Wayward Bridge (Location A)

[Max Dirks]

The Wayward Bridge is the ONLY land based means of traveling across the main river. The bridge is narrow, but sturdy. An army in a single file line could easily cross the river to the opposite side.

The tournament will begin when 6 threads have been posted in this subforum. Good Luck!

[RumpleGrumblePuss]

One Manda and one Shadow have entered the Wayward Bridge from Dandelion Forest (location E). Intentions are to scout out the area and, if possible, to locate possible enemy armies and judge if a alliance is possible.

[RumpleGrumblePuss]

A lone lonely Manda stood knee deep in a marsh, huffing she looked around herself. Nothing. Absolutely nothing except for more disgusting water and a couple of birds was in sight.

“This is so nasty! I’ll have to burn these shoes later.” She paused for a moment, her head tilted to the side as if listening to something. A sharp girlish squeal echoed across the Wayward Bridge.

“I have a leech on my leg!” The Manda danced in place, poking at the black creature firmly attached to her leg. A mass of gooey transparent blackness rose up from the water just high enough to reach the leech before it covered her leg. When the gooey thing receded all that was left was a small circular wound that bled sluggishly. Using the torn, ratted hems of her too wide pants the Manda tie the cuff around her ankle tightly to prevent and unwanted visitors from entering again.

The sound of metal and movement caught her attention. In the distance, slightly too far for her bottle cap glasses to help her see, something moved. She watched it until the movement resolved into the figure of a person. Hurrying, she slogged through the cool, near slimly water.

“Sweet zombie Jesus, what are the chances of meeting someone else out here. I mean there is nothing and I mean nothing of interest out here. By the way, what are you guys doing out here?” Her hurried rambling ended as she finally realized that the people were armed and armored.

“Oh, ummmm. Take me to your leader?” Behind her, hiding under layers of dirt, mud and water the Shadow decided to return to camp and report.



Lone Shadow returns to Dandelion Forest.

[Thoracis]

With nightmarish precision the soon-to-be war machine that was Thoracis’ army came upon the Wayward Bridge. The route was narrow, like the Salvarians had reported, all but impassable for anything larger then a single file line. Having come across no opposition this far, many of the troops began to question whether or not they should begin crossing while they could, but without having received orders from Thoracis they swept into their positions, anxiously awaiting the bloodbath that was sure to ensue should there be a battle over the bridge.

On the western edge of the southern faced army the mages were lost in concentration to the point they didn’t notice the girl until they were practically on top of her. An officer from the command unit rushed forward, calling for the others to halt. “Who are you girl? Why are you out here?” His sword was drawn and ready to strike.

“I’m ummmm… Manda? Take me to your leader?”

She looked harmless enough, but the officer knew there was no reason whatsoever for a girl to be in these parts save for involvement in one of the armies. He motioned a couple of troops over. “Take her into custody and back to the cavalry. She wants to see our leader.” He grinned, as did the others, amused at the notion of what Thoracis might do to their first prisoner of the campaign. They seized her immediately, heading north back towards the men from Yarlborough. “Keep your eyes open though!” He called to their backs, “She might be some kind of witch or something!”

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(For continuity sake, continued here: The Wetlands (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?p=78027#post78027) )
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Minutes passed like hours as Thoracis’ army held their ranks, staring at the forest beyond the southern end of the bridge, waiting for any sign of movement. The eastern side of the river was expansive, far more so then the west. It was highly possible that the other armies had already engaged and they were doing nothing but wasting precious time.

Just then the trumpet call could be heard from the north. A runner was returning with Thoracis’ orders. Finally. Many of the dark elves, having served under Thoracis in the past, was sure the order to attack was coming. The runner stopped for no one until reaching the infantry’s commanding officer.

“You bring orders?”

“We’re to defend the bridge. General Thoracis is wary of an ambush should we try to cross. Right now we have the superior position and surely the superior means of fighting here. We’re to focus fire on the southern end of the bridge. If at all we’re not to cross until after we’re engaged and we’re sure we can make it without severe casualties.”

Other officers had heard the exchange and immediately began passing the orders down the ranks. In the midst of their preparation a single, blaring note could be heard over the shouting. The enemy had been spotted. All at once every head turned towards the forest to the south where the enemy was coming into view, many on foot, others carried by some strange, horseless, mechanical chariots. Despite the strange contraptions before them they remained as focused and disciplined as ever.

Orders were flying everywhere, commanding the infantry to hold tight, for archers to ready their weapons, and mages to ready their spells.

The ranking officer of the command unit paced back and forth, shouting above all others, “This is it soldiers! You’ve been here a thousand times before! Let’s show these beasts what it means to face General Thoracis and the collective might of Althanas!”

“Steady now. Wait for the mages. You all know the drill.” The commander of the archers from Valinatal was as calm as he had ever been. He had been on the walls of Valinatal when Thoracis stormed across the Mountains of Dawn with his Aleranian horde. That had been a sight to behold. This was nothing.

“Let them get closer.” Many of the mages of the eastern flank had already began their incantations, eyes closed, waiting for the verbal cues of their commander. “Hold. Hold. Hold….. NOW!” At once their voices joined in a magical chorus. Their spell was not a deadly one. Not yet anyway.

“Ready yourselves!” Raiaerian longbows arched towards the sky. Their targets were still far out, but it was almost time.

The mages voices reached a crescendo, their chanting voices engulfing the area. What had been a slight breeze was gaining intensity. Stronger and stronger the wind blew until their voices could barely be heard. The wind whipped around them, but to the south it would be much worse for the enemy, with winds reaching nearly fifty miles per hour blowing straight at them.

The commander from Valinatal smiled. Their longbows were renowned for their range and accuracy, yet few knew their lethality with this kind of wind at their backs. “Ready now…. FIRE!!!”

They were only a hundred in number but the arrows rose with unnatural speed at an unnatural trajectory. Even with the wind they might fall short of the approaching enemy, but they would be the furthest shots any of them had ever seen. The blow would be as much mental as physical. Even if this volley missed arrows were being nocked for a second that would be sure to land true.

[RumpleGrumblePuss]

Arriving at the location of the rest of my army I was surprised to see wounded Mandas. A sudden rain of arrows startled me, for a moment I watched the arrows fall towards us. The first pinging noise of the arrow striking the metal of the hood broke me out of the near trance I had been in as I watched the arrows fall towards my troops.

“Back up!” I bellowed, risking my life I leaned out the window of the truck.

“Fall back, I want everyone beyond reach of the arrows or hiding behind a truck.” Startled, I squawked in surprise as I felt an arrow pass through my hair, scoring my cheek before it buried itself in the ground. A flash of anger pass through me as I pulled back into the truck. Waving away the helping hands I watched the trucks behind me back up as quickly as possible. Around us shrieks from newly injured people rose up.

Once we were the trucks were good distance back from the edge of the bank we stopped. I was nearly sure we were just out of range of those arrows. Climbing out of the truck, I standing up on the open door way of the truck, I looked out at the enemy army stationed on the other bank. Well, now I know what happened to my Manda. I wonder where the Shadow with her is.

“Pull the wounded back to the very back of the group. DDP’s I want you stationed two hundred yards behind us. You’ll need to keep an eye on our rear. I have a feeling that we might get a lot more company soon enough. General, Eddie, and Kelly I want to talk to you, now.”

After yelling the order to have the trucks split into two groups, one to create a barrier between us and the army on the other side of the marshy area, the other to create a second barrier behind us. I stepped aside beckoning my three helpers to follow me.

“Okay, I need to know what is going on, besides the obvious.” The general was the first to speak up.

“We arrived at this location and found the other army already set up. We were immediately met with a volley of arrows. At my count 17 were wounded by the time we retreated enough to not be a easy target. I ordered Eddie to use a case of vodka for medicinal purposes. I also order that the volume of vodka increased.” I nodded in agreement and looked to Eddie. He sighed, heavily.

“Between both attacks 33 Mandas and DDP’s have been wounded. Only eight of the wounded are severely injured. Given the lack of medicine we have we can expect none of them to survive to dawn.” The silence that followed Eddie’s statement stretched until I had to break it.

“General, I want the Manda’s to finish making those molotov cocktails. Also use the empty bottles as weapons. If anyone from the other army so much as twitches I want the ground between us so littered with glass shards that no one will be able to cross. I don’t care if it is a bog. Kelly, get the DDP’s moving I want them to test the edges of this ‘bridge’ I want to know what type of ground we can expect no matter which way we go. Eddie, keep up the good work. I want most of the army on vodka; we’ll need the Mandas as potentially violent as possible. I… I am going to see to the wounded. Come see me at sun down.”

I walked away from the others, my thoughts heavy. Cursing myself, I wished I had thought to add in a healer of some type to my army, but I had not. As result eight of my people lay slowly dying, in pain. Stopping to speak with one or two of the wounded people I headed for the eight that lay separate from the others. Kneeling by the first one I looked down at their pale face, a hard decision came to me.

“You know, you’ll not get better, right?” After a moment, the Manda nodded. She stared up at me with too bright, blood shot eyes.

“Eddie says your injuries are bad, you’ll not survive to dawn. I’m, I’m offering another way. I can end it now for you.” The Manda looked up at me, I could see the thoughts racing through her mind.

“Fine, but not you.” I shook my head.

“It’s a commander’s duty to take care of their troops. No matter what that duty may be. Besides, I would not make another do this.” I took the razor laced paint brush that rested beside the Manda and held it up to the sun light. For a long moment I looked at the light gleaming off of the shinning edge.

“Hurry up; I’m not getting any better here.” The Manda said, I looked down at the sarcastic words and smiled faintly. With out saying anything I cut her throat, pressing hard enough to feel the razors grate against the touch cartilage of the throat. I waited until Manda stopped moving before standing.

Moving slowly from person to person, I asked the same question to each of the eight injured people. Some of them cried, but in the end all of them said yes to a quick death and no to a slow one. I knelt beside the last one, watching as the last of the blood trickled out of the gaping wound on his throat. The sun was beginning to dry the blood that coated my hands and arms, making them sticky.

I found it odd that I had not cried for a single one of the people I had just put down. Instead, I felt more angry than any thing else. Yes, this was a battle, a war. Yes, people would die. Standing up, I walked over to Kelly. The woman stared at my blood stained appearance.

“I want a grave dug. Make it big enough to fit all eight. Also find the General and tell her to report to me.”

“Yes, ma’am.” A few minutes later, while I washing the blood from my arms the General walked up. Quietly she waited until I stood up before speaking.

“What did you do?”

“They were dying already; I just made their suffering shorter. Give the order to have the bottle broken and littered over the bog in front of us. It will give the girls and the DDP’s something else to do. Let them know that if they think they can hit one of the people over there to do so. If you need me I’ll be with the Red wolves and the Shadows.”

~~~~~~
The crystalline sounds of glass shattering drifted to my ears as I knelt on the ground. Around me the wolves stood in a furry, musty smelling circle. They looked on as I drew in the ground using the same paint brush that I had used to take my people’s lives.

“Come night fall, I want each of you to be covered with mud and any vegetation you can find. You’ll need to circle out into the water and swim to the enemy camp. Stay out of the light if you can. I don’t want you to get caught. If you think you can take down anyone do so. The shadows will accompany you, though they will have their own orders.” I looked down at a light touch on my knee.

“I want you and the others to start moving for the enemy camp now. Wait until night fall before emerging. I want you to put mud, water plants what ever you can find under ground into their food and water supplies. Also, I want as many people as you can grab brought back here. We’ll set up a distraction from this side to help spread confusion.”

~~~~~
Elena watch the shadows creep across the ground and was thankful for the dim light of the waning moon. Nodding slightly she sent the wolves racing back towards the trees then swinging out towards the water. Giving them twenty minutes she gave her next order.

“Fire!” She hissed quietly to the group of Mandas near her. She heard the order filter down through the others. Moments later a volley of bottles filled with tan and clear liquor topped with flaming rags soared through the air. Right after, the sound of cross bows firing sounded.

[Thoracis]

A second volley never came. As the first unnatural round of arrows fell upon the front line of their target they pulled back immediately, taking themselves out of range. The resulting, unexpected stalemate brought Thoracis’ army to the edge. First shots had been fired. They were ready to fight.

“Our orders were clear. We don’t cross the bridge.” The group of officers huddled to the rear of the army, contemplating their next action.

“Our enemy does not move! Are we to sit here and wave at them? Perhaps we should invite them for dinner?”

Colonel Glass of the Yarborough Cavalry had been silent while his counterparts from Alerar and Raiaera continued their back and forth. He was as frustrated as them, but knew that now was not the time to start falling apart. “Enough.” He sat stoically atop his massive mount, staring down at the two with an unquestionable air of authority. “I thought long lives gave you elves patience?” He smiled at them, breaking the tension. “Do not worry friends. I have a plan.”

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Hours passed as dusk approached and the enemy still had not moved. It was just as Glass had expected and he knew his plan was falling into place perfectly. As darkness was falling over the river the Veterans of Khu’Fein had pulled back from the bridge, setting themselves up well to the east. The cavalry had swooped into position, flanking the sides of the bridge, leaving a four hundred yard gap between themselves and the bridge. The archers and skirmishers had pulled back from their previous positions, nearly a quarter mile from the bridge. The mages, as always, were split into two groups, with a ritual group covering each half of the army.

To their opponents it would seem that the path across the bridge had been cleared for them. And it had. All Thoracis’ army had to do now was try and nudge them into moving.

As night came upon them the mages to the east began to chant again. This time they were quiet, careful not to reveal their actions as the plan began to unfold. This spell was easier for them and required much less concentration. It was merely a matter a moments before the Veterans of Khu’Fein seemingly disappeared.

Slowly and meticulously the dark elves moved towards the shore and into the water. They moved slowly, knowing that while the camouflage spell would keep them mostly concealed, especially in the darkness, that their movement through the water would still be visible and apparent if they were not careful. Tied off in groups of ten the dark elves made the slow swim south, completely unaware of the enemy making their similar move north….

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The flames on the opposite bank took Colonel Glass by surprise. A million thoughts raced through his mind as the soldiers around him pointed and began their own speculation as to what was going on. Surely the Aleranians hadn’t engaged already. Perhaps a third army had joined the fray? He fought that thought from his mind, knowing if that was the case he had potentially sent the Veterans to their demise. Besides, the flames had erupted between the to armies. If their enemies were being engaged by another force it would surely be from their rear.

Yet the move made no sense. The enemy was nowhere near in range to reach them with anything. It had taken magic and the expertise of Raiaeran bowmen to cover their distance earlier in the day. Confused, Glass simply stared across the river with his men, waiting for any sign of the Veterans progress, completely unaware it was a distraction and of the enemy threat emerging from the river behind him.

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The advance across the river was slow but their was no sign that the dark elves had been discovered. There was a nervous tension among them as the flaming explosions had started, sure that they had been found out, but as of yet no troops had moved to meet them. As they reached the bank their confidence brimmed, sure of the havoc they were about to unleash.

The spell that concealed the infantry would not last much longer, they all knew that, but at this point it did not matter. They would have the enemies flank and the element of surprise.

The Veterans of Khu’Fein outnumbered the other units of Thoracis’ army by far and were certainly among the most formidable troops he had. Now they moved towards the enemy, unseen, anxious to unleash their dual-wielded long swords on enemy flesh. Stalking towards the enemy they made no sound, not even as they came within range to charge. There were no yells, no battle cries, no screams of glory. Only the steady chink-chink of their chainmail as they ran would alert the enemy to the death that was descending upon them.

[RumpleGrumblePuss]

The clink of metal on metal floated to a Manda's ear through the noise of her fellows hooting and yelling. Ever the paranoid one, she spun and threw the soon to be exposed bottle behind her to create illumination. The bottle exploded, lighting the area up and exposing the attack from behind. Several Mandas lay dead at their feet. The splash of flaming liquor lit one enemy, setting him on fire. I gaped for a moment, surprised into stillness. The moment passed when the man let out a hideous scream.

“We're under attack! Crossbows, continue peppering the way between us with the bolts and bottles. I want two contingents of twenty Mandas each to sweep the edges of the camp. We need to make sure no one else is hiding and waiting to attack. Everyone else, get them! I want prisoners, as many as possible.” It seemed to take a few moments for the orders to sink in. As a group almost half of my army surged forward, charging.

For a second, I almost felt sorry for the elves under attack from my troops. The sight of the first Manda falling to their blades cleared up that feeling in a heart beat. I was a little surprised when the Mandas stepped back, letting the DDP’s step in. Fewer people were lost after the switch. The DDP’s used the cutlasses they carried to attack, once in a while one of the Mandas would dart in to slash with their razor embedded paintbrushes. I saw the odd teamwork gradually begin to work as enemy after enemy were cut down.

“Lights!” I yelled. I heard the order echoed by the General and by Kelly. The trucks facing the enemy army on the other bank turned on the headlights.

~~~~~
The first wolf crept onto shore, a silent snarl barring sharp teeth. Remembering his order he padded along the shore, keeping to the shadows. The rest of the pack followed him in a nearly silent mass. Coming round to the far side of the camp they crouched in the high grasses and waited for a signal to attack.

~~~~~
With the ground firming around them, the lead Shadows formed a tentacle and pushed it above ground. For a moment something flattened it to the earth, but writhing its tentacle, it managed to slip it free. Around and above the Shadows, the earth shook with the slight tremors of many many feet moving around. At some unknown cue the Shadow burst up from the ground as a whole. Knocking over men, items they moved fast in their own way through the camp. A couple of them captured a person standing in a suitably dark area then sank into the ground, carting them back towards camp.

At the chaos the Shadows' rising caused, the red wolves surged forward from their hiding spot. They split into groups of ten, each racing to complete a goal of their own. One group reached the cavalry unit and began attacking the horses. In the midst of the horses panicked plunging and rearing to escape the tethers, the red wolves brought down many of them, ripping out the throats. A couple of the wolves deliberately chewed though the tethers, releasing the horses to run, panicking but free, through the camp.

Groups attacked warriors full on, ignoring the yelping shrieks of another being wounded in favor of harming their target. Others located the food supplies by scent and tore into them, scattering them and ruining what they could. Another group slunk around the edge of the camp trying to locate people that seemed to be important. Locating a group that reeked of self importance, they attacked. Snarling silently they jumped and snapped at robes.

~~~~
I stood behind the cabin of a truck watching the disorder my wolves and Shadows caused. The yelps that echoed across the water let me know the price in life I was paying for my decision.

“Ma’am. We have prisoners.” I turned and looked at Kelly. She nodded back towards the group of Mandas surrounding what was left of the attacking force, blocking my view. I frowned and turned to look for the General. I found her off to the side directing several Mandas and Eddie to litter the forest to our rear with glass and alcohol.

“You realize all it would take is one spark and we’ll have a forest fire on our hands?” I asked. The General smiled at me, a singularly unpleasant smile.

“That I do. At the first hint of any one approaching from behind us, I’m lighting it all up. Once my group is done with this area we're heading further in to soak the ground and vegetation too.”

“Good idea. Have Eddie pull out a couple of cases from the void and station them in discrete locations. Douse the boxes. We can use them as bombs to set fire to a large area and rid ourselves of as many enemies as possible.

“Kahlina, we have several Shadows returning, they have company.” A Manda gasped between words. I patted her on the back and headed back.

Looking across the water, I winced seeing one of my wolves fall . I whistled, letting the sharp sound carry across the water. I hoped my people would hear it over the sounds in the enemy camp and return. Turning back to the Shadows and the Mandas still standing over the prisoners, I looked over my troops, not bothering to count how many we had captured.

“Gentlemen, welcome to my army. If you have a problem I’m sure I can solve the problem for you.” I heard a sharp barking pick up across the water and smiled; my boys were coming home. I wondered just how many I had left.