laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

The earthen embankment rose high into the blue sky as Kailee walked to the fore of her assembled army and looked up to the stone gatehouse. Guards on the parapet quickly reacted and she heard the ram's horn bellow an alarm. Her left hand motioned for the ten thousand behind her to remain in place as Count Gamardin cleared his throat.

"Her Highness shouldn't be the negotiator, allow me the honor."

"I know these people, sir. Thank you though," she halfturned. "If this doesn't go the way I hope, take the men southwest and engage the invaders anyway. Save the Beastmen from this."

"I must protest."

"Noted, sir," she continued on to the gate as a building group of large, bearded men and their spears peered down at her and Tess who soon stopped within shouting distance of the gate.

"If you've come to take Bala, demon, you'll fall where you stand," one of them yelled. "The ravens will feast on your men as well!"

"I came not to assault Bala. I'm Kailee, Queen of Wroclaw and am come to help Lamar fight those who've taken Rhyl and now march on Ae. Where is your king? I need to speak with him."

They quietly eyed her for a long moment, then their captain disappeared and soon she heard the groaning, large oaken door open to reveal him follow another larger man. His long, brown hair fell down his back, wavering with each bold step and matched the braided beard which hung from his strong jawline. Glinting in the sunlight, his thick, golden necklace and steel chainmail told of someone who had gained his position by not only birthright, but also military prowess.

Kailee nodded respectfully to the king's son as he stopped within a few paces of her. "My lord, I'm Kailee...."

"My father received your letter," he nodded as steel grey eyes looked beyond her to the long line of dark armor, and those he and his people had come to name wraiths in the past. "I find it unique that demons would come to assist us in this time without thought of finishing the job once the Macau are dead," he looked back at her.

'I have no intentions of harming any of those who stood with my dearest friends during the battle of Donovan against the true demon and his army. The bravery and strength of the Beastmen is world renown and I have only peace in mind once this fight is over and you and your heroes drink in their halls to victory. I offer you my life if my words are not true," she boldly stated in their native tongue, knowing that Tess nor the others could understand. At least, she hoped not.

He stared at her for a moment, then smiled. "Lamar honors your friends, milady. My father wishes your speed to his side as they march towards Ae to save our capitol. I remain here to assemble more men to assault Rhyl and take it back."

Kailee nodded, bowed to the prince and turned to return to her army. She had never led in war and was going to be lost when they finally met the Macau cavalry. Impatiently, she noticed Count Gamardin await the news as she approached the front line. "We'll head to Ae to help defend their capitol. The prince said his father is there now."

"Has the enemy reached their walls yet?"

"They've been under siege for a few days now, yes." She turned and let Tess and her guard move around to either side as she prepared a gate near the mountainous terrain near the Lamarian city, then swept her hand in a large arc. Behind her, the army concentrated and melted into the background, using their stealth ability to approach the enemy unaware and passed around her to form up within the open farmland which hugged the rugged, rocky ground sparsely broken up by woods. Once they had all moved up, she joined them in mist form.

Along the thin stone wall, she noticed the massive army in steel lamellar working their way up wooden ladders as tall flags waved in the stiff breeze. Mentally commanded, the dark elves rushed upward through farmland and past stone, one story homes until they reached the rearward ranks of silken tabarded easterners. In seconds, the rightmost of their assaulting force was in disarray, many falling within seconds to the assault as the Masters of the Wind leapt upon them with ferocious precision. Swords, maces, flails and long daggers flashed in the daylight as Kailee peered to the south and noticed the attention they were now gaining as captain's in their pointed shiny helmets collected and motioned for reinforcements to rush to their comrades aid.

Motioning with her hands, she concentrated as a wall of fire erupted in their path, enveloping not only those already there waiting for their turn to climb up the ladders but, also the archers now turned towards the new threat. Screams pierced through the roaring flame as singly and in small groups they ran in all directions, arms flailing, and soon fell. Duke Otnel moved his small unit in front of her as Tess guarded her back and Kailee aimed another firestorm into the farther ranks, consuming more as the defenders soon poured over the walls in a blood frenzy and joined the fray outside their city.
Soon, she heard the blaring horn for retreat as the noonday sun dipped towards the distant mountaintops and the remaining Macau cavalry rode for their lives.

She moved towards Count Gamardin, now visible as the dark mist became black armor and glowing face and eyes again. "How many wounded, sir?"

"Few, milady. We're seeing to them now," he smiled broadly as he removed his helmet, white hair matted to his head and bowed low to her. "Congratulations on your victory, Your Highness."

"This victory belongs to all of us, sir," golden eyes scanned across the faces of her men, most of whom had never seen combat until today. "I'm very proud of all of you."

They saluted her in unison and cheered, voices erupting down the verdant hillside and into the forests beyond.