The Portal blinked to life, casting an ethereal glow that illuminated the fort's surroundings. Standing at the forefront of the gathered crowd Captain Firebeard, Sergeant Ironheart, Engineer Tinker Gearlocke, Gunsmith Garrock Halforcen, and Hetman Yaroslav Petrovich, mounted on his majestic horse, had all assembled to welcome the reinforcements. The Enchanters strained to maintain the portal's stability; their faces etched with concentration.
The first to emerge from the portal were the Human Cavalry. Reiters and Hussars, armed with lances, trotted through with a series of sharp whistles and screeches. As they passed, Garrok notices several horsemen with a distinct difference in their appearance. At first he mistook them for Hussars, but they wore plain uniforms, devoid of intricate embroidery or braids. They sported chest belts with holstered pistols, waist belts with another pair of holstered pistols, and two pairs of holstered Dragon pistols on either side of their horses' saddles. These would be the Drakoons. Supply wagons followed closely behind the cavalry, adding to the growing spectacle.
Hetman Petrovich, gave a shrill whistle, rallying the cavalry to his side. With a swing of his Sabre, he led the charge, urging the horsemen out of the fort and into the woods followed by their supply wagons. Their goal was to establish a camp in the safety of the trees and continue harassing the enemy forces.
The portal shimmered once again, and this time, a contingent of Dwarven rangers emerged. They jogged out with packs laden with supplies, rifles resting on their shoulders. Following closely behind were detachments of the Mountain Guard, their heavy footsteps echoing through the air.
The first group of Dwarves wore black platemail armor, wielding shields, axes, and holstered pistols. Sergeant Ironheart, standing beside Garrok, remarked, "The Shieldbearers. They'll form two or three lines. The front line will engage with the enemy, while those behind are ready to swap places with the exhausted or injured ones in front. A clever tactic, that."
Stolen novel; please report.
I glanced at the next group of Dwarves, clad in plated chainmail and brandishing long spears. "Are they all Knurlafn?!" Sergeant Ironheart exclaimed in astonishment.
"Aye, they are," Captain Firebeard replied with a nod. "When word had spread that we were battling Goblins, these lassies all volunteered without hesitation. Each one of them has lost a mother, sister, or daughter to those wretched creatures. It's a personal grudge for them. Since this was a Grudge, the King granted their request to join us, but insisted they come as spear bearers to minimize the chances of the Goblins getting their hands on them. They'll stand firmly behind the shield-wall, thrusting their spears into anything green that comes their way."
As the portal continued to pulse, more Dwarves emerged. These ones wore leather armor, carrying a round shield strapped to their backs and an axe at their hips. Strapped to their shoulders were the Thundravir guns, smooth bored dwarven long guns, powerful weapons capable of unleashing devastating volleys. Carriages followed behind them, transporting the formidable 6-pounder siege guns.
"The Gunners will be deployed on the walls," Captain Firebeard explained, his voice filled with authority. "The Rangers will occupy the Towers and Ostrogs. Two patrols' worth of rangers will barricade and protect the Hospital. And our builders will construct gun towers near the citadel to accommodate the siege guns."
As the portal flickered, threatening to dissipate, a frantic rush ensued. Supply wagons, carrying essential provisions, builders, gunsmiths, blacksmiths, healers, and various camp followers, managed to squeeze through the portal's narrowing passage just in time. With a final burst of energy, the Enchanters collapsed from exhaustion, and the portal closed, leaving the fort buzzing with newfound energy.