“In war, the damage you inflict on the enemy might be immediately apparent. The damage you inflict on yourself in doing so will only become apparent later.”

― Stewart Stafford

“This world isn't a battlefield. Someday you will realize how your success depends on a bunch of other people and that day you will be wiser. You will know how connected we all are.

Either we all make it or none of us does.”

― Jasleen Kaur Gumber

It has all gone well at first for the Felltross. They had entered the Shattered Lands a few days ago. Several days traveling in what everyone realized beforehand was enemy territory, light armored scouts reported seeing Arcadian patrols. Both in the sky and on land, and the Felltross army was still a few weeks away from the Great Pyramid of Avalon. Three days later, the scouts reported an army of Arcadians marching their way. This answered the question of whether the Romantians still had their boots on the Arcadians’ necks. The commanders of the Felltross army wanted to reach the Grass Plains before the Arcadians. If they could do that, if would give them an advantage in battle. They could use their mighty calvary to great effect.

The Felltross army marched straight through two days and one night to reach the Grass Plains. They arrived at the same time the Arcadians did. Cursing their luck, both sides quickly built their defenses and prepared for battle. Fortunately, for both sides. The leaders decided against attacking the foe that very day. The battle would begin the next day, for now, both commanders wanted their warriors and soldiers to rest and eat. In both camps, the soldiers tended to their weapons and prepared their gear. While the commanders planned their strategies and discussed tactics. By the time the sun rose over the horizon of the Grass Plains. The Felltross and the Arcadians faced each other on the field of battle.

The Felltross began the battle. Their sorcerers and magicians cast spells of fire and lightning. While the archers and scorpions’ teams launched artillery missiles at the Arcadian lines. The shamans responded by erecting a magical barrier to shield their forces from the magical attack of the enemy. They also countered with an earth spell attack, the very ground rolled over on itself like a tidal wave towards the Felltross lines. At the same time, the Arcadians raised their shield to block the incoming missiles. They locked their shields together, creating an impenetrable barrier. Like that of a dragon’s scales and blocked the projectiles.

The Felltross magic users cast their own earth magic to cancel the earth magic of the shamans. For a time, it was a stalemate, with both sides unleashing their long-range attack spells and missile artillery. The Felltross tried to break the stalemate and gain an advantage by flanking the Arcadians with their calvary. 2,000 warhorses with mounted Felltross knights charged the Arcadians right flank. In support of the calvary, 5,000 Felltross infantry charged the left flank of the Arcadian lines. In response to the calvary, the Arcadians created a wall of spears and shields. Horses are not predators, they are herd animals, herbivores. They do not hunt, they graze, and they have two ways of dealing with predators.

The first, they run away. The second, if a predator happens to be right on their tails. The horses can kick backwards while still galloping away from danger. And a horse’s kick is very deadly, hit the predator just right and you can crack their skulls open. Horses are not dumb animals either, they will not always blindly charge into something dangerous. So, when the horses saw a bristling wall of sharp pointy steel. The horses in the front stopped. Unfortunately, the horses behind the front ranks did not stop because they did not see the sharp pointy steel wall. They barreled from behind right into their brethren which caused the horses in the front ranks to be pushed forward into the wall of shields and pointed steel. Equine screams added to the noise of the battlefield as razor sharp steel bit into horse flesh.

The Arcadian shield and spear line showed no mercy to the Felltross knights nor their mounts. Thought the knights were armored from head to toe. The Arcadians had no problem aiming for the gaps in their defenses. The long reach of the spears hit their marks between the joints, armpits, and neck areas of the knights. The calvary charge that was supposed to break the right flank of the Arcadian lines were instead stopped. The Arcadians showed no mercy, they vented five thousand years of loss and frustration upon their enemies. The left flank of the Arcadian lines showed similar success against the Felltross infantry. The infantry was able to walk through the shamans’ magical barrier without much trouble. The Arcadians already knew this would happen. In fact, they were counting on it.

As soon as the enemy was under their barrier, the Arcadians unleashed volleys of arrows and barrages of magic. Hundreds of Felltross soldiers fell, but they kept moving forward despite their losses. When the Felltross were fifty yards away from the Arcadian lines, they broke formation and charged on mass. The archers and shamans fired one last volley and then stepped back behind the warriors with swords, axes, and shields. The Felltross infantry slammed into the Arcadian lines which held fast. The Arcadians were taller and stronger than five normal humans and three Felltross. The Arcadians swung their swords and axes cutting through chainmail and flesh. The Felltross infantry wore chainmail and leather armor, but the steel of the Arcadians was forged with a special method of smithing. The Felltross armor broke and tore under the heavy blows of the Arcadians. The Felltross perfection of war did not stand up to the raw reality of the Arcadians method of war.

With the right and left flanks holding, the Arcadian center was free to retaliate with spells and volleys of arrows and ballista. Seeing that both their infantry and calvary failed to break through the flanks of the Arcadian lines. The Felltross commanders opted to send their elite warriors straight into the teeth of the Arcadian center lines. The Felltross elites were highly trained magic warriors. Wielding both spells and enchanted weapons, they were a formidable force to be reckoned with. But the Arcadians are used to fighting all manner of beings with magical prowess. When the elites moved to engage the Arcadian center, the shamans were ready. They cast spells of magic elemental resistance on their warriors. As well as casting spells of enhanced strength and speed. When the elites struck the center line, the Arcadians warriors were more than ready.

For forty-five minutes, the two forces battled it out. At first, it looked like the Felltross had the upper hand. They had more magic users and soldiers, but the Arcadians stood their ground in a tight formation. Their discipline was ironclad, and their resolve was steel. Even though some of their brethren fell, the Arcadians’ disciplined battle formation began to pay off. The Felltross began to fall like flies before the might of the Arcadian war machine. Seeing this, the Felltross commanders sent in their air units. Five thousand High Felltross Knights on Pegasi flew in with enchanted weapons upon the Arcadians. They would never reach the Arcadians on the ground because they had anticipated this tactic. The moment the Felltross unleashed their air units, the Arcadians launched their own air units. Specifically, Arcadians on demon saber cat back.

Although there were only one thousand mounted Arcadian warriors. The demon saber cats are being from the Nether Realm, as such, they are demons. And demons are very hard to kill by mortal means, even if the mortals can use magic against them. The demon saber cats crashed into the Pegasi riders with roars and growls of enthusiasm. Soon, the sky rained blood and bodies. The Pegasi are amazing animals, but their hide cannot stand up to the fangs and claws of the demon saber cats. And with their mounted Arcadians riders, the combination of the two devastated the numbers of the Felltross and Pegasi. The ground forces of the Felltross were not doing any better, in fact, it has gotten worse for them. The size and strength of an Arcadian is formidable. But when coupled in a disciplined army, it is downright terrifying to fight.

Seeing that their forces were losing ground and air superiority, the Felltross commanders’ sawt the help of their priests for divine aid. The priest prayed to their pantheon in the heavens for the power to destroy their accursed enemies. The gods of the Felltross, the Highends answered their prayers. The sky split open, and a host of angelic warriors flew down from the heavens on to the battlefield. But of course, the Arcadian shamans anticipated this. They expected the Felltross to seek divine assistance, for they knew that their enemy would be desperate. The shamans cast many conjuring spells, with dozens of pentagrams already prepared for this moment. Small pillars of flames erupted across the rear of the Arcadian lines and a horde of Harkuns took to the sky.

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Seeing their ancient foe, the angels of the Highends wasted no time in charging the Harkuns. Both sides met in a mid-air clash of steel and wings. The angels had the numbers, but every single one of the Harkuns are greater demons and there was not an Archangel among the Highend angels. The Harkuns used blade, claws, and fangs and in some cases even their horns and tails to decimate their hated enemies. Armor was split open by weapons not crafted by mortal hands. Wings were torn away or cut a part, and both silver and black blood rained down to the earth. Although the Harkuns lost some of their numbers, it was nothing compared to the loses that the angels concurred. As the battle raged on, it was evident to an outsider that it was the side of the Arcadians that was winning the fight.

The Felltross commanders were discussing whether they should reinforce the battlelines since they have the numbers. Or should they retreat and come up with a different tactic against the Arcadians. It was taken out of their hands though. Because the Arcadians unleashed their final strategy. While most of the Arcadian army was engaging the Felltross, another force of combined Arcadian calvary and infantry circled around the enemy to their rear. They had started earlier in the morning before sunrise. When they were in position, the Arcadians slowly crept up towards the army camp of the Felltross before being spotted by a sentry. When that happened, the Arcadians charged into the camp and into the rear of the Felltross army. Saber cats launched themselves at both horses and Felltross, while the infantry took out the stragglers.

Suddenly, the Felltross commanders found themselves fighting for their lives. Never expecting to be in danger themselves, they had expected to be all the way in the rear. Sending their troops forward to battle the enemy and leaving the dying to the lesser Felltross. Obviously, the Arcadians had other ideas. A few of the Felltross commanders were killed in the initial attacks before the rest surrendered. Seeing that their commanders were in Arcadian custody, the rest of the Felltross army tried to flee from the field and that is when the Arcadians made their last move of the battle. As the Felltross were about to disengage from the battle and run. The Arcadians who have been defending their position this whole time switched from defense to offense at the sounds of the battle horns. As the Felltross pulled back, the Arcadians rushed forward.

Not expecting a counterattack so instantly, the first rows of the Felltross lines were quickly overwhelmed. The Arcadians were merciless, the Felltross having lost both moral and heart were quickly overpowered and outmaneuvered. The battle had become a slaughter. Those that resisted were cut down, but those who surrendered immediately were shown mercy. An hour later, the Arcadian took the field. Their victory was secured, and prisoners were not that plentiful but with most of the commanders captured. The Arcadians would have time to question them.

………………………………..

Sandra stood in the enemy camp with the bodies of Felltross all around her. Her second in command Cato stood a few feet away along with several other Arcadians. Sandra was extremely satisfied; this was her people’s first major battle against the Felltross in 300 years and they won. With Olana supporting them against the gods of the Felltross, her people were free to do what they do best. Now, Sandra stood in her enemy’s encampment or what was left of it. Most of the white and gray tents were in flames or burnt to ashes.

“War Leader!”

The call came from a female Arcadian warrior running towards Sandra. It must be a messenger from my father. Sandra thought as the messenger stopped and saluted her with a fist to her heart. Sandra returned the saluted and nodded for the messenger to begin.

“The chief wises to see you, they found someone.”

“Who?”

“A human woman was found in a prison tent. Half-starved and beaten. The chief would like you to come and take a look at her, a shaman is already attending to her injuries.”

Sandra nodded to the messenger and gestured for her to lead on. The prison tent was not far, Sandra was walking through the flaps after a couple of minutes. Her father was there and so was her brother Strife. The tent only had her father and brother, and the female shaman kneeling over a small human woman. Small by Arcadian standards, the shaman was casting a healing spell as well as burning incense to create healing smoke. The tent was empty other than a wooden table in one corner and a tent pole at the center. The thick tent pole had chains and manacles attached to it. Seeing the dried blood stains on the edges of the manacles, Sandra could tell that the woman was held by them.

Sandra studied the woman. She was quite pretty her hair was a mismatched color of blonde, brown, and black. The woman was also conscious, so, Sandra saw her eyes. Her right was brown, and the left was green, Sandra sighed thinking. The Felltross would have hated her on sight for only the colors of her eyes. Lady Olana has different colored eyes, an offense to the Felltross ideal of perfection. Sandra snorted inwardly at the Felltross idea of perfection. The bastards are obessed with perfection and believe that they have obtained it. The truth is, the Felltross have allowed their civilization to become mired in stagnation. There is no more thought of innovation or creating anything new or better.

“Who is she?”

Sandra asked, getting her head back on track in this situation. Her brother shrugged saying.

“We don’t know yet. One of the warriors found her here, beaten and half starved. The Felltross did not treat her well.”

Sandra nodded in agreement, they would have looked at the young woman and say that she was imperfect. Which was the greatest of sins in their society. The shaman got to her feet, having finished her work and said to the chief.

“She had a few broken bones, but thankfully no internal bleeding. I’ve done what I can to mend and ease her pain. The rest is to allow her body to heal itself naturally. I say it would take two to three weeks for her to be fully recovered.”

Scarf nodded in understanding and then he asked.

“Anything else?”

The shaman nodded once.

“Yes, she’s a magic user. A witch if I’ve guessed correctly.”

The shaman pointed at the chained manacles attached to the center post.

“Those are enchanted with anti-magic, she would not have been able to cast any spells to escape. While I was healing her, I looked at her magical reservoir. It is very small, I imagine she would have enough magical particles to cast two or three major spells. But since she lacks endurance in the magical department. She would have enough strength to cast a dozen or less minor spells.”

Scarf sighed.

“Thank you. If there is anything else, I’ll let you know.”

The shaman bowed, packed up her things, and left the tent. The human woman had already fallen asleep, and Scarf gestured for his son and daughter to have a talk with him outside the tent. Once they were a good distance from the prison tent, but close enough to reach it in a matter of seconds. Scarf began.

“That witch is from Fellcrest.”

“How do you know this?”

Strife asked.

“Her tattered robes, I recognized the material. Having seen them before on the wizards and witches of Fallcrest.”

“Father, what does this mean?”

Strife asked, he did not like to hear that Fellcrest was involved. It was Sandra who answered her brother.

“It may mean one of two things. Either the Wizard Council of Fellcrest is allying themselves with the Felltross. Which would be very bad for us, we would have a difficult time in dealing with Fellcrest and the Felltross at the same time. However, we would be able to manage it.”

“And what would be the other thing my dear sister?”

“The other thing would be more sensible. Fellcrest would want to have an observer here to see what happens when the Felltross engaged us in battle. They would want to learn what we are capable of, and that is why this does not make sense.”

“How so daughter?”

Scarf was very interest to hear what Sandra had to say. His daughter was a war leader for a reason, she was smart. Always analyzing the situation, and always questioning what she sees and hears. Sandra shrugged.

“If Fellcrest is an ally of the Felltross. Why would they treat an observer for the Wizard Council so poorly? Even if she is not their ideal image of perfection, the Felltross are not fools. They would not intentionally anger an ally like this.”

Scarf nodded in agreement as he folded his arms. Sandra had a good point, and he could not understand why the Felltross would do this to an allied observer. There were a few pieces to this puzzle missing, and this mystery would not be solved right now. Scarf made his decision.

“We will take the witch with us, treat her as a prisoner of war for the time being. Have her guarded by our warriors and shamans’ day and night. If she tries to cast spells, the shamans will be able to handle her since her magical reservoir is not that large. For now, let’s claim our spoils and return to the Great Pyramid of Avalon. I have no doubt that Olana will be pleased at our victory.”

“Yes, this is a perfect way to honor our Lady. She wins a victory in the Nether Realm, and we win here on Avalon.”

Sandra laughed at her brother’s words.

“Yes indeed. Lady Olana will be very pleased. I cannot think of a better way to honor our Lady’s return to power and glory.”

They all laughed, happy with today’s work. More battles would come, and they were okay with that. It meant that more victories would follow. With Olana once again as their patron, the Arcadians would rise to prominence not only on Avalon but throughout the multiverse.