Twists, Turns, Scars, and Steel

Tempest trotted along the edge of a trench outside of the city, her eyes shifting over both her soldiers setting up the defenses and the treeline of the forest across the field. A few of her own soldiers stood watch, while Grubber was behind her eating a piece of cake. The setting sun was practically baking her in her armor, but she ignored it and continued to survey the construction.

Three days had passed since the city, which she learned was called Yeltras, had been taken. She had ordered her soldiers to set up a series of outer defenses to hold off the likely event of a counter-attack, along with sending a few companies in pursuit of those that had fled the city. The latter group had returned, having been forced to retreat due to an ambush along the path to the fort they were holed up at. So, Tempest was now focusing on the defenses, waiting for the Storm King's reinforcements.

She asked, "Grubber. How are things progressing?"

"Alright", he said, taking another bite as he looked over a report. "We've got a few trenches and redoubts set up. Having some trouble setting up the Pryhans old guns, but we've been pulling out some of the scorpions from the airships and setting those up."

"Is the full casualty report in?", she asked.

"Yeah, and boy are they big. There's about four thousand dead and another thousand wounded in total."

Grubber yelped in alarm as Tempest whirled around, sparks flying from her horn as she glared at him with a murderous glint in her eyes. "You mean to tell me that they've either killed or injured HALF of our forces!?"

"Eh he. Yes?", he offered, peeking out from behind the report.

Tempest growled, before looking away and continuing her inspection. Grubber waddled to catch up to her, saying, "Hey, at least it can't get any worse from here, right?"

Before Tempest could reply, one of the sentries called out, "Look!" Whipping her head to the side, she spotted a Pryhan Land-skiff rumbling across the field, a white flag flapping above it.

Grubber gulped, muttering, "Me and my big mouth."

"Yes, and I'll seal it shut with cement if you don't shut it", Tempest said, hopping over the trench and sliding down the earthen work wall down to the ground.

The Land-skiff ground to a halt about thirty feet from the base of the wall, a Pryhan officer climbing out of the cabin with a white flag held on a swagger stick in his paw. He walked up to meet her, stopping a few feet from her. He asked, "Am I to assume I am looking at Commander Tempest Shadow?"

"You would assume correctly", she said, eyeing him up and down.

He nodded, taking off the white cloth and folding the swagger stick under his shoulder. He said, "Very well. My name is Centurion Corvinus. Your reputation precedes you, Commander."

"Enough beating around the bush. What do you want?", she asked.

"Simple." He flicked his head to the treeline, telling her, "The 8th Division of the Imperial army is assembling in those woods. You will be surrounded by midnight tonight. However, my superior is offering you an out."

She asked, "What do you mean?"

"Legatus Cossinius has offered you the chance to surrender. You would lay down your arms and return all stolen property and creatures from Yeltras. It would be unconditional, and yet you and your soldiers will be treated fairly", he said. "You have my word."

Tempest narrowed her eyes. She asked, "And what if we don't?"

He sighed and said, "Then we will have no choice but to make you agree to the terms by force. Specifically, at the end of a Thunderlance."

She scowled. She had to admit, the consideration of accepting his offer crossed her mind. Judging from the casualty report and the weapons that they wielded, she knew that they could put up a fight. And while she didn't know how big a Pryhan Division was, she had a feeling that it at least matched, if not outnumbered her current forces. However, that thought was pushed aside as she considered what she could gain if she won.

She looked him dead in the eyes, horn sparking. "I'm sorry, but I can't do that. I will not surrender."

Corvinus sighed again. "Very well then. I am sorry." He trotted back to the Land-skiff, stopping as he held onto the side of the cabin. He told her, "Good luck. You'll need it." He then slid inside fully, slammed the door shut. The Land-skiff swirled around, driving off back towards the trees. As it did, she spotted a small cart on the back of the vehicle, bouncing up and down at the speed. While she glared at it, she couldn't make out what it was.

She turned, clambering up the wall and climbing back into the trench. As she climbed out the back side, Grubber asked, "What'd he say?"

"He offered us the opportunity to surrender", she replied to him.

"Oh", he said. "Well, I assume you didn't take it."

"Of course not", she said, trotting back towards the city.

She stopped near one of the redoubts, turned back to look at the trees. She knew that Corvinus wasn't lying or bluffing in any real way. If the Storm King's reinforcements didn't arrive, then they would likely be defeated. Still, she knew that wasn't an option.

She told Grubber, "Get as many of the troops as you can ready to fight. Hell, I want some the less seriously injured out onto the defenses tomorrow."

"I'll do what I can", he said. "But I still don't know how many extra guys we can get ready to fight in time. A lot were really seriously-Hey, what's that?"

Tempest looked up, spotting a small cloud hanging low to the ground, near the trees. Before she could say anything or even realize what it actually was, a cannonball slammed into the half-dug trench in front of her, sending a shower of splinters, dirt, and bits of viscera flying. After it hit, she could hear the telltale boom of a cannon. Several more tufts of gunsmoke filtered out from the woods, more positions being hit by the Pryhan artillery.

Tempest wasted no time, grabbing grubber in her mouth and leaping into the redoubt. A small hole had been dug to hold ammunition for the ballista, which the two of them took cover in. Grubber clutched his ears, eyes squinted shut as he attempted to block out the noise.

Tempest stole a peek over the wall of the redoubt. The Pryhan cannons were firing in sets: half of the guns fired while half reloaded. About twenty of them, if the flares of smoke were enough to go off of. She didn't spot any troops, but that didn't mean they weren't there.

She growled, a realization suddenly popping into her head. "That slime."

"What do you mean?", Grubber asked, still shaking.

"That cart on the end of the land-skiff. It was a range finder. If they couldn't get us to back down, then they'd use it to get the range of our positions for their artillery", she explained, ducking down as another cannonball slammed into the earth in front of her.

"Well, what do we do?", he asked.

"Not much we can", she told him, sliding back down before another shot came in. "They outrange us, and we can't risk getting our airships involved if we can't help it. So, get comfy. We're going to be here a while."

++++~++++

Night had fallen on the outskirts of Yeltras. Legatus Cossinius stood on the edge of the forest just outside the city, watching the enemy entrenchments. Explosions flared in them, sending the yetis scrambling for cover. Wood and dirt flew, while off to his side, loud booms sounded in between the barking of orders.

Behind him, a figure came up to him. Unlike the young Legatus, who was clad in full armor and a plumed helmet, he was wearing only a thicker padded subarmalis and a simple black helmet, all covered by a hooded cloak. A sword, a brace of pistols, and several pouches were strapped to his body via a belt and a pair of bandoleers. His face was concealed by an ash-colored mask, displaying the visage of a snarling daemon.

"You're certain this is the best idea?", Cossinius asked. "I can make better use of a Frumentarii in a more direct role, rather then that you wish to fulfill."

"I am certain", he said, his voice deep and garbled like that of the daemon his mask was modeled after.

Cossinius cocked his head slightly, looking at the Frumentarii. "Might I ask why? An individual such as yourself-"

"Why do you care?", The Frumentarii asked.

"Mere curiosity, I suppose. It is certainly an odd task for, again, one such as yourself, to undertake. Besides, if all goes according to plan, she may not survive tomorrow. So, why?", Cossinius said.

The Frumentarii stood in silence, gazing at the destruction of the Tyrants soldiers. He bowed his head slightly, before saying, "My reasons are none of your concern, and I feel as if my position should be enough for you to respect that, Legatus."

"I do, sir", Cossinius said. "But you can't fault me for asking."

"No, I can't. It's commendable, in fact. Worry not. I'll slip a few surprises into the enemy war machines on my way. Vale, Legatus", The Frumentarii said. A faint glow emanated from his head before his form faded away as if it was never there to begin with. The only trace of the Frumentarii was a few spots of stepped-on grass as he made his way towards the city.

"Always so bloody dramatic." He turned his attention to the bombardment, sighing and calling out, "Officer Torsion Coil!"

A Terran mare came up to him, grinning wildly. She stopped next to him, stiffening in salute and saying, "Ave, sir! What'cha need?"

"Cease fire."

"B-beg pardon, sir?", she asked.

Do I have to repeat myself, Officer?", Cossinius asked.

"No, sir", she said. "Should I order the crews to reload and pack it in for the night in that case?"

"Not fully. Rotate sleep cycles of two-and-a-half hours. Those that are awake are to commence bombardment for thirty minutes, rest for thirty minutes, then resume firing until their shift is over."

Torsion nodded, her grin returning. "Keep the fucks from getting any sleep, yeah? I like it, sir. I'll go tell the crews. Vale, sir."

As she turned to leave, he said, "Oh, and one more thing. Get Desmond to send a runner to the Regimental camps. Tell them I want a full battleline at daybreak tomorrow. That includes the nineteenth."

"Yes sir", She said, again turning and walking off towards her guns. Cossinius turned his gaze back to the fires of the fortifications. He turned, retiring to his tent and telling one of his Praetorians to set up the Sound-cancelling runes. While he wanted the enemy to not get any sleep, he wanted himself and his troops to be well-rested for the battle tomorrow.

++++~++++

Tempest opened her eyes blearily. Thanks to the way the Pryhans were shooting last night, she hadn't gotten all that much sleep. Still, she climbed out of the dugout and looked out from the redoubt. As she did, her eyes widened and she took a step back in alarm.

In front of her, just on the other side of the field, stood a massive force of Pryhan troops. They formed two lines; the first line made up of a solid mass of their well equipped and skilled heavy infantry. The second line was made up of the same troops, but was much smaller, only making up around half the size of the line before it. With the banners flapping in the breeze and the early morning sun glinting off their armor, it was a truly impressive-and terrifying-sight.

It seemed she wasn't the only one to be awoken by the sun and the lack of artillery fire. The troops around her and all across the defenses began to clamber out of their positions, scrambling to the few ballistae that were still intact or to less hard-hit areas.

Grubber also climbed out of the hole, stretching and groaning. "By the Storm King, those guys are so inconsiderate. Didn't even let us sleep."

"That must've been the point, Grubber", Tempest told him.

"What'cha mean?", he asked, standing on a box and looking over the wall of the redoubt. "Oh. That's not good, is it?"

Tempest just nodded, fully coming to realize just what kind of hornets nest the Storm King had stirred. A few thousand extra troops wouldn't do anything against this. This was so very different than anything she had fought before; Abyssinia and the Hippogryphs didn't have anything like this. This was a proper army.

She told Grubber, "Get to the other positions. Tell them to pull four out of every five troops off the line to come help."

"But, won't that leave the majority of the defenses at risk?", he asked.

"Yes, it will", she said. "But we have little choice at the moment. If we don't get as many troops here to defend against this force, we might as well hang ourselves."

Before Tempest or Grubber could say anything else, a voice echoed across the field. Even from her distance, she could make out what was said: "TOTA LINEA ERIT ANTE! ANTE! (THE WHOLE LINE WILL ADVANCE! ADVANCE!)" Several horns sounded, a loud and resounding series of blasts that echoed across the field. Seemingly as one, the line began to move forward. Even from her position, she could hear the tromping of boots and clinking of armor.

"So go. Now!", Tempest yelled. Grubber nodded, turning and hopping out of the redoubt, taking off at full speed. Tempest, meanwhile turned back to the line, gulping at the sight.

Slowly, the tromping of hooves and paws grew closer, the sound alone putting her nerves on end. It was unlike any force she had faced before; more akin to preparing to fight a wall of steel than an army. The sheer scale didn't help matters, easily outnumbering the remaining troops she had on this side of the city. They were stretched thin, she knew, and that they'd easily punch through her positions.

Several of the Storm Creatures attempted to fire on them using the few remaining ballistae. However, somehow, as they were loaded, the weapons exploded into massive balls of fire. Tempest looked at the treeline; no sign of gunsmoke or other types of artillery. How it happened didn't really matter though, as the result was still the same. The Pryhan line advanced almost unmolested.

Just before they reached the base of the outer redoubt, one of the officers shouted, "LINEA! CLAUDUM! (Line! HALT!)" Again as one, the advance ground to a halt after the trumpet signals, the pounding advance replaced by an eerie silence. Another call came out: "ANTE DUOS ORDINES, PRIMUS LINEA! FACERE, PARATI! (FRONT TWO RANKS, FIRST LINE! MAKE, READY!)" After the trumpets faded, Tempest heard loud clicking cut through the silence and Tempest realized what was going on. "PRAESENS! (PRESENT!)"

As the wall of Thunderlances was lowered, Tempest called out to her troops, "Everyone, GET DOWN!" Still, for some of them, it was too late.

"IGNIS! (FIRE!)." The wall of cracks sounded, and dust and dirt were kicked up as a wall of lead slammed into the outer trenches. Those that weren't low enough or tried to block the shots with their shields were cut down, if not killed or injured than knocked back and temporarily incapacitated.

"RES CADOS! (SWAP BARRELS!)" Again, a series of clicks sounded, as the three-barreled weapons rotated to the next. "FACERE PARATI! (MAKE READY!)" More clicking, and this time those still up knew better than to stay standing. "IGNIS! (FIRE!)"

Once again, a wall of gunfire rippled across the front of the trenches, spraying dirt everywhere. This time the order that came out was different: "ANTE DUOS ORDINES! RES CADOS! CRIMEN, LANCEAS! (FRONT TWO RANKS! SWAP BARRELS! CHARGE, LANCES!)"

The two ranks that had previously shot swapped their barrels once again, before the ones in the second rank raised their weapons back to the advancing position, and the two ranks began to advance. The rest stayed where they were, while those in front moved briskly towards the trenches wall. Tempest, knowing she needed to get in there, lept from her position and ran down the hill towards the front trench.

She almost missed the next order that came from the Pryhan officers and the trumpet signal in her haste. "A TERGO, DUO ORDINES, FRONTE LINEA! PLUMBATA, AD PARATI! (REAR TWO RANKS, FRONT LINE! PLUMBATA, AT THE READY!)" Tempest looked up from her sprint to see the rear ranks shouldering their Thunderlances, pulling out war darts from clamps on their forelegs. "MITTITE! (THROW!)"

A hailstorm of death sailed over the heads of the advancing troops, soaring into her and her troop's positions. Many were cut down by the sudden and unexpected attack, falling back dead or hurt. It also served to distract them, as while they were dealing with the aftermath of the volley, the first of the Pryhan first lines had climbed up the wall, using lances, swords, or their weapons guns to cut down the initial defenders.

Tempest swirled out of the way, narrowly avoiding the darts. Seeing the assault underway, she once again put on a burst of speed, leaping into the fray. Her first opponent she kicked in the side while he was distracted, sending him tumbling off of the wall. Another one came at her, thrusting at her from the side. She used her shoulder to knock deflect the blow, rushing inside his guard and delivering a shock to her assailant. He fell into the trench, only for another attacker to greet her.

Off to her side, she heard another order come from the Pryhans: "TOTA LINEA! ANTE! GLORIA IMPERII! (WHOLE LINE! ADVANCE! GLORY TO THE EMPIRE!)" Knocking her opponent aside, she looked to see the rest of the Pryhan soldiers coming towards them. Soon, they'd be overrun.

Tempest called to her troops, "Fall back, now!" While she couldn't be heard as well as she would've liked over the din of battle, enough of her soldiers understood and turned to run.

As they reached the very edge of the city, Grubber and her reinforcements arrived. Many Storm Creatures, but nowhere near enough. Grubber yelled to her, "The other sides are under attack too! Not the heavy guys we saw, but still! They couldn't send as many as you requested for fear of being crushed."

Tempest growled, looking back. The Pryhans charged up the hill, a few shots flying up towards the fleeing troops. She looked back at the reinforcements that Grubber had brought. A good couple hundred, yet they wouldn't be able to beat the advancing Pryhans.

Tempest looked back. "Send runners to the various positions. Forget the supplies and the prisoners. Just get as many as possible and head for the airships. We're falling back."

Grubber nodded and began to run away while barking orders. Tempest and the others turned and ran into the city. As she ran, a cannonball welled up in her throat. She knew this was another failure; Mount Aris and not getting the Orb was one thing, but this was different. She didn't just fail to get a magic object for the Storm King; she had failed utterly and completely.

She arrived at the airships, climbing up the ramp as her troops followed her. More and more of them ran up after, dragging the wounded between them. The ship's ballista fired at the Pryhans that ran into the forum where they were docked, which bought enough time for some of the last of the Storm Creatures to board. Engines started up, the ship's rising above the city and turning to the southwest, taking off at full speed.

Tempest stood on the command deck of her ship, the Falchion. She watched as the city faded into the distance, and Pryha fade below the clouds. She bowed her head, not letting her subordinates see the hot tears begin to roll down her face.