“Humans have already taken some of the dragon’s territory, they are quickly proven themselves to be deserving of their title of ‘Warlords’. We have reports of three minor skirmishes and even a rather major battle inside Equestrian lands. In accordance to their treaty, the zebras have attacked the humans, but have lost more ground then they have gained.” The minotaur finished as he closed the scroll before him.
“It seems we are already falling behind in entering the war. I’ve heard whispers of war in the Griffin Council. I never thought I see the day when our proud race would be the late comers to a war.” A larger, more scarred, minotaur said as he eyed the others around the table.
“We are not late comers to this war, it has barely even begun to unfold. Sides have yet to be drawn and victors aren’t yet apparent. We may still enter and have a chance at getting the spoils of war.” The crowd around them murmured in hushed tones.
“The real question we must ask is if our armies came take up this new war? Did we not have great loses against our republic neighbors during the last battle?” An older minotaur asked, trading glances with his comrades.
“Indeed, Jarl Obsidian, Bull Creek was not a kind battle, over ten thousand soldier’s lost their lives to republic blades, but I believe that our armies can handle a war against the nations if we use surprise to our advantage and take a weapons cache before the enemy is aware we have joined.” The scarred minotaur replied.
“Jarl Steel Rage has a point. We need surprise to stand a chance. This war is our chance for recognition for the other nations, and a chance to show them all that the Kingdom of Taurus, not the New Minotaurian Republic, is the true minotaur power of the world.” The hall suddenly was deafened by shouts and cheers of the now standing crowd.
“SILENCE, LET THE COUNCIL SPEAK!” A large minotaur bellowed, bringing the cheers to an abrupt halt. Steel Rage cleared his throat and stood.
“I believe we can all agree that if we join the war now we have a chance at not only riches, but also true recognition by all other nations.” Steel Rage drew his sword and pointed the blade up. “Who agrees that we should join this war, and bring the world back from its sleep, and to see us as the true Warlord of this realm?” At this three of the four Jarls stood and drew their blades in the same fashion as Steel Rage, even Obsidian, who had remained seated at first, joined in. But one minotaur remained seated with his head lowered.
“King Iron Fist, shall we go to war?” At this the elderly king rose his head and looked at the standing Jarls around him. He slowly stood up and unlatched his blade’s sheath from his belt. He swung his great sword to the side, causing the sheath to fly off. Iron Fist then raised his blade in agreement. All at once the blades where slammed into the earth before each of the minotaur, followed by an uninterrupted chorus of cheers from the crowd.
Two days later, King Iron Fist walked the walls of his great city, accompanied by his most trusted counselor who was spewing his incessant stream of advice and cautions that the king had heard when he had declared war against the Republic. Back then he had only two or three years as king to his name, but now he had over four decades to his title. His long life span had been the constant chagrin of his son, Prince Lapis Lazuli.
“Humans have a highly organized and advanced army that the ponies have begun to imitate with some success, while as griffins…” Suddenly a hand was grasping the advisers mouth shut.
“I thank you for all your advice, but try to remember, I’m the king who made the nation want war with the republic. I know the ins and outs of war, I am a king born of war.” The counselor nodded and the king let go of the smaller minotaur’s snout. “Have they gathered their troops yet?” The king asked finally.
“Y-yes sir, all four provinces have arrived and are ready to pledge their soldiers to the war.” The counselor said as he jogged back up to the king’s side. The two guards beside the doors pushed them open, causing a groaning to echo throughout the castle grounds.
“Hale, King of the minotaurs! Long live King Iron Fist!” Steel Rage shouted as the king made his entrance, the other Jarls soon joined in the chant. The King bowed his head and lifted his hand for silence, which quickly came.
“When the Jarls are ready, begin the listing of souls that shall fight.” The counselor said, preparing his quill to write down the numbers. “Jarl Obsidian, please step forward.” Obsidian quickly walked up to the king.
“The Southern Province pledges twenty thousand well trained soldiers and two hundred thousand new recruits to the war.” The Jarl then stepped back among his comrades.
“Jarl Iron Heart, please step forward.” The King smiled as his brother stepped up to him. His most loyal supporter, who in reality was part of the reason he was now king; surely he would deliver the largest number.
“The Central Province pledges one hundred thousand well trained soldiers and four hundred fifty thousand new recruits to the war.” Truly he did not disappoint, causing the king’s smile to grow as he stepped back.
“Jarl Steel Rage, please step forward.” The bulky warrior strode up to the king with a serious expression.
“The Western Province pledges seventy thousand well train soldiers and a hundred and fifty thousand new recruits.” The King nodded as the former general stepped back.
“Jarl Topaz, come forward.” The king’s smile slowly died as his second son stepped up to face him.
“The Northern Province pledges fifty thousand well trained soldier and three hundred thousand new fighters to the cause.” Topaz turned and walked away.
“Jarl Titanium, please come forward.” The king looked at his uncle as he slowly approached. The king knew that he was no longer with the republic, but a feeling of unease always crept up on him when this gigantic, yet cautious, minotaur was around. Only Obsidian was more apprehensive about this then he.
“The Eastern Province pledges sixty thousand well trained soldiers and three hundred thousand new warriors to the war.” The king nodded and looked expectantly at the minotaur who whirled his quill on the paper, drawing up calculations as fast as possible.
“The Kingdom of Taurus as a whole pledges… one million six hundred and eighty thousand troops to the war.” The advisor said with a final stroke of his pen. The King’s smile grew ever larger as he looked on his Jarls.
“Today we set sail for Equestria, and tomorrow we show the world that Taurus is as strong as Tartarus’ gates!” With that all of the minotaurs shouted in unison. “Tell the foreign minister of the Griffins he has full permission to use up to one hundred thousand gold coins to acquire a company of griffin mercenaries.” Iron Fist looked at his Jarls with an ever growing smile. “The world will soon know our might once again. Taurus rises!”
“Taurus rises!” All the assembled minotaurs roared in a terrifying choir of voices.
A minotaur placed his thing beside his bunk. He touched the picture of a small minotaur hugging his leg. He stood up and gently pushed it under completely.
“We set sail in three hours!” A roar echoed through the belly of the ship, causing him to look over at the stairwell at his company’s commander, who was already climbing back up to the top deck.
“Hey you, what’s your name?” A voice said behind him, causing him to turn and look. A large minotaur with an equally large bag on his shoulder stood looking down at him. The smaller minotaur put a hand on his chest while raising an eyebrow. “Yes you.” To large hulk of a beast said.
“Hammer, Corporal War Hammer.” The smaller minotaur said. “What’s your name?” The larger minotaur sighed at Hammer.
“I’m Private Wrought Iron, and you are standing in front of where I need to go, Hammer.” Hammer quickly backpedaled, allowing Wrought Iron to place his things in the compartment above the top bunk. “Say, Hammer, weren’t you at Bull Creek?” Hammer nodded slowly.
“Yes, I became a corporal because of it.” Wrought Iron chuckled lightly as he shoved his pack deeper into the hole.
“Thought so, you’ve got the look.” When he saw that Hammer was looking at him with a raised eyebrow, he sighed and explained, “I know quite a lot of good warriors who were there, and they all have this… aura emanating from them. Sort of like… a piece of the battle is still happening inside of them… bah, I’m horrible at explaining these types of things.” Hammer didn’t say anything. He was too consumed in though as he sat down on his bunk. Wrought Iron might not have realized it, but he had actually struck home on that description; Hammer really did feel as if the battle never truly had ended inside of him.
The fleet of Taurus ship coursed through the water at a breakneck speed, Wrought Iron and Hammer rowed for all their worth as the minotaur who pounded a drum set a tempo for the whole crew.
“Imagine,” Wrought Iron began, “When we start taking prisoners, they’ll be down here rowing away for us.” wishful grunt and sighs echoed throughout the rowing section. “Hey, Hammer, how do you think we got until next shift?”
“They said they’d switch shifts every half hour, we’ve been at it for around… twenty or so minutes, so about ten or so minutes.” Hammer said, pouring every ounces of strength into rowing.
“And lunch is next on the schedule right?” Wrought Iron said hopefully. Hammer looked over at his comrade.
“No, first we go on watch, after that we go to the ship’s cargo hull and do maintenance on our gear, and then its lunchtime.” Wrought Iron was visibly disappointed at this. “Besides if we did go to the chow deck there would only be some cold stew. It takes the time we are on watch and doing maintenance to warm it back up.” Wrought Iron huffed as they continued to row in rhythm.
“ALL OARS FULL STOP!” The drummer minotaur shouted as he placed the rod on the drum canvas. Immediately the oars were raised. “Stow oars!” Iron and Hammer quickly began pulling in their oar as the sound of wood against wood filled the deck. “Battle positions everyone!” With that the soldier began filling out of the deck and to the cargo bay, the next deck down.
“Is this a drill or is this it?” Wrought Iron asked as he put his chest plate on. Hammer shook his head as he fitted the last strap in his armor.
“I don’t know, but we need to be ready for anything.” Hammer grabbed his rank insignia and slipped it on.
“I kind of hope it is the real deal. Rowing all day isn’t my type of work when there’s a war on.” Wrought Iron said as he latched on his rank insignia to his arm. “Personally I can’t wait to bash some skulls in.” Hammer just shook his head as he grabbed his battle axe and handed Wrought Iron his.
“We better get up there quickly if we want to hear what’s going on.” Hammer said as he started for the stairs with Wrought Iron behind him.
On the top deck they both could see why they had been ordered to stow oar and prepare for battle. In front of them was a fleet almost as large as their own. Hammer looked closer and saw some flags he knew were human. A long boat was approaching their ships quickly, laden with human guards and officials, all dressed in their fancy armor.
Hammer still had a hard time imagining why their ‘knights’ wore both chain mail and a full suite of plate mail. He had always found with chest plate and shoulder coverings to be sufficient in battle.
The boat drew up alongside his ship and a ladder was quickly lowered. The humans quickly scaled up and soon stood on the deck.
“I am Rear Admiral Ritter of the U.H.R.S. Dragoon. And as representative of the third human naval division, I request you state your business in these waters in such great numbers.” The military officer stated to the ship’s commander.
“We are here to continue the honorable tradition of our people. We are here for war.” The commander stated flatly, which caused cheers to break out around Hammer. “And I’m certain that King Iron Fist wouldn’t mind making war against humans as well as ponies.”
“King Iron Fist, huh? So you are from the ‘mighty’ Taurus Kingdom? Go back home bull; don’t you have a war against that republic or something?” The minotaur only smiled at the smaller human.
“Aren’t you forgetting something, human?” The officer merely looked at the gigantic minotaur. “You’re on my ship.” Hammer’s commander leaned in closer to the human. “So get off of it and back on yours if you want to back demands.” With that several minotaurs guards swarmed the humans and threw them unceremoniously back onto their small boat.
“You realize you have made a declaration of war against all humans?” The human officer as the soldier took their places at the oars.
“I’d do it again, and then declare the same to the rest of the world if I could have my way, now get back to your fleet before we flip your boat.” The men began to slowly move back towards their fleet as the commander of the minotaur fleet walked over to the minotaur operating the ship’s ballista. “Aim at their boat, when they get about a hundred yards, sink them in one shot, no misses.” The ballista operator swung the machine into place and took aim and kept it as best as he could. “Tell the rest of the fleet to prepare for battle.” The messenger nodded and immediately began to relay the signal via flags.
“So this is it.” Wrought Iron said calmly. “Funny, it’s a bit less tense then I imagined.” Hammer snorted at his comrade. “What?”
“This is nothing but the calm before the storm. Tell me have you ever been in battle?” Wrought Iron shook his head. “Well this is just the calm before the storm, we aren’t in battle yet.” Suddenly the twang of the ballista letting its bolt loose pierced the air, followed promptly by the splintering of wood as the long boat began to sink under the waves with its armor clad occupants. Suddenly the human ship turned to a broadside position and the sky became a few shade darker as arrows were let loose.
“Set a course to ram the lead ship.” the commander back as the arrows began to fall, but fortunately they were a few feet short. “Pass out shields, ballista, I need you attacking any and every ship. Come on warriors, let’s move.” Hammer took his shield, which could only provide decent cover if he were crouched. The sails came unfurled, and soon the Taurus fleet was moving towards the humans. “Begin rowing now, we need all the speed we can get.”
“Are we actually going to run straight into those ships?” Wrought Iron asked cautiously. Hammer nodded as the ship suddenly jolted as the oar pitched in. With a crash, a ballista’s shot made its mark, and punched a hole through the side of the enemy ship. Hammer raised his shield as another volley struck at the ships, but this time actually landed. A few arrow heads punched through the wooden shield, some even jabbed at his forearm, but fortunately most of the impact had been absorbed by the shield.
Suddenly the ship shook violently as the Taurus ship’s front slammed into the side of the human ship. With a yell, the warriors charged toward the front and crossed to the other ship. Hammer jumped across the gap, serendipitously tackling a human. He quickly slammed his fist into the man’s face, knocking him out cold.
Hammer stood up and entered the fray with a mighty roar. He swung his war axe, which caught a human knight in the side, and opposed to the armor, it sunk deep into the knight’s side, letting a stream of blood to trickle down the steel suite. Hammer took the man’s knife and looped the sheath around his belt as he looked for his next target. Suddenly Hammer felt a bit heavier. Reaching to his back he felt the smooth skin of a human. Hammer smiled and jumped up and landed on his back, ending his enemy’s battle for the rest of the day.
Hammer swung his axe and set a human’ head free from its placement on the man’s shoulders. Hammer wiped the blood from his axes blade onto the man’s shirt before standing up again. He soon realized that all the other minotaurs had already moved on to another ship. Not wanting to have no part in this day’s inevitable victory, Hammer charged to the side of the ship. Cutting a rope with his axe, he swung across to a neighboring ship. Hammer slammed into the deck, causing the ship to groan a tad under his sudden addition to the weight on it.
Hammer looked around and found only a few minotaurs fighting on this ship against a horde of humans. Hammer charged with a bellowing cry. He slammed his axe into a man’s shoulder, causing the man to cry out in excruciating pain. Suddenly a man in lightly armor ran up to Hammer, and while in mid-jump, sliced his blade across the minotaur’s snout, earning a yell of both surprise and pain.
Hammer removed his axe and took the fallen man’s sword in his left hand. He charged the human, who jump to his right. Hammer slammed both legs into the deck and twirled in mid air, slamming the sword into the man’s foot. Hammer came to a halt and swung his axe at the man, who quickly ducked out of the way. Hammer then delivered a punch to the stomach then an axe to the back, which hit with such force that it went clear through and into the deck bellow, sending blood splattering all across the deck.
Hammer pulled his axe from the wooden deck and faced the other humans, some of which had stopped fighting to stare at their fallen comrade. Hammer let out a roar, which sealed the deal, and made the men who had looked to charge at him in mass. No exactly what he had been aiming for, but it worked for something.
Hammer removed the sword from the foot of the half-man, and charged the human fighters that were quickly coming closer. Hammer lowered his head as he charged, and when he met the first human, there was a meaty squish and a loud shout of pain and horror. Hammer raised his head and confirmed the location of the next fighter before he swung his axe to devastating effect. He then swung his sword at the other human, who blocked it expertly, but was for a loss when an axe came screaming down at him.
Hammer quickly shoved the limp corpse from his horns and tried to wipe of the blood hat had fallen across his head. Suddenly heard a familiar cry, the cry of victory, and after looking around quickly, Hammer realized he couldn’t see a human that was moving on his own. Hammer roared as he raised his axe high and proud.
“Clear the ships of anything valuable and get back to your ships. If there is any oil spill it over anything that isn’t worth keeping. We’ll give then a pyre worth remembering tonight.” The commander’s voice rung out above the cheers, bringing the soldier’s back to reality. Hammer smiled as he bend down and searched the bodies of the men he had killed moments before.
Patting the man’s shirt, he felt the distinct feeling of chain. Hammer quickly grabbed the part of the small chain he could see poking out of the soldier’s collar, and pulled it out. He soon was looking at a locket made of a white metal, most likely polished iron. He pressed the small button on the end opposite of where the chain connected to the pendant, and the small circle of metal popped open. Inside it was a picture of this soldier and his family smiling merrily.
Hammer removed the small black and white image and slipped it inside the soldier’s hand before clasping it shut. Hammer wrapped it around his neck, his fur concealing it perfectly. Hammer silently promised the fallen man that when he got back to his bunk he found put his picture in the place where the man had put what was most precious to him.
Hammer listened to the soft mumble of waves as the landing party slowly approached the shore of Equestria. Suddenly the boat shook, signaling they had hit ground. Hammer and the rest of the warriors jumped out into the frigid, knee deep water. Hammer helped pull the boat fully a shore, and soon there group was joined by others that had landed soon after they had. Hammer crouched and walked over to his platoon commander, who was quickly being surrounded by his other soldiers
“Alright, we are about two miles south of our target, just as we planned. Remember that this is a sneak attack; try not to alert anything to your presence. The First division is coming in with us while the third and fourth divisions are going to being staying outside in case one of us is caught and things get hot. Remember who’s on your squad and listen to your CO’s orders as if the king himself gave them.” Hammer sighed, he, unfortunately, had been given his own squad to lead. He would have protested, but he was one of the only corporals on the ship that was stocked to the brim with privates.
“Hammer’s squad, follow me.” Hammer said as he moved off to the side, followed by ten other minotaurs. Hammer laid out his map of their target. “This is the city; we’re entering from this area.” Hammer said as he placed a finger on the southeastern entrance of the city. “Our designated targets are the barracks here, here, and here.” Hammer said while pointing out the locations. “If any of us gets caught we still play the objective, no running. Remember, the streets are thirty-fourth and third, twenty-second and sixth, and nineteenth and seventh.”
“Why are the streets named in numbers?” One of his privates asked as he eyed the map. Hammer shrugged at this.
“Ponies are weird, what can I say. But we’ll be sure to give every one of those streets proper names when we take the city. Now let’s get going. Remember, no loud noises and no alerting ponies or anything else.” The soldiers around him nodded as they began moving out towards the city.
Hammer ducked into an alley way, promptly followed by his squad. Hammer watched as the police pony walked by slowly. Hammer moved down the alley a good bit before sticking his head out of the shadows to see the road sign. Thirty-second and fourth, they were a few roads off, but they were closing in on their target. After confirming where thirty-fourth was, Hammer went back to his squad.
“Alright, we got to cross two streets over to get to the first street in the set. Follow me. ” With that Hammer went over to the edge of the alley’s shadow and looked around for any more officer, but finding none, he nodded to the private beside him, who then darted across the lighted street to the shadow on the other side. Hammer looked around cautiously, but there still was nothing, and after a signal, the next private crossed.
Hammer then spied two officers walking down the street perpendicular to their street. Hammer stuck his arm out to stop the next Private from going as he watched the two ponies closely.
“I still can’t believe they instituted a curfew, it used to be so lively at night, and now it’s all dead as a ghost town.” The first pony said wistfully.
“Personally I like it when it’s quiet like this, gives me less headaches.” The second officer replied as they turned the corner to the street the squad had been crossing only a few moments before. Hammer quickly looked around, hoping for some way to distract them when suddenly the clinking of a can came from a few streets over.
“Hey, what was that?” The first police pony questioned as he turned, but his friend was already charging down to see if he could find the source. “H-hey, wait for me!” The first exclaimed as he galloped after his partner. Hammer looked back at his squad, who now was pointing at the private in the very back. Hammer sighed, then after a quick look around, shoved the next private through the gap, then the next, and then another.
Hammer then saw another patrol of ponies walking down his street. Hammer stuck his arm out and waited for them to pass, which they did eventually. Hammer pushed the next soldier through the gap, and then waited for a bit before sending out the next.
Hammer looked back, three more to go before he went. Hammer pushed the next one in, only to have a second private to go out with him at the same time. Hammer rubbed his temples in frustration, these really were fresh recruits. Hammer pushed the next soldier out and prepared himself for his own crossing. After looking around, he darted across, the pendant softly tapping him on the chest as he ducked back into the shadow.
“Alright, one more street to go in the same direction, then we got to go across… one more. After that we’ll be on the same intersection as the barracks.” The privates around him nodded. War Hammer nodded back and pushed his way through to repeat the cycle.
Hammer looked around for what seemed the hundredth time that night. The signs indicated the right numbers for the first barracks, but he couldn’t see any buildings nearby that could be a military instillation, but then something caught his eye. A building a few doors down from the corner had a sign that in big black letters said ‘Recruitment Office’, one of the only buildings with lights on. Hammer looked around again, but finding no other building that might be the target, he charged across the street, followed closely by with squad. Hammer stood to the side of the door as he waited for all his troops to make it across.
“Alright, we’re going to take this place by storm, but try to make it at least a bit more quiet than usual. No battle roars, but quick surgical precision.” With that Hammer twisted the knob and found it open. Hammer shoved it open the rest of the way and rushed inside.
“Welcome to the Manehattan Recruitment Center, how may…? Uh, what are minotaurs doing here?” The pony behind the desk stumbled.
“Stay quiet and I might have you stowed away in a closet. Start yelling and you make yourself a liability.” Hammer stroked the edge of his axe at the word liability. “And I only know one way to deal with liabilities.” The pony’s mouth was suddenly clamped shut. “You, tie him up real good and gag him, then throw him in the closet.” The private nodded as he began his work with the rope. “The rest of you start pouring oil over anything and everything. Be sure to use extra on the cabinets and the desk.” His soldiers nodded and began drenching everything with oil.
“Sir, we have three other fires across the city already. The enemy doubtlessly knows our presence, and if they don’t they will soon.” Hammer nodded at the news.
“Alright soldiers, light her up, we got two more targets to go before the nights over.” The squad members nodded as they threw the last oil container on the various objects and began lighting the several pools as they exited. “Alright, next target is… twenty-second and sixth.” Hammer said after a glance to his map. “Fall in; we got some distance to cover!” Hammer shouted as he started into a jog towards the first number in the address.
Hammer kicked in the door of the barracks that had actually been a barracks this time. A guard immediately sprang to his hooves, only to find an axe’s blade come down on him. Hammer put a hoof on the dead pony’s back as he pried his weapon loose.
“Spread out and take out any ponies you find. I want this place cleared and on fire within the next ten minutes!” With that the privates quickly saluted before branching out in several directions. Hammer ran up the stairs and kicked open the first door he came to, which ended up to be the living quarters of some of the guards who had just settled in for the night.
Hammer swung his axe and caught a pony in the shoulder and carried him along with the blade until it slammed into the wall. Hammer pried his axe out of the wall as the first pony came out of his stupor and charged him with a sword clenched in its teeth. Hammer slammed his hoof down on the charging pony. Suddenly Hammer found his axe being taken from his hands by a purple field.
Hammer turned and saw a unicorn with the same glow around his horn. With a snort Hammer let go of his axe and drew his knife before slamming it down into the small creature’s skull. Hammer pulled the dagger out, only to find something hard smash him in the back. Hammer burst through the railing and down to the floor below. He looked up and saw a pegasus pony fluttering above him while drawing its own sword. Hammer threw his knife, which caught the pegasus in the wig, causing it to draw its wings back in shock, making it quickly fall down.
Hammer slammed his fist into the pony’s head before retrieving his knife from its wing. After a quick glance, he decided to take the sheath and sword from his defeated foe, adding to his arsenal of useable weapons. Hammer sheathed the knife and lifted the sword as he went back up the stairs to get his axe back and clear the rest of the floor. As he reached the top he found himself face to face his an earth pony. Without time to react, the pony twirled in place and bucked Hammer straight in the face, causing him to lift into the air and slam against the far wall before sliding down in a daze.
Hammer shook his head, trying to remove the stars from his vision. He wiped his face off with a hand and found red looking back at him. A quick examination revealed that he had cuts on his brow that now stung like mad from the sweat that was beading in his coat. Hammer shook his again in time to see the earth pony pile drive into his chest. Hammer tasted the metallic taste of blood in his snout, but he wasn’t down for the count.
Hammer smashed his fist into the pony’s face, and then delivered a kick to its stomach. Hammer stood up quickly while drawing his knife and lunging for the pony, which surprised once again as it ducked to the side. Hammer quickly turned, only to receive another kick in the chest that knocked him down to his knees. Hammer swung wildly at the pony, attempting to gain some advantage, but found his blade only cutting through air.
The pony expertly jumped over Hammer, causing Hammer to grow all the more frantic. He turned and watched as the pony grasped the blade in its teeth. Hammer got to his hooves and assumed a battle stance, then charged his opponent, who again jumped out of the way. The pony kicked of the stairs and landed on Hammer’s back, but Hammer was a bit more prepared than before as he slammed the pony against the wall in a half fall half roll. The pony fell to the ground unmoving with the sword nearby. Hammer sheathed his knife as he picked the sword back up.
“Sir, the oil is set and we are ready to burn this place to the ground.” A private said as he threw one last bottle of oil, which ended up shatter on the wall above the pony, drenching its limp for in the flammable.
“Very good, now let’s light this place and get over to the last target.” The private saluted as he moved back through the building telling his comrades their orders. Hammer looked back upstairs, wanting to retrieve his axe, but there was no time. Soon the multiple pools of oil were lit. “Alright, last one is on nineteenth and seventh, let’s…”
“Sir, watch out!” One of Hammer’s privates shouted abruptly as he shoved his officer away. Hammer looked back and saw an axe’s blade sticking through the front of the soldier’s chest. The minotaur slowly fell to the ground and revealed a partly on fire earth pony holding the axe’s handle in its teeth with a look that spelled death. Hammer raised his sword as the axe swung at him. After a quick flick of the wrist, the axe came out of the enraged pony’s mouth and replaced by the blade of a sword.
Hammer crouched beside the fallen soldier who slowly bled to death, with no chance of survival. Hammer grabbed the soldier’s hand in a firm grasp.
“What’s your name soldier?” Hammer said to his dying comrade.
“My name is p-private Tungsten of the lineage of Steel Gaze, s-sir.” The dying soldier said in a low raspy voice. He fell into a coughing fit that sent bits of blood onto Hammer’s coat.
“Well, Tungsten, you proved yourself this day. Your family will be honored by you bearing their family name with such dignity. Rest now in confidence that you will be accepted among your kin that have gone before you.” The Tungsten smiled at Hammer as he gave one last breath as he closed his eyes for the last time. Hammer placed his hand on the dead minotaur’s eyes. “Go now, warrior, to the land beyond, see not this world of pain that surrounds the living, but rejoice in the greatness of your last, and greatest, achievement.” Hammer removed his knife and cut a lock of the soldier’s coat off before placing it in his locket. He then stood up at looked at the corpse of the soldier that had saved him from death.
“Sir, do we perform burial now or do we leave him here to do it later?” One of the privates asked cautiously.
“We will give him the warrior’s farewell, and then we must move on with his memory empowering our every strike against the enemy.” The soldiers around him nodded as they began using their axes to cut planks of wood from the barracks that still had not yet been entirely consumed in fire.
Hammer stood at attention as the pyre that held the body of Tungsten continued to burn. Hammer and all of his soldiers slammed their right hand in a fist against their chests in the minotaur salute. Hammer stood there for a few more moments before dropping the salute and walking away towards there next objective. He stopped as he came to the where his axe lay on the ground. He lowered himself and picked it up as he sheathed his sword again.
“Come on, we got another objective to take on before we’re done.” The soldiers of his squad looked at each other, and then fell in line behind their officer.
The last objective had been an easy one; it hadn’t been a barracks again, but a supply depot. Hammer had used the excuse of standing guard when he didn’t enter, but in reality it had been to think. He had just been saved by a fellow soldier who had died because of it. This had been the first true battle of the war for the minotaurs, and he already knew of one warrior who had died. He hadn’t expected to have everyone you entered come out of it on the other side, but having a fellow soldier die so close to you was different than seeing the casualties report on a flimsy piece of paper. On paper each death could be counted and reconciled by how many enemies fell in comparison of how many the enemy took down.
Hammer heard the crackling of the fire starting behind him as his troops made their way out and back into the street. Hammer nodded, and signaled for them to follow him. After taking out the targets they were supposed to move in on the capital building of the city. In the distance Hammer could already see the tents of the Taurus forces readying for a full out assault on the city’s greatest stronghold. All across the city fires burning in key locations of either military interest or were parts of the mailing service, and by their destruction the news of Taurus’ involvement in the war would be delayed by at least a few days if not a week.
Suddenly a group of shadow landed near Hammer’s group, causing him to jump while preparing to strike out at whatever had just arrived.
“Whoa whoa, friendly, didn’t you guys hear about the griffon mercenaries that were in bound?” Hammer peered into the shadows, and sure enough, he made out the very distinct shapes of griffons.
“Yeah, but how about announce your arrival before landing; I doubt some of my comrades would show the same amount restraint that I did.” Hammer said as he lowered his axe. The lead griffon shrugged as he walked out into the light.
“Well we couldn’t exactly tell if you were friendly or not from the air.” The griffon said nonchalantly as he and his band walked up to the squad.
“Really? It’s hard to tell if something is really tall or really short or walks on two or four legs when you are flying? I think the only hard part you might have is telling what weaponry we have.” Hammer stated with a smirk as he began walking again, followed closely by his squad.
“Whatever, we still are on the same side, so we’re all good.” The griffon commander said with a shrug as he fell in beside Hammer while his troops formed up with Hammer’s troops. “I was sent to help any incoming troops. Tell me, have you had any casualties?” Hammer stiffened slightly as he continued to walk.
“Yeah, we lost one. He died honorably and did his family name proud.” Hammer said, picking up the pace a little more.
“Well, I’m instructed to give any units that lost a soldier an immediate replacement from my unit. Jet, get up here!” At that a griffon soldier flew up beside her commander before landing without missing a step.
“Corporal Jet Stream reporting as requested, sir!” The griffin said while keeping eyes forward. Hammer looked over at the new griffon arrival. Yet another thing he didn’t understand about other species. First it had been the bulkiness of the human knight’s armor, and now it was the griffons having females as recruits, something that had never been done, or even considered, by the minotaurs. It seemed that the world just loved throwing new differences into the mix at every turn.
“You are here by transferred into this minotaur unit. You will respect the commands of your squad commander. Do you have any objections?”
“Sir, no, sir!” Jet replied quickly.
“Good, then I officially give you over to this unit. And Mr. Minotaur, try to not get her killed in the first week. Griffons on me, we’re moving out!” with that the griffons shrugged into the air and began their aerial patrol once more.
“Corporal Jet Stream, huh?” Hammer began, trying to engage in a bit of idle conversation with his new team member as they walked down the darkening streets towards the capital.
“Yes sir that is my name.” Jet said with the tone of a true military officer.
“I’m Corporal War Hammer.” Hammer stated, “So, how long have you been in the service?” He said glancing over at his new comrade.
“Three years, sir.” Jet replied in a monotone voice. Hammer sighed. He had been used to getting this kind of talk near bases and the like, but when he was in the middle of a mission he felt a certain sense of that certain parts of the formalities instituted in the army could be bent a bit. Clearly this griffon hadn’t gotten the memo, and Hammer was sure now that this was going to be a long night.
Author's Note
All criticism is welcomed criticism.
