Preparations spill into the following day. Each citizen contributes his/her quota towards materializing the collective aim of surviving and repelling the invasion. Shifts are taken to mitigate fatigue and maintain energy levels. King Gregor remains locked up in his chambers, refusing to see or listen to anyone. It is, however, unclear if he is drowning in sorrow or just simply shielding himself from responsibilities.
John knows Malvay lacks the resources needed to match the Novalian invading force in a battle at sea. His intention is to avoid that. He intends to draw the men out to Malv soil where he'd overpower them with numbers. The first line of Malv defence were just under five thousand fighters strong, as at the time of the head count. John, Gaius and a few dozen people stand unarmed by the seashore, expecting to receive the Novalian soldiers.
Seconds became minutes, and minutes, hours. The wait was becoming tedious, but alas! A few hours before sunset, a ship's mast comes into their line of sight. Several other ships follow, numbering seven in total. The ship's ensign, a golden dragon on a white background leaves no doubt about the identity of the people onboard. Novali's soldiers have arrived. John recognizes the ships, and is relieved. They are relatively small Novalian warships, each mounted with cannons on either side. A carrying capacity of a hundred and fifty persons means the invading force is only a thousand and some dozen fighters strong. John knows, however, that one simple error could cost them. He walks ahead of the others as all seven Novalian ships dock at Seagard.
About a dozen armoured Novalian soldiers alight from their ship, walking towards John. John stares at the soldiers, hoping to not come off as defiant. The soldiers, armed to the teeth, seem ready to signal their comrades to indiscriminately unleash cannon balls on the kingdom. One of the soldiers addresses him rather civilly as John tries to stare at the face behind the metallic helmet.
Novalian captain: You must be members of the Malv royal council. I politely ask to see the king.
Gaius responds in John's stead.
Gaius: I don't believe arriving in warships seems polite in any way. Anyone you can meet with is here.
Gaius points at John Kado.
Gaius: He is the highest ranking rationally thinking person you can meet in this kingdom today.
The Novalian captain scoffs, causing the others to laugh even more mockingly.
Novalian captain: I don't believe a common born matches the value of a king. Not even if he was named chief adviser. Do not get me offended. I'd like to see the king...or shall I show you what orders I was given in respect to meeting resistance?
The captain's threat is backed by a loud sound, caused by the adjustment of a cannon's muzzle. John finally speaks up to calm the situation. He gives a grim look.
John Kado: He's gone mad...we'd hope we'd negotiate our safety. King Gregor has vowed to drench Malvay in Novalian blood. He remains stiff-necked, unwilling to heed my advice, even to this hour. He surrounds his castle with an army, aiming to vanquish you. I cannot say for sure the numbers, but I believe it must be sizable force, maybe even matching your numbers. We want no part in his war.
John slowly drops to his knees as he grovels in front of the soldier. Gaius and the others follow. The Novalian captain peers at them with suspicious eyes.
Novalian captain: Why should I believe that you would betray your king? I've heard you're a honourable man, loyal to the core.
John replies firmly.
John: It is true. I am loyal. However, my loyalty lies with my country...not a king. Especially not one mad enough to enter a war with Novali. I supported his negotiation for peace, but I'd never walk into a war with zero chances of success...not until I go insane.
Novalian captain: Very well then. A smart man indeed. I remember the terrain very well. King Gregor will fall alongside all who wish to fight beside him. Anyone who accepts Novali's sovereignty over Malvay will be spared and welcomed into Novali's gracious hand of mercy.
The captain signals to her subordinates, causing them to alight their respective ships in their numbers. She gives a final order before leading most of the soldiers to war.
Novalian captain: If they try anything funny, kill them all. Start with the bald one. I do not like his face.
She leads her army as they march on, moving relatively quick for people girded in full body armour. She seems to hate the look on Gaius' face. A veteran in the military, submission to a foe never looked good on Gaius, and apparently, it still doesn't.
The Novalian advance soon disappears from eye view. Twenty four soldiers remain to watch John Kado and his company. John slowly lifts his head, angering the soldiers. They yell at him, ordering him to revert to his former position. John defiantly speaks.
John Kado: A thousand and twenty six by my count. Apparently no archers.
Novalian soldier: Silence! What are you blabbering about?
The soldiers had taken off their helmets to decrease the heat they felt from the seashore's unforgiving temperature. John rises to his feet, to the soldiers' amazement. Gaius follows, and then another, and another. They all rise, throwing the soldiers into confusion.
Novalian soldier: You bloody low lives. You dare defy Novali?
John stares the soldier dead in the eye as he gives a bold reply.
John Kado: You won't live long enough to regret this day.
The soldier soon catches wind of the situation. He yells out an order to the others.
Novalian soldier: Kill them! Kill them all! Now! Slit their throats! Take out these bastards!
John yells in response. The situation becomes very tense.
John Kado: Archers!
Gaius echoes with John, probably to send a louder message. The Novalian soldiers move for the kill, but they are too late. Arrows begin to fly from different directions, with no shooter in sight. The Novalian soldiers begin to drop to the ground, one after the other, as their heads and necks are impaled by flying arrows. At the end of the assault, every Novalian had been taken out. John seems relieved and delighted that the first phase of his plan had come through, but there's no room for rest. Seagard had already been evacuated, but it wouldn't take long for the Novalian advance to either reach Crownstone, or discover his plans. He could feel the blood rushing through his veins. He raises his right hand in the air and yells.
John Kado: Brothers, Sisters! Now, we fight!
A loud roar emerges from the highlands. He'd stationed his fighters there for this purpose- to encircle the Novalian soldiers, trapping them in Malvay and eventually crushing them with brute force. Armed Malvs rush down the highlands in their numbers, following the Novalian foot trail. Arms are handed out to John, Gaius and the others as they lead the charge. The sun begins to set as the rumbling sound of not only the Malv forward push is heard, but also that of their hearts! The war John Kado never wanted had already begun!
YOU ARE READING
DEMON HUNT
FantasyMario Cadel gets caught up in a series of tragic events that opens his eyes to the mysteries and darkness in the world. He begins a struggle to establish peace but whether he succeeds or not is another matter...
