Xenarra: The Dragon Throne - Chapter 23 The Demon War

After our day break we set off, heading back to the fort. We were going as quickly as we could. All they had told us officially was that there was trouble but I heard rumours of something much worse. The second demon war has begun.

We were moving much faster back on the route we had come. Obviously this was after the right preparations, we had made sure to restock on supplies and other essentials that were needed. Every step that we took on our journey was sure, not one word was spoken. We only stopped for food and rest, this was so that we could cut down on our travel time.

Around a day away from the fort we ran into some soldiers, who were running towards us. They were all looking scared. Most important of all, I didn’t see anyone of a rank above me there. “Halt!” I yelled at the soldiers as they were running towards me. To my surprise they all did. “I am Sergeant Adoh, where the hell are you all going?”

One of them came forward, looking at him he was a sergeant as well but his rank markings were in silver not gold which would be what mine where if I had them yet. “Say, why don’t you get out of our way and let us leave, then act like you never saw us.” I shoved my spear through his blabbering mouth not giving him any chance to react. It looked like he was trying to suck it.

“Deserters will be killed, as will traitors. I am Sergeant Adoh, a tier one legionary. You all look like tier two, so therefore as the highest ranking member here, I am taking command.” There were only a few people who did not agree with what I had said. They were killed off quickly, to stop their beliefs from spreading.

After reorganising all them into squads and a few companies, it had turned out that there were three hundred and thirty seven of them. I made the rest of my squad into the temporary company commanders and we all began to head out in the direction of the fort. We were travelling at a much slower pace now, this was due to the fact that our numbers had increased and it was also due to the fact the numbers which we had gained didn’t want to go in this direction at all.

A day later we arrived outside the fort. It was under siege. It was surrounded by demons. I gave the order to stop and hide. We did not need an army of demons charging towards us at all. I was trying to find an opening where we could charge in or a commander we could kill to try and cause a mass riot like in the stories. But to my disappointment, I could see nothing at all. “Give the order to make camp, but no fires.” This was said to no one in particular

“Yes sir,” a man near me replied and then raced off to carry out my orders. I was happy for the discipline the army had again, most of them obeyed my orders without complaint. Those who did, well were executed. My actions would be considered tyrannical by some, but this was war, not peace. Victory is everything here and more so discipline and order. I let out a soft sigh as I gazed at the fort. At least it seemed like the gate was still holding.

The others in my squad came up behind me and looked at the fort as well. “Damm, no way we can break through that, plus this lot will run if the order to attack was given.” We all murmed in agreement. Sighing again, I looked at them.

“We will stay here for now. If there is a chance we take it, even if it is only us. Its a few more than we charged last time though,” Usha looked confused but the others got my stupid joke and smiled a bit. “I will take the first watch, all of you go get some rest.” After they heard my orders, they all left to do whatever they had to do. ‘Who knew commanding was so hard?’ I thought to myself. ‘All of their lives could be lost at one decision,’ I sighed again before carrying to watch the siege.

The next few days not much had happened. Me and the other nine tried to raise the morale so if we attacked they wouldn’t all refuse to attack with us. The siege itself was the same as before. Any attack the demons made were stopped by the defenders and repulsed with lots of losses to the demons side I hoped.

On this day something different happened. I heard a horn sound out from the fort. I rushed to the spot where I could see what was going on. The gate of the fort was opening and they were charging out. I was surprised for a moment. “Every one, prepare for battle.” My yell seemed to freeze other people as well. It took another yell from me to snap them out of it and gather themselves so that we could get ready to move.

Once they were all gathered. I stood in front of them. “Those of you who will not wish to join us in an attack, step back now.” Adding on to the list of surprises that had been happening today, not one of them stepped back, in fact they all stepped forward. “It seems that, ummmm, you all will join me. Form assault formation.” My words caused them to form a simple yet effective formation, the assault formation or known to others as the wedge formation.

I moved them up to the spot where they could wait unnoticed but at the same time attack swiftly. Then we waited. Then we waited some more, then some more. I was waiting for the troops from the city to get close enough that we could reach and help them without getting cut apart before we reached them. Then after what seemed like an eternity of waiting, I got everyone to move out of our hiding place.

The troops breaking out saw us, they began to break out in our direction. “Battalion, prepare to attack.” My orders sent a slight ripple through the ranks but not one routed, they stayed firm. Around me, my squad appeared and took formation on either side of me. We formed the point of the formation.

“Charge.”