in the wagons are too alert. We have done what we can to separate the herd. It is time now to cull those we have peeled off. Let us feed out blades and dig our claws into their flesh!”
***
Brightheart stood in the lead wagon, hooked closest to the elemental. Combat mages occupied the nearby wagons, including an obviously fuming Feron. Several of the following wagons were filled with the collared berserkers.
As reports of the attacks on the wagon train filtered in, he wondered at the wisdom of concentrating so much combat power in one area, leaving the rest of the force vulnerable to attack. Not that anyone had expected an attack, only desperate defense.
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“Sir, should we slow down and wait for our disconnected soldiers to catch up?”
Brightheart turned to the mage controlling the elemental. For a moment, he remained silent, then shook his head. “My dear mage, this is an act of desperation by the Majestix. They cannot face us, so they seek to delay us, not that it will change anything.”
Turning his gaze in the direction of the distant city, he shook his head. “No, there is no need to slow. We are almost upon their border and will reach the city within the day. Our soldiers can join us as we unpack around the city. Once we are concentrated again, your beast shall open the way into the city and the final battle will commence.
“By tomorrow the Majestix on Ryode will be no more, the rebellion will be crushed, and humanity will rule this side of the Silverspine Mountains uncontested.”
The mage nodded and saluted, then turned back to facing forward. A few minutes later, he spoke up again. “Uh, sir. I think there is a Lyonin standing in our way at the border.”
Brightheart leaned forward, hands on the railing. He could just make out the solitary figure standing this side of the border wall. “A single warrior? What could it possibly hope to accomplish?”
The mage shrugged. “Who understands the cats? Shall we run him down? Or maybe let the mages take care of him?”
Brightheart tapped the railing with a finger for a moment before saying, “Run him down.”
The mage grinned. “Yes, sir!”
There was a tremor from the stone bull, as if it shared the mage’s eagerness for mayhem. The beast bore down on the waiting warrior, the distance quickly closing.
Suddenly the Warrior charged, dashing forward. Within seconds it was within the legs of the beast, dodging the stomping hooves and heading straight for the wagons.
The mage gave a squeak as the Lyonin leaped at the wagon. Only a spear thrust from one of the guards prevented the Warrior from landing in the bed, driving it off towards one of the mage wagons.
Screams and shouts of anger filled the air, mixed with the challenging roar of the Warrior. Desperate guards sought to keep the Lyonin out of the wagons while arrows and fireballs flashed by the ever moving beast. It sowed confusion and anger, even the driver mage losing control and bringing the entire campaign to a grinding, stomping halt.
Brightheart watched as this single creature managed to frustrate the might of the Empire. Shaking his head, he turned and shouted to the slavard handlers.
Two berserkers immediately jumped clear of their wagon, screams of rage and anticipation cutting the air as they raced after the cat. Moments later they reached the cat and engaged in a snarling melee.
The resulting fight was bloody and savage for all its brevity. Bodily fluids stained the ground and bits of flesh were scattered around. One of the berserkers limped back to the wagon while the other was working to staunch a series of wounds on its torso.
The Warrior was a mass of torn flesh, laying on its back, bloody face to the sky.
Shouts and commands rang in the air as order was slowly restored. The bull stepped forward, drawing the reduced train. Hooves flashed out to remove the short border wall, stomping a clearing for the wagons.
Now there was nothing to stop the Empire.
***
“Do you think the shield will stop the Empire?”
Marcus glanced over at Hanna, who stood with him at the outskirts of the settlements. They had both been facing to the northwest, where the attack from the Empire was just coming into view. Not that anyone could really hide something that size.
“The Siege Shield will stop any attack against it, using the energy to empower itself. The question will be what we do in the meantime. Even knowing they were coming, there wasn’t nearly enough time to lay up supplies for an extended siege. We have days at most.”
Hanna walked over and wrapped an arm around his waist. “We’ll get through this. If we wait for them to encircle the shield, we can sortie and attack them in smaller batches.”
Marcus tilted his head to press his cheek to her forehead. “Perhaps. I just can’t help thinking there was more we could have done.”
Hanna turned to kiss his cheek. “We’ve done all we can. At least we’re together, no matter what happens.” Suddenly she giggled. At his confused look, she said, “Akara is pouting. Yonder bull is bigger than she’s ever been. She’s jealous.”
A jealous elemental. Who knew?
***
“Do you think the shield will stop the Empire?”
Dallon looked at his son and his ever present Woolen companion. Today was different though. There were even more of the sheep-like people in attendance, armed and some cases armored. They stood alongside the household troops, seeming at their ease.
“I only heard about the shield during my time in Central. If what I heard was true, the shield will protect us, but we will eventually need to deal with the Empire, if only because we’ll run out of food.”
Palcon nodded. “That’s as I thought. We really didn’t have enough time to stockpile either. We’re still in tents.” He shook his head. “Perhaps we can fight free and escape to the swamps. Rumor has it that there is a path through the mountains there.”
Dallon shrugged, feeling the weight of his shield pulling at his shoulders. “Your mother would never forgive me for dragging her from this fight, especially since she was denied on our trip here.”
Palcon chuckled. “Yeah, that would have had Mother in fits. I’ve been impressed with her friend. Alaina and Donalt have done wonders with the Woolen archers, even in just this short time.”
Dallon offered his son a smile. “Alaina is certainly impressive. She and your mother had rekindled their friendship and it gladdens my heart to see them together.” He kept his other observations to himself. Now was not the time to bring up such things.
His son nodded. “At least some good has come of this conflict.” Palcon turned to confer with his Woolens.
Dallon watched his son interacting with the household and smiled. Palcon had grown in facing adversity and stepped into the role of leader.
Hopefully he would have the chance to continue to grow.