1 The Battle Opens

Wind whispered across the land, carrying a presence that only a certain few could sense. Gray clouds loomed across the sky, denying sunlight from shining upon the land. Lightning flashed through the dimness, followed by peals of thunder. The storm brewed closer, as the army took its position on their side of the plains. They assembled in formation and made other preparations for what could be the most important battle of their careers.

Over three-thousand warriors of the House of Opharion stood idle. Cavalry and infantry wore metal armor, while skirmishers and archers dressed in lighter material. Warriors of high rank donned more personalized equipment. Parts of their armor had unique designs, as well as viridian crests painted on parts of the frame. Green banners waved amongst the units, displaying the clan's black emblem of a serpent.

Odette sat on her horse, waiting for the battle to commence. She felt the tension in the air. Warriors displayed a bit of anxiety, but much fury through their expressions and gestures. This battle would not be like any other that they faced so far. On this pale morning, they would partake in a fight that could shift the very balance of power. Either they claim the position of dominance, or be destroyed with their name remembered as the defeated.

Looking on the opposite end of the field, Odette could see the House of Arachne, the Opharion clan's most hated rival. Seeing them cover a wide part of the field, Odette estimated at least five-thousand hardened foes. Purple banners waved amongst their ranks, as she heard the enemy make plenty of noise to scare them. They shouted things that Odette could barely even understand, but she did catch a few of their vague words.

"Come at us, cowards!"

"We don't have all day! Your mothers are waiting for us!"

"Don't bother saying a prayer, because we're sending you all straight to hell!"

Behind her, Odette could see the serpent clan scowling with rage. Most of them looked ready to break formation and attack like rampaging bulls. Despite the obvious emotions, the men remained in position and refrained from doing anything stupid. Odette gave quiet praise for their control and discipline. She knew it was easy for most to lose themselves to anger.

"These worms are making more noise than they usually do," a young voice spoke. Turning her head, Odette looked to a member of the cavalry unit assigned to her command. "Their recent victories have made them so much more insolent than they already are."

"Let them mock as much as they want," Odette replied. "Once the battle begins, they will receive a harsh lesson about humility."

"Their humility will not be enough to sate our rage," the young warrior sneered, with a heavy scowl furrowed on his face. "Our fallen brethren demand vengeance! Only after we've dyed this field with the blood of the spider clan will we be satisfied."

"Your desire for retribution is understandable, Maven," Odette replied. "But do not let it distract you from the task at hand."

"My lady, hundreds of our kinsmen were slaughtered by these fiends, their bodies desecrated beyond recognition," Maven responded, trying his hardest to keep a calm tone. "An outsider like you would never know the anger we feel."

Odette said nothing, but these words struck a chord. An unwanted memory came to mind, like a scar that never faded. Stilling her breath, she remembered several faces of those she had lost, and those who earned her ire.

"Perhaps you're right. An outsider like me would never know how your people truly feel," Odette replied eventually. "However, your clan's survival is currently at stake, and more than ever, it needs warriors like you to act levelheaded. Stay calm so that the tragedy does not repeat."

Maven opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say anything, a messenger cut through the discussion. The timing proved perfect, as Maven looked ready to inquire about something that he had no business prying into. Odette did not have any problems with the knight, but she did not enjoy entertaining certain questions or statements.

"My lady, Master Wagner has sent me to fetch you," the messenger reported.

"Very well. Lead me to him," Odette accepted.

Pulling her horse's reins, Odette followed the messenger. She rode past long ranks, catching the eyes of several warriors. Some of the men sniggered in her direction, and whispered colorful remarks about her presence. Odette did not belong to the clan, and many did not appreciate an outsider taking part in the clan's personal affairs. Although several leaders accepted her, the grunts made their concerns quite clear.

At the very head of the army, Odette met with Wagner Strom, and his unit of elite guards. Wagner served as the army's commander, as well as the clan's future master. He had long hair and a pointed mustache of jet black, and irises as navy as the ocean. As one of the highest-ranking members of the clan, he donned special armor that emphasized his position. Viridian coated the entire plated metal, while patterns of silver decorated parts of the breastplate and pauldrons. Bits of gold also decorated the frame. A regal gape of red flowed down his back, which added an extra touch of authority to his image.

"You summoned me, Master Wagner?" Odette asked.

"I have," Wagner replied. "My guards and I will be heading to the field to speak with Dorian, master of House Arachne."

"Both of you intend to discuss terms for a peaceful solution?" Odette assumed.

"Don't be stupid," Wagner sneered. "There will be no peace on this day until we've slaughtered our enemies. I go, only because tradition demands we give final words."

"Then what did you need from me?" Odette asked.

"You will accompany us to the meeting with the enemy," Wagner explained. "I may need your special skills, should they attempt to do anything to me."

"As you wish," Odette accepted without question.

Riding forth, Odette followed Wagner and his retinue to the center of the field. There, they found the spiders' leader, accompanied by his special unit of guardsmen. The Arachne warlord wore purple armor decorated with black patterns. His face remained hidden behind a golden visor, which had been designed immaculately to resemble the face of an arachnid. He also wore a long cape of black, with a collar of spiky fur.

"Heh, I'm surprised you still came," Dorian chuckled. "It amazes me that you still have some courage to confront us like this

"Bite your tongue, or I'll rip it out," Wagner snarled. "I am not here to entertain your sick humor. Let us get straight to the point. No, I have no intention of surrendering to you. We did not travel all this way just to lay down our arms to you."

"You serpents are either brave or stupid to challenge us like this," Dorian sighed. "Have your recent defeats taught you nothing? House Arachne is now the stronger power! If I wanted to, I could give the word and destroy your clan, until nothing remained of it."

"Yes, we have lost plenty, but not enough to let you trample on us like dirt," Wagner snarled. "On this day, we will avenge our fallen, and march to take the spider's castle."

"Where are you getting this confidence?" Dorian asked. "Have you all gone mad with desperation that you'd charge to your deaths?"

Wagner scowled and spoke in a low voice. "We know that your clan is in league with Jinpatho the Scourge, Dorian."

"Jinpatho the Scourge?" Dorian chuckled in a snide tone. "What garbage are you spewing now?"

"Enough with your lies, spider," Wagner snapped, raising his tone. "We are aware that your clan is partnered with that despicable warlock, and that his servants are using vile magic to support your clan. It is the only explanation behind your clan's sudden rise in power."

"Only the weak and envious would make such an excuse," Dorian spat. "What proof do you have to support your words?"

"You and your forces reek of tainted magic," Odette spoke. "I can sense it all too well. Traces of this evil linger on you, a disease that festers and refuses to subside."

Dorian turned to Odette, noticing her only then. "And who is this you've brought with you? A concubine to hold your hand so you do not piss yourself?"

"Quite the sharp tongue you have, Master Dorian," Odette remarked. "Treasure it while you can, before we snip it off."

"Bold words," Dorian grunted, amused by her response. "Does the wench have a name?"

"Odette Stone," Odette answered. "I would say it's a pleasure to meet you, but we are clearly past the point of pleasantries."

Dorian continued to smirk as he leaned closer to inspect Odette from head to toe. Her silver hair and golden irises would be the first to draw his attention. Such traits were unusual amongst the fair folk of the northern continent. Next, her black armor showed no markings or crests, which should have affiliated her with Opharion.

"An outsider?" Dorian scoffed as his eyes turned to Wagner with disappointment. "Has our mortal enemy fallen so low that they now employ others to win their battles?"

"They did not employ me. I am merely providing what I offered them," Odette replied. "In exchange for their services, I would assist them in crushing the House of Arachne."

"Watch your words, whore," Dorian responded, his smirk now gone. "Be they man or woman, any who makes an enemy of us shall meet our blades."

"Save your threats," Odette hissed. "I have faced foes far worse than your meager ilk."

Tense silence passed between the two as they engaged in a staring contest. Behind the golden helm, Odette could feel Dorian test her fortitude by casting a piercing glare into her eyes. She knew precisely what he was trying to do, as she herself had done this to others before.

Steeling her nerves, Odette maintained a calm attitude, and allowed this warlord to search her soul for signs of weakness. Lesser warriors would have faltered at such a presence, but Odette had enough experience to withstand this degree of intimidation. After a few more moments, Dorian finally pulled himself away and turned his attention back to Wagner.

"Wagner, in respect of the long history between our two clans, I offer you one final chance," Dorian snarled. "Surrender now, and we will allow you to leave this place."

"RESPECT?" Wagner spat. "Where was that respect when you impaled the heads of my surrendered warriors on pikes? Where was the respect, when you hung our unarmed servants and fed their bodies to the dogs? No. Whatever respect our two clans may have had is now gone. There will be no compromise on this day. Either the spider falls, or we do."

"You've made your decision," Dorian sneered, tugging the reins of his horse. "Best say a prayer before this battle begins, for you will have a lot to explain to your ancestors when I send you to them."

Both leaders exchanged a final gleam of spite before directing their groups back to their side of the field. Upon returning, they began issuing commands to their knight captains, who then relayed the orders to the different units. Without delay, warriors moved to take a different formation, according to their leader's strategic decision.

The serpent clan opened the battle through the sound of horns and trumpets. Several banners rose higher than others, initiating the vanguard's advance. The first thousand warriors marched at a steady pace, following the slow beat of drums. Rows of pikemen took the lead, angling their weapons frontward. Behind them, large rows of infantry followed. Heavy breaths puffed through their nostrils as their faces contorted with suppressed desire to release their fury.

Odette and her cavalry took position at the middle guard and waited for further instructions. Rather than focus on the vanguard, like the rest of the men, Odette paid attention to the sky. Her calmed expression gave an image of absentmindedness, which her warriors did not appreciate. Odette heard many of them complain about her, and did not even attempt to lower their voices. She said nothing, however, as she did not have the time to lecture them.

Although she looked as if she were dozing off, Odette actually concentrated on a faint presence that had been lingering over the battlefield. It seemed harmless, at first. However, as the vanguard crossed closer to the enemy, the presence stirred. Odette's eyes gaped wide, and her composed expression twisted into shock.

Currents of power, unnoticed by the five senses, surged over the battlefield. Faint at first, but it strengthened with each passing moment. The source of this dark power emanated from the spider clan's army, safe behind thousands of warriors. Odette would not be able to stop this spell from being cast, but she had meant to protect the serpent.

"Maven, raise our banner," Odette commanded. "I am about to play my role."

"Are they casting magic?!" Maven asked, looking around.

"They are," Odette replied, her hand trembling from the sensation. "I shall cast something to protect us, but it may feel a tad uncomfortable. Let your master know."

Following her instructions, they lifted her banner into the air and became visible to all. Trumpets sounded as commanders told their men to brace themselves.

Odette raised her head and closed her eyes. She took deep and steady breaths, as she cleared her mind, and concentrated. In a low voice, she began to recite a spell. A strange language left her lips, which sounded more like a collection of noises, rather than anything comprehensible. Energy built around her chest and coursed through her veins. Soon, it released from her body in the form of a cold aura that expanded around the entire field.

Figures of flickering shadow rose from the earth. Though humanoid, they did not manifest a physical form that could just be touched. They wailed voices of pain and agony as they latched themselves to members of the serpent clan. These figures did not cause harm, but shared a dreaded feeling that all living things would experience, death.

"W-what are these things?" Maven stuttered, hesitant to look at one of the shadows beside him.

"I've conjured spirits of the nether to provide support," Odette answered, her eyes now glowing. "They shall shield you from the effects of any foul magic."

"Spirits?!" Maven uttered. "You're a necromancer!?"

"I am no such thing," Odette chortled.

Odette sighed with relief as she sensed the enemy's magic fade from the sky. The spell they cast could not contend with her power, and dispersed before it could cause harm. Although she spared the snake clan from one disaster, she did not relax just yet. Warlocks always had more than one spell, and she suspected more to come.

Shifting her attention to the field, Odette found Opharion's vanguard drawing closer to the enemy's frontlines. Warriors hastened their pace forward as arrows rained upon them. They suffered casualties, but not enough to stop the momentum in the slightest. Focused on the enemies ahead of them, the vanguard maintained their solid formation and raced to meet the enemy's first line of defense. Before too long, the vanguard made contact.

Odette watched the carnage unfold as the Opharion vanguard engaged with the Arachne forces. Even from a distance, she could hear the thunderous battle-cries explode from the scene, as voices of blind fury blended with the sound of colliding metal. Swords and spears crossed one another, drawing blood that dyed the ground in deep crimson. Bodies fell one after another on the dirt, with some being stepped upon by their own companions.

At the early stages of the battle, Odette found herself impressed to see several Arachne banners disappear, and replaced with the serpent's insignia. Units of Opharion infantry pushed into the enemy's formation, showing the true strength of their clan. Odette knew the House of Opharion to be strong, but did not expect them to be this good when not hindered by enemy magic. She heard the men roaring with confidence as they claimed more ground.

Around her, Odette also heard the main army begin to cheer aloud. They raised their voices and shouted encouragement to their own forces. Soon, trumpets sounded again, ordering cavalry companies to charge forth. Men smiled with high spirits as they rode to join their brethren. Several cavalry members moved, but Odette kept her company in position.

"My lady, should we not be going as well?" Maven asked in a jumping tone.

"Not yet," Odette answered. "We must remain until we are truly needed."

Warriors began grumbling and complaining when they heard this. Some of them, with ranks too low to receive recognition, voiced loud grievances over her decision.

"The Arachne are falling!" Maven argued with a raised voice as he pointed at the enemy. "You've stopped them from casting their magic, and now is our chance to end them! Enough with this nonsense, and allow us to do our-!"

Odette turned around and faced Maven with a sharp glare. The golden glow in her eyes did not look human. It resembled that of a beast, or something far more dangerous. Large beads of sweat rolled down Maven's head as he looked directly into her eyes. His body trembled. Obvious fear and regret could be seen upon his face, yet he remained fixated on her gaze.

"Do you know why your Lord Wagner has assigned you all to me?" Odette asked.

Maven gave a deep gulp before answering. "T-to protect you, of course…"

"No, I do not require protection," she hissed. "All of you were assigned not to protect me, but to fight alongside me."

Odette freed Maven from her gaze, and turned to the rest of her company, who had fallen silent. They looked as if in a state of mourning. Their quietness stood out from the rest of the army, who continued to cheer for the vanguard.

"Listen closely, as I will say this only once!" Odette addressed her warriors. "Your clan leaders chose all of you because they believed you were most capable of fighting by my side. They believe that each of you has the ability to stand against warlocks and others of their kind! I know that you wish to join your brethren in the fray, but that is not why you are here! Right now, you all have been given the responsibility of protecting your clan against dark forces that may rear its ugly head! Do you understand? You are not this army's sword, but the special weapon kept for when the time is right!"

The men looked at one another. Some still expressed qualm over their situation, but most of the men appeared content with the explanation. Nobody complained or voiced any ridicule anymore. They remained idle in position as other cavalry companies raced to join the fray.

Odette looked back at the fighting, and watched as the added support rode into the enemy's formation, and allowed more of the vanguard to push through the ranks. Most of the vanguard's shouting turned into cheer, as they tore through units of Arachne warriors, and gained more ground. The entire battle seemed to have fallen into Opharion's favor.

Just as more enemy banners fell, shocked cries sounded from the serpent's vanguard. Several warriors flew across the air, with bodies broken and mangled in different areas. Not just men, but even horses of the new cavalry soared above others, and landed as corpses. The cheering died from the vanguard, as even some of the fighting and advance itself came to a halt. Odette and the main army looked to the frontline, and found a new brand of warrior under the Arachne.