Canaleodon, normally full of life, was now buzzing with activity as the citizens prepared for war. Soldiers were checking on their weapons and armours, making sure that their armour was intact, their swords sharped and their horses watered. Those with families kissed their teary wives and ruffled the hair of their children, spending precious time with their love ones. Supplies and armaments were check over and over again, they will need all the food and equipment the Tanelician could get as they marched against Avencus and his new Legion of the Damned.
At the entrance of the city were dozens of mages carrying staffs with crystals shining at the top. These mages will not accompany the army to the Field of Torelain as they will be holding the portal that take them straight to Davin's Stronghold where they will continue onward onto their chosen battlefield. This was the first offensive operation against Avencus for seven decades so the Tanelician and the White Crusade were putting everything on this attack. The army totalled to six thousand men and women, including the non-combatants. Each fort was still defended by their assigned defenders while Canaleodon was defended with what troops that were not participating in the invasion.
There were mixed emotions in Canaleodon: determination, fear and sombreness. To avoid the defeat at Light Hope Chapel, every soldier was briefed about the necromancers and the undead. The thought of fighting creatures that cannot die easily filled the soldiers' mind with fear. It was not the thought of losing the battle that frightened them, it was the idea of fighting loved ones that were deceased. However, after Grand Crusader Kara explained to them that they were no longer human and about her plan, the soldiers's fear disappeared and their spirits returned. Now mentally prepared, the Tanelician and the White Crusade were ready to march.
Lia Moonweaver checked again that the spells protecting Canaleodon from any magical attack, nodding in satisfaction. She lowered her hand and turned to see Johann giving orders to two of his generals. They nodded and ran off to fulfil their duties, leaving Johann and Lia alone. Johann turned to Lia, smiling grimly at her.
'This is it Lia.' He started. 'This battle will bring an end to Avencus' evil once and for all. Our village, our friends and the other innocences who died will be avenged.'
Lia nodded. 'Assuming that we get out of this alive.' She looked away towards another direction. 'For Charlotte's sake.'
Princess Charlotte was sobbing quietly, having difficulty in controlling her tears. Behind her was Chamberlain Kelvin Talbot who had his hands on her shoulders and was trying to comfort her. Before them stood King Arald Tendenhaul, dressed in his golden armour with a jewelled sword sheathed in his scabbard.
'Must you go father?' Charlotte pleaded sadly. 'Surely Kara and Johann can handle this themselves…'
Arald smiled and wiped his daughter's tears, speaking not unkindly. 'I must. As king of Canaleodon and Tanelic, I must protect my kingdom and my people. I must lead the army to vanquish Avencus so that all may live in peace. This is one of the duties as a ruler. One day, my daughter, you will understand.'
'Father… Papa…' Charlotte sobbed, unable to control herself. She flung herself on Arald, embracing him tightly.
Arald hugged her back before slowly breaking her away. 'Do not fear for me child. I will return but if I don't, I know you will be strong enough to be my successor.'
Charlotte sniffed and nodded, regaining some composure. Arald turned to Kevin. 'Kevin, you have been a loyal and faithful friend all these years. I can trust you to look after Tanelic and my daughter if anything happens to me.'
Kevin nodded; he too was trying not to cry. 'I'm honoured in serving you your majesty. I will pray your campaign will be successful and you will returned to us.'
Arald nodded as Kara, Argus, Johann and Lia approached him. 'Your majesty.' Kara said. 'The army is ready.'
Arald planted a kiss on Charlotte's forehead before turning to his commanders and generals. 'Very well. Let us begin.'
Kara and her friends bowed as Arald took the lead and mounted onto his horse, the others also mounting their horses. They made their way in front of the army where they stood at attention, their eyes on their king. He stopped his horse as he faced the men and women before him.
'Today we go to fight a decisive battle against Avencus! This is the fight where we will settle this conflict once and for all! Avencus' evil of seven decades will come to an end on this day!'
'I know what you're going to face! You're going to face the living dead! Creatures that cannot be killed easily and may be your love ones now risen from the grave! I tell you this: they can be killed and they're not human!'
'They're the unfortunate souls brought back as corpses by these fiends, these necromancers! They have disrespected our revered dead with their dark magic! Now, they will pay for their crimes.'
'Avencus and this Legion of the Damned may have powerful warriors and these new foul magic users but they will fall to our blades!'
He stopped as he looked at every faces staring at him, whether they were soldiers or commoners. 'Look at your comrades! Your friends! Your family! Remember their faces and remember what you're fighting for! You're fighting for justice! You're fighting for your friends! You're fighting for your families! You're fighting for your kingdom!' He pulled out his sword and pointed it towards sky, roaring. 'FOR TANELIC!'
'FOR TANELIC! FOR TANELIC! FOR TANELIC!' Everyone shouted, raising their weapons in the air. Their cries filled the city, getting louder at every shout. Their morale have boosted from Arald's speech. Now they were ready to face their darkest enemy.
Arald nodded and turned to Lia. 'Open the portal! We shall marched at once!'
'Yes your majesty!' Lia said and nodded to one of the mages. He nodded and began waving his staff, muttering a spell. The other seven mages mimicked him and something simmered before the city gate. Then purple magic swirled in a tornado as it expanded, widening further. It stopped when it fully covered the gate and a view of other soldiers inside castle's walls appeared in the portal.
Seeing the portal was ready, Arald pointed his sword at it. 'FORWARD!'
With loud cheering, the Tanelician army and the White Crusade followed Arald into the portal where they appeared inside of Davin's stronghold. The gate of the stronghold was wide opened as the stronghold's defenders saluted at Arald led the army out of the city.
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The army continued to march northward, the second day gone already. Marching from Davin's Stronghold, they have marched through forests and towns until they reached a crossroad. One path led to North Point Keep while the other led to the Narrow Path, also known as Heroes' Falls. The army stopped at the crossroad as Kara turned to Johann, Lia and Owen.
'Good luck my friends.' Kara spoke. 'We will draw the enemy out from Blackrock Spire. That's the opportunity for you to strike Avencus.'
'We will hold out and destroy these monstrosities as best as we can.' Arald said. 'Do not worry for us.'
'Besides.' Argus Ward grinned. 'We got our secret plan.'
Lia, who was worried, smiled. 'Good luck you two. Your majesty. We won't let you down.'
'We will strike Avencus like the lowly rat he is!' Johann declared.
'And I will protect the Battle Commander and the Archmage so that they can deliver the killing blow.' Owen promised.
Arald nodded. 'I'm grateful to have such brave men and women fighting with me. Once we destroy the enemy, we will come to your aid at once. May the Light protect you.'
'And may the Light protect you.' Lia, Johann and Owen repeated.
Taking five hundred men from the army, Lia, Johann and Owen marched towards Heroes' Falls while Arald, Kara, Argus and Mora continued their march to North Point Keep.
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Kara looked up the walls of the valleys, nodding. The top of the valleys were covered in heavy vegetation so it was possible to hide troops even without magic. Brigadier General Rowan and Commander Barrick had already taken up position at the entrance of the valley, they and their squadron of five hundred men hiding under bushes. Kara had sent Commander Lora and Brigadier General Luther to the top of the valley where their archer units were in position; among them were mages that Lia had sent with them.
Arald, Mora, Gavarin and Argus were in front of the valley, blocking anyone from seeing what was happening in the valley. Oil was poured onto the ground and flammable materials were piled against the walls of the valleys. The soldiers even dug pits to bury barrels of explosive powder, making sure they were covered enough to avoid discovery.
Since preparation for their fire attack was going smoothly, Kara rode to the front of the valley where she rejoined the others. With most of their forces hidden, it made it looked that the Tanelician forces was small. This will give the enemy a false sense of confidence. She moved her horse next to the king's and whispered.
'Preparations are complete your majesty. Everybody is in position.'
Arald nodded. 'Excellent, now we can start the battle.'
Kara hesitated before speaking out loud. 'Your majesty, a word?' Arald turned to her, nodding. 'The others and I were discussing that maybe it be better if you stay at the rear…'
Arald turned sharply on her, frowning. 'What nonsense is this?'
Kara stopped as she tried to continue but could not. Gavarin reinforced her. 'What Grand Crusader Kara meant that your majesty should be put out of harm's way and can reinforce us if the enemy be able to break through.'
'Please consider it your majesty.' Mora de Burg, Vice Battle Commander, added. 'For the sake of Tanelic and the Princess Charlotte.'
Arald looked at all of them before shaking his head. 'Thank you for your concerns but my place is with my army. What kind of king would I be if I just stay safely behind the frontline while others died for me? Furthermore, with me at the front, the enemy will fall our trap easily. They will be too eager to claim my head and would not be willing to let me escape alive.'
'But…' Argus tried to speak but Arald stopped him with a wave.
'My mind has make up.' Arald said firmly. 'If I must die today, then I can die honourably in battle like how the late Grand Crusader Davin did. Now, sound the horns.'
At the mention of her grandfather, Kara nodded soberly and gestured to the heralds. 'Blow the horns! Entice the enemy to come out! We shall show them the true might of Canaleodon!'
The heralds nodded and putting their lips to the horns, blew into the horns. It sent out a loud booming in every direction.
The Battle of the Field of Torelain had begun.
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Avencus Tendenhaul was in his study, surrounded with bookcases of ancient texts and other magical artefacts, with his new son, Kor'Dalhar. Before them was the map of Morte Mountain and Tanelic, showing the defensive markers that indicated the four forts at the frontier. Closed to Avencus was a goblet of the finest wine Morte Mountain can offer.
'With the corpses from Light's Hope Chapel, our forces have doubled in size.' Kor'Dalhar stated as he gestured at the location of Light's Hope Chapel on the map. 'Right now, we have amass about ten thousand Legionnaires. As soon as the new Legions from the Frozen Fortress and Rorhael Citadel are ready, we can begin our march on Tanelic and Canaleodon.'
Avencus raised his goblet and took a sip, setting it back onto the table with a smile. 'Excellent. With these new Legions at my side, Tanelic will finally belong to me! Soon, I will rule these lands with an iron fist and my brother will be the first to…'
He suddenly stopped when they heard the blowing of the horns, obviously coming from outside the tower. Before any one of them could open their mouths to say anything, one of the warlocks burst into the room. He caught his breath before spurting out loud.
'My lords!' he panted. 'Tanelician forces are positioned on the Field of Torelain!'
Surprised, Avencus swept passed Kor'Dalhar and the warlock: heading for a better view. He impatiently pushed pass servants and other warlocks, worry creeping up onto his face. He stepped into one of the balconies of the tower, stopping until he had a full view of the field.
Just as the warlock reported, there were indeed the Tanelician forces stationed on the field: standing in between the valley and Blackrock Spire. He narrowed his eyes and saw the White banner with the Golden Lion insignia printed on it: signifying House Tendenhaul. Avencus pulled his goatee and tried to hide his agitation as Kor'Dalhar joined him, giving his son a false smile.
'It would seem that my brother finally gathered up the courage to attack me.' Avencus smirked. 'I must say, I'm impressed and surprised at my brother's bravado.'
Kor'Dalhar leaned on the balcony, his one eye scanning the enemy forces before them. 'There must be at least four thousand soldiers. Arald and his followers must be planning to have a decisive battle with us. What are your orders, father?'
Avencus pulled his goatee, smiling. 'Your legion dealt a massive blow to the White Crusader even when outnumbered. Now, we have superior number. Kor'Dalhar, send your legions and crush this pathetic army. Take no prisoners!' He grinned, flashing yellow teeth. 'Except for my brother. I want to… Personally 'entertain' him before I put him out from his misery.'
Kor'Dalhar nodded and bowed. 'At your command.'
Kor'Dalhar reentered the tower began calling for the commanders he just raised, his voice echoing throughout the tower. Avencus nodded and looked back at the enemy, his agitation dying down and replaced with the arrogance he was accustomed to.
'Your end is near brother,' He hissed with venom. 'When you draw your last breath, I will take your crown and sit on your throne. Then Tanelic will belong to me!'
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'Here they come.' Argus whispered. 'Just like you said Kara.'
Kara nodded, as the gates of Blackrock Spire swung opened, black figures marching out from them. 'After our defeat at Light's Hope Chapel, the enemy will be over-confident and will march out for open combat. Today, they will pay for their arrogance.'
Soon, three legions marched towards them before stopping before them. Each legion had maybe three thousand Legionnaires, totalling about nine thousand undead warriors. They wore their usual black armour armed with shield and spears, their sword sheathed. Each legion carried their own banner, which was black with number written in gold: second, third and fourth.
Standing before them were the commanders of each legion, wearing golden armour with a red horse-crest helmet on their heads. One was hefting a spiked hammer, another had his twin swords sheathed while the other carried a shield and great-sword in the other hand. Kara recognised the one with the twin swords as Derek Blackfingers, commander of the 2nd Legion and the one who was there with Kor'Dalhar and Solomon Winterspring on that day.
Blackfingers barked out an order and the first line of the Legion stepped in front of them, raising their shields and lowering their spears towards them. Growling with what air was left in their lungs, the Legionnaires marched slowly. The sight of such unholy creatures made several soldiers shivered but remembering what they were fighting for, the Tanelician and the White Crusade steeled themselves: awaiting for their commanders' orders.
'This is it!' Kara said. 'The battle has begun.'
Arald nodded and pulled his sword out from his scabbard, pointing it skyward. 'Soldiers of Tanelic, brave crusaders, the enemy is before us! Crush them in the name of the light and Tanelic! Forward!'
Kara joined in, issuing her own orders. 'White Crusaders, charged into the enemy ranks!'
Cavalry charged out from their army and headed towards the Legions, fearless and lances lowered towards them. The Legionnaires stood their ground, spears in positioned, as the White Crusade's cavalry were nearing. Before the cavalry could clash with the Legionnaires, Mora shouted another order.
'Archers, take aim! Release!'
The archers behind the Tanelician forces nocked their arrows and raising their bow in the correct angle, released. Arrows flew over the cavalry and plunged into the ranks of the legions. Many arrows penetrated through most of the Legionnaires' head and most of them howled in agony before remaining truly dead. It did not confused the remaining Legionnaires but it did leave gaps in their formation, which the White Crusaders used to their advantage.
The cavalry charged into the gaps and cut down any Legionnaires in their way, weakening the Legions' front lines. With their front lines shattered and the long spears cumbersome in closed combat, many of the Legionnaires switched to their sword and began hacking at the White Crusaders but with the advantage of height, the White Crusaders could just cut down the Legionnaires on horseback.
With the cries of the dead and living mixed together with the neighing of horses, Mora and Kara shouted another an order in unison. 'Light Infantries! Forward! For Tanelic!'
The combined forced of the Tanelician and the White Crusade roared as they charged into the battle, with raised swords and lowered spears. They joined in the already weakened cavalry and started slashing and spearing anything that was supposed to be dead. The battle raged fiercely as limps flew everywhere and blood bathes the ground. The clashes of steel echoed into the air.
The Legion of the Damned maybe powerful and impervious to pain but they lacked purpose and were fighting under orders of a master who brought them back to life. The Tanelician and the White Crusade, on the other hand, were fighting for their homes and families; their motivation to fight were higher. They fought desperately as they were slowly pushing back the Legion; their war-cries unwavering as their sword-swings slammed harder onto the armoured undead.
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Derek Blackfingers growled as he slashed at an enemy before plunging his other sword into another. Giving his fallen enemy a disdainful look, he kicked the corpse away from his blade and looked around. He saw the other commanders, Brodur Blacktooth and Heinrich Hellraiser, fighting off the Tanelician and White Crusaders: sending the humans to their deaths. The Legionnaires, however, were being pushed back by the combined effort of both cavalry and infantries.
It seems the humans had learnt from their mistakes at Light's Hope Chapel. Blackfingers thought sourly. Only a fool would repeat the same trick twice.
He watched as the humans were cutting down the Legionnaires gradually, anger building up in his undead body. They were the undead, the immortal! How can they be beaten back by creatures that can be killed easily by a stab in the gut or old age?
Blackfingers cut down another human before raising his sword, roaring. 'Legion of the Damned, show this pathetic humans what is true might! Forward and slaughter them all! For our lord and master!'
Answering to their commander's orders, the Legionnaires released a guttural growl and pressed forward. They smashed their shields into the humans and impaled them with their spears or swords. With the commanders taking the lead, the undead were slowly gaining their ground: leaving new corpses onto the ground.
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Kara cringed as she thought of so much death that needed to bring them victory but she steeled herself as the Legion of the Damned were pushing back the Tanelicians. She nodded. The Legions had taken the bait and were now in a false sense of confidence. Furthermore, Kor'Dalhar was not leading attack so this would be easier. She turned to Arald.
'Your majesty, it's time.'
The King of Canaleodon nodded. 'Very well, sound the retreat Grand Crusader.'
Kara nodded and gestured for the heralds. 'Sound the retreat!'
As the heralds blew three times on their horns signalling the retreat, Arald and his commanders turned their mounts and fell back into the valley. Soon, the other soldiers and the White Crusaders followed after them: disengaging from their fight.
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Blackfingers decapitated another human when he realised that the humans were retreating, registering the three blow horns. He looked up as the humans were retreating through the valley, dropping their banners and weapons.
Brodur walked up to him and gave a nasty smile. 'Look Blackfingers, the weakling humans are retreating. And so is their cowardly king! They're no match against the might of the Legion!'
'Should we give chase Commander Blackfingers?' Heinrich asked, also joining them.
Blackfingers nodded. 'Our master commanded us to take the king alive! We shall follow his orders. Ready the men! We give pursuit!'
Brodur grinned, showing decaying teeth, as he raised his war-hammer. 'You heard him you maggots, forward! Take down their king!'
Leading the charge, Blackfingers and his fellow commanders give chase: charging into the valley with their Legionnaires following behind them.
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Standing on the balcony, Avencus gave out a laugh as he watched his brother and his followers fleeing from the Legion of the Damned. He managed to stop himself as he leaned on the balcony, his smile full of mirth.
'Look at our enemy fleeing like dogs running away from their masters! Your Legionnaires have served us well my son!'
Kor'Dalhar nodded, obviously pleased. 'As you can see my father, the Legion of the Damned can defeat any foe no matter what circumstance. We will conquer Tanelic and you will sit on the throne by your right.'
Avencus smiled in satisfaction but the smile fell when a thought entered his mind. 'Kor'Dalhar, does it never occur to you that the enemy's retreat might be a feint?'
Kor'Fiend shrugged his armoured shoulders. 'I believe not. As you have taught me, humans are driven by emotions. In their quest for vengeance, they have foolishly challenge you and failed miserably. Now they're paying the price for their arrogance.'
Avencus nodded, watching as the Legion of the Damned followed the fleeing Tanelician.
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Kara looked over her shoulders and to her satisfaction, the Legion of he Damned were chasing after them. She had to smile. These undead were no strategists without their master. She looked all over the valley, everything prepared. Their fire attack will cleanse this undead back to the afterlife.
She, the king and the others continued riding to the other side of the valley, purposely slowing down to bait the Legions of the Damned further. They reached the other side of the valley and stopped their horses to a slow halt, allowing the rest of their men to pass them so that they can regroup and reorganised their formation. With keen eyes, Kara watched as the Legion of the Damned entered the valley. Now three-quarter of the undead forces entered the valley, charging at them with murderous intent.
With the undead half-way into the valley, especially with their commanders in the front, Kara made the choice. 'The enemy has fallen into our trap! Signal to Lora and Luther to begin the fire attack!'
The herald nodded and taking a deep breath, blew long and hard into his horn: the horn blasts bounced off the walls of the valley.
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Blackfingers continued with his charge, leading his Legionnaires deeper into the valley. The human king and his followers were just standing there at the entrance of the valley, just begging to ask him and his warriors to end their life. The undead commander grinned and encouraged his warriors to continued onward.
Even with his brain rotting, a thought did come into Blackfinger's mind. Why are the humans just standing there? Why are they not preparing to defend themselves? Furthermore, what was that long horn blast?
Before he could get the chance to survey his surrounding, whatever sunlight that managed to filter into the valley disappeared: leaving the valley in darkness. He then heard the whizzing of something flying downwards and to his surprise, saw arrows plunging into the ground. These arrows were on fire.
Then suddenly, the ground burst into flames as it engulfed the undead. The situation became worse as explosions boomed in the valley, sending Legionnaires into the air and turning them into ashes. Smoke filled the valley as flames surrounded the Legion of the Damned.
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Kara watched as the Legionnaires of the Damned writhed and danced in the flames, hearing their agonised howls filled the valleys. The explosive powders they had stored in the barrels also helped as it tore holes into the undead ranks, decimating them. The archers continued to shoot down fire arrows into the burning valley, adding more fuel into the fire.
Nodding, Kara turned to another herald. 'Signal Rowan and Barrick to bar the exit. Do not let a single enemy escape our flames of justice!'
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Blackfingers cursed as fire licked onto his armour, growling as the heated metal burnt into his rotten flesh. He and Blacktooth were standing in a spot that was not on fire, fortunately for them. Surrounding them were what was the remnants of their three legions, holding out the flames with their shield. However, one by one, each Legionnaire were turning into cinders. If they were not burnt directly from the fire then it would be through their iron armour where the heat was transmitted, making the metal melt into their rotten flesh.
Blackfingers scowled as he looked at the situation. His master will be displeased with the loss of so many Legionnaires and will likely take his and Blacktooth's heads but what can he do? Both entrances of the valley was blocked by the humans and when Hellraiser tried to break through one of them, he was cut down by the new human reinforcement. Now he laid on the ground, burning to ashes.
Blacktooth snarled and turned to Blackfingers. 'This is all your fault! Because of you, we're stuck in this situation!'
Blackfingers glared at Blacktooth. 'I'm fully aware of our predicament! We must break out of here!'
Blacktooth laughed nastily. 'And how Blackfingers? If we stay here, we're dead! If we returned to our master, we're dead! What can we do now?'
Blackfingers growled and turned to where the humans who caused all this stood. Something caught his dead glowing eyes and saw some way to salvage the situation. The human king was still here, watching their destruction. If they can kill him, their masters will forgive them and they will lower the enemy's morale.
He roared and braving the flames, shouted. 'Follow me warriors of the dead! Their king is before us for the taking! Brave the flames and follow me!'
With a roar, he bravely leapt into the fire: not caring about the flames burning his body. Seeing their commander charging forward, Blacktooth and the remaining Legionnaires followed after Blackfingers.
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Argus squinted his eyes. 'Looks like we got movement heading towards us.'
Kara turned back to the flames and saw what Argus meant as she too saw figures running towards them. Bursting out of the fire were Blackfingers and few other Legionnaires, maybe two dozens or so. Kara nodded and unsheathed her sword, about to ride forward but was stopped by Gavarin and Mora.
'You had your fun at Light's Hope Chapel Grand Crusader.' Mora said, readying her halberd. 'Leave these stranglers to me and Gavarin.'
Gavarin was slowly swinging his flail in a sideway circle, looking grim. 'You too Argus. You and the Grand Crusader protect the king. We shall deal with them.'
Argus wanted to protest but closed his mouth as Kara nodded, sheathing back her sword. 'May the light protect you. Fight well Sir Gavarin and Lady Mora.'
Mora nodded and turned to her own men. 'Men, follow me!'
With two dozens soldiers behind them, Mora and Gavarin charged at the remnant of the Legion. They clashed into the undead, reigniting the fight. While their soldiers dealt with the Legionnaires, Mora and Gavarin dismounted as they faced the two Legion commanders. They stood in deadlock as their soldiers fought bravely and flames burning behind them.
'Come monsters!' Gavarin said. 'I will show you the power of the blessed Light!'
Blackfingers sneered. 'Your precious light won't save you now!'
The two undead roared and charged as Mora and Gavarin moved to the defence. Blacktooth swung his war-hammer down on Gavarin's shield while Mora thrust her halberd towards Blackfingers who caught it with his twin swords in a cross. Blacktooth roared and swung his hammer sideway, only for the knight to duck and slammed the spiked ball of his flail into the undead's shoulder blade. It smashed the bone but it did not hinder Blacktooth as he swung his hammer, forcing Gavarin to dodge.
Mora pulled back her halberd and swung it at Blackfingers, only for the undead to block the attack and to thrust his own sword at Mora's mid-section. Mora blocked the attack with the middle of the halberd and slammed the end of the halberd into the undead's face, making it stumbled backwards. Blackfingers snarled and charged towards Mora, with both swords into the air.
Gavarin straightened up and swung his flail, the chain wrapping around Blacktooth's hammer. With a grunt, he pulled the hammer out of Blacktooth's hands; disarming the undead. He growled and even without a weapon, he charged towards the knight. Gavarin slammed his shield into Blacktooth, sending the undead onto his back. Before he could get up, Gavarin slammed the spiked ball into Blacktooth's skull, shattering the bones and ending the creature's life.
Mora backed away at Blackfingers' sword swings, allowing the undead to gain a false sense of confidence. Then she finally stopped retreating, knocking one of the sword out of Blackfingers hand with the end of her halberd. Bearing his decaying teeth with hatred, Blackfingers thrust his remaining sword: trying to impale Mora's heart. The vice Battle-Commander stood aside and with a cry, swung her halberd sideway. The blade cut through Blackfingers' neck and his head flew into the air, dropping onto the ground at the same time as the body.
Mora and Gavarin straightened up, nodding in satisfaction. Around them their soldiers had already taken out the remaining Legionnaires, only the living remaining in the burning valley. Arald, Kara and Argus rode forward, the king smiling down at Mora and Gavarin.
'Well done Lady Mora and Sir Gavarin. Your bravery cannot be compared with anyone else.'
Mora and Gavarin bowed at the king's compliment as Arald turned to Kara. 'I say things are going very well. What is our next move Grand Crusader?'
Kara looked at the flames blocking their way towards Blackrock Spire, every Legionnaires perished in the fire and were now lying lifeless onto the ground: slowly turning into ashes. 'While we wait for the mages to extinguish the fire, we will reorganise our forces. As soon as the fire died down, we will rendezvous with Johann, Lia and Owen and we will assault Blackrock Spire.' She looked at the flames again, watching the mages casting spells to extinguish the flames. 'Until then, we must put our faith in our friends and hope they can end Avencus' reign for good.'