"Valkinvar, the lines have been shored up, but we need your help to prevent further breaks!" an officer cried out to me as he came to an abrupt halt.
"Valkinvar-Staguiffmani!" I correct him with an erratic twist and jump. Smashing the base of my staff against the ground as I faced him.
"We need your help, the guns can only do so much and our reserves are gone!"
"I ordered you to leave me be!" I remind him as my magic gathered at the peak of my staff. And, with fear in his eyes, he backed away and rejoined the men. Though, I had to remind him of what he was commenting about as he walked away. Yet, as soon as he left, my anger went away and my worry came back.
This wasn't meant to be... I had assurances from the Zaphadren-Valkinavr herself that I was to be safe. That I would not be put at risk. So why was I out here on the frontlines with a collapsing force!?
I should've been back at Thurn's Forge helping the others prepare... So why had their promises fallen short? Why was I out here? We did not lack useful bodies to take the place I currently filled...
"Dammit... There's no way out of this..." I nearly cried in frustration as I stared at what was the most recently developed map. I was holding one force off with these lot. Yet, the way out of here was right on the advance path of another army. I would be killed just trying to cross the distance.
And in a fit of anger, I struck my staff to the ground and blew away the maps.
"You dare leave me..." I growl tearfully before I flicked my arm up to intercept an incoming round shot. Hiding my face briefly so I could clear it of tears before I surveyed the moment. Holes were all over our trenches, dig outs and barricades. We would not last out here.
Or, rather, they would not. I had to head back so I could be there for the Ordoar Staguiffmani. My sisters needed me far more than this force here. So perhaps I should take the moment to break away?
I at least had a chance if I fell back. Here I was just on my own to die. But I did not want to die... I couldn't die here or now.
"WE GOT INCOMING!" one of the surveyors from their post shouted down to us.
"Incoming from wh..." I began to comment before I suddenly turned around when I felt it. A massive force of magic was heading this way... The army that was going down beside our rear... Was this them?
No, wait, I needed to focus.
"Two bodies." I quickly concluded as their figures became clear despite the auras that surrounded them. And the way the sky ruptured around one of them only confirmed it. Valkinvar were on their way... Of the other Ordoar but still!
"WE GOT HELP!" a man screamed with all he had. And with it came a fresh wave of determination as morale started to come back to the men.
"Why're you two out here...?" I let out in confusion as they flew overhead and crashed into the army. At the head of their advance was a giant of the Ordoar Ammimpaurst. And as he reached the ground, the winds wormed their way through gravel and soil. Vicious spikes erupted soon after and blocked off the valley.
And from high above, a member of the Valkinvar-Imdvarce dove down. From beyond the freshly made defences did she fight. So I could only assume what she was up to. But I could feel it as well as hear it.
They were being torn apart beyond that wall by that Valkinvar.
Though, I was still shocked by this development. So I rushed ahead to meet with the Valkinvar-Ammimpaurst who kept watch on his creation at the front of one of our trenches. And with a gladdened hand, he took someone up on an offer of a beverage. This meant I had to wait for him to finish with his greedy guzzling.
Though while the ironcoats did not mine, I did, "Why're you here!?"
"To help." he answered quickly as he chucked away the empty container.
"Why...?" I asked as there was meant to be no one out here to save us. I saw the maps and had been given a grander insight into how it was destined to go. I should've been on my own.
"What a stupid question." he rebuffs as he charges up his magic again. And with a single wide swing, he made his prior work a shower of rubble. With the Valkinvar-Imdvarce flying out just in time to avoid the rain of spikes and grape-shot aspiring debris.
"Maybe you can answer what your companion doesn't, then. Why are you here!?" I demanded to know just after she crashed into the soil. Interrupting whatever comment she likely had for the Ordoar-Ammimpaurst.
"Ordoar-Staguiffmani? This will be useful." she remarks with what must've been a smile under that helmet of hers.
"Answer me!" I demanded as I leaned the tip of my staff towards her. A spell in the works so that she could pick up on my intent a little easier.
"We're here to pull these men out of here and get them to the Long Battery Fort." she answers with a flat, but still clearly on-edge tone.
"Long Battery!? That place has been abandoned and bypassed in its entirety!" I tell them as I recall the maps which I had tossed aside only moments before.
"No, we have refilled the fortifications with men and worked guns, it is a safe haven. Though, it is under siege. Wing-Head Allyoceer intends for you lot to join us."
"Wing-Head Allyoceer? She should've been wiped out at her post!" I point out as I remembered who was to hold the pass where the main army was coming.
"No, we pulled out safely. And I intend to ensure the same fate for this force."
"You would have me holed up in some thundering grave?" I ask her as I use my magic to bring my tablets back to me. Holding one of them closely as I tried to consider what she was suggesting. I suppose it was better than dying out here at least... And if the army was being held up by the fortress, I could slip on by back to Thurn's Forge.
"To stand there is better than to stand here." the Valkinvar-Imdvarce tells me as I overlooked the state her armour was in. A rather odd amount was even missing in the lower half... There was no way she should've taken a blow like that and lived. Unless...?
"You heard her men! Pull out!" one of the officers ordered without my blessing.
"HOLD STILL!" I roared as I used my magic to create a barrier through which none of them could pass.
"I outrank you, Ordoar-Staguiffmani." the Valkinvar-Imdvarce points out to me as she shows me the ornamental wing she had strapped around her chest piece.
"This is my force..." I weakly mutter as my magic disappears.
"Leave the guns, we have plenty at the fort! Bring only what you need to move the wounded and essentials! Whatever you can carry! Ammunition, of course, should be a priority." she orders before she mutters the last part at the end with a shrug. It seemed that she was prepared for a long siege. But I was not.
"And how do you intend to have us get back to the fort when an army advances on it?"
"Wing-Head Allyoceer holds the fort, for now, the guns will rain protection over us as we advance to the gates." she explains before the Valkinvar-Ammimpaurst began to move as if he had something to say.
"We'll probably be expected to join in that, no?"
"I'd imagine so, yes. So, conserve your magic for the moment. There's much fighting to be done."
"And what about our flank which is now unguarded?" I demanded to know as I saw our old lines disappear into an eager mass of retreating men and beasts.
"You are most familiar with the battle that occurred here. You will serve as the rearguard while me and him ensure the safety of the column as its vanguard."
"Of course..." I bitterly acknowledge as I walked the pair walk away before they then went into the sky.
"Maybe now you will actually fight." one of the ironcoats remarked as he rushed by with a stack of small crates.
"Why you..." I growled as magic gathered in my palm. But, under the watchful eyes of so many, I did nothing with it. And instead, I just waved it out of my hand. Flexing my fingers about as if I had just let go of a heavy burden.
But, my orders were clear and I had no room to argue it. So I rose up into the sky like the others had and began my watch of the rear. Slowly moving in the opposite direction of our force until I reached the ruins of the enemy force. And with hesitation, I stared down at the few men still alive.
Watching their small, prick-like eyes stare back at me as they tried to reach for a weapon. But I stopped them each time with a simple flick of my wrist. I killed none of them but I made sure they could not attack me. And I looked down at one of the rifles which I had knocked away.
Picking it up with my magic and holding it by the front end. Sighing as I did so before I dropped it back down. This was not the plan. I should have not been here.
None of them was meant to die by my hands and I put myself at needless risk in the future by being here. But what had I done wrong to warrant this? I kept to my oaths and stayed loyal. Ever since Zaphadren-Valkinvar Gemorli's rise to power since the incident...
I struggled to fathom it but for my own survival right now, I had to avoid worrying about it. Suspicions would arise if I showed reluctance in fighting. After all, I was a Valkinvar still. War was what I had been raised to enact...
So, after a few shaky breaths, I brought a wave of wind after me. Killing those I had previously spared before I was left watching as another wave marched forward. And as I suspected, they fired upon me with the same intent to kill as they would show to any other Valkinvar. But, it was not enough.
No bolt of magic, piece of round shot or hurried ahead blade could pierce the barrier I brought up. The power I put into sustaining it was far to great for them to surpass. And I quickly forced the grand power towards them just as casually. Though, it did not maintain its slow advance like they did.
And I watched from behind an opaque wall as they died. Washed aside by a horrific tide of razor winds and a solid wall that should've been passable. Through all the wrenching of steel and flesh and machine, I heard no screams. But their lost lives marked the soil regardless.
With my task done, I then began to head back to the army. Watching carefully as the last of the men pulled out with the supplies they could manage to take. Not a second glance came from either of us. And I returned to watching the old front.
"Destroy the guns before you leave." one of them relayed to me just as I considered what to do with the batteries we had left behind.
"Very well." I let out quietly as I turned my focus to the mountain on my right. And as both of my hands gripped my staff, I focused my power into its tip. Swinging the built-up potential in a wide arc along the mountainside. Blasting out tons of rock which quickly avalanched towards our old position.
And quickly, I dashed down to the ground and slammed my staff down. Putting more power into creating a wide, valley-bridging shield which held back the falling rock and snow. Then, as the wounded mountain ceased its groaning and retaliation. I let the barrier fall, with many pieces of rock spilling out towards me as I floated backwards.
With our rear then secured fully, I went over the army and made my way to the other two. Joining up with them, much to their surprise. Though neither commented on it directly. I still felt like they had something to say.
"I wiped out the oncoming enemy further down the valley and tore asunder a mountainside to destroy and cover up our old defensive lines." I explain to them as the sound of the fortress guns became ever clearer.
"The Ordoar-Staguiffmani continues to impress me."
"It was nothing grand." I tell the Imdvarce dismissively as I recalled a power that shamed us all.
"To handle something in so little time is impressive, Valkinvar-Staguiffmani. You will be a great help in the siege as it develops."
"Ha, I'm on the wrong side of it." the Ammimpaurst comments as he makes a few mock swings.
"The Ordoar-Ammimpaurst have not seen much action in their ancient, traditional roles for some time now." I remind him to which he just shrugs and guffaws.
"Remember, the besieger does not fight in the open. He two is open for being besieged." the Wing-Tip comments as she turns around slightly to see us.
"All the better for me! I have been dying to make use of this swinging arm of mine!" the Ammimpaurst cheers.
"Shouldn't you have been making use of it?" I inquire as the way he said it suggested something odd.
"Guarding a monastery doesn't offer much time for battle."
"And what a fine job of that you did." the Valkinvar-Imdvarce comments sarcastically. And, the topic went no further when she suddenly gestured her arm up for us to halt. A wide field before us as she did so.
"We are here." I comment just in time for the burst of fire and smoke to erupt from our left. The roars and screams of the fortress guns filled our ears in but a single flash.
"Valkinvar-Staguiffmani, prepare some kind of signal. When I return, I want you to fire it off so that the fort knows we are coming." the Wing-Tip tells me as she dashes down the length of our troops. I could only assume she was ensuring all were grouped together so we could make a single push. We'd not want to be out here for long if the frequency of the guns was anything to go by.
"Must be quite the army waiting for us around one of these edges." the Ammimpaurst commented eagerly as his war maul suddenly dropped down. Were it not for trained reflexes as well, he probably would've dropped it. But, I suppose he had plenty of time to practice tricks in his isolation.
"So why were you guarding a monastery as our nation crumbled all about us?"
"Wasn't aware it was."
"Hard to believe."
"Monasteries are isolated places, staff-holder." he comments as he brushes his beard with his armoured and gloved fingers.
"Valkinvar-Staguiffmani." I correct out of annoyance as he huffs in bemusement.
"Oh, hurry up." he then said with thinning patience as he looked towards where the Imdvarce had gone. And, as if his words were magical too, she came speeding back towards us. The wind washed over us as she came to her abrupt halt.
"Are you ready, Valkinvar-Staguiffmani?" she asked immediately. And I answered her without a word by raising my glowing staff to the sky. With a spell that then sent recoil into my wrist, the sky lit up with a bright emerald light.
"Let's go!" the Ammimpaurst cheered eagerly as he shot ahead of us and bulldozed his way through the earth.
"COMING UP ON YOUR LEFT!" the Wing-Tip seemingly reminds the men before she jolts her head in the direction for me to head. It then wasn't long before I joined the pair on the ground. A vast army before us at the far end of the plains.
Seeing it didn't do it justice... I could sense far beyond what my eyes could see and it was an eternal stalk. A horde of fearless steel and strange power. And we had to hold the line against it so that our troops could pull back.
It fitted perfectly with the idea we were given of the Valkinvar of when we were younger. Witches of such calibre that they made other stories feel shameful. Stories of brave armies facing a lone, arrogant witch became omens. And what we did today would become the example of triumph.
"Do not get lost in the killing! Do not push in too deep! Head back to the fort when Wing-Head Allyoceer makes the call for it!" the Imdvarce orders us before she shoots ahead to meet the enemy. And, just overhead, another Imdvarce rockets into the battle on an erratic path.
"ABOUT TIME!" the Ammimpaurst roars as he charges ahead, his maul filling with magic as he did so. The ground even trembled and cracked as if a barrage of guns had matched him stride for stride. All that was left was me. Hesitant and passive.
"I'll have to think about it later..." I tell myself as I shake away the ideas of what I was involved with back at the capital. A wave of my hands then covered the sky in a net of barriers. Impassable to what came at us but permeable to the guns from behind. And although there was merit to keeping the barriers over the troops.
I saw a greater cause to push them closer to my sisters and brother. So I did so, with the strength and potency of my senses being directed elsewhere so I could predict where our guns would fire. In those gaps, I then formed my own arcane munitions. And with great swings, I sent them out towards the halted army.
Tearing them apart with whistling missiles of pure arcane winds. A line of firey explosions and steel-shearing vortexes opened up before me. I even took inspiration from the Ammimpaurst's prior actions and I sent projectiles through his spikes. Breaking them apart and turning them into vicious, blood-drawing rain.
The army was being butchered yet they still kept it up. The strange darkness that enveloped them ensured no fear would come. Even the few who did show their faces roared in defiance of our combined power. But the sudden shock of one of their guns firing back at me made me jolt.
An entire barrier had been enveloped and had just vanished...
"Such esoteric power..." I commented as I felt the magic fill the space that shot had left. Nine halfmans wide, nine halfmans high. A perfect sphere. Yet, its power did not enamour me for long, and I was quick to drop my own power right on top of it.
For a moment after, I then halted my attacks and returned to defensive measures. All so I could glance back at my force as it filled the lower keep of the fortress. A fine, shining line soon appeared along the dangerous road up to the main structure. They were moving fast but it was clear they needed more time.
"I suppose we have their guns silent enough." I remarked as I put an end to the barricades. Ascending into the sky in a moment and looking down on the battlefield below. A knowing glint in my eyes as I watched the enemy pour out from their narrow pass. War-witches flew, leapt and sprinted out to meet us.
But it was clear they did not have the numbers to spare on everyone. And I was left with the complete freedom to cast armageddon upon them. Not one to waste the opportunity either, I gathered up a great deal of my magic into a single, levelled vortex. Then, without the modesty expected of me given my status.
I sent it straight towards the enemy army. Relaxing slightly as the tremendous burden left my grasp. With some amusement, I then watched as my sisters forced my brother out of the danger zone. Its grand power already tearing up the far side of the plains before it burst out into the valley.
Like the waves that once drowned our ancestors did my magic move. Nowhere within that narrow pass was safe and an army found itself tossed high into the sky. Men, beast and machine went into the sky whole or lacerated into a fine mist. Yet, it was also clear that a move had been made to halt it.
So many pairs of hands with their own power clashed against mine. They struggled at first, but they proved strong enough and I watched as my power was sent back our way. Though, it had been heavily diminished. And it just went on to destroy their old fortifications even more so.
"TOWARDS THE FORT!" the Wing-Head called up to me as she and the other two raced back to the fort. And, not one for being left behind after exhausting myself like that. I made a point of staying ahead of them. Coming to a graceful stop atop the fortress while they nearly crashed into it.
"I feel so limber now!" the Ammimpaurst laughed as he carefully set his weapon down. Before he then took a seat by the exit of a flight of stairs.
"You've done well, Wing-Tip Vapooliar. Reinforcements of two types. Both of which, can be considered decisive." Wing-Head Allyoceer complimented as she turned to us to.
"Valkinvar-Staguiffmani Dannatili." I told her, assuming her silence was her way of asking for our name.
"Lavauroas." the Ammimpaurst answers shortly after I stated my name.
"Well, then, Valkinvar-Staguiffmani Dannatili. Valkinvar-Ammimpaurst Lavauroas. I am glad you can be here with us during this important moment. I am, for the moment, your new commanding officer. Wing-Head Allyoceer."
"The pleasure is mine." I tell her as I look back towards the active battlefield.
"I am sorry I cannot come to grasp yourselves better, but, I too must head out now. And as we just did, I expect the same for me." she tells us before she dives off the building and shoots off towards one of the passes on the far side.
"Take the moment to rest, we've done enough damage for the moment. They won't be making any grand advances any time soon." Wing-Tip Vappoliar comments as she takes off her helmet and sets down her blade.
"Ha, we? Staff-holder here did all the work." Lavauroas laughed out as he motioned himself back to his feet.
"Only because of the opportunity you gave me." I point out as I start to head inside.
"Yes, that is something we will need to bear in mind from now on." Vapooliar comments as she follows me.
"As always." I point out, having been assigned to mixed-Ordoar wings before. I suppose that was experience I could relay to Wing-Head Allyoceer when she returned. If nothing else, that experience should see me take up the role of Wing-Joint.
"Will... Will you want a tour of the fort as you find relief?"
"Showing me the way to our general quarters will be enough."
"Yes, of course." she says without the confidence I would've expected from a wing-tip. She was jittery and clearly unused to the position. But I suppose the answer was clear when one focused on the crude amulet she had on. This was an unceremonious field promotion.
It would not stick, clearly, but, I had to hope all the best to her. An officer with lacking confidence was a danger to their soldiers. The superiors in my Ordoar knew that well. And they made a point of keeping their graces about them regardless of how the war might've affected them.
"Hm, the officer's tower. Fitting enough." I say as I placed my staff on a rack meant for something else. But, with shortages came adaptability. Though nothing would ever replace my love of a good lounge chair and a tablet to read. Maybe even a paper book if I felt particularly stuffy.
"We haven't assigned any of the rooms, so, I guess now is a better time than any..." she nervously chuckles as she puts her sword down on a rack they had clearly moved in from the armoury.
"I suspect we won't be making much use of them anyway."
"I suppose that is true... The men have been talking about how they are as restless here as they were out there."
"That problem should solve itself over time. As more troops arrive to aid us from the many failed fronts about here. They will bring with them the flexibility that comes with all vast teams."
"Let us hope they don't bring about those who will stand idle."
"The situation is too dire for something like that..." I tell her despite the hypocrisy that I sent out with it. So, with a sigh, I tapped a nearby set of draws before I moved towards the stairs.
"I'll leave you to it, then, I'll check up on Valkinvar-Ammimpaurst Lavauroas." she told me with a nervous nod before she turned to leave.
"Vapooliar..." I informally started with.
"Y-Yes?"
"You're doing fine, loosen up." I tell her before I carry on going up the stairs. Keeping my expression straight as I caught a mutter following me up the stairwell. And with a curious hand moving about the place, I used my fragile reserves of magic to look about the tower. Getting an idea for how many rooms there were and where they were.
And, given the severity of the siege, I felt it fitting to take up a room near the top of the tower. Though it also came with the benefit of allowing me a quick departure. No one had reason to suspect my willingness to leave. But we would see how things unfurled before I made any choices as dangerous as that.
"Hm, who knows, maybe I'll even find the lost orders meant for me requesting that I pull back." I laughed miserably as I considered my situation once again. I shouldn't have been here. This was not where I was supposed to be. It was not an earned punishment at all...
It would all have to wait, though. Maybe when the siege dragged on longer I would get my moment. But for now, I had to play along with it all. Fight alongside my sisters and brother.
"At least with this window I will not have to step outside to watch developments." I remarked as I walked about the room I had chosen. Placing a palm at the edge of the window and looking out it apathetically. It wasn't a good view, but enough to tell when something was going wrong or right. Whatever came first for us.
Though, as I had no way to mark out that I had chosen this room. I called on my staff and had it return to my grip. And I popped it down right in plain view so everyone understood. Leaving it as is before I ascended higher to the viewing platform at the very top.
And once there, I pulled down my hood and undid the armoured battle mask I had on. Exposing my features to the windy elevation as I watched my prior work become undone. A truly vast force was marching against us. And I worried we'd be falling dead from exhaustion rather than wounds.
There were no elders here either to pass on their magic so we could rejuvenate either. This was it. What we had was all we would be allowed to work with. So, I stepped a little closer to the edge and let my senses feel out the world around me.
Much magic travelled through the skies but was left untouched. No one was calling on it and it was left to enjoy its freedom. But I had need of its strength, we all did. So, I made my plea with strength and dignity.
Smiling slightly as the power grew before me and gained colour as its density became ever clearer. From there, it was just a simple case of breathing it in and letting it breeze past me. My muscles became energised and my grogginess left me. My exhaustion from before became a thing of the past and what I didn't gobble up I let flow down the tower.
From there, it would spread out until it then vented out whatever hole it could find. Hopefully, my sister and brother would make use of it before it made its escape. I could trust them in that regard. Much in the same way I could trust them with so many other things.
Even if they could not say the same for me.