Castor's Armies Pt. 4

Dane Alard Month 11, Day 24, Year A.F 652. Avern, Kingdom of Rosalia.

"Sir! The men are trying to retreat but most of our infantry are being occupied by the enemy troops." A knight shouts as another blast destroys the remains of what was supposed to be a killing blow.

The hundred knights that could have at least beheaded their army was swatted away like a fly. I look to such and watch three people strolling through the clearing, unfazed by the insurmountable feat of power that they just performed.

I take a deep breath, to calm my beating heart, aware of the fear coursing through me, one which I haven't felt since my days in Eriva. It seems that kind of power has already landed in the continent, it was only a matter of time before it fully bares it's fangs against us, I hope then the both of them would be wise enough to avoid any such disastrous confrontation.

An explosion erupts once more as the infantry I sent against them buckles from the pressure. I give a message out to my men, "All men incapable of retreating, surrender!"

The officers look down in defeat as they sound their drums. Those knights which were providing cover for retreat, turned back, now fully aware that they are outgunned. I watch the five thousand men remaining raise their weapons in surrender, and I look back, with such an act their safety could at least be guaranteed.

I look to the other side, the knights rode for their lives as the unusual infantry pursued, yet despite their inordinate speed, they simply couldn't catch up to the speed a horse could ride at. With such information at hand, I ride out of the battlefield, a signal that this battle is over.

Niel

We look out to the battlefield as the armies retreat into disarray. Their knights riding through the clearing with relentless speed as they ride back to the treeline. Though, as all of this happens, the sudden surrender of all forces taking part in the siege was quite a shock. Along with their command seemingly leaving.

They lower their weapons as they bow their head in surrender. The act elicits a sudden celebration from my men, which resulted in loud, explosive cheering. Even I can't help but give a smile at the sight of my men, laughing and cheering as the hardships finally end.

"Take all of them as prisoners!" I give a shout to them as their celebrations die down.

Though I look to the other battles, to see it being finished as a river of blood seemingly forms. I shudder at the sight of two thousand men, bleeding in their death. Though perhaps that could have been a better fate than exploding into bits, the same way those knights did.

Another shudder runs through my body at the thought. The terrified feeling returns in full force as I watch the river of blood flow through the cracks in the land, showering the grass. I shudder to think what these men could do to our city if they ever decide to point their swords against us.

Especially those that took care of the hundred or so knights. That explosion wasn't something a normal mage should be able to do, yet the three of them were more than capable of taking care of such a force.

I hope they are at least friendly to our lord. I don't think the people of this city can take any more punishment than what they already went through. Though as I thought as such, the four thousand troops that were fighting their knights directed themselves towards us.

I swallow dryly. So did my men. With fear in my voice, I spoke, "Send all available soldiers to take care of the prisoners they have in hand. We can't afford to offend these men."

The surrounding soldiers straightened their backs as they saluted, "Yes SIR!"

With that shout, the surrounding officers scrambled to take care of the situation their panic apparent as they army grows ever closer to our walls.

Michael Magna

"Well, this was certainly an experience." I spoke as I rode through the carnage brought forth by the battle. The view of blood flowing through the ground, the sounds of groans coming from the men along with the smell of blood and steel, mixed with the dirt. It was almost too terrifying and disgusting, if I wasn't so used to it.

"Yes, it has been." She surveys the battlefield with a smile, her red eyes almost beaming in light. She spoke as she rode beside me, untouched by the battle before her, "So, it seems this army of ours is more powerful than imagined."

I give a nod before glancing to the Bishop riding silently on my right, I question him on his opinion, "So, what do you think of this? Do you think this is enough for us to contend with those of Eriva?"

He struggles a bit before giving a sigh of exhaustion and he speaks with an obvious annoyance, "It is mostly mediocre. Even if such an army of yours meets the professional armies of Bruncia. The most you could do is fight them in a stand stiil and contend against them."

He gives a dismissive shrug, "And even then, the quality of Bruncian troops is nothing against the other prominent powers of the continent, since their specialty more in regards to their knights." He glance around, "Knights that are nowhere near the level of those you just fought."

"I see, then we'll have to prepare more just for that." I mutter as Orvin looks back in distaste before lowering his head to a book he took off his pocket.

Mary though then asks, "So, how are we gonna do this?" She gestures to the city as we rode forward, passing by the troops that have imprisoned those that remained.

I tap my chin in thought before I replied, "I didn't think the battle would end this easily. I knew we would win, but not with such a large margin that it would look frightening from anyone peering from the outside."

"So, change of plans, then?" She asked to me before squinting her eyes up the walls.

I look to where she is looking to see the head of the city's garrison, eyeing us and inspecting us while his officers ran around in a panic.

WIth a small smirk I reply back to her, "Well, with the current head of their garrison inspecting us and his officer panicking around him, I would assume that all we need to do is ask for the control of the city."

I gesture to my pocket before continuing, "And with the message sent to me by Prince Lenard, we have more than enough reason to at least continue staying within the city limits."

She nods her head in understanding before looking back up, "Then we just strut right in there and they'll happily give us the city?"

I chuckle at her words, "Yeah and besides, even if they resist, could they really stop us form doing so? With this army of disposal we could probably do the same with every other city. All we need is a proper reason to do so. Like a conspiracy or something close."

"As long as we have that document of yours, we have free rein over the entirety of the west?" She asks me in curiosity before I give her a nod and grin.

Niel

The army grows ever closer, my officers have repeatedly inquired on what I plan on doing against our saviours. Because of the fear their presence evokes, most of my men are more than happy to let them in while they scare some at what letting them in could do.

"SIR! The head of their army has arrived with his army!" A messenger shouts to me and I swallow dryly, my hands tremble as I give one look back at the sight before me.

"Go! Lead on!" I shout as I shake my head away from such thoughts.

The moment we reached the bottom of the stairs, I arrive at the sight of five humans, four men and a woman. Their eyes sharp and unfazed, seemingly used to the absurd amount of bloodshed we just went through.

I give an uneasy salute to then, "Niel! Head garrison of the city of Avern."

A man stepped forward, his black eyes filled with mirth as he spoke, "Lord Michael of the City of Castor. I was sent here to protect the entirety of Western Rosalia, in the name of our king Lenard Geldstein."

He shows me a document, indicating the truth to his words, the insignia one only the royal family holds. With such a fact what do they want?

"Um, what perhaps do you need from us?" I ask with hesitation,

His smile turns carnivorous before continuing with words that struck me to my core as my head scrambles to find an answer,

"I'll be taking control of this city from here on out."