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The BloodVaine EpicChapter 82: Seperate Paths, Same Goal
Bernard Quorandis’ army was now camped a day from Orion, to the southwest of the city. The camp was on its edge, being so close to the inevitable battle, and knowing of the magnitude of their task.
Graygon, with the reluctant recommendations of the Radjar Kath, had taken charge of the army’s reconaissance. It was now past nightfall, and he was presenting his report to the captains in council.
“We have made good time,” he said, addressing Quorandis as the head of the army, “The Cross Knights, now known to be commanded by Duke Lucius van DeMorte, have only just reached the city. Del Grakken and his army gone ahead of them, and are now in the city proper.
“Scouts report that the Allied Army, mainly composed of Forestdwellers and Bull Knights, has advanced to the eastern edge of Orion, and is now threatened on their southern flank by the Cross Knights. It appears that they intend to take the main gate first.
“The numbers are close to equal at the moment,” Graygon said, “BloodVaine has a slight edge of a thousand or so. However, scouts also report that an immense Black Falcon army, certainly in the excess of 100,000 is now marching to BloodVaine’s aid. It seems that they are commanded by Falconis himself. They are a remnant of the force sent against King Sirion. Scouts couldn’t say whether the Black Knights still hold out or not, although it seems doubtful.”
“We are in a precarious position,” sighed Quorandis, as Graygon sat down, “Our numbers are such that if we were to join battle as soon as may be in conjunction with the allies, we would outnumber BloodVaine by three thousand or more, and the city would likely be ours. However.…”
Quorandis trailed off. Sir Dractor finished for him.
“However, we would have many wounded men, and we should be exhausted. There would be far too few men, and those too tired, to hold out against Falconis and his men.”
“Yet without us BloodVaine may prevail!” said Radjar, “None of the factions Bjarn is leading can afford such a defeat. Bull numbers are few to begin with, and the Forestdwellers are still recovering from the Fell War and the Great Fire. Surely, if we take the Golden City, we can dig ourselves in too deeply to be quickly dislodged before the Falcons come.”
“I don't think so,” said Quorandis, “The fighting will incapacite hundreds of men, and the fortifications of the city will be much ruined by our assault. No, we must trust to the abilites of Kings Bjarn, Blackcloak, and Barbod.”
“I disagree,” said Graygon quietly, well aware that he was taking Radjar’s side, “Our people need our help. And what good is an army of less than five thousand against an army well in excess of ONE HUNDRED thousand?”
“We do not have to face them head on,” said Sir Dractor, “And as far as we know, Falconis has no knowledge of our army's presence. We are quite small in comparison to the army he commands and the army King Sirion was fighting him with, and we have made rapid progress. He will not be expecting us.”
“Precisely,” said Quorandis, nodding, “Falconis will not be expecting an attack from a force such as ours, and if we avoid in engaging them directly, we shall stand a good chance of cutting down many of their numbers. If we can slow their movement enough to allow Bjarn’s army to recuperate and join us, we may well stand a chance of defeating him.”
“And do not forget our dragons,” said Caimlin, “They are no Eroth Gamus, but they are a very important factor. Even ordinary dragons such as them can wreak havoc on an army. If I may be so bold as to say so, how else have the Dragon Masters held off the Cavaliers in past quarrels?”
“I still do not wish to abandon my men,” said Radjar, his blood rising slightly, “I do not agree with this course of action at all. And am I not the only king here?” Radjar regretted his words almost as soon as they left his mouth.
“You are the only king, it is true,” replied Quorandis civilly, but coolly, “But you have no subjects here. And you have not yet been affirmed by the Emperor. And although that is no longer as important a matter as it was when there WAS an Emperor, the fact remains that you have little say in this matter.
“As commander of this army, and Lord Protector of the LEGOand Empire, it is my decision to commit this army to a covert attack on the Black Falcon army. We will just have to commit Bjarn’s army to the fates.”
Caimlin took a breath, and then spoke. “I agree with King Kath. Lord Void is with Lord Bjarn and King Barbod, and they will need all the help we can give them. I may not be commander of any troops, but may I suggest we attack the Golden Castle from the southeast while other Allies do the same from the northwest. I cannot fight beside my commander and chief, but I will be megabloked if I won’t aid him and his allies in this time of need.”
Bernard Quorandis glared. “It seems we have an issue that will not go away.”
“You’re tycoed right we won’t submit to your orders!” snarled Rosa. She had taking an intence dislike to Quorandis, who she considered prim and snotty, “You are only concerned in battling the Black Falcons, when you should be retaking the Yellow Castle, the pride of YOUR OWN vary faction. Your loyaly is lacking!”
Quorandis swelled up furiously. “YOU, young lady, have NO sence of respect for your betters!”
Rosa stepped forward and slapped Quorandis, sending a shudder through the ranks of the Classic LEGOlanders. Before Quorandis could respond Rosa was off.
“I RESPECT THOSE WHO EARN IT!! GRAYGON, SIR DRACTOR, KEAVUR, DERRICK, RADJAR, THOSE ARE THE ONES WHO I RESPECT! YOU STRUT ABOUT LIKE YOU ARE THE HERO OF DAMETREOS, WAITING BEHIND THE SCENES UNTIL YOUR PRETTY LITTLE ISLAND WAS THREATENED!”
Elwen, anger showing bright red on her face, was about to step forward when Sir Dractor grabbed her and shouted at everyone, “ENOUGH! This bickering is pointless and immature! I am in this battle because I pledged to Bjarn I would aid Forestmen in anyway I could and the longer we stand here exchanging insults and blows the less likely change there will be any Forestmen left to aid, let along any other faction of the Allies!”
“Then what do you suggest?” Quorandis asked through gritted teeth.
Sir Dractor shrugged. “Either agree on the plan of action or split up, those are the only two solutions.”
“I, for one, vote we go to the aid of the Allied Army.” said Keavur firmly.
“Two points.” said Quorandis snappily, “First, this is not a democracy. I know Kath is the King of the Dark Forest, but what power has a king who has no followers? Second, by repelling the Black Falcons we WILL be aid the Allies.”
v“I agree with your second point.” said Graygon tartly, “But your first is incorrect. I follow Radjar, I have since we began this quest. The Wolfpack and Dark Forest have their differences, but we have common goals now. The defeat of BloodVaine. Radjar believes that can be accomplished by an attack on the Yellow Castle, as I do.”
Radjar looked astounded, but said nothing.
Fraun eyed Quorandis keenly. “You may be correct in surmising this is not a democracy, but understand that being a Classic LEGOlander does not mean you have total control over all of these gathered armies. Targon has control over the Dragon Master troops, as the highest ranking commander, and you have no say what I, Graygon, Radjar, Rosa, Sir Dractor, Keavur, Derrick and Dacker do.”
“If you wish to go off and attack the Yellow Castle my your pitiful selves, be my guest, my men head to battle the Black Falcons!” snapped Quorandis, “Men, move out!”
As the Classic LEGOlanders dissapeared through the tress Quorandis turned back and said, “Elwen...will you...?”
Elwen looked almost frantically between Sir Dractor and Bernard, torn in her loyalty to two friends with drastically different views.
“I suggest you stay with him,” said Sir Dractor, “The others see you as little more than his companion. I’ll go with the others and try to cool them down.”
Elwen did as Sir Dractor suggested. Radjar Kath and his companions had their own council going in Radjar’s tent, which remained standing amid all the LEGOlander ones being dismantled.
“I am going to aid my people,” Radjar was saying as Sir Dractor walked in late, “I was not there for them during the Great Fire. I will be there for them this time.”
“I am going as well,” said Graygon, “Willem will want to hear about Falconis’ army. And he’ll want a personal report. Also, it is the right thing to do.”
Still somewhat bewildered at being on the same side as the Wolfpack, Radjar nodded gratefully.
“What about you, Sir Dractor?” asked Keavur, “You have said nothing about what you intend.”
“That is because I have not made up my mind,” admitted Sir Dractor, “Quorandis has a very valid point: short of a Deus ex machina, we are the only thing that can stop the Falcon army, which MUST be stopped. On the other hand, we cannot allow BloodVaine to win. Jarvick says that the Mana is drained. Now might be the only chance we have to kill him.”
“Well, I certainly am not hanging around here,” said Rosa. “I can’t stand these stuffy Classics.”
“I would recommend that Keavur and Derek leave as well,” said Sir Dractor. “Aezazel is not affected by the Mana in the same ways as a sorceror, and you two are the best weapon we have against him.”
“I will go too,” said Fraun, “I owe it to my men, to my lord Bjarn, and to friends like Radjar. There is no reason for me to stay with Quorandis.”
“Well, Sir Dractor?” asked Rosa, “All the rest of us are going. What about you?”
Sir Dractor answered slowly.
“There is little point to my staying or going. I am but one man. I have no followers or army. However, I consider you all my friends, and I swore to serve Bjarn until Aezazel was no longer a threat. To that end, I may perhaps serve him more usefully, or at least more honestly, in Orion. But we are only a small company. We are no army, by any means.”
“But we are,” said a voice entering the tent. It was Caimlin.
“I regret to say that Captain Fraun was incorrect in ascribing command of the Dragon Masters to Targon. He is only in command of his own men, who serve the Sorceror-King now, and are no longer under Lord Void’s sovereignty. Since his lord gave his services to Quorandis, he will be remaining.
“However!” said Caimlin, stifling the queries that the companions were about to put to him, “However! Governor Jarvick is an extremely high-ranking Dragon Master official in the legitimate regime. He has no intention of going south when he could be attacking BloodVaine. Therefore, his five hundred, and the three hundred under my own command will go north with you.”
The companions let out a cry of joy.
“Jarvick is wise enough to see that the Falcons must be taken into account though,” said Caimlin, “And so he is loaning the dragons to Targon. Targon, and not Quorandis, although it amounts to the same thing. In exchange, the Royal Knights recruited on the march will join us in going to Orion."
“This is good news,” said Radjar, expressing the sentiments of all present, “And if there is nothing more to be said, let us be off. BloodVaine is waiting.”
“So be it.” Fraun said. They got up fom the table and prepared for the greatest batle any has experieenced. Caimlin’s men sharpened their halberds, Radjar cleaned his great kantan and Fraun straightened his arows. Then they then set out.
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