58 Galicia 2 (1/2)
The beat of tribal drums echoed across the plains, muffled by the sounds of an army on the march. With Seven at her side, Elya surveyed the thousands of tribesmen standing in loose squares. Her hands itched to charge towards the glowing city, but her training kept her in place. She'd never been in charge of a force this large, especially one so disparate in composition and training. The tribes made up the majority of her army and she was relying on the Yesaul's experience to skirmish with the creatures that blocked their way. Then she would charge forwards with her Knights. It was simple, but unaware of the capabilities of the Banners, it was better to leave them to their own devices, rather than devise complex plans no one could execute.
A series of horns roared, blasting defiant notes at the enemy. Elya took a deep breath, eyeing the swarm of creatures and waved her arm to signal the assault.
Mounted tribesmen gathered in front of the army, raising their famous horse bows. On command, a hail of arrows flashed across the sky, punching into the ranks of unarmoured creatures. Great swathes of the creatures fell and mournful howls rose from the swarm. They poured forth, shrieking at her army as they charged across the plains. Volleys of missiles tore through their ranks, every arrow causing death, but they pressed forwards unconcerned by the horrendous losses. The Banner's cavalry melted back into the formation as they fired, retreating from the oncoming swarm. The horns roared again, ordering the infantry formations to prepare. Elya's gaze swept the Arkh Legion which held the centre of the army, heavy infantry already preparing their short spears for a volley.
An ear-shattering explosion echoed across the battlefield, drowning out the swarm. Elya glanced up to see the familiar flaming orb of Imperial War Magic tracing a lazy arc across the sky. She swallowed through the lump in her throat as the fireball smashed into the enemy lines, billowing into a massive flare that hurled bodies at the edge of the spell dozens of feet while the hellish inferno devastated everything in its path. The creatures screamed in fear, their lines breaking around the attack, but even more emerged from the ground, a never ending sea of horrors.
The shriek of metal and the shouts of ten thousand voices shook the battlefield as the armies clashed. The creature's charge broke against the wall of infantry, the Arkh Legion a bastion of strength that pushed into the creatures in a flurry of spear strikes. The tribesmen took a more fluid approach, howling back at the creatures, hacking with axes and sabres, cooperating with their companions for protection. The army's lines bent under the pressure and the creatures instinctively moved towards the weakened sections, hungry for blood. Whenever the lines were about to crack a fireball would land amongst the creatures, giving a brief respite for the soldiers to fall back and let fresh troops flow to fill in the gaps.
Elya stared at the battlefield in silence, waves of emotion flashing in her eyes.
”Isn't he ready yet?” She barked and Jarek scrambled to speak into the small Magical device Uzukai had handed to him as they scrambled onto the plains.
”Mage Uzukai says the Farcasters are ready, but an opportunity hasn't shown itself.” Jarek reported, staring wide-eyed at the battle. The boy was surrounded by a dozen bodyguards. As much to keep him away from the fighting as protecting him.
Even as they'd marched, Elya's staff remained in close contact to coordinate their sortie. Under the pressure of the terrifying Magical power of the city, it resulted in loose lines to hold back the creatures and Elya's Knights hovering and waiting for a chance. Luckily, Uzukai had a full arsenal of the Magic bolt launchers known as Farcasters, and his addition to the simple plan was in multiplying their firepower. The old Mage wasn't averse to using the entire arsenal just to cut a path open for her forces.
”North! The North Side! Quickly!” Jarek called excitedly with the device pressed against his ear. Even as he spoke two fireballs exploded among the northern flank. The signal was all she'd been waiting for and Elya yanked her reins, trotting in the direction of the blasts, Knights gathering around her. The scent of blood and fire assailed her senses and Elya leaned forwards to pat her battle charger, the powerful warhorse agitated by the proximity of combat.
”Form up!” Alexis roared as they approached their lines. Elya couched her lance and eyed the Knights forming three ranks facing the enemy. She closed her eyes for a moment, praying to the Fates to protect her people and her Fiancée. With a deep breath, Elya summoned a stream of Aura to swirl around her body. She couldn't allow herself to be drained before freeing Nikolai so she could only reinforce herself a little. Goosebumps rose on her skin, a sign the surrounding Knights were gathering their own Aura.
”It's time.” Elya's eyes snapped open at Jarek's solemn voice, and she raised her fist to signal the advance.
Mounted tribesmen galloped past her, a slashing attack which sent a hail of arrows into the enemies, breaking the attack long enough for the Children of the Dragon to fall back and make way for the Knights of Chernigov. Elya held her reins tightly as the two ranks of Knights in front of her picked up speed.
”Wait here Jarek.” Elya ignored the boy's objections and waved for his bodyguards, who bowed to her and dragged Jarek away under protest.
”Ataman must learn war.” The Inichi Yesaul had joined her raiding party without invitation. Not like she'd raised any complaints. The man was a consummate warrior by all accounts.
”Not while the Khan is in danger.” Chen rasped while spinning his lance, sparks of lightning dancing around his armoured form. He was the only one on foot although he didn't need to be mounted to keep up. The Thunder Lancer armour's speed and power were legendary. Even the silent Seven had climbed on horseback without any complaints, Nezgrom strapped tightly to his back.
”Yes. First save Khan.” The Yesaul's ensemble clattered as he nodded.
Alexis signalled from her position at the head of the third rank and they advanced, tightening their formation with each step. Three fireballs fell among the already broken creatures lines, the prelude to a Magical onslaught. Uzukai's Farcasters exploded with power, Magical bolts streaking overhead from his station on the cliff. The already wavering enemies were faced with a continuous wave of power, raw Magic shredding their lines. Each bolt tore through a handful of creatures, unstoppable like a vengeful beast.