Songs of Battle

Chapter 9: The Elemental Army

Caspian went into the huge mess hall of the Ice Palace with Rimestone at his side. "Let all those warriors skilled enough to kill a vuxta with a single thrust of a blade join here in the mess hall!" Caspian called. People poured into the mess hall, coming only if they could slay a vuxta with a mere one thrust of a blade. Ice, one of the royal Guard, was one of the people there. Caspian's brothers came to stand at the back of the assembly.

"Leona Fray had been taken by vuxta, and is being taken to O'ranel Fay. We are sending fivescore of our troops to get her back and keep all the knowledge she has from getting to the vuxta," Caspian boomed. "Wait, that is not enough! We'll never survive. That's suicide with only fivescore!" a solider called out.

"That is where my brothers come in. They have had heir Senior Knight pick out the best warriors to get the job done! With us all putting our strengths together, we'll be able to get Leona back!" Caspian replied. His brothers nodded in confirmation. A series of whoops and cheers came from the soldiers.

"I need you all to be ready to march in by today, for the other parts of the army will be ready as well. Don your armour and hone your weapons to their finest edge. For in two days time, we march for O'ranel Fay!" Caspian called to the surrounding warriors. A roaring cheer went up from the gathering.

With their orders given, the warriors dispersed about the palace to gather their weapons, don their armour, and sharpen their blades. Caspian met with his brothers after the crowd had dispersed. "Great speech Caspian, short and to the point," Lance said. "And by the way, my chosen army shoulder be here soon. My Senior Knight Rockjaw chose fast, though not unwisely," said the Earth Prince. Caspian nodded, catching a cook by the wrist as he passed, "Prepare food for five hundred warriors." The cooked nodded and went to the kitchens.

"Right, well I'd better get my weapons and brief Nanuk on the mission. I suggest you all do the same," said Caspian. He left, running to the stables. "Nanuk!" he called when he came into the last stall. She barked a greeting. He pushed the door and entered the stall of the great white wolf.

"We're marching for O'ranel Fay in two days' time," he told her. She blinked, and said to him "I thought as much. Are your brothers helping you?" He opened a large chest in the corner of the room. Caspian nodded, "Yes. They each have sent for fivescore of their best warriors. They'll be here sometime today or early tomorrow, so we have to be ready by then." The Ice Prince pulled out large silver and blue pieces of metal.

"It has been some time since we have had to don our full war attire," he murmured. Nanuk nodded solemnly. She stood still as Caspian began to dress her for full battle.

First went her breastplate. It attached to her saddle, which was already on. A large diamond was set over her heart, but it was not for show. It was to deflect killing blows to the chest, for diamond was indestructible. Next went the shoulder guards. These strapped over her upper legs, fastened right where her leg met her chest. There was a matching set that went over her upper back-legs. Caspian then attached bracers that covered the bottom half of her fore and back legs. Last but not least came her metal claws, the things that went over her paws like metal bones and formed sharp double claws. Last but not least went the helmet over her head.

There were holes cut out for the ears, the eyes, and the nostrils. It jutted down to right under her chin, right below where her eyes were. This left her mouth free to bite but protected much of her face. A strap fasten underneath her chin. Nanuk's piercing blue eyes shone as she surveyed herself in her own ice mirror.

"I have not felt this way in a long time," she said. Caspian touched her armoured shoulder in a question. "Ready for war," she said simply. Caspian nodded. He opened the door to her stall, "Go to the training grounds. There will be practice fights set up to hone your skills one last time before we march," he told her. She cantered out of the stables. He sighed. Caspian was glad to have such a loyal, skilled, and faithful friend that he'd be going into battle with.