To Halt an Army

Of Armor and Bone: Chapter 38

The meals at the tables of the Royal Hall had been abandoned after the news of the incoming army had been announced. The collection of nobles and landowners had pushed their way into a rabble upon the stairs leading up to the throne.

“I have eight well-trained men who can fight.” One minister offered, his hand fighting in the air to bid for attention.

“Send them to the southern barracks.” Danus nodded and waived at the older man. The scribe beside him frantically marked down tallies. Manek sat slumped in his throne, investigating the stains of grease from his fingertips.

Shiloh stood confidently, his arms folded behind his back, a part of the line of guards assembled to prevent the court from further encroaching upon the throne. The gathering of blue-bloods, familiar with the idea of sending others off to fight for the empire, had gone pale at the mention of a conflict on their doorsteps.

“The Harbor Guard are prepared to offer up their service for the Empire, my lord!” The officer spoke up, dressed down in his flashy uniform. “Fifteen men in total!”

Danus nodded at the scribe. “Have them at the barracks as soon as possible.”

Zethurus looked across the crowd stoically. Shiloh turned his head slightly towards him, his ear turned away from the barking of the rabble. “Do you think any of these men will offer any resistance against the Xiandolans?”

The mage breathed loudly out his nose. “What do you think? They will be living shields, just enough for the battlemages to pierce the ranks with their power.”

Outside, the loud pounding of hooves on pavement cut through the cacophony of the hall. The tall doors creaked open, allowing the bright late morning light to flood in across the floor. Shiloh broke his posture to shield his eyes from the glare. The lowly group of men entered, led by an individual in armor that had been, at one point, neatly fashioned.
Danus stepped down the long treads and pushed through the loose line of guards and the group of befuddled patrons. “Silvus, tell me that is you.”

The Captain marched up the middle of the hall, his shoulders downtrodden and face turned down. “My Lord, you must forgive me.” He said, taking a knee as Danus reached him.

“I order you to stand.” The bearded man grabbed at his shoulder.Continue reading “To Halt an Army”

The Old Art

Of Armor and Bone: Chapter 37

Silvus could see the ridge in the distance past the Arcanus’s back. The rough cliff side was just taller than the trees before it, while above on the plateau, most of the vegetation grew low to the ground. His view bobbed up and down as he attempted to guide the unfamiliar horse in the formation. He quickly looked back in the distance, where the worn-down figures of his men had been aggregated into the group of magi. Even farther behind, the tallest peak of the range glinted with the sunlight’s reflection in the remaining snow.

Silvus urged the animal to quicken its pace with a poke of his heels. The horse’s feet splashed and smacked loudly with each hard step into the muddy road. Charlstine glanced back at him as he approached.

“Thoughts?”

“That’s the Lyeys ridge beyond us.” Silvus said, pointing up ahead.

“I know it. Rocky, steep.” Charlstine nodded. “I’ve traveled this way many times. Won’t be terribly pleasant in the mud, either.” She mentioned, looking down at the hem of her light blue cloak which dangled dangerously close to the plodding hoofs of the horse.

“As much as I hate to slow us down, I believe we should stop there for a rest. Several of my men are still in poor shape.”

“We shall stop.” The Arcanus said. “In fact, that is where we will make camp.”

“There is still ample daylight.” Silvus said, looking up towards the clear sky.

“We will stay. It will be easy to look for an incoming army from there. Not to mention, defend from such a place.”

“I see.”

Charlstine took one last glance at Silvus. “You may stay shortly to address your men’s needs, but I shall have you continue onto your home as soon as possible.”

“Continue?” Silvus puzzled. “For what reason?”

“This is something you should not involve yourself in.”

“This is our land.” Silvus rebutted.

“The powers you would wish to combat are not belonging to a particular land.”

Silvus caught his horse slowing slightly behind Charlstine’s. He nudged it once again, causing the animal to speed up.

“You’re telling us to stay away from this conflict, then?” He said lowly.

“Yes.”

“You haven’t faced that army. You don’t know how they move… how they sound when they descend upon you.”

“What difference does it make?” Chalrstine shrugged proudly. “After your men fell to them. They rely wholly on powers that we are well versed in. It matters not how they hold themselves in battle.”

“You cannot purge the power from their armaments like you purged your fellow magi- those who did not wish to conform to the Order’s laws.” Silvus rebutted.

“Are you so sure?”
Continue reading “The Old Art”

The March Eastward

Of Armor and Bone: Chapter 36

Boughlin held the long map up to the sky, the morning light from behind him illuminating the taught parchment. Edrian studied the marks that the Captain had scribbled sloppily upon it. From the watch tower, the noted landmarks could be seen.

“If we set out as soon as possible, we would likely reach this ridge by the end of the day.” Boughlin commented. “It would be wisest to only be on the move during the light hours.”

Kensley folded his arms across his chest, examining the map from the opposite side of the General. “We’ll be plainly visible. We should continue to move at night, and maintain the ability to take them by surprise.”

“Surprise?” Edrian spoke up. “We no longer need such a a luxury. If what my sources tell me is true, Tulefore City is weak. Their capital is just defended by a line of thin walls and rusted canons. We want to have them see us coming.”

“I can’t agree more.” Boughlin nodded, drawing his finger across the map to the coastline. “If we pause for the night atop the ridge, we can recommence the first thing in the morning. Tulefore city will be within our grasps, and their fat emperor will be able to see us come upon him.”

Edrian turned to look behind him before beginning to descend the ladder. “I shall allow you to make the call to send out the guard.”

“Sir.” Boughin replied, roughly folding up the map in his hands. He turned to Kensley as the General disappeared below the ledge of the tower. “I’d like you to take the forward position like you did before.”

Kensley continued to stare out at the horizon, nodding his head slowly. “How far does Edrian plan to push this assault?” Kensley mumbled quietly.

“Don’t worry little head with details like that.” Boughlin grumbled.

“I will worry.” Kensley rebutted, his hands held tight to the railing of the tower. “Attacking a military settlement is different than ransacking a city.”

“Tulefore is supposedly known for doing the same thing across the eastern sea. They shall get to experience the same treatment at our hands.”

“I can’t-”

“You are not in a situation to question the General’s decisions.” Boughlin raised his voice. “That suit of armor you wear signifies your service to the kingdom… as a tool to be used. Don’t forget that. Now, ready yourself and your men.”

Kensley turned his head to the ground before glancing one last time as the horizon. “And Bently? The suit he wore is now useless.”

Boughlin paused midway through descending the ladder. “He may wield the banner.”

Kensley watched as Boughlin landed on the ground below and began to march towards the soldiers before making his way down himself. Scarborough approached him from the road, his armor still on.

“We moving?” The thin man asked.

“As expected.” Kensley replied without making eye contact. He continued up the hillside, Scarborough following after him. At the rear of the settlement, they entered the dilapidated building, where Bently awaited them.

The tired looking man sat up as the two entered. “What are our orders?”

Kensley glared at him. “Boughlin wants you to hoist our banner, if I can trust you with that.”

Bently stood up, his hands bunched into fists. “Trusting Mandabus was a mistake, I know that. I will do what I can.”

“Let’s hope.” Kensley sighed. “We’re taking the same formation as before, got that, Scar?”

“Mhm.” The thin man nodded. “I’ll be taking up the rear, then?”

Kensley turned to the hole in the wall. Outside, he could barely hear Boughlin’s voice, ordering the soldiers into formation. “Meet up at the east gate, have the men open it and be ready to depart.”

“Sir.” Scarborough nodded and exited the building past him. Bently followed after him quietly.

Kensley waited for the two men to travel down the road a bit before returning to his temporary quarters. The pieces of armor were arranged neatly side-by-side at the wall by the door. He meticulously put each piece on, patting down the bindings and plates of metal to make sure they fit correctly. Continue reading “The March Eastward”

The Fall of Men

Of Armor and Bone: Chapter 35

The dream called upon the imagery of the pile of bodies burning outside the walls of the settlement. They were the soldiers that had fallen during the attack, stripped of their gear and piled up to be turned to ashes that would later dissolve into the ground or fly off in the wind. Shiloh sat up and shoved the blankets off him as the odor of the smoke sneaked its way into his nostrils. He looked around at the neat four walls of the room inside the stone building. The smoke was laced with the odor of meat and spices.

Outside the window, he could see a bit of the coastline as the sunlight crept along the cold waves that cuddled the shore. Shiloh swung his body around under the tangled covers and placed his feet on the cold, rough wooden floor. His toes brushed against the edges of the stiff hide shoes before he could shove his feet in.

The smell of food cooking became stronger as Shiloh descended from the northern wing of the castle. The air in the lower tower was muggy, despite the licks of cold air tickling at his feet. The fire in the main hall crackled and flustered with the cold wind coming under the heavy main doors. From the sides of the long hall, the stretched-out tables had been brought out and rested upon the dirty, worn carpet that could have, at one point, been called ornate.

Zethurus glanced up from his book at Shiloh. The mage had positioned himself at one of the tables, under a candelabra to study one of his books.

“You didn’t get much sleep.” Zethurus muttered as Shiloh reached for the chair beside him.

“Neither did you.” Shiloh grumbled back, taking a seat.

“I don’t require much.” He said, flipping a page.

“We shouldn’t be wasting time when we could be readying men.” Shiloh added.

“You can’t lead men on an empty stomach.” Manek said aloud, his voice traveling to the far end of the hall. Shiloh looked up to the throne, where he had missed the Emperor, sitting impatiently in his dull yet intricate sleep wear.Continue reading “The Fall of Men”

The Forward Front

Of Armor and Bone: Chapter 34

Kensley frantically grabbed at the pieces of armor beside his bed, fearing an attack. He looked out into the darkness through the window for the source of the loud sound. The low pounding of wagon wheels rumbled down beside the main wall of the settlement after coming through the gate. Kensley turned away from the bed and shoved his feet into the cramped, crumpled leather shoes. Before heading out the door, he pulled the furs off the wall and draped the over his shoulders.

The cold air stung Kensley’s cheeks as clouds of breath poured from his mouth. Down the dirt road, the carter extinguished the meager burning torch in his hand, the oil-soaked fabric smoldering down to almost nothing. As Kensley arrived at the level of the road, a sudden pounding in the ground and the flash of fur and metal boots beside him nearly toppled him over. The horse stopped and turned back towards him.

“You’re awfully at ease, walking about in a daze here in enemy territory.” General Edrian spoke down at him.

Kensley blinked, staring off into the distance of the inky shadows of the eastern horizon. He adjusted the furs upon his back and took a step back to get a better look at the general. “We assessed the integrity of the defenses during an examination of the area.” He reported, his tired eyes sternly gazing up at the mounted man. “We would have ample time to react to an attack.”

Edrian swung his leg over the horse, stepping down from the stirrup. “Nothing but excuses.” He grumbled. “You should be at least in your armor.”

“I had just awoke.” Kensley admitted. “Did you just arrive?”

Edrian scanned the settlement before his eyes returned to Kensley. “Traveled all night along side the supply carts.” He said tiredly, his voice hoarse.

Kensley rubbed his hand over the horse’s snout as he took a step across the road to face the carts. “Meager supplies. Have you sent a messenger back to Valleus? They would be able to get us at least some provisions faster than we would from the capital.”

“Shall I offer you command?” Edrian growled. “You seem to be assured of your decisions to the point of speaking out of line.”

Kensley glanced back at the General uncomfortably. “No, sir.”

“We have plenty.” Edrian nodded. “Even if the rude Tuleforians left nothing for us. We have grain for the horses, then some provisions for us and the few extra of the men that are about.”

“The army then?”

Edrian crossed his arms and turned back to the gate of the settlement where the lines of men had been position since the day previous. “What of them? You should know better than anyone else they will move whether they have sustenance or not.”

“They are still men inside those suit of armor.” Kensley said, shoving his hand out at the armored soldiers.

“They are elite trained individuals. They will not succumb to boredom, or wish to step out of line, or complain of the conditions in which they are put. The enchantments upon their armor will take care of the rest.”

“And what then, at the end of this, when they finally take off those suits of armor? The enchantments you speak of work in mysterious ways. The cumulative strain upon their bodies could devastate them. You must at some point allow them reprise from the powers of that equipment.”

Edrian cleared his throat loudly. “Should all go according to plan, we will end this conflict swiftly.”

“How?” Kensley said, folding his arms. “Where do you intend to conclude this war path?”Continue reading “The Forward Front”