Valkyrie's Shadow

Empire in Chains: Act 6, Chapter 3

Empire in Chains: Act 6, Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The men of the company rode swiftly in the night as they donned their equipment and prepared their horses. Captain Randall sent one of the men on sentry duty to fetch Baron Owyn from his manor. Joachim hadn’t changed out of his armour since he was attending to Lady Zahradnik, so he could only wait with an impatient air as the soldiers hurried to reequip themselves.

“How was this raid detected??” Lady Zahradnik asked.

“One of the patrol flights crossed over them,” Captain Randall answered. “A War Wizard contacted the division headquarters in Aoten and Aoten relayed it to us as the closest company.”

“I thought air patrols didn’t operate this late,” Joachim frowned.

“They don’t,” the Captain replied. “Not usually. They doubled the frequency of patrol flights with all the trouble brewing over the past few weeks and they’re going out later than usual. I don’t know if we’re unlucky to have this raid coming in or lucky that we managed to spot it before it crossed into the Empire.”

Joachim looked up at the night sky where clouds partially obscured the waning moon. Without the Darkvision of their opponents, Humans were not only directly disadvantaged in direct confrontations but were also exposed to other risks. Easily avoidable terrain hazards could become crippling or deadly and movement suffered as a result. It was hard enough to keep track of one’s surroundings in the chaos of battle with good lighting; in the darkness, wounded men could die unnoticed mere metres away from their healers.

Baron Owyn came jogging into the camp, dressed in a house robe and accompanied by a dozen footmen.

“Captain Randall, where are they going to appear?”

“The patrol flight that spotted them estimates that they’ll come out eight kilometres southeast of here. The Demihumans are two kilometres from the treeline at last report.”

“How many?” Baron Owyn asked, “There are three hamlets that they might attack in that area.”

“Too many,” the Captain’s voice was grim. “Two hundred or more – the flight can’t get an accurate count through the vegetation. They’ll try to slow them down if we don’t reach them in time, but they don’t have a Third-tier mage. The Commander’s scrambled two more flights, but they’ll take just as long as us to get there.”

The presence of a mage who could cast Third-tier magic was a world of difference, especially in situations like the current one. Spells that could deal grievous damage to large groups such as Fireball and Lightning Bolt were some of the first magics that War Wizards who achieved that level of power learned, making them invaluable assets to the Imperial Army.

As they were, the flight could only perform light harassment. A War Wizard with Second-tier magic could either try to hamper the movement of small groups or attempt to kill a few targets and, due to weight limitations, the Dragoons had limited ammunition. What little they could do from above wouldn’t dissuade determined invaders.

“Should I inform the villagers here?” The Baron asked, “What about the rest of the border? Are they searching for other raids?”

“There haven’t been any other movements reported yet,” Captain Randall answered, “but let your people know what’s going on just in case. Let’s go – the men look about ready to head out.”

“Smash those invaders for us, Captain.”

Captain Randall replied with a sharp nod and a salute before turning to jog away. At the edge of the camp, most of the company had already gathered. The Captain sent his warhorse into a brisk trot, briefing the men as the thunder of hooves rose behind them.

?The flight reported small and large Demihumans. Over two hundred. We don’t know what exactly we’re dealing with, but the Dragoons will try and slow them down if they look like they’ll get to the citizens before we get to them.?

Small Demihumans probably meant Goblins – there were no others with significant numbers in the nearby wilderness. The most common large Demihumans in the area were Ogres, though Bugbears and Trolls were not completely out of the question.

“What are your expectations for this raid, Captain?” Lady Zahradnik asked, “Do the local tribes have any notable habits or patterns to their behaviour?”

“The Wyvernmark has long settled into a pattern of tribal growth until food problems lead to raids – between tribes or against us – or migration. We stamp out migratory groups that cross over into the border and exterminating raids has a way of decreasing competitive pressure on the tribes. Demihumans raiding for food will grab the easiest meals that they can find. Herds in the fields and livestock pens are targeted first, followed by granaries and other types of food storage. As long as people hole up securely and make sure other sources of food are easier to get at, they’ll get through unscathed. I don’t think we can expect that this time, though: there are far too many and this timing is just too suspect.”

“So you think that this is the retaliation everyone has been worried about over the past few weeks.”

Captain Randall’s expression darkened at the suggestion that the Sixth Legion’s activities were finally bearing ‘fruit’.

“Yes, my lady,” he grated. “Filling empty bellies is one thing; reprisals against aggression is another.”

“Will the company make it in time?”

“The good news is that, if they’re out for blood, this raid won’t be entirely hunters. Since Goblins probably make up the bulk of it, they’ll be staying in a big group and moving at the pace of their strongest members, which should be the big Demihumans that they rely on for muscle.”

“If you’re worried about not being able to intercept them in time, the Death Cavaliers could be sent ahead to wait for the raid group.”

The Captain glanced to the wings where the Death Cavaliers were matching their pace. After a moment, he shook his head.

“We don’t want these Demihumans anywhere close to the trees, my lady,” he said, “we want to catch them out in the open where there’s nowhere to hide if they try to retreat. It’s five kilometres from the treeline to the nearest line of hamlets: that margin is our killing field.”

“I never got a chance to see how Imperial Knights perform in mounted combat,” Lady Zahradnik said. “The Second Legion had to muck around in a jungle.”

“I don’t envy them that,” the Captain replied. “As I understand it, however, Re-Estize has a cavalry tradition much like our martial traditions of old. I always thought they’d defend their borders from similar threats as this with their Knights and the men-at-arms in their retinues…though they did mostly hide behind their pike lines at the annual skirmish.”

This was something most imperial aristocrats and soldiers learned of the Kingdom of Re-Estize, though the Kingdom was generally cast in a negative light. The Empire broke off from Re-Estize and their martial Nobility went on to help create the Imperial Army, which served as a pillar of the Empire. Re-Estize, however, remained stagnant: retaining systems that relied on non-standardised military forces of dubious worth.

“I’ve gotten that quite a bit,” the Baroness said. “House Zahradnik isn’t from a cavalry tradition, however: we’re Rangers.”

“I see…still, our Rangers favour open areas. Shouldn’t it be to your advantage to fight on unobstructed battlefields?”

“That depends on each Ranger’s experience. I can see why the Rangers in the Imperial Army would be specialised in fighting in the plains. My territory, however, is dominated by forests, hills and mountains. We didn’t have cavalry at all.”

“Then, in that case, you’re in for quite the show. Pliske.”

One of the company’s mages brought his mount up beside Captain Randall from behind.

“Yes, sir?”

“We’re about halfway. Let that flight’s War Wizard know. It was Kerenel, I believe.”

Pliske cast a Message spell, nodding at the Captain a moment later.

“I got her,” he said.

“Where are those Demis at?” The Captain asked.

“About two kilometres into the fields,” Pliske answered, “near the big slough.”

“Which side?”

“Our side, sir.”

“Good…have they gotten a better idea of what we’re facing?”

The mage fell silent as he silently conversed with his distant counterpart.

“Goblins, mostly,” he replied after several seconds. “Three dozen Ogres; two dozen Bugbears.”

“That’s a lot of big Demihumans for a group of two hundred.”

“Kerenel says it’s just shy of four hundred now.”

“Well, that’s interesting…”

A smile formed on Captain Randall’s lips and Joachim frowned at the glint of excitement in his eyes. It wasn’t ‘interesting’, it was a substantial risk for a company-sized force. Hopefully, the flights that had been scrambled had a Third-tier War Wizard with them to soften things up.

“They’re waiting for your call, sir,” Pliske said.

“Have them go ahead and start harassing those Demis. We’ll be looking out for their spells.”

Pliske relayed the Captain’s instructions before looking at him again.

“The flight Captain is asking if you’re sure about that, sir. The other flights are still at least fifteen minutes away.”

“I like that raid right where it is,” Captain Randall replied. “Besides, we’ve got these fellows with us, right?”

Joachim’s gaze went to the Death Cavaliers on the wings. Even if they were facing raiding Demihumans, were they really about to unleash the Undead on them?

A pair of blue-white bolts briefly flickered in the distance. Captain Randall shifted the company’s course towards them.

?There’s our party. Looks like they’re pretty strung out…?

More Magic Arrow spells fell upon the Demihuman raid. The Captain frowned as he adjusted their course again.

“They’re not slowing down at all,” he said. “Pliske, is Kerenel casting Sleep and Grease spells in all that?”

“I can’t tell from this distance,” the mage replied, “but she should be with so many Goblins.”

?Crowd control isn’t slowing them down. There should be at least one decently-strong Lord shoring them up – keep an eye out.?

“We’re going to be chasing after them at this rate,” Captain Randall muttered. “I haven’t seen a Lord out here since I was a puke right out of the academy.”

Joachim hadn’t ever seen a Demihuman Lord at all. The closest thing he had to practical knowledge of them were the accounts from army veterans and his grandfather. A Demihuman Lord was usually bigger, stronger and more capable than the rest of its kind. Some had Skills and Abilities that could make their tribe deadlier as a whole while others gained magic and strange abilities which made them unpredictable and dangerous.

Another set of magical bolts rained down on the Demihuman raid, followed by a distant boom meant to intimidate weaker foes and obscure the sound of the approaching cavalry. This time, however, several Magic Arrow spells flew up in response, unerringly striking the airborne attacker. They were now close enough to see the Hippogriffs ascend to safety after the unexpected counterattack.

“The hell?” Pliske furrowed his brow.

“Great,” Captain Randall snorted, “they have five times more mages than we do. Maybe we should have put up recruitment posters in the wilderness instead of the cities. Looks like we’ll be coming up from behind for sure.”

“Will that be a problem?” Lady Zahradnik asked.

“We won’t be able to hit them at a good speed, for one.” The Captain answered, “Plus, they’ll have more time to react.”

“You can send the Death Cavaliers to head them off,” Lady Zahradnik said.

Captain Randall eyed the dark mass roving away from them a kilometre ahead. Moonlight occasionally glinted off what might have been metal weapons.

“How quickly can they get there?”

“They go about twice the speed of an Imperial Knight at full gallop; they don’t tire, either.”

“Alright…can I command them as I do with my men?”

“Yes. They’ll know you’re addressing them, even if you haven’t figured out names for them yet.”

The Captain turned his attention to the wings. A moment later, the Death Cavaliers raced ahead, following a curving route on either side to head off the Demihuman raid. Joachim watched them with a grim look, conflicted over the fact that they were really going to send the Undead against the living.

?Imperial Knights, form up!?

Captain Randall urged his mount into a gallop while Joachim and Lady Zahradnik remained behind with the Clerics, Rangers and other soldiers who wouldn’t be participating in the charge. They followed behind the quickly-forming wedge as it rapidly separated from them.

Ahead, the Demihumans abruptly stopped as the Death Cavaliers cut in front of them. Those pushed into the line of Undead from behind by their fellows were effortlessly cut down by wickedly-curved black blades that pulsed with an evil light. Though there must have been a dozen metres between each Death Cavalier, they manoeuvred so quickly that nothing could get by.

The mage from the air wing crossed low over the raid as it piled on itself, lighting the field with Flare spells. A fierce cry rose into the night as the Imperial Knights smashed into the rear-right flank of the Demihuman force. Gleaming lances found Ogres and Bugbears and the Cavaliers switched to their sidearms. They slashed and trampled their way across the throng of screaming invaders, massive warhorses sending dozens of Goblins into the air like so many rag dolls.

Captain Randall’s charge punched through to the opposite corner. In the wake of the cavalry charge came volley after volley from the company’s Rangers. The rain of arrows scythed down Demihumans left shocked and confused by the violent turn of events.

?Coming through!?

The Rangers lowered their bows as Captain Randall finished wheeling around with his formation and plunged into the Demihumans’ left flank. A fresh wave of terrified Demihuman screams followed the Imperial Knights as they cut a bloody swathe parallel to the line of Death Cavaliers. The Demihumans that survived broke and scattered in every direction. Groups of Imperial Knights and Rangers split off to run them down.

Joachim dismounted, joining the other Clerics as they combed through the field looking for men who had been knocked off their mounts or injured. He tried to ignore the tremendous stench rising from the dead Demihumans as his boots squished through the bloody mud. The other soldiers went around finishing off any of the raiders who weren’t quite done.

“How did we do?”

He looked over at the sound of Captain Randall’s voice.

“A few cuts and bruises from the charges, sir,” one of the First Company’s Clerics said. “One of the Cavaliers sprained his wrist hitting an Ogre the wrong way. No injuries otherwise.”

“Not that I should be complaining,” the Captain nodded at the report, “but that was much easier than expected.”

“Probably something to do with the Demis being scared shitless by those Undead,” a nearby Sergeant remarked.

“I don’t doubt it,” Captain Randall said. “Where’s Lady Zahradnik?”

Joachim looked around, realising that he had lost track of his charge again. He turned in place, trying to make out her figure with his night vision ruined by the now-expired Flare spell.

“Captain Randall.”

The Baroness’ voice sounded from near the line of Death Cavaliers. Joachim hurried over, checking her for any visible signs of injury. Captain Randall stepped through the field of corpses to join them.

“Did you find something, my lady?”

In reply, Lady Zahradnik pointed to the corpse at her feet. Captain Randall sighed.

“Well, shit.”

Several men nearby, including Joachim, looked down at the Captain’s expletive. The dead Demihuman was roughly Human-sized, displaying savage, goblinoid features.

A Hobgoblin.