STICKWAR(On Hold)

6: Invading the Woodlands

Adicai ducked behind a tree as arrows whistled past his face, gritting his teeth. He threw his shield up, a few arrows bouncing off the metal. He heard his soldiers yelling out, and heard the thunk of clubs connecting with skin, a large thump following each blow. Adicai quickly jumped from behind his cover, throwing his shield up to protect his face and body, charging with his sword raised high.

two Archidons were the first opponents he came across, both standing on a fallen tree, firing out arrows at the Order soldiers closest to them. Upon seeing Adicai, they panicked, not having arrows ready to fire. Adicai jumped up at them, his sword swinging in a wide arc to cut one Archidon's throat, twirling it back to cut down the other one. As they fell, he jumped down, and smashed his shield into the back of an Archidon who was hiding behind a boulder.

As Adicai ran into the trees, he saw his brother Skodik, expertly cutting down Archidons, barking orders to the rest of the soldiers. "Form up, hit them together!" about twenty soldiers formed in ranks, and charged the remaining Archidons, killing them in a few moments. There was no cheering at their victory, just a grim face on all the soldiers. Skodik ordered his men to make a perimeter, and the soldiers quickly moved off into the trees.

Skodik came over to Adicai, looking dog tired, but his eyes burned with determination. "Another victory yet, brother." Adicai nodded, sheathing his sword and strapping on his shield. "Father and Zilaros will want a report. Let us hurry, before the Archidons strike again." Skodik sighed, nodding and indicating for Adicai to lead the way.

The brothers hiked from the border to the border town of Prosperity, where they were recognized as Order generals and taken by wagon to the Order army's encampment between Prosperity and Fern Crest. 

In a little over an hour, they soon came rolling up to the fortress that had been built as a forward operating base for the war. It was at least 30 feet tall, with three foot cobblestone walls which were manned by Order soldiers wielding stolen bows from the Archidons. Captured Archidons were forced to train these soldiers how to shoot the bows, under the orders of Zarek. He said that Order needed to learn to use the weapons of their enemies if they were to win the war. Skodik said that the Order soldiers would be completely inadequate compared to the Archidons, but it was better than having clubmen on 30 feet walls, giving the Archidons free target practice.

The soldiers yelled to each other seeing the wagon coming towards the fortress, quickly assembling and equipping their bows, standing guard as the two royals stepped from the wagon and walked into the fortress. Inside was half barracks, half armory for the Order soldiers, a low building being marked as the weapon storage, and there being several wooden structures which soldiers came in and out of. They all saluted as Adicai and Skodik walked past, to the tower in the middle of the fortress.

Zarek and Zilaros were already outside the tower, approaching the siblings. Zilaros was the first to speak, "You've returned. A successful, battle, I hope?" Skodik scowled at Zilaros, saying, "Yes, we have defended the borders of Order yet again from the Archidons." Skodik then sighed. "But our soldiers lose moral the longer these skirmishes continue. These past few weeks have been filled with constant fighting, with no gains for us. Our ranks swell to nearly twenty five hundred soldiers, but Im not sure the soldiers will be willing to fight soon."

Zarek smiled at his son, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Fear not, for I have devised a plan with the help of Zilaros." Adicai looked at his father questioningly. "What is it?" Zarek smirked. "We have come into contact with native tribes who dislike the Archidons in their territories. They tell us of a gathering army of Archidons close to the border, a force of over a thousand, which would surely do severe damage to our army. But they have offered assistance in an attack on the force, and giving their soldiers to our army."

Skodik growled. "You want the Order to work with natives?" Zarek glared at his son, who quickly grew silent. "Yes son, if Order wishes to expand its territory, we must develop a positive relation with the natives. Not to mention the combined force of their armies will number nearly 4,000. This could be the opportunity to take a step towards winning this war!" Adicai looked to his brother, who had a small smile on his face. Adicai bowed to his father. "You have our loyalty, father. Tell us what we must do."

(An hour later)

Adicai and Skodik marched out of the fortress, a few hundred order soldiers marching in unison behind them. They had been given the command from their father to invade the woodlands, meet up with the native forces, and crush the gathering Archidon force. Both marched with a determination to serve their father, but they both were also thinking of something else. If they were invading the woodlands, this could be their chance to rescue their sister, Kytchu. Fueled by these thoughts, they continued their march towards the woodlands, ready to follow the path to victory.

New chapter guys!  The Order nation is now invading the Archidon kingdom!

Quick note, I really never liked how Order was able to defeat the Archidons alone, so I thought it would be a nice twist they ally with natives to defeat the Archidons. And that they took weapons from the Archidons before they took them over, because obviously, in real war, bows beat clubs.

Hope you guys like the story direction, I may get a second chapter out later this week.