General Twostar was more than happy to be on the march, at last marching his troops out against the enemy. Reinforcements from Stalliongrad had arrived the day before hand, slightly more than five thousand strong. To his disapproval however two thousand of those troops were Slave Warrior levies. There was a good chance they might turn against them in the coming battles so he had to keep them under close watch. Beggars couldn't be choosers however and if he wanted to salvage his career he had to strike now.

The week of waiting had been dangerously quiet with few raids being reported and just as few supply caravan's being attacked. It had rained heavily in the last few days, he lamented that weather had become less predictable since the disappearance of the Royal Sisters. There was to much risk of pegasus slaves making a run for it if they were used for weather control duty.

Two days prior however his scouts had spotted what looked like a camp to the north of his base camp. It was set up in a clearing surrounded by thick trees and high wooded ridge to the north. The trees were two thick for large infantry columns to advance easily so they would be slowed and vulnerable on the approach, forced onto paths used by the wild life an no doubt the rebel slaves themselves.

So once he was reinforced he began his expedition into the wood lands at full march. The proud legions of Moon and Stars marched with parade ground precision, banners flying high in a fall breeze. It did Twostar's heart to see such proud Stallions and Mares willing to lay down their lives for the true Equestria.

Some have already laid down their lives, he privately mused.

Some of his scouting parties had been ambushed already today, quick hit and run style attacks, mostly by pegasus ponies. Some had fought them off with few losses but others had vanished all together. He mourned those losses in silence, refusing to allow himself to appear weak before so many valiant ponies.

Suddenly the whole advance came to a grinding halt. He frowned and hurried along the line towards the front of the column. The ponies there were not marching or fighting, they were simply staring up into the trees with looks of abject horror and revulsion on their faces. A few were retching up their breakfast by the side of the trail.

"What's going on here!" He demanded. "Why have you..."

Then he looked up himself.

Hanging from the branches of every tree along the trail was a unicorn, dead and disfigured. Their eyes head been stabbed out and bellies torn open so that intestines swung in the breeze. Every stallion had been gelded and their parts shoved into their open mouth's. Every mare had been shaved bare, pale flesh bare in the air. Even worse every single one had their horn cut off and shoved up their hindquarters. Some had mocking signs hanging from about their necks denoting them as nobility or officers along with mocking graffiti.

Rage, such as he had never before known in his life welled up in Twostar as he looked up the desecrate remains of his ponies and peers. This was vile, worse than Earthborn's practice of dehorning by an unbelievable magnitude. Such cruelty he had never seen before in ponies.

"Celestia protect us," one of the lead stallions whispered. "We're dealing with the cult sir."

Twostar shook his head.

"No."

"But who else could do...," the stallion struggled for words staring up at the remains for a moment before vomiting all over his own hooves.

"Pull yourself together," Twostar said patting a hoof on the stallion's armored back. "None of them are smiling. The cult usually tries to make some sort of sick joke out of their attacks. This," he gestured to the hanging corpses. "Was meant to inspire fear and weaken our resolve not some joke."

The Stallion nodded, steadying himself.

"Get a detail cutting these poor sods down," Twostar ordered. "But keep the column moving. The best we can do for this lot is bring the cravens who did this to justice."

"Yes sir," the Stallion said in a shaky voice.

The column began to move again while some of the seraphs flew up into the trees to lower the victims down. Twostar turned away from the sight to gaze northwards.

He knew that the carnage had only just begun.

MLP:ED

"Move your fecking asses!"

"Come on lads!"

"Hurry it up! We're at war now!"

Ardon moved quickly through organized chaos at the top of the hill line. Almost all of his two thousand seven hundred man and pony force was making ready for battle around him. Some were organizing units of former slaves and getting them into positions. Others donned war paint, a few applying it to some ponies who wanted to try it out. The Clan Hunters that weren't on the prowl for stray enemy forces and scouts were planting arrows into the dirt. A few were praying, or drinking, or eating a last meal. Everyone knew this would be a blood fight to come.

For the past few days the Nor Menn and their pony allies had been busy turning this clearing and ridge line into a massive death trap. First he had ordered the ground in the clearing tilled up with a few plows that they had taken during their raids. Then he'd had the pegasus ponies gather as many clouds as they could to cover the area in heavy rain. The result was that the clearing was now a thick goopy quagmire of mud, water, and other substances.

He had ordered that the top hill itself be left as dry as possible and then had several large heavy boulder's moved from their main camp to the top of the hill. These boulders were covered in straw and hay that had been lashed down on them. Barrels of oil and grease from the cooking had been prepared to ignite the boulders and use them to break up the troop formations of house Moon and Stars.

At that moment several Snow Striders lead by the Faesage arrived with a couple of Pegasus ponies lead by Rainwalker in tow.

"Report," he ordered instantly.

"They're coming," Merricle replied. "Less than a half hour away by now."

"We've given them a few scratches," Rainwalker added. "They're practically blind now."

"Perhaps," Ardon muttered. "Lethrook!"

Lethrook hurried over pulling his mail on over his head.

"Where the hell have you been?" Ardon demanded.

"Was having a good feck," Lethrook growled pulling on his helmet.

"Just to clarify feck does mean what I think it does right?" Rainwalker asked.

"Yep," Lethrook answered.

"Have we had any word about Lord Krast and his warriors?" Ardon asked.

Lethrook shrugged.

"No idea," he said. "Like I said, I was having a feck."

"Well go find out!" Ardon snapped angrily. "I'll cut your cock off and feed it to the unicorns."

Lethrook hurried off leaving Ardon to turn back to Merricle and Rainwalker.

"I want the ponies up front," Ardon growled. "Keep our warriors concealed until the last moment to maximize the shock value. I want the Pegasi to focus on their fliers, no attacking ground targets until we have air superiority."

"Got it," Rainwalker replied.

"Magic is to remain as a last resort," Ardon continued. "The less the enemy knows about us the better. Triage healing for those who can return to the fight over those who cannot. Snow Striders are to stay on our left flank and hit the enemy from the trees. No engaging the enemy directly, if they give chase break them up and slaughter them."

"Right," Merricle replied.

"Boss!" Lethrook shouted running back over to them. "Last word put Clan Krast's forces at nearly two hours away at best!"

Ardon cursed, if Clan Krast didn't get here in time they wouldn't be able to hold for long.

"If the enemy gains the hill top," he said slowly. "Have everyone fall back to the trees."

"If they gain the hill top?" Rainwalker asked.

"If they get that far we're probably already dead," Ardon replied grimly.

Silence fell among them for a brief moment as Ardon looked from them one at a time; rugged old Lethrook, fiery Rainwalker, and innocent looking Merricle. He wondered if this would be the last time he would see any of them again. He took a deep breath to steady himself.

"Get to your positions," he ordered. "Gods go with you all."

They all nodded and split off to their respective positions on the battle line. By now the Nor Menn and pony warriors were assuming their final positions for the fight. Almost everything was now ready with minutes to spare. Ardon walked the line looking into the eyes of each of them. Bearded and fierce Raiders, eager Axe throwers, wild Berserkers, solemn Wanderers, grim Spear wives, focused Clan hunters, disciplined Spell warders, calm Snow striders, spirited Avariel healers, scared but determined former slaves. Warriors all be they pony, man, or elf.

Slowly he climbed up onto one of the larger boulder's near the center of the line as silence fell upon the lines. He adjusted the brooch that now held his cloak. A gift from the Faesage that would allow all who heard him to understand his words no matter what language he spoke in. Great moments called for a speech as the bards said.

"Warriors," he began. "Less than a month ago we were all strangers. Who would have imagine such a force as this ever coming to be? Menn and ponies fighting side by side. We come from different lands, speak in different languages, pray to different gods, eat different food, but in this one moment and in this cause we are united. In this one moment we are kinsmen, a common people fighting a common foe. Brothers and sisters in blood, battle, death, glory, and victory."

Then he smiled. "And I am honored to be in the company of kinsmen so worthy as you all. This battle will not be the end of this war. This battle is but the first step in a long and bloody road to the end. Some of you may ask "why must I take that first step? Can't someone else do it?" I say if not us here and now, then who will and when? We must take that first step. We must make a stand. And I say we do it here and now."

He paused for a moment and then drew out his sword.

"Will you stand with me?" He demanded.

In response the Nor Menn drew their weapons and cheered. The ponies followed suit stamping their hooves and shaking their spears. Ardon grinned.

"Then let's kick these prissy little, holier than though, horn headed feckers right in their rears and send them crying all the way to Hel!" He roared amidst the roars and shouts of his fellows. "For victory! For justice! For freedom! And for the north!"

He then clambered off the rock to join the line with his kinsmen. Battle called and he would answer.

MLP:ED

As General Twostar followed his men into the valley a turned his gaze northwards to the lines of rebel slaves a top the hills. They stood (or flew in the case of pegasus slaves) there, a few near the edge clustered about several large boulders they had brought to the fight. A simple and primitive tactic, typical of mud pony and feather brained slaves. Pathetic to be perfectly honest.

Still the danger they presented was very real as such boulders could be dangerous to the large formations that the Legionnaires preferred. Sending Seraphs in first would mean taking the fight to the enemy fliers which could be dangerous. He still couldn't see the mysterious supporters of this slave revolt. No doubt the true masters of these ignorant foals were using their thralls as bait to lure in the Unicorns.

"Marksmages front and center!" He called.

The Marksmages hurried to forefront falling into perfect formation. They kicked up mud however much to General Twostar's distaste.

"Set up and scatter those foals," he ordered. "No quarter or mercy."

"Set up!" the Marksmage commander shouted.

The Marksmages planted their amplifiers into the mud, not without some difficulty. Then they inserted their horns into the firing chambers and adjusted their aim.

"Fire!" The Marksmage commander shouted.

Dozens of bolts of magical energies screamed forth and with precise aim hit their targets. Most of the slaves on or above the hill dropped either screams or in silence. More came up however taking the positions previously held by their fellows. The Marksmages fired again and more dropped with dismal ease.

Satisfied General Twostar turned to his signal ponies.

"Vanguard forward," he ordered. "Legionnaires up front, Knights in the center, and Seraphs above in support."

Flawlessly his orders were carried out and the Unicorns took positions. Bristling lines of polished steel barding, bright spears, and glowing horns. Regimental banners flew in the breeze while musicians played up marching tunes. Proud valiant Unicorns, the true rulers of Equestria as nature and the Princesses decreed it.

"Forward, march!" He proclaimed.

With a drilled rustling thunder of armor shifting as the Unicorns marched forwards with practiced discipline.

Then they began to hit the mud and the lines began to slow in their advance. The heavy armor got caught in the sludge and clogged the lines. Twostar's vanguard of nearly seven hundred of the finest unicorns in Equestria were get stuck in the mud and slowed to a crawl in the advance on their foes.

Still they were making passable progress through the sludge. Sheer bulk of numbers was pushing the advance forwards, towards the hill. The Marksmages kept the slaves heads down for fear of losing them to incoming magical blasts. It was starting to look as though this battle would be a cake trot.

Then suddenly the boulders a top the hill burst into flames becoming massive balls of fire. A second later the slaves kicked them down, sending them rolling towards the front ranks of the vanguard. Twostar cursed knowing that there was no way those caught in the path of those boulders would be able to get out of the way in time because of the mud. Still the flames seemed excessive.

A moment later the boulders smashed into the front ranks crushing many hapless legionnaires in their path. A few Legionnaires raised barriers of magic to try and stop the boulders but these hardly worked. There were shouts of alarm from the troops but they didn't break ranks, they couldn't. There were only so many boulders however and they could only kill so many before they would come to a...

Suddenly there was a massive explosion running all along the ranks of the Vanguard! Fire roared across the muddy field engulfing the whole area in flames! The heat was so intense it roasted the wings off the Seraph sending them tumbling down into the inferno screaming in terror. In the midst of the flames General Twostar could hear the screams of his ponies as they died in agony and terror. His mouth hung open in shock as a full tenth of his forces were obliterated in an instant.

Beyond the flames and the screams the slaves could be heard cheering and shouting curses at the dying unicorns. Twostar gritted his teeth in rage. With the sky cleared of Seraph's rebel pegasus ponies flew in fresh rain clouds and let the down pour snuff out the flames. The flames died away and the cooked solid was rapidly beginning to break down into mud once more mixed in with the charred and roasted bodies of the vanguard of Twostar's forces. Several Marksmages opened up the pegasi forcing them back with their fire but killed very few off them.

Twostar turned away from the carnage to his Signal officer who stood there still horror struck.

"Full attack," he ordered.

"But general," the signal officer choked out. "The fire... the stones!"

"They've already played their trump card," Twostar growled. "They cannot play it again."

"They have the high ground sir," the signal officer objected. "And the mud will slow us down, dozens will die!"

"Hundreds," Twostar corrected bitterly. "Signal the attack."

The signal officer looked ready to object again but nodded and relayed the order. Twostar watched as the next wave of troops moved into position. Fresh Legionnaires, Seraphs, and Knights in bright armor. They were clearly shaken by what they had just witnessed but he prayed that they could turn that shock into anger then direct it on the enemy. It would be a bloody day.

MLP:ED

"Archer's make ready!" Neratha heard Ardon call out. "Pegasi forward! Wipe the enemy fliers out!"

She stood among her kinfolk, fellow Sindarla with her bow gripped tightly in her hands. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she plucked up her first arrow and notched it to her bow string. Above Rainwalker and the pegasus ponies were moving to engage the enemy with all haste.

The enemy fliers would be the greatest threat to the Nor Menn's advantage of surprise. Thus while the Pegasus ponies moved to engage the flying Unicorns the Nor Menn kept themselves as low as possible trying to keep the advantage for the right moment. Now that oil trap had been used however it would be up to skill at arms and their cunning use of terrain to win the day.

She couldn't actual see the enemy, she was to far back from the hills edge and Ardon wanted it kept that way. The Clan Hunters would have to arc their shots into the enemy lines. They would be less accurate and less powerful but it would thin the enemy out. Once the Warriors charged down the slope the Clan Hunters would reposition themselves for more direct fire.

"Archers ready!" Fealen called out. "Archers draw!"

Neratha raised her longbow in unison with the rest of the Clan Hunters and drew back on the string till it was at full draw. She kept her breathing steady, refusing to allow her shot to fail.

"Fire!"

Neratha released her shaft along with the rest of the Clan Hunters as the Pegasus ponies clashed with the enemy fliers. The Arrows dropped past the battling ponies and down below the hill top. Cries of alarm and agony filled the air as the deadly darts fell among the Moon and Stars troops.

Neratha and the Clan Hunters were already sending up a second volley of shafts, followed by another and another. A deadly storm of arrow shafts fell upon the confused and alarmed unicorns below. No doubt they would be trying to defend themselves from the onslaught but were not going to stop their assault.

Within two minutes Neratha had loosed twenty arrows along with the rest of the Clan hunters, a deadly barrage of doom. Already hundreds if not thousands of Unicorns had been slain in this battle and the melee had yet to be joined. Four shafts later she was almost ready to switch to her second quiver.

"They've reached the base of the hill!" Some one, likely a pony shouted.

"Stand!" Ardon called out.

As one the Nor Menn warriors rose to their feet and drew their weapons. The Clan Hunters launched another volley before pausing for the assault.

Then Ardon waved his sword in the air and shouted, "FOR THE NORTH!" Then he lead the roaring Nor Menn charge. The Ponies surged after them and the Clan Hunter rushed forwards to take up their new position.

The Nor Menn assault caught the Moon and Stars troops completely off guard. They had expected a counter charge but never before had they seen the roaring howling mass of a Nor Menn charge. Warriors literally slid down the muddy slopes to accelerate themselves into the fray. The Moon and Stars Unicorns tried to form up into a defensive line but the Nor Menn were on them to quickly!

Maces shattered skulls, swords and axes hacked off limbs, and spears impaled the helpless front ranks of the Unicorn lines. Axe Throwers tossed their weapons into the enemy lines brutally cutting down several in their first assault. The former slaves then smashed into the Unicorn's adding their weight and fry into the fight. From on high upon the hill top the Clan Hunters sent deadly accurate shafts into the pony lines picking off any they could.

The Unicorns reacted quickly however. They adjusted their magical missile assault to fire on the bulk mass of the assault cutting down many who were now exposed on the slopes of the hill. Younger ponies rushed in, fillies and colts to young to fight dragged the wounded back up the slopes to the waiting care of Avariel Healers. Many Clan Hunters adjusted their fire to assault the unicorn shooters but most were at the extreme limits of their range.

The Nor Menn and former slaves forced the Unicorns from the slopes and into the clearing proper fighting without any mercy. The Unicorns were responding in kind, bringing fresh troops into the fray and redoubling their ranged attacks. True battle had at last been joined, and their fates now rested in their luck and skill at arms.

MLP:ED

Rainwalker took extreme satisfaction as he rammed his spear through the side of a Seraph. The Unicorn mare gave a strangled cry of pain before Rainwalker kicked off her, withdrawing his spear intact. She tumbled to the raging ground battle below and disappeared amidst the mass of thrashing bodies in the mud. Satisfied with his kill her turned his attention back to the raging air battle.

The Moon and Stars Seraphs well out numbered the pegasus ponies, certainly many had been killed in the oil trap but that had been but a small part of their numbers. The Seraphs also had launched a brief barrage of spells at the Pegasus, thinning their numbers out before engaging. The Seraphs were likely better trained and more experienced but they had a few key flaws that the pegasus ponies could exploit.

First was that the Seraph's artificial wings were very fragile and combined with the heavier armor they wore made them much less maneuverable and far slower than the pegasi. Secondly they did poorly in close quarters combat focusing mostly on air support with their spells rather than combat. Last of all, they lacked the sheer desire for vengeance that filled Rainwalker and his fellow pegasi. They ganged up on the Seraphs, tearing at their wings with hooves and teeth. Once their wings were damaged the Seraphs were helpless, falling to their deaths bellow if the pegasi didn't kill them out right.

Rainwalker quickly picked out another target, another Seraph near the edge of the fighting. She was trying to cast support spells on the fighting below. Rainwalker sped towards her but she saw him coming. She cancelled her spell and tried to turn to run. Rainwalker was faster however and quickly got in above her aiming for a strike to the throat.

At the last second the Seraph rolled away and came about to face him, her horn glowing with magic. She fired off a blast of spell energy at him which he dove under. By his good fortune the blast hit another Seraph instead illicit a harsh laugh from him as he moved to engage at close quarters.

The Seraph beat her butterfly wings furiously trying to increase the distance between them as she readied another blast. He dodge the attack and swooped in for the kill going for her belly. A swift flurry of kicks however snapped the tip off his spear rendering the weapon essentially useless. Rainwalker pulled back for a moment and the Seraph fired off yet another blast of magic. Once more he evaded the attack and then closed once more to engage with his iron shod hooves.

His first strike struck the Seraph in the chest, denting in her plate armor. His second struck her across the face breaking bone and knocking out a few teeth. His third struck her right hind lend which broke with a resounding crack. His final two strikes he landed right to her feeble wings which shattered like glass. She fell away with a terrified scream down to the melee below.

Fierce cries from across the field told him that the Snow Striders and their riders had just engaged in the battle, sending showers of arrows in the Unicorn lines before falling back into the safety of the trees.

Then shouts of alarm came from the rear of the enemy lines. Rainwalker turned to see what was going on and cursed at what he saw. Five large Fire Birds had been summoned by the enemy and were now closing to engage in the aerial battle. Jets of flame burst forth from their golden beaks roasting any who got in their path friend or foe. Several of Rainwalker's Pegasi were beginning to fall back in the face of the assault.

Thinking quickly he dropped down to the hill top where the Clan Hunters were firing up on the enemy. The Faesage was there with her kins folk, and she waved up at him as he approached.

"You need some help?" She asked brightly.

"Buck yes we do," Rainwalker replied.

"Draw them them," the Faesage ordered. "We'll see what we can do."

Rainwalker nodded and sped back into the air. He quickly rallied his ponies and had them form up into loose formations, better to protect themselves from the flames. They made a series of mock charges at the Fire Birds drawing them steadily closer to the hill top. The avian beasts were more than happy to oblige him, though not without forcing them to pay a harsh toll. More than a dozen of Rainwalker's Pegasus ponies were roasted alive for their efforts.

"Look out up there!" Rainwalker heard Merricle call from below.

"Break!" He shouted and the Pegasus ponies scattered.

A storm of arrows rose up from the Clan Hunters! They tore into the Fire Birds who gave shrieking cries of pain before they crumbled into glowing orbs and fell to the ground amidst the raging battle. They would likely not survive the fury about them and be destroyed before they could recover themselves. Rainwalker shot the Faesage a salute before falling back to rearm himself with a fresh spear.

There were still more Unicorns to kill, and his blood lust had yet to be sated.

MLP:ED

Ardon's sense were almost completely overwhelmed by the information he was having to process in the chaos. The smells mud, blood, entrails, brains, shit, burnt flesh, and melted steel left his nose stunned. His body was numb from every blow he had swung or parried, sweat covering his skin in icy sheets mixing with hot blood and thick mud. He was deafened by the clash of weapons, war cries of the living, the moans of the wounded, the screams of the dying, and the roars of the victorious. His eyes saw all of the battle, all of its grizzly horror and glory.

He watched as a Nor Menn Raider hewed his way through two Legionnaires before a Knight's Morning star caved in his skull. A Beserker smash his way through a trio of unicorns with a single sweep of his mattock, splintering bones and armor as he went before a magical blast hit him in the shoulder. The Berserker shrugged off the wound before splitting the offending Legionnaire's skull with his mattock only for three of the Legionnaire's fellows to drive their spears into him. This left them exposed however to a counter attack by a Wanderer and group of four Earth ponies who cut them apart.

He saw a Unicorn lying belly up in the mud, one eye pulped by a blow trying to keep his entrails from spilling out into the mud from a gaping wound on his chest, screaming for his mother with tears pouring from his good eye. An Axe Thrower mercifully ended the wretches suffered with a blow to the neck before tossing one of his weapons into another Legionnaire. He then tried to throw a second axe at a knight only for the Unicorn to bring up its shield and caught the blow. With a sweep of his morning star the knight crushed the Axe Thrower's legs out from under him and sent the warrior screaming into the mud. A second blow ended the Axe Thrower's life.

He watched a freed slave wrestling a knight into the mud, pounding on the armored warrior's helmet with a iron shoe. The Knight was struggling against the Earth pony but couldn't not throw his opponent off. A few seconds of frantic struggling later the Knight was drowned dead in the mud.

And Ardon saw his own arms moving up and down in a relentless repetition as he carved open throats and bodies, severed limbs and shattered bones. He saw his hands draw out his knife and jam it into the eye socket of the closest unicorn before slashing its throat open. A knight charged and lashed out with its morning star only for Ardon's feet to move him deftly aside. He then saw his foot crash down on the chain holding the weapon in place and forcing the Knight into the mud. His foot slammed down upon the back of the knights helmet and he could hear the knight screaming frantically even as a Legionnaire closed on Ardon. Without lifting his foot from his first foe he swung his bastard sword clear through the Legionnaire's neck, decapitating it. A moment later the knight stopped moving, dead in the mud. He saw his sword rise into the air and then deliver a final crushing stab through the knights throat before he at last his brain caught up with the rest of the world.

The Nor Menn assault had gone very well, far better than Ardon had anticipated. The first enemies he had faced had only been able to gape at him with the same mixture of confusion and horror before they had been felled by his sword. The Nor Menn had penetrated deep into the confused, clogged, and messy ranks of the Unicorns.

Confusion had quickly worn off however and the Unicorns had counter attacked with alarming speed throwing their Legionnaires and Knights forwards without pity of remorse. The Nor Menn advance had begun to slow and then at last break into a brutal close up and personnel stalemate. Many Nor Menn and their pony allies had already fallen.

Still the Nor Menn had the advantage for the moment. The mud made the heavily armored unicorns slow and cumbersome preventing them from bringing the full weight of their numbers to effect. The Nor Menn and former slaves were lighter and faster, little hindered by the muck as they hack, smashed, stabbed, and slashed at their foes. The front lines had devolved into a massive free for all brawl. For every Nor Menn who fell three unicorns died in agony.

The Nor Menn could not be everywhere at once however and many of the former slaves lay among the dead or the wounded. Worse the Nor Menn were beginning to tire after over a half hour of brutal close quarters combat. There was no rest for the weary, pure adrenaline had to keep them moving and fighting or they would be slaughtered. He also knew the Clan Hunters and Snow Striders would soon run out of ammunition forcing them to engage in close quarters if they hoped to remain effective on the battlefield. A glance up told him that Rainwalker had yet to secure air dominance. Every now an again a Unicorn or Pegasus would tumble from the sky to come crashing down to the muddy ground, likely to die in the confusion.

Another knight charged him and Ardon was forced to jump back to avoid the morning star. He rushed in to close with the Knight, swing his bastard sword high. The Knight blocked the attack with his shield then swung the morning star back for another blow. Ardon yanked out his knife and slashed it through the eye slit of the knights helmet. The Knight scream in agony as blood pour out of his slashed eyes, his magic control of his weapons failing. Ardon finished him with a thrust to the heart.

Suddenly a blast of magic struck him the chest, burning through his jerkin and making the mail underneath the impact white hot. Ardon howled in pain as molten iron dripped out of the hole to fall into the mud, he could feel his under shirt scorched. He struggled back up to a large Unicorn Stallion with an ornate helm standing before him with a large falchion floating in the air next to him.

"I don't know what you are monster," the stallion snarled. "But you and your mongrel kin will not survive this day!"

"I would say the same to you," Ardon croaked, his throat dry from exhaustion.

He raised his sword up into a ready grip as the stallion charged towards him. Their blades clashed in the air three times before they broke apart. Again they charged, Ardon trying to get passed the sword to attack the stallion , while the stallion tried to work his blade to get at Ardon. They were to evenly matched however, sloshing about in the mud, swords clashing repeatedly in a furious storm of sparks.

Despite himself, Ardon couldn't help but revel in the fury of the duel as he avoided death by the narrowest of margins. He prayed that the ponies had more warriors like this stallion and Sheriff Silverstar. It made things more fun, more glorious, the thrill of battle and death, the feel of sweat running across his skin and his blood burning beneath his flesh. He felt more alive in moments like this than he did at any other time in his thus far brief and brutal life.

Then he over stepped. Seeing the opening the Stallion swung at his sword hand, Ardon pulled back in time to avoid losing a hand but lost his grip on his sword. He yanked out his knife parrying the next attack but now finding himself on the defensive. The Stallion pressed the attack with a flurry of blows that Ardon struggled to fend off with his knife. He snatched up a Raider's fallen shield and caught the falchion on the wooden bulwark. He rushed forward, charging as the Stallion struggled to pull his weapon free.

Ardon swung at the Stallion with his knife but the blow was deflected off the stallions helmet. The Stallion shoved him back and Ardon slipped, tumbling back into the mud. The Stallion was on him in seconds, raining a blows on him with his hooves, pounding on the shield Ardon had grabbed. He could feel the wood getting ready to give as he struggled to throw the Stallion off him.

There was a wild war scream from above as something crashed into the Stallion knocking him off of Ardon. Ardon scrambled to his feet and saw Rainwalker thrashing about in the mud with the Stallion, kicking and biting at one another. Ardon tossed aside his ruined shield, snatched up his sword then shoved Rainwalker off the Stallion.

"What the hay are you doing?" Rainwalker demanded.

"This is my fight!" Ardon snarled angrily. "Don't you dare interrupt!"

Ardon then kicked the Stallion's sword over to him as the Unicorn pushed himself back up. The Stallion spat out a glob of blood before levitating the sword back into the air. Ardon gave out another war cry and charged in once more. The Stallion meet his assault swinging his blade telekenetically towards Ardon's throat.

Once again Ardon slipped on the muddy ground and the Stallion's blow missed. Ardon saw his opening and stabbed upwards. His bastard sword went straight through the Stallion's throat. The Stallion's eyes widened for a moment in shock before going glossy. Ardon pulled his sword free and let the body fall to the mud.

"Why did you stop me?" Rainwalker demanded.

"You don't interrupt a battle like that," Ardon growled noticing that the battle above was at least now in the Nor Menn's favor. "It robs it of the glory and the honor."

"What the hay do I care about honor?" Rainwalker spat. "A dead Unicorn is a dead unicorn."

Before Ardon could reply there came a great howling from the west. Sure enough he could see them, through the carnage, and chaos. Mounted upon great dire wolves, wielding their massive great swords, and howling along with their bestial mounts, Clan Krast's warriors smashed into the enemies lines. The Riders leaped from the backs of their mounts to join them in battle.

Dire wolves tore through the flanks with a savage merciless fury. They mauled down screaming unicorns, tearing at their throats and slashing their eyes with claws. The riders hewed down any foe who tried to attack their wolves without pity or mercy. A perfect blend of savagery and power.

The Moon and Stars troops finally had enough at this and began to make a panicked retreat while the Nor Menn and their pony allies cheered on the new comers before joining the pursuit. Ardon pushed passed Rainwalker to join the fray.

"We'll finish this later," he growled before running to join to rout.

The Moon and Stars troops fled the field in a complete confusion and disorder. The Slave Warriors who had been kept in reserve quickly changed sides to help the Nor Menn, scattering and capturing many of the enemy. They pursued the Unicorns all the way back to their base camp an quickly overran its defenses, smashing down its gates and overpowering its few guards. Banners of Moon and Stars were stripped down and thrown into the dirt where they were trampled and spit upon or taken as trophies.

They then began to loot the camp taking anything that wasn't nailed down. They broke open the slave pens, freeing dozens of more pegasus and earth ponies. They took works of art, books, scrolls, money, jewels, weapons, armor, medicine, bandages, blankets, and most importantly they took all of the food and drink. They also took dozens of prisoners.

Ardon's warriors were cheering and shouting with delight as they joined with the warriors of Clan Krast in celebration of their victory. Amidst the joy however was sorrow. Of the nearly two thousand seven hundred warriors who had started the battle, well over six hundred were dead and twice as many were wounded. Moon and Stars had paid a dearer toll however. Less than five hundred unicorns had escaped the massacre and almost all of the nearly two thousand slave warriors brought from Stalliongrad had defected.

As someone began to strike up a song of victory and the drink was brought forth Ardon at last managed to find Jarl Krast. The Jarl had been lifted up onto the shoulders of some of his men, his blood splattered great sword held high in the air in triumph. He looked every bit the conquering hero the warriors wanted right now.

"My lord," he called pushing his way through the crowd.

The Jarl noticed him and bid his warriors put him on the ground. He was still grinning when he pulled Ardon into a half hug.

"Was wondering if you lot would show," Ardon said with a grin.

"I had to leave my foot men behind," Jarl Krast admitted. "They should be able to clean up."

"What news of Stalliongrad and the King?" Ardon asked.

The Jarl shrugged.

"They should have attacked the city by now," he answered. "We should know the answer to that very soon."

Ardon nodded then grabbed a pair of ale mugs from a table that hadn't been knocked over yet.

"To victory my lord," he said giving the Jarl one of the mugs and raising his own.

"To the North," Jarl Krast laughed before they smacked there mugs together and drank.

Author's Note

Next stop, Stalliongrad! Time to see if this gambit paid off.