4 hours later the wall finished, we arrived to the last sentry post, right to the wooden tower began a dirt path. It separated the forest from the plain a natural like a barrier between the two landscapes.
“Change formation! Colunm of two! Groups of six! Be aware of magical beasts attacks.” said the colonel. The soldier under the colonel lead executed the order immediately. This simple order showed the difference of disciplines between a trained soldier and a local guard.
Our baronet guards were trained by grandpa. They were used to fast change of formations. During our walk, we could hear the inhabitants of the forest roars, the trees being crushed, the foliage rustling, we were ready for anything. Our pets were giving us feedback, when they felt fear it meant the magic beast was at least rank 4.
My eyes ability didn't allow me to gaze deep in the forest. It's the first time it happened in this world, it peaked my curiosity, I could only see the outer layer of the green army of trees. I saw rank 5 to 6 magical beasts of various races, I didn't know most of them.
There were few mana stones deposits in the outer part of the forest, that may explain the strenght of its inhabitants. The fact is the forest is deadly for human.
We arrived at the gorge at dawn, we saw the tall cliffs on each side of the path, they were smaller than the mountains of our territory but the story of the place made it more imposing.
At the left of the gorge lied the forest, on the right a mountain with a pick straight like a spear aiming to pierce the sky. The gorge was the only practical way.
The soldiers guarding the entrance of the camp escorted us to our resting place, we would sleep in our tent since the gorge is near the fortress none habitation or barracks were built.
I asked to be placed further than the other because of our number we needed space, moreover we had our carriages with us. The colonel inspected them himself because it thought it would be a hindrance He accepted our carriages when he saw it was full of provisions. I told him that the food was at his disposition. I plan to send a whole carriage of food to thank him.
The carriages are important, mother worked with Duro to created them, they are inscribed with enchantment that reinforce them and make them lighter. In addition Duro made hidden weapons in it, they can be called war carriages, they are our hidden aces in case of attack in our way back to the Baronet.
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The next morning, soldiers woke us at dawn asking us to meet with the colonel to get our assignments. I slapped my depressed princess’s ass to wake her. I got an angry punch in return, in addition of a serie of inaudible mumbles. I dressed for war, sword on my waist, dagger on my tight, bow on my back. I finished by putting my helmet on my head, Ashley was waiting for me at the entrance, she wore an enchanted dress, a pair of enchanted boots and her fetish red wand.
“What did take you so long? Are you going to a ball?” teased Ashley
“Yeah, I saw a wonderfull goblin girl smiling to me, I thought, she would do a great mistress”. I mimed her tone.
“Two animals together, you have my blessing” she said smiling while walking out of the tent.
Grandpa was waiting in front of our temporary home. All the guards were in formation behind him, he will lead a hundred guards to protect Ashley, the human guards will stay with him. On my side, I have Buro, Turo, Paulo, Luna, Sako. They regrouped by my tent, while Ashley and me went to the meeting. Ashley looked like a conqueror, she was riding Hirad, it gave a ferocious vibe, the wolf cub, grew two meters high, he is bulky, his eyes are red and his fur is black.
I didn't fall behind my wife, I found that normal beast could evolve too, it took a longer time than a born magical beast, I tried to mix element energy in the food of my horse, he refused all the food, I observed him and waited, it always went to eat the weeds behind the barracks of the slaves, I saw thank to my ability the space element within the weeds. I helped him to evolve to rank 2, it became faster, taller and his skin have a purple tint now, it give a royal vibe.
The camp was behind the wall blocking the gorge, the protection from the outside was a wooden fence forming a demi-moon. In the middle of it, there was a big red tent. The colonel was in the tent reading reports of events that happened in his absence. When I entered, I saw my fellows nobles, some awake and anxious, others had dark circles around their eyes, and a few were sleeping standing.
“Good! Everyone is present, I gave tasks based on your fighting experience. Only five from your group will be officers from the start, the rest will begin as soldiers. I will call for the five recruits who would be promoted, the others will leave for the training ground to be trained." Explained Colonel Magnolia.
"Sir Quicksilver, Sir Darkmarch, Miss Redflag, the Bladebreaker couple." Our name were called, i'm glad soldier training would be boring.
" Marc come in!" Called the old man.
A young athletic man of a small size came in, he did a military salute to the colonel and stayed in position until the old man told him to rest.
“This is my assistant Marc, you will deal with him a lot, he only receive order from me. He will lead you to the training ground.” said colonel Magnolia.
The colonel waited for them to leave, before continuing the assignments. “ first, sir Quicksilver and sir Darkmarch both of you will have guard duty on the wall with your escorts. Your fighting capacities and the discipline of your troops are going to evaluated, if not up to the task you will be trained for a month. The evaluation will happen this afternoon in the training ground, you can dispose now”. The two men went to prepare their men for the test.
“Next miss Arianna Redflag, I will test you after this meeting, since your experience is the best and your team the smallest you will participate to the reclaiming of the gorge. You and your team will engage the ambushing goblins outside the wall. You can sit there.” He showed a chair near his desk. The girl first took off the big sword of her back before sitting.
“ Sir Bladebreaker, your wife said you had a mage under your command could he join us?” Asked politely the old officer.
I sent a soul message to my rabbitman mage, I turned toward the entry few second later Buro came inside the tent, he ignored everyone and bowed to me.
“ Master, I heard your call ! ” he said theatrically, all my men call me by my name or boss when we are together only when there are human, they put an act.
“Yes, the colonel wish to speak to you.” i clarified.
"Hello young mage, I would like to assign you and madame Bladebreaker to the creation of steps which would allow us to climb to the top of the gorges" explained Mr. Rufus.
“if my lord, agree to the order, I will obey. I follow the young lord commands”. Answered a serious Buro.
“ Sir Bladebreaker would you lend us this young mage?” Asked as confirmation the colonel.
“ I will transfer him to Ashley guards temporary, my others guards will follow them to move the stones from the cliff. Could I ask the colonel to participate to the same duty as miss Redflag?” I asked.
“ I don’t mind, but you will have to pass my test.” He put as a condition.
I let out my knight energy, my skin turned silver “ I believe the colonel have a better fighting experience than me, but in raw strenght I can defend myself”. I told him.
There was a pause, a moment of silence. The colonel had his eyes glued on my skin, miss Ariana was in the same state. He get out of his shock.
“Good, I can see you didn’t let neglected your training, I will send someone to get your team after breakfast, prepare yourself in the coming hour. Madame Bladebreaker and mage Buro, I will let you handle the creation of a path to the top of both side of the gorge cliffs. You can begin whenever you want.” said colonel Magnolia.
“We will begin right now colonel !” Said Ashley before leaving, Buro followed her, grandpa was waiting for us outside the tent, he sent someone to gather the troops, before following the two mages. I returned toward my troops, the team leaders were assembled.
“ We have two missions, first is to help Ashley with moving stones, she is creating a path to the top of the gorge. The second, is to engage goblins in the gorge. I chose to create a team of maximum 10 people. Turo and Paulo, you will be our shields. Luna choose 3 members of your team with good eyes in the dark and skills in throwing knives or with a bow. Sako choose 2 members of your team, they will flank Paulo and Turo. We leave after lunch, you can to make your preparations.” I ordered.
I didn't need to prepare, I used my eyes to look for the goblins within the gorge. Hundreds of goblins were in the path, hidden in holes in the sides, there were few caverns infested by the green monsters. We could use them as checkpoints, the path was 20 km long, ambush were everywhere.
Near the end of the path I saw a big mass of goblins maybe a thousand were in the cavern, they were working on something, there were too much enemies grouped in a place. I had difficulty to see beyond thousand of bodies, they carried stones, there were a lot of mana in this place!
They might mine mana stones. The deposit must be really big to mobilize this number of monsters. Hundreds protected the gorge while thousands undermined the deposit.
I can’t inform the colonel, without disclosing my eyes power. It will take weeks to the goblins to empty the resources and transport everything. We will have to reclaim the other wall before the deposit is completely undermined. I send a soul message to Buro for him to share this information with grandpa and Ashley.
It took less than a quarter of an hour for all the teams leaders to return with the new members of the goblins butchers band! Luna came with Faroggio a furet man, Ramon a raccoon man, Catalina a cowgirl. Sako arrived accompanied by Silipo a snakeman and Dulina a dogwoman. I told them we would go after breakfast, Paulo prepared it. We ate quickly, a soldier came to escort us.
“ Are you ready to crush goblins?”
“ Good our formation will be simple, Turo and Paulo first with Sako and Silipo to their sides followed by the scout team and me, the formation is closed by Dulina.” I explained.
They took the formation, we walked across the camp to the gorge. A moment later, we stood in front of the wooden doors leading to our future battles.
I looked toward the guard “Hello mister, I was assigned to payroll the gorge by the colonel, could you open the doors.” I asked.
“Are you a new recruit” asked the burly guard, he ignored the guard who escorted us.
“yes, I am John Bladebreaker, I just went out of the assignments meeting with the colonel Magnolia”. I precised
“It’s a hard mission for a new recruit, are you trying to go out fishing for an opportunity to earn a promotion” interrogated the guard. The guard with us, didn't open his mouth.
“No, i have the skill for it” I used my knight energy, my skin turner silver. It surprised my interlocutor and his companions.
“You can go, sir. Open the gates”. Said indifferently the guard. We went out of the camp, first thing is the progressive lack of light, we will be in dark in a few dozens of meters. I heard a voice above me “sir come back before night”.
Turo and Paulo took the lead flanked by Sako and Silipo. I used my ability to look for ambush and hidden archer on the cliff sides.
The first goblin was an archer a hundred meter away, he was a scout, there were an ambush with 27 goblins about sixty meter further.
I told it by soul message to my companions. Luna said she would kill the goblin archer. Since we are away from the wall I will in the back for potential enemies, who know if I missed someone.
We walked a minute before a sudden faint whistle perturbed the silence, the sound of a somthing falling to the ground echoed. I checked if the goblins ahead heard something but there wasn’t a reaction.
The gorge way was large as five men, in our case it was large as 4 beastmen, Turo and Paulo are bulky. However goblins could stand in line of a ten. We advanced slowly, the snake men were side walking with the cliff behind their back.
There was a shooting space to the left of Paulo and the right of Turo.
“We walked a few meter to be at shooting range. I would first cast a spell and the scout team will fire arrows.” i explained.
I stood between Turo and Silipo, I casted (ice cone). The twenty meters in front of me were assaulted by cold wind mixed with ice shards. Three goblins let out pained screams before lying dead, others moved injured.
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The goblins monsters began to regroup, 4 of them died killed by the arrows, the survivors charged us, I casted a second (ice cone), but before I could finish Turo intercepted a small axe.
I fell behind to let Silipo take his post. I failed my cast but Luna team killed 2 more goblins. Luna returned to the back of the formation, the scout were waiting for an opportunity, I drew my sword in case I need to change with someone. But it was useless Turo smashed skulls with his hammer, Sako danced with two short swords in hand, our enemies died quickly.
“Paulo finish the two lying goblins, Dulina collect their ears, we made a lot of noise, I can see more than fifty goblins coming our way same tactic, Luna team will look out for climbing archers.”. I annouced
50 charging goblins made a small quake as they ran. I took my bow and killed goblins when they were 75 meters away. I waited for them to enter in my casting to cast (ice cone) the scout team did the same.
Goblins fell sabotaging the charge, it created a snowball effect stopping the green monsters. They took cover in the cliff reliefs, cracks and behind the corps of their comrades. We fired the aviable targets increasing the number of bodies in the ground.
We advanced until we were at spell range, I casted (ice cone) the violent wind pushed out the hidden enemies killing the nearest from us while exposing the others. The spell ended after a few seconds, the scouts shot the escaping goblins. 6 goblins were retreating, the next monster pack was two hundred meters deeper in the path. “Luna, Ramon and Faroggio hunt them before they get reinforcement” I ordered.
Dulina, Catalina, Silipo you collect the goblins ears and arrows. Paulo, Turo, and Sako we stay on guards, to help the scouts if they are pursued.”
I observed the ambushe ahead, they were less opponents than the previous. 36 goblins most of them were archers in post in a cliff side.
“Do you have idea who will take care of the goblins corps?”I asked to my mates.
“ I have no idea, maybe the goblins care for their fellows brothers in arms” said indifferently Paulo.
“ Magical beasts might roam in the gorge at night” proposed Sako
“ Human should move the bodies to avoid diseases” said Turo.
I saw Luna and her teammates managing to kill 3 goblins before the archers shot them. Luna forearm was transported by an arrow and Ramon had an arrow stuck in his shoulder, they retreated toward us.
“Luna’s team is injured, we must go to their rescue!” I yelled
Turo and Paulo ran Silipo and Sako rushed to their flank, thirty seconds later we joined Luna, Ramon and Faroggio who were retreating, they hadn't a group of monsters in their backs. I used my ability, the goblins were preparing the battle. Messengers were sent to report to the enemy's troops farther in the gorge. Each time a messenger met a team a part of it would go reinforce the ambush spot ahead of us.
“Our next battle will be harder, there will be a larger number of monster. We will use our knight energies, we are out of human sight, I will heal Luna and Ramon, after I will have 5 mid spell left, I will keep them for urgency.” I explained to the team.
I quickly looked back, no one left the second wall, the path had turns we were out of view. Our opponents were taking a defensive formation, more archers climbed the cliffs, a few dozens of green monsters armed with shield and leather armies blocked our way to the first wall. The quality of the enemy increased. I counted our adversaries numbers.
“ there are 52 archers posted in the cliffs sides, they will be Luna team and I priorities. There is also 19 archers in the ground behind the 64 goblins in defensive position. Since we use our knight energy, normal goblin can’t injure us anymore. But I don’t want to run out of energy before we conquer the first cavern. We will advance to get in shooting range, we will change for high-quality bows, you can all change your weapons if you wish”
We prepared, we advanced, everyone saw our enemy a hundred meters away. Turo and Paulo readied their shields. We were 5 archers in the silver ranks our stuff, range, pace and power completely overmatched our enemy firepower. I shot the first arrow to signal the begining of the massacre.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Sounded the bowstrings. In echo to the bows, Craks from the clash between the arrows and the cliff were heard. The goblins noise when their bodies hit the ground made a macabre music.
Bang! Crack! Tac! The music show was short each of us had 10 targets. Our infantry could charge safely, Turo led our warriors to contact the defending foes.
Paulo and Turo are heavy by nature, the armors and weapons increased the weight, they were unstoppable calamities for the green monsters. They literally walked over them, Sako and Silipo ran step behind the two mads horses, killing the lucky goblins who avoided the two rampaging beastmen.
Our archer duty ended, we stopped to circulate our energy. Goblins couldn't take this boosted bull charge half of their number were trampled before our tanks finished their race. Sako and Silipo joined them. This time the monsters kept their position, they didn't retreat. My silver guards did their job in a fast trained execution. Sako danced with a deadly tempo, Silipo mimicked him, Paulo short spear painted death on the goblin skins. The ground was bloody, the monsters corps littered the floor, the sounds of our boots was echoed in the gorge. I took a moment to look at this desolate landscape. It wasn't that horrible with the previous groups. I shook my head, i hadn't feeling for those monsters, i just felt that war was an ugly and an uninteresting work.
“ We will cross the corps, the scout team will collect the ears while the rest prepare for the next battle. There is seven teams before the first cavern. In that cavern the enemy officer a hobgoblin rest with twenty veterans goblins. They have 180 normal goblins as bodyguards. We will take care of the small groups, without knight energy, we let the mayhem out against the officer troops.” I announced.
When Luna team finished to loot the goblins parts, we continued our raid to the hobgoblin home. It took us an hour to clean the seven teams, there was about 30 monsters in each ambush.
We did a pause to refresh ourselves. I could see the enemy officer preparing for war, they would use the cave as a defensive position.
The cave entrance was narrow only 2 adult men could walk in for the first 20 meters. After it was larger, the cave took a circular shape where all the goblins stayed. The larger goblins stayed in another room deeper in the grotto, they had a dozen assistant with them.
To clean the entrance, I will use a fire spell, Paulo and Turo will charge until they enter the hall the rest will follow.
We stood a few meter away from the dark cavity, our tanks had their shield up.
The goblins flooded the narrow path. I casted (explosive wave) the spell hit the ceiling 10 meters deep in the cavern. The spell created a circle of fire that expanded outward like a wave burning everything in his 25 meters range. Before the flame ravage us I singed (ice barrier) to protect the 3 of us.
Once the flame died, we ran inside, Luna and Sako teams left their hideout to follow us. It was difficult to breath, we were assaulted by the smell of burned meat and the lack of air. We rushed forward, it felt better once in the hall.
Our opponents finished to build their formation, a mass of a hundred goblins ready to kill in front if us. Turo fur turned silver, Paulo tail turned silver, Sako, Silipo, Dulina walked to their side circulating their energies.
Luna's team took their bow, I copied them, we fired first. An arrow pierced at least two enemies, the goblins reaction was fast, they left their lines to charge us. Turo's hammer found his place in a goblin skull, it is becoming a habit. Dulina fight style was savage, she used gauntlet in forms of claws to slash her enemies, she bit her targets, a dog like style. We put down our bows, we drew our weapons and took our place next to our comrades. The small goblins weren't a danger, but they were used to spend our stamina. Unfortunately for their commander our energy reserves are larger than a regular knight. The corps flooded the floor, we finished the goblins in a bunch of minutes.
“ Boss, the hobgoblin is coming by the right side, accompanied by larger goblins.” announced Luna her voice sounded tired. I looked the monster commander, team leader and nine archers, they looked more ferocious, they had better equipments.
“ its 3 vs 1, I will take the hobgoblin, Luna will take care of the bow men. Turo and Paulo you change your weapons”. I ordered
Turo took a two-handed hammer, Paulo a long spear, I changed my sword for my enchanted sword. The goblins were choosing their targets, the hobgoblin was walking toward Turo, but he was mine.
This time, i charged to give the first blow, my sword enchanted in hand, I put my knight energy in the blade, the hobgoblin pared, he tried to kick me, I avoided, my enchanted blade was shrouded in flames, two veterans goblins attacked me on the flank.
I step back to avoid the left one and I cut the left arm of other his shirt went aflame.
He rolled on the ground, it distracted, the left veteran, it gave me enough time to strike, however the hobgoblin intervened, he aimed for my arms with his curved sword.
I changed the direction of my sword, I blocked with difficulty. The officer strength wasn't a joke , his blow pushed me a few steps back. The other goblin took the opportunity to attack, he aimed his sword to my chest, I side stepped to escape, I used my left hand to seize his arm. I drew him toward me, I put him between me and his chief, I pierced his belly, the flame of my sword burned his innards, he screamed his pain.
The hobgoblin did a large move attempting to cut both if us in one swing. I let go my enchanted sword, I drew the short sword, i crouched to avoided the blade, I pushed the half goblin corps away, and I went forward aiming for the boss throat.
He kicked me, I fell and rolled back. I took back my enchanted blade, I sheathed my second sword. I stood a few meters away from the hobgoblin, I prepared my next move, all my knight energy was focus on my arms and legs, I charged the officer, flames burst from my sword, the heat burned my skin, I saw smoke coming out of my hands.
Our blades clashed, once, twice, thrice the huge goblin stayed in a defensive position, I heard cracks when I gave furious blows. I heard a loud crack my sword continued its way to the goblin shoulder lodging itself in the heart of the monster.
The hobgoblin knelt, the fierce look faded leaving dull eyes fixing the void.
I looked around me, the fights raged Luna wasn't shooting arrows, she was defending the body of a scout who was lying in his own blood.
Outnumbered she had cuts everywhere. Sako had killed two of his enemies but he was injured, I have to keep my healing spell for them.
I went to help the nearest ally, turo, the goblins didn't remarked the death of their leader. I took him by surprise, I pierced his chest from his back. I kicked the body to free my sword, we surrounded the second goblin, I aimed for his legs, Turo for his head, our opponent jumped and got his skull crush.
The Tauren went to team with paulo, I rushed to Luna side, I pared a few blows on my way. The goblins saw the corps of their troop leader, grunts and yell were heard.
The green monsters began to organize themselves, they stopped their aggressive fighting for a defensive one, they were retreating to Luna spot.
“ Regroup to Luna, the goblin will try to pierce there to escape from the cave” I commanded via soul message.
Luna was surrounded by 2 veterans goblins and 4 archers, more goblins were going to arrive. Two goblins blocked me, I went all out once again, the flame licked my hands leaving pains and scars. I swung my sword like a mad man, the flames hurt like hell and I have to help luna.
The energy ran through my muscles, I could feel their saturation, my strength couldn't increase anymore. I hit so much that their arms broke, they growled, I killed them before they tried to run.
I closed the small distance between me and Luna. A goblins alerted his companions with a scream but it was too late, I beheaded him, blood sprayed in the air.
I jumped to my next target, he put his bow in front of him to block by sword, it separated in two parts, I cut the monster in two part like his bow.
I ignored the two veterans for the moment, the next goblin threw away his bow, he took out a dagger from his back, the last archer chose me as a new target.
Luna pained scream resonated within the cavern, I saw her arm hanging loosely, staying attached thank to a layer of skin. I felt something approaching me, I lifted my sword by reflex.
Dang! I pared an arrow, the dagger of the other goblin was aiming to my knee. I stepped to the right, and slashed the flank of the goblin. The goblin fell to the ground screaming, I heard a second scream, the last goblin was killed by Dulina. I approached my lying opponent and cut his throat.
Dulina was already by Luna side , taking the two veteran head on, I joined her, Luna did a good job fighting 1 against 6 while defending an injured ally.
The two veterans were exhausted and lightly injured. We went all out, my furious strokes and Dulina savage moves gave us the advantage, forcing them to death after a few exchanges.
“Dulina guard us while I heal them.” I told her. I casted (hand of light) to Luna, I saw her arm mending, returning to it normal shape. It will be weak for a few days but it will do the job for now.
I knelt next to the cowgirl, she had 4 arrows planted in her back leather armor and a dagger lodged in her spine above her bottom. It should have put her to the ground, they continued by targeting her head which put her in the coma.
Good news, she is still breathing, but she lost too much blood. I casted (restoration), it would help to fight in all front but she will stay in the coma. It didn't reabsorbed the big issues. I had a last healing spell for Sako leg. I look around the goblins had regrouped in a last stand, their back to the wall.
“Dulina change your place, with Sako” i told her.
She nodded and ran to Sako, I looked for ointment, bandages, and water from my bag.
“Luna come, I will finish to take care of your arm. Once I'm done, you will take care of Catalina injuries. She has two main injuries on her head and one above her bottom, you need to undress her and put the ointment.” It took me fives minutes to take care of her arm.
Sako arrived and sat, he watched the fight which continued, only 6 goblins in bad shape remained. When I finished with Luna, I casted (hand of light) to Sako leg. I sat cross-legged, I needed five hours of meditation to get all my mana pools full.
I sent a soul message to Lucia and Buro. I told Buro to let Luna pet and my foxes come after us, I told him to get Bernard to escort him to move around the camp. The distance consumed a lot of soul power.
I turned to check Luna job but she was tending to Luna back. I decided to watch the last goblin struggle. It was Silipo who amputated him and Paulo who impaled the goblin. They went for a last check, they looked for goblins faking their death.
After a few minutes, everyone was sitting around me. “ You all did a great job, Catalina took a dagger in the spine, it's the cause of her and Luna injuries. She's in a weak state. I will need an hour or meditation to regenerate my mana to cast a healing spell. Paulo you will make food for everyone, Silipo, Ramon, Turo and faroggio will cut the ears of normal goblins and take the heads of the veteran and the hobgoblin. Sako and Luna you will explore the cavern, look for valuables the goblins may have, passages to the outside or magical beast tracks.” I ordered them. I mediated sitting toward the entrance of the cavern.