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| War sure is chaotic and catastrophic. |
3.3.19.4. Castoria Catastrophe
The Allied
Forces’ total victory in Ludl puts the soldiers on the peak of their spirit.
Yet, a day’s rest is what they need to recover from physical fatigue after the battle
and long trek, and Cristophe knows that full well from his extensive experience
in battles.
As the
result, the troops look fresh, in tip-top shape and high spirited when they
march along the plains in Merida to their next target, the city of Dalamar in
Castoria, also a vassal kingdom of Regia Confederation.
Along the
road, Chris sees countless marks of battle and the Dark Forces’ passing. Dead
soldiers, really dead undead, carcasses of horses, beasts and monsters, and
even civilians, inhabitants and refugees alike were not spared.
War is not the answer, but it’s the only way
to deal with the Dark Forces. If only we can talk their hearts out and make
them believe in love and coexistence, all this senseless bloodshed can be
averted. Alas, we never had the chance. If only I can get to see the Heir of
Vordac, I’ll offer a solution other than war that can benefit both the light
and the dark. I know he, within his nature won’t possibly listen to me but as I
said many times before, ‘at least I tried.’
Worrying that this sight might sink his
army’s morale, Chris looks back and shouts, ‘Warriors of the Light! Multitudes
of people have lost their lives in this war. The Dark drew first blood, and
it’s now our duty to end this villainy and draw the last blood!
So, come
with me! You will witness a new dawn of peace and tell your children and
grandchildren tales of your heroism! Come! Together, we shall earn our freedom
and fulfill our destiny!’
‘HHROOOAAH!!!’
Comes the thundering, deafening roar as response. The troops now forget about
their fatigue after crossing the Grad, battling in Ludl and seeing such horrors
here at the Merida-Castoria border. They keep their morale and spirits high.
They are now heroes: Heroes who make the change and they’re going to fulfill
that mission.
==oOo==
The Allied
Forces march another day and reach Dalamar, City of a Thousand Gardens and a
Million Trees. Literally, it is so; even the biggest trees also become houses,
directly protecting its citizens from hot, wet and snowy weathers – except from
fire, of course.
About five
miles from the city, the Allied Forces stop. Looking ahead, Chris begins to
worry.
Is this a joke? The city is empty! And no
one comes to face us! Wait, this can be a trap. Maybe they have waited to ambush
us inside. Better send scouts in there first.
‘Iris,’ he says to the elf Paladin, ‘Use
your Farsight to see the insides of
this city.’
‘Yes, Your
Majesty,’ the elf answers. Without saying the incantation she looks ahead
several miles away into the city. Two minutes later, she looks back at the
Emperor and sighs.
‘I see no
one in there. Indeed, there are signs of damage everywhere. The Dark Forces
have occupied this city before, but no one is in there now.’
‘How about
dead bodies?’
‘I know
what you mean, Commander. Yes, there are many dead bodies, rotten or gorged to
the skulls. The Dark never tidies its mess, and they might’ve turned most of
them into zombies and the like, unless their souls have already passed over.’
Carolyn
adds, ‘Maybe they have already abandoned this city to regroup in Turmane, so
they’ll defend better against us.’
Chris
responds, ‘You got a point, Carol. And yet, that is also a possibility. Like a
game of chess *), this is a situation that we guess the enemy’s move, and the
enemy is guessing ours by springing this trap.
Very well,
we’ll play along, and whatever the trap is, we’ll be ready because we’ll cover
all possibilities.
‘Iris, you
and the Thyrinians will go to the city and scout around. Search for traps in
all possible places and dispose of them. Signal us if it’s safe.
Ney, you
stay with the main army. If Iris says the city is safe, you may all go in.
Carol, you
go with the cavalry to the East, to make sure that the enemy is far enough.
After twenty miles or so, return and regroup with the main army.
I shall go
with the griffin riders to scout north and south of the city from the air. If
we don’t return after thirty minutes, get into the city and make your stand.’
‘But, Commander,’ says Ney in protest, ‘There are so many
trees in Dalamar as if a forest. If the enemy uses fire, we will be like –
pardon my impudence – roast sitting ducks.’
Chris
answers, ‘That’s why I need you and the water wizards in the main army so you can
repel the fire.’
‘With all
due respect, it’ll not be as easy as you think, Commander. We’ll be shorthanded
in creating Walls of Water all around
the city. There will be damages if the enemy attacks.’
‘That’s the
risk we shall take. Tell all soldiers to go directly to the walls as soon as
they’re all inside. Dalamar is our best bet, better than Ludl and Icothl for
rendezvous point with the reinforcements and the Borgia division. Tell the
soldiers about all of this, so they’ll be prepared.
Our mission
is clear: Stand our ground in Dalamar until reinforcements arrive! Go now!’
Iris and
Carolyn dart off to carry out their orders, and then Cristophe rides Acavela
the red griffin off to the griffin riders’ squad patrolling the air, leaving
Ney on standby, still with doubts in her face.
Thirty minutes later...
‘Your
Majesty, we have scouted twenty miles to the north, and we found no sign of the
enemy,’ a rider reports.
To this,
the Emperor responds, ‘Have you searched the grounds? They maybe hide somewhere
so a view from the air can’t detect them.’
‘We have
done that too, my Liege. There are no signs of undead burrowing, cloaking or
sorts.’
‘Very well,
then. You keep patrolling this area and I’ll go back to the main army.’
‘Will do,
Your Majesty.’
Chris turns
Acavela around and flies back to Dalamar in high speed. Nearing the city, Chris
sees the main army moving and a griffin rider coming with a report.
‘Captain de la Ponte reporting, Your Majesty. The
south area is also secure, no enemy spotted.’
‘Good work,
Captain. Now keep on patrolling the area in case something comes up.’
‘Aye, Your
Majesty.’
Wasting no
time, Chris dives down and sees Ney. Ney also sees him and delivers her report,
‘Your Majesty, Iris has sent us a signal. It’s safe in the city as well, so we
are moving in.’
In response
to that, Chris picks his Helmet of Truth from the saddle and puts it on so no
one can guess his mood at the moment behind the visor.
He just
says to Ney, ‘Carry on, then.’
Without
further ado, Chris kicks off into the air again, surveying the army’s
maneuvers. From the east he sees Carol returning with the cavalry, and he
notices something odd: They’re galloping in haste! He instantly sweeps down.
‘MAIN ARMY!
Cut quickly through the city; aid the cavalry on the East Gate! The enemy is
coming from the east!’
Hearing
that instruction, the main army quickly gets into the city from the west to
pass straight to the other side to the east. leaving a quarter to guard the
West Gate.
Chris soars
up again, and he hears eerie shrieks coming from a distance, from all
directions.
-------------------------------------
(* Chess = a game originated in Arcapada that becomes so
popular in Aurelia Continent. The word ‘chess’ is actually a translation of the
original ‘Knavl’. The identical property of this game proves that it’s a result
of inter-dimensional communications with our world (India).
Image Source: Fantasy War Wallpaper 1280x1024 from www.fanpop.com
http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/fantasy/images/24060990/title/fantasy-war-photo
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