Warlord's Ward

Into Battle

"What is she doing?" Callum coughed. The young knight fighting to breathe as he sent the older knight, Roderick a worried look.

"Making the perimeter. They won't be able to breathe if they try to leave."

"We have to ride through that!"

"We can get through faster than they can. We're on horseback. Just hold your breath boy."

"This is foolish." Callum jerked his horse's rein. Tempted to turn back. Despite all his brave words from the night before.

Rodrick didn't argue.

"Forward." Detry waved. But he waited for Roderick, Callum and many of the others to go through first.

There was much coughing and gasping.

And many knights immediately turned back. Afraid of the place where breathing became nearly impossible.

"What are you waiting for!" Detry bellowed. Drawing his short sword to point in the direction. "Get through!"

They were surely creating enough racket that the wolf pack would be sure to know they were coming.

It was Roderick that took a big gasp of air and was the first through and it was he that was immediately brought down by Vexation's sword through his horse.

Vexation whirled around and sliced the legs of the next horse that came through.

As wolves landed on Roderick who was scrambling backward as he fumbled for his sword. Fortunately, others had followed him. Plowing through the liquid like barrier with a pop like a bubble bursting each time, someone broke through.

The disadvantage to the barrier was that it was terrifying to go through.

Meanwhile those within it patiently waited for the panicked horsemen to break through.

Callum soon stood over Roderick. Slashing at wolves that descended on him. Scarred ugly beasts from what remained of the NightHunters packs. Recruited by the Asara.

Flanking Vexation was the Asara Pack.

And next to him was a giant of a man. Stripped bare save his pants.

The reason why became quickly apparent.

He lunged up and threw an elbow that knocked an armored knight off his horse. His strikes carried thunderous power. He snatched another by the leg and spun with him. Tossing him off into the trees.

Callum stabbed another wolf, pulling his sword back out and helped Roderick to his feet. Watching in horror as the huge redheaded man tossed knights about like collecting kindling.

"What in all hell, is that thing?"

"I don't know." Roderick was shaking his head. "But we're not equipped for that."

"I don't think anyone is!" Callum cried.

"Don't attack anymore boy." Roderick ordered. "We stand back and let those that come after us die. We make no more war on these then needed. They're prepared to fight down to the last one."

Watching a moment, Callum was dead certain the man was right.

King Detry emerged on his great armored destrier.

But Fury headed it off. Shouldering into the great mount and bringing it to a dead stop.

It reared up and he stepped aside and hit into the shoulder. Veering it toward a tree before it could steady it's back legs. Pinning the King's leg before straightening.

Detry cried out. "Irasus! Get in here."

Draven, the Asara Alpha was dodging swords ripping off helmets as he exposed the knights for attack before sending them careening back to his mate who'd catch their throats while others worried about the swinging blades.

It was a systematic devastation.

Rampage worked next to him. Using the same brute force as his father, he lifted a man, fully armored, over his head and dropped him crushingly to the ground. Dropping a knee over his chest that dented his armor chest plate. Making the man gasp for air. Struggling against the folded metal that was now crushing him.

Rampage was on to the next one.

Draven glanced over his shoulder at Killian standing a distance back.

"What is he waiting for?" He asked Rampage.

Just then a woman stepped through the barrier. Making it part as she emerged. Untouched. Her long skirts slit through the sides to reveal an alluring length of long, slim leg. She exuded enough power that even the wolves shied from her path.

Mages turning in astonishment as they sensed the vibration of the being that'd just entered the camp.

"I'd guess, that, is what he was waiting for." Rampage nodded to her.

"What is she?"

"I think we're about to find out. But I sense magic in her. Strong, strong, magic."

"That's not good."

"Well, to be honest," Rampage remarked. Nodding to Killian who watched the woman, unmoved. "You haven't seen him unleashed. In-fact, I don't believe any of us have."

She stood just within the cluster of trees. Scanning the battle which had very nearly stilled at her entrance.

King Detry pointed to Killian. "There. Kill him!"

She dropped to a crouch. Sinking her fingers into the dirt.

The ground fractured beneath her. Sending up a geyser of rocks and sludge in a streak that shot out from her toward Killian.

Knights and wolves alike shouted in objection and launched from its trajectory.

Vicious black claws like giant, attacking claws, blocked the pathway, shrouding him behind wavering bars of dark magic which seemed to swell and pulse with life. He peered through them and met her dark gaze. Unafraid.

Dark smokey strands shot out to rip into her like great talons.

Killian's blue eyes nearly luminesced as he looked at her. Tilting his head slowly. When he spoke, his voice emerged in her mind.

"I felt you. Down there in his dungeon. He locked you up. Kept you like an abused puppy. Yet you serve him?"

She straightened. Refusing to answer him. A sleek brunette with pretty features and long swinging brown hair.

"You're powerful enough to leave." He remarked through her thoughts. "Yet you don't..."

"I know nothing else." She said flatly.

"Who is she talking to?" Someone near her murmured.

"I don't know."

"You could join us." He whispered into her had. "This doesn't have to be a war."

She tilted her head.

It was the moment that Killian reached through her feeling for emotions or some way to connect with her. And realized she was devoid of any.

"What have you done to yourself?" His eyes narrowed on her.