De Old Age

The time of peace was no more, and all traces of it had faded from memory. A new age had begun. One shrouded in fear, hate, and death. This era was forged by the selfish ambitions of men for few scratches of land. It was an age stretching over five hundred years. It was the age of War.

Fort Gregor...

The clash of steel echoed throughout the Fort, as the stench of blood filled the air with each new-fallen. Death held no favorites. The soul was his regardless. Black smoke sparked with ember as it lit an already darkened sky. They remnants of each battered attacks that came before.

Battle cries reigned out beyond the walls, as the enemy press their attack upon the Fort. The sweet taste of glory is what they sought. No short of the one's who already stood upon the wall.

Nevertheless, the Fort's soldiers fought vigilantly with the guidance of their commandeering Chief... Lord Commander Iegor Dragka.

" WE HOLD THEM HERE ", Yelled Iegor holding his authority firm over his troops, " ARCHERS BY MY COMMAND... LOOSE, SECOND WAVE AT THE READY..., LOOSE ".

High into the air. Their arrows sailed, and descended with deadly force upon the advancing forces beyond the wall, hitting there marks. Death's plate grew just a little bit more within that moment.

" Accursed Dogs. Is there no end to them ", Iegor damn as more of the enemies troops stormed the Fort.

Suddenly! Another attack struck the Fort. This time colliding with the last ballista tower on the western side, in a fiery explosion. The impact cause half of the tower to crumble away. Giving an open invitation within the western wall.

" Iegor!. We're being overrun" His closes Friend and General bark.

" Am aware of that Eric ", Iegor snaps, " what of the reinforcements ".

" There is no sign of them, " Eric replied.

" And the mages ?. Have they regained their magic? " Iegor replied desperately trying to find a solution to the situation.

" Not yet. We have very few able bodies. Most are either badly hurt or dead. This is a losing battle Iegor. We should retreat before it's too late " Eric replied. Hoping his Commander agrees with him.

Iegor looks upon the Fort. A once great structure with massive walls, and four tall ballista towers on each side and a large iron gate that barred entry to it all. It was built to be impregnable. A tribute to the Late King, King Gregor the Unflinching.

The Fort was a true marvel to behold; Now the sight of it filled Iegor with anger. He then looks at his troops. The few that remained. He knew full well how grim the situation was becoming; Just as he knew abandoning the Fort would mean the enemy Nation of Feiix would gain an advantage in the war. There was only one choice to be made. He would have to buy more time for aid to arrive.

" That is not an option. The people of Canaar can not suffer this lost " Iegor replied before drawing his sword from its sheath, " Hold the wall and wait for my command. Peirrim comes with me ".

" Yes My Lord ",Peirrim replied quickly, readying his sword and shield.

" What do you mean hold the wall? where are you going ", Eric replied trying to understand Iegor's intent.

" That hole will not close itself ", Iegor replied with a bit of sarcasm as he picks up a shield upon the ground, " and we need to buy more time for reinforcements to arrive".

" Commander Augustus will not make it to us in time ", Eric replied trying to be the voice of reason, " We should retreat before it's too late ".

Feeling his pride has been tarnish, Iegor turned to his friend with a slight fury in his eyes.

" I didn't become Lord Commander by turning tail. YOU WANT TO LEAVE THEN GO!!!", Iegor replied feeling insulted by Eric's words, " And by sides, Augustus isn't the aid am counting on ".

" Then who do you mean then?" Eric replied as a thought quickly appeared in his mind " Wait, are you speaking about them?".

Eric watched as Iegor and Peirrim race off towards the fallen tower, unsure of his Commander's intent. He watches and wondered if there was enough time for his friend to turn the situation around.

" Would they make it in time?", Eric yelled.

" Am certain of it ", Iegor replied as he races off along the wall.

Iegor and Peirrim continued along the Fort wall towards the crumbled tower, cutting down any foe who dare stands in their way, all awhile dodging stray attacks from afar.

Overcoming all their obstacles. They finally stood at the edge of the newly formed hole. Watching as the enemy forces storm through the opening. Iegor's troops were doing well at fending them off, But they could only last so long. He had to find a way to close the hole, and fast.

"What do we do My Lord ", Peirrim uttered.

" Am not sure Peirrim ", Iegor replied Looking around for any clue as too what to do next.

Iegor stared at the contorted tower for several mins, and that's when a plan began to take form. The tower was already unstable, with the right amount of effort. It would all come tumbling down. There was but one obstacle. How was he going to get to it? It was on the other side of the hole and there was no time to turn around.

The Lord Commander's luck was holding, for the answer laid directly at his feet. The ballista from the tower had landed upon the wall.

" Peirrim, help me with this ", Iegor uttered as he grabbed hold of the overturned ballista.

With Peirrim's aid, Iegor flips the ballista over and attaches a rope to the end of a spear. He then took perfect aim and shut the spear at the base of the tower hitting his mark.

" My Lord if we take out the tower's base, it may not go the way you intended", Peirrim uttered, taking hold of the rope.

" Then pray to the Gods that it does, NOW PULLL!!! " Iegor yelled as he pulled up on the rope with all his might.

Executing his plan. Iegor and Peirrim tugged upon the tower's base. At the time it seemed like an impossible task. Till suddenly the tower base came loose; causing the tower to crumble away within the hole. Crushing the unsuspecting enemy forces passing between the crack. Wasting no time Iegor shouted his command to Eric across the wall.

" NOW ERIC, RELEASE THE OIL!!!".

Eric wasted no time in relaying Iegor's command.

" You heard your Lord Commander, Release the oil " Eric yelled across the wall " Archers give them a fiery hell they will not soon forget".

All along the wall the soldiers poured boiling hot oil upon their foes below and was ignited by flaming arrows from the Archers. All who made their way upon the wall met a most painful and fiery end. Fearing for their own lives. The enemy made a hastiest retreat.

" Now. I want these lingering dogs out of my Fort ", Iegor yelled drawing his sword once more as he and Peirrim rejoined his troops.

Iegor and his troops manage to rid the Fort of the enemy forces. The battle seemed won as the enemy's numbers began to thin. A joyous uproar erupted from the Fort, as they watch as the enemy remaining forces fled in terra. None could contain themselves; Rising their voices loud and hard. Loud enough to be heard throughout the halls of the gods. A triumphant cheer. They All gave except for one. The Lord Commander himself.

" What's the matter Iegor? you seem uneasy ", Eric uttered through a joyous tongue.

" This was too easy ", Iegor replied keeping his sights fix upon the horizon to the sun which begun to set.

Iegor kept his sights focus ahead, and held his sword tightly in hand. Starring to the far distance for something he believed was there.

" Surely you jest. There was nothing easy about this ", Eric replied hoping Iegor's words were of a poor joke.

Iegor knew the enemy's tactics, after fighting the Feiix for over twenty years, How could he not. If there was one thing his experience had taught him. Expect the worse, And expected it to turn even worse. His logic was not flawed. Especially in a time like this.

It started small too feint for most to notice, but it was there. A slight trimmer beneath him. He watches as the dust at his feet dance as too the beat of a drum. Causing him to Grip his sword just a little bit tighter.

" This was no victory ", Iegor uttered keeping his eyes fixed upon the horizon.

Something...was matching upon the rise.