War on Berkset Part 1 (complete)

    The air is tense and quiet as we all wait on the news from the delegates sent to the Berkset Mountains of Culuweth. My father had received word that a danger to the Nations was hiding there. Ever since then, my father has not been himself. The usually bright and excitable man I knew growing up had become so withdrawn he had refused to eat and was barely sleeping. He had always taken bad news hard, but nothing like this.

    My father had sent the delegates and retreated into hiding, keeping himself away from his family and friends. Even when Dhaval and others came to visit to see what the current situation was, all of it was left to me to handle.

    “I’ve never seen him like this,” I tell Dhaval as we walk. “It’s almost like he’s a different person. Did your father-”

    “No,” Dhaval answers, his ears flicking upward. “My father has cried and shown his worry before, but never to such extent.”

    “I hope they return soon,” I whisper. “All this waiting is too much to bear. Had we known sooner about this horrible Blood Mage and his ways, I’m sure it wouldn’t be the concern that it is.”

    “To think, after all these years,” Dhaval murmurs, “Reginald is still alive. Perhaps that is what burdens your father so.”

    I sigh and feel a great unease. “I’m not sure,” I reply. “I want this to end as swiftly and as soon as possible. I have a wedding coming after all.”

    Dhaval eyes me with a knowing smirk. “She’s already showing, you know?”

    I frown and look away. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

    Dhaval slaps my back and laughs. “I should yell at you for treating my cousin in such a way. But I know Maitri, when she wants something, she’ll have it.”

    I sigh, and my tail flicks behind me. “I had wanted to wait until our wedding night, but Maitri had other plans for me.” I smile as I remember all our times together. “She was right.”

    Dhaval shakes his hand in the air. “That’s enough, I would rather not go into the finer details.”

    “And how is Mila?” I ask with a smug smile.

    Dhaval’s expression goes severe and deep, he looks exactly like his father then. “How would I know how the Empress of Snow is?”

    I grin and look ahead, seeing sails on the horizon. I sigh, feeling relief and dread all at the same time. “It begins.”

    Dhaval tilts his head up. “Did you ever think we would see war again in our lives?”

    “I did,” I say with a nod. “But never so soon.”

    Dhaval tilts his head to the side. “I suppose then we were the dreamy fools,” he murmurs. “Let’s go.”

    We go to meet the delegates which included Dhaval’s brother Himank, Habbar’s heir Peritol, as well as Nictis and his son Bravar, Dhaval’s cousin Alexander, and Ishmael from Culuweth. 

    Himank looks stricken as he approaches us. He looks to Dhaval with a scorned look, and he holds out the black envelope to him. 

    “He wouldn’t listen to our demands, and he seems none too worried about that thought of war. In fact-” he says with a burdened heart, “I think it is what he was looking for.”

    Dhaval looks to me. “Do you think your father will take the news well?”

“Not sure,” I say with a nod. “But we will find out.”

We return to the palace with the delegates and go into the meeting room. My father soon joins, he looks weary, but there is a glow of his old self shining through. He takes his spot at the table and lays down maps there.

“I had made a promise ages ago,” he starts, “that I would see to it that no wars came to my lands as long as my blood ruled.” He closes his eyes and tears splatter onto the maps. “This is my fault.”

“No one is at fault,” Habbar speaks up. “Except for the Blood Mage using his dark arts on the land.”

“It is akin, if I remember,” Nictis speaks up, “to when Balafelamona rose to power. His powers and influence I mean.” He tilts his head toward my father. “She was a blood mage too.”

“What do you know of how to deal with them?” My father asks. 

“Don’t give them blood, for one,” Nictis laughs. 

My father scowls at him then shakes his head. “It seems from your reports that Sangus Rex was looking for a reason to go to war. He wasn’t going to start it, but he wants to end it.” He looks over the black letter Sanguis had given to Himank.

“He’s charismatic,” Himank speaks up. “He can charm and subdue, if it wasn’t for Habbar, I might have fallen for his silver tongue.”

    “I have no blood,” Habbar pounds his chest.

    “Whatever the case is, we have to gather our armies and attack the beaches of Culuweth,” my father looks to Ishmael. “What word has Nadeem given you on such an assault?”

    Ishmael sighs. “Both my father and Nadeem have given me very explicit instructions,” he says, his amber eyes darting around the room. “Nadeem wants a warning, and he will clear his beaches of his people. He will call Culuweth into the safety of the palace while we any enemies with as much force as necessary. My father says he will gladly command the armies of Culuweth to aid us, but he would prefer they stay and protect the people. The Gnolls have dealt with enough pain since the Age of Bethsabe.”

    My father nods. “Thank you, Ishmael, I trust you’ll send word to your father and Nadeem for us?”

    “I would rather stay, my lord,” Ishmael says with some surprise. 

    “You deserve to help protect your people,” my father replies. “If you and your people are needed, and I hope you aren’t, I will beg for your assistance. But for now, I trust you to go home and prepare Culuweth for war.”

    Ishmael looks aggravated, but he agrees. My father sends him with word and plans for the war to deliver to Nadeem as soon as he can.

    Plans for war are made at the table, and my father calls to action twenty-thousand troops from all of the Unified Nations. 

    “We’ll attack the three beaches surrounding the Berkset Mountains,” my father says over a map. “I’ll command the first army and take the south beach. From the information given to us by Odd, his castle and main defenses are there. The southeastern beach will be more about backup in case the attack on the south beach doesn’t work out. I am hoping to use favors from Czarina Mila and you, King Dhaval, to take this guard for me.”

    “I will see what the Czarina thinks,” Dhaval says with a smile. “But there are no promises to her will. But mine will be at the southeastern beach.”

    “Thank you, dear friend,” my father sighs with relief. “I’m counting on your influence over her.”

    “I wouldn’t,” Dhaval grins.

    “Next is the western beach,” my father says, and his voice cracks. “The slave pens are here. This will be a rescue mission, making sure the slaves are freed and taken to safety. I would like Habbar and Alexander to take this-”

    “Let me do it,” I speak up.

    My father looks at me, shocked and a little confused. “Orrick, this could be-”

    “I’m going to fill your shoes one day,” I reply. “I need to show the Nations that I am capable of leading and helping my people. Is this not what you did when you started your destiny, Father? Rescuing those in need?”

    My father looks strange for a moment, and then he hangs his head and nods. “Yes. You’re...you’re very correct, my son. If you want to lead the army to the western beach, then you shall.”

    “I’ll still go,” Habbar replies. “With my troops as well.”

    “I can still go as well,” Alexander agrees. “I’ll also see if my sister-in-law will allow me some of her army doctors well. We’ll take them to the western beach and spread them out once the brunt of the fighting is done.”

    “Very good,” My father nods. “Let us prepare and pray,” he says. “This war shall be the last I see, or the next will be my end.” He announces this as a promise, but I feel in my bones it is more of a curse than anything.

    In the days leading up to the battle, Maitri returns to me. Dhaval was right, even though she is early in her pregnancy she is showing already. She looks angry as she approaches me.

    “How can you go to war?” She snaps. “Now?”

    I sigh and kneel down before her. “I may have to go to war many times in our lives together, my sweet, you know this.”

    Maitri sniffles and big tears roll down her cheeks. “You can’t be so careless now!”

    I kiss her forehead. “I won’t be.” I place my hands on her belly. “I’ll be back, and we’ll be wed, and our children will see us live out long happy lives.”

    “I don’t want to wait,” she whimpers. “I want us to wed before you go!”

    I sigh, once again giving into her so quickly. We have a small ceremony before my family and some of the council. It isn’t the grand spectacle I had wanted, but I supposed we could always do that after the battle and victory were assured.

    Soon, the day comes, and I board my ship with Habbar and Alexander. Habbar’s men are ready and willing to fight, although water always sets them on edge, so for the time being, the Golem’s are under a deep sleep.

    Alexander has brought his own troops as well as military doctors from Afan. The ships we take to go to the western beach are heavy from the Golem, so we take up the rear and will arrive later than everyone else.

    Dhaval was able to use his favor with Czarina Mila and gain troops from the Polar Kingdom, Mila sent her brother Nicolai is joining Dhaval to lead. Damini, first princess of the Rakshasa country, has joined with her army of women as well. There are well more than enough troops to attack Berkset and Sanguis Rex’s armies without breaking a sweat.

    “Do not get too confident,” Habbar tells me. 

    I chuckle. “Why shouldn’t I?”

    “Fear is part of what makes a good leader,” Habbar continues. “Always thinking things will go your way only leads to failure and doubt. If there is fear in the way you lead and the way you command, then you will always option.”

    “My father is never afraid,” I chuckle.

    Habbar arches a brow at me, and the lava in his body glow a little brighter. “Then you are stupider than I would have liked to think, young one.”

    “Whoa now,” Alexander laughs. “Go easy. This is his first command after all. He’s gotta learn through trial and error. He has to learn to respect and trust his fear first.”

    Habbar scoffs. “I would not have let me heir go into his first war leading. Peritol will stand by my side and only after he has proven himself will he lead.”

    Alexander glances at me. “He'll do fine. Anyone who has taken counsel from the kings and queens of this fine nation will do well. He’s had the same education as Dhaval, and he is-”

    “Dhaval is different,” Habbar growls. “He has fear.”

    “You’re starting to worry me Habbar,” I interrupt. “Do you not trust me to lead?”

    “I will follow your commands,” Habbar replies. “Don’t worry about that. But I am concerned for you just as I am all the young ones here taking their first steps into bloodshed and war. Not everyone takes to it, and not everyone can heal from it.”

    Alexander sighs and pats my back supportively. “Be prepared kid, we don’t know exactly what this Sanguis guy and his Dragonborn have in store for us.”

    I thought I was ready for this and that this was my birthright. It had never occurred to me that people would question my role in the Unified Nations. After all, Demir was my father, and as his son, I would take over one day. It was my duty to lead and protect just as my father had. 

    Then, on a cold evening, we hear screaming from the water. We send down lifeboats and collect men from ships that had been on their way to the south beach with my father.

    “They have catapults,” one soldier tells us. “They started striking before we could even get to the beach!”

    “Those of us still at sea were swept away, and then there are still those on the beach with nowhere to go,” another cries.

    “What are we to do?” Habbar asks urgently. “Do we still go west or do we try to help those at the south and southeastern beaches?”

    I get the soldiers we rescued comforted and taken care of by the Kobold doctors. “Let me think,” I whisper.

    “We should free the slaves, or else Sanguis could use them against us,” Alexander argues.

    “They could use our own troops against us too!” Habbar snaps.

    I sigh and shake my head. “Alexander, take your ships and your men and go to the western beach,” I reply. “Habbar, you and I will take our troops and go to the southwestern beach and join up with Nicolai and Dhaval.”

    “Are you sure about this?” Alexander asks. 

    “No,” I reply this is just my gut.

    Habbar nods and I feel a bit relieved in my decisions. We get Alexander over to his ship in a hurry, and we separate. Habbar and I take our ships, going along with our plans to back up the southeastern beach.

    Once we get there the beach is pink from blood, and the edges of the sea are stained red. Debris and fire float on the water and the stench of death is all around us. The battle must have been instant and angry. 

    “Oh my god,” I whisper as I look around. I step off the boat and see the dead bodies washing up on shore. I stoop down, noticing the bodies are completely drained of their blood. The skin is gray and ashen, their eye sockets are hollow, and the tongues are missing.

    I step away, feeling my guts wrench and churn. I cover my mouth, but I can’t stop from vomiting and retching into the ocean.

    “What horrors are this?” I cry. “Why would someone do something like this?”

    “This isn’t the worst of it,” Habbar whispers. He stoops down, inspecting some carnage on the beach. It is a pile of flesh with no bones. “There’s dark magic in the works here.” He stands up and looks around the beach. “But, where is everyone.”

    “Get down!” I hear screaming.

I look up and see Dhaval, wounded and bloodied come rushing from a cave. The next thing I know I hear wind and rushing. A shadow falls over us and looking back a giant stone crashes into the ship yet to reach shore.

    “Hurry!” Dhaval screams. “Run for cover! Now!”

    I stand still, staring in horror as one of my ships sinks into the ocean. The golems from the second ship are making their way from the sea to the shore, rescuing the men that they can from a watery tomb. 

    “Hurry!” Dhaval screams.

    Habbar tackles me and covers me so that I fall into the bloodied sand. He covers me with his heavy, rock body and in the next instance, fire rains down from the mountain peaks. I hear screaming and agony all around me, and Habbar quickly rushes me into the cover with Dhaval.

    Inside the cave I see Damini comforting what remains of her women’s army. There are troops all around, some gravely injured and others ready to go back out and fight. Habbar pushes me inside as the Golems come up the beach and guard around the cave while the troops are hurried inside.

    I stare and blink, feeling my insides churn and slosh around as if I were being shaken and stirred at the same time. “What’s happened?” My voice comes out high and breaking. 

    “They were much more prepared than we gave them credit for,” Damini hisses. 

    “Where’s Nicolai?” I ask with urgency.

    “In another cave with the remainders,” Dhaval says. His chest is bleeding, and his neck is bandaged. 

    I look around, hearing the screaming and the weeping all around us. Outside I can hear the cannons and the shattering of the ships. I slowly sink to my knees and grasp my hands over my ears.

    “Orrick,” Dhaval says sternly.

    “He did not have enough fear,” Habbar says. “Now, he has too much.”

    Dhaval grabs me by the shoulders and gives me a hard shake. “Where is the third boat?” he snaps at me. “Look at me! Orrick!”

    I take a shuddering breath and look up at him. “Alex-” I tremble. “Alexander he took...western beach...slave pens.”

    Dhaval sighs deeply. “I pray the gods are with him.” He stands up and looks around the cave and then turns to Habbar. “We need to go to the south beach.”

    “Do you want us to die?” I scream at him.

    Dhaval slaps me hard, and I nearly fall. “We have to go to the south beach!” He announces loudly for all to hear. “We will reinforce those who are already attacking the castle. From what I’ve seen, all opposing forces are being directed that way, which means our side is breaking through. It is our duty to provide assistance to them and make sure that Sanguis Rex is defeated!”

Dhaval stands tall, shoulders stiff and not a hint of fear on his face. I have known Dhaval all my life, I have grown up beside him and learned along with him. He used to be so a timid and terrified as a boy. Looking at him now I don’t even recognize him. If I looked in a mirror, I would recognize myself. This was war, a place where people showed who they really were. The real Dhaval was standing before me, and I was the real Orrick cowering on the ground.

“We will take to the south beach, those of you who cannot will stay here until help can be sent,” Dhaval looks around the cave. “I do not command you to follow me, I am begging that you join me. Because victory here means the war will not turn into a plague. It will not spread, it will remain on this beach! I beg, not as a king but as a soldier like the rest of you, to follow me!”

The cave is silent for a moment, and then soldiers start standing and raising their weapons as they agree to stand with Dhaval. I am amazed.

“How did you do that?” I whisper.

“Are you going?” Dhaval holds his hand out to me. 

I look up at my friend and realize he wasn’t fearless at all. His eyes are wet and full of tears. He’s afraid, and he knows what he is running into. I take his hand and stand back up even has my legs are shaking. 

“Do you even want me now?” I laugh anxiously.

Dhaval nods. “I trust you, Orrick.”

Habbar and his golems take the lead, providing a wall for as we march forward. We wade through water to get to the south beach, and once there we see the devastation that has been wrought. The battle is still going strong, and much like Dhaval had said, our side has the upper hand, but Sanguis Rex’s armies are numerous.

Habbar charges forward, attacking the dark troops and knocking them aside. Dhaval then charges forward, and we join the fight. I do what I can, but I find myself hiding and staying close to the Golems.

I watch as a Dragonborn knight takes a strange weapon and using blood from the beach shoots a charge at a soldier near me. I watched as the soldier’s body is flayed and reduced to a skeleton. The mass of flesh collects at their feet, and the skeleton screams in anguish, lashing out at all those around it.

“Oh my god-” I tremble in fear.

“Take him!” I hear someone yell and the cannon points at me. “That’s the horses’ son,” they laugh. “I want to take his bones directly to his father. Aim!”

I scream and fall to the ground, and Habbar jumps in front of me. The beam of red light hits him, and nothing happens. Another beam is shot, and Habbar charges forward, grabbing the strange weapon and crushing it in his hands.

“We have no blood,” Habbar snarls as he grabs the Dragonborn soldier around his neck. The man who had been commanding him has gone and run. “You have no power over the Golems.” Habbar breaks the neck of the Dragonborn soldier.

“Habbar,” I whisper. “You saved my life!”

    Nicolai comes to my side and picks me up off the ground. “From the looks of things he’s saved many a life. The Golems are immune to Blood Magic,” the polar bear grins. “We may just stand a chance yet.”

    “You should go to the western beach,” Habbar growls at me. “You’ll be useful there.”

    I frown and pick my sword back up. “I am your commander!” I shout at him. “You and your men destroy those flay cannons!”

    Habbar scoffs. “Wrong time to get a backbone, boy.”

    “Just do what I say!” I shake and tremble, but I collect myself. I want to be like Dhaval, but I have doubts.

    I have doubts.