Legends: The Knight of Helm (#1)

Chapter 18

Nerus glanced at the fort walls. It was a small watchtower, and a checkpoint on the road. The Ommart had been sweeping through the Helmish territories, burning down villages and taking prisoners. It was unlike them to take prisoners, they were following direct orders, or else those people would be dead. Nerus placed his back against the stone wall; he had eight men to take down twelve Ommart soldiers. They were out manned, and in most cases outclassed, not to mention the enemies positioning was far more superior.

They had rope for the walls, with grappling hooks. They could scale them at any moment, but Nerus wanted to wait for the perfect time. It about five to ten minutes, most the guards would be asleep. While the Ommart could go seven months without rest, it was ill advised unless in dire situations. Right now they were winning; there was no reason for an overnight watch. They had men searching and slaying the remainder of Helm's forces scattered abroad, but they wouldn't be looking at their doorstep.

Nerus looked over his good eight men. Nine against the rough number of at least seventeen to thirty men, Ommart no less. He gave his signal, each man tossing his grappling hook until it sunk into the stone wall. Each man heaved his body above the stone mass in the night sky. The stars starred down at each man, on this fateful night, only courage to keep them strong.

They each stooped low almost belly crawling on the walls. Three men took watch, as Nerus slit the first one's throat. The Ommart sentry struggled, before his head rolled form his shoulders. Two other men readied their bows towards the last Ommart. It was risky to go for a head shot, but it was the only way to kill them instantly. Nerus gave the nod, as each arrow flew through the air. The arrows hit home, through the last remanding sentries' throats. General Nerus let out a controlled breath; it was a sign of relief. This was far from over, but they had the walls, it at least made his men feel more secure, though their nerves were still cold.

The interior of Checkpoint Galima was small, circular in nature. It was nothing but a wall and a tower, three or so stories high. The wall covered a small square quart yard and lead into a jagged, unclimbable rocky mountain. The shale was unclimbable, and so brittle that it likely ended in a man's death. This was the only way to and from the great city Helm. The Kingdom of Kings, had three major cities. Helm was the greatest, the capitol, and stronghold; Lemmia was the southern city, attacked the day after Helm's fall. The last, was the least of the three, Greela, the City of Trees, the last standing city was under siege, and Nerus was traveling with his men there to stop the cities fall. They had surrounded the south west, and eastern border. They could only run into the Red Mountains, north into the Inger Empire. The mountains were named, red, for the trails of blood seen in the snow, when men tried the paroles trail. Crowning the summit of the Red Mountains was Skull Peak, where the man who had reached the top, died, shortly after.

Nerus turned his thoughts away from his vast knowledge of the lands of Helm and towards the current goal. He stealthily crawled down one of the many ladders as each the men surrounded themselves around the sleeping Ommart. Quickly and swiftly each of their heads rolled on the ground. Their waking bodies jolted, and even arms flung in the air. The race of humanoids was like chicken in that regard. Nerus charged through the door finding three Ommart ready for battle as his men stormed through, even outnumbered three to eight, the put up a good fight, slaying one of Nerus's trained knights. The battle lasted but for a few seconds as Nerus walked out of the tower. He pointed to one of the men as he spoke.

"Call back for reinforcements now! Make haste! Stop for nothing, it is imperative that you make it back to the fort with in the weeks end." Nerus spoke firmly, he glanced about him, "As for the rest of us, we have to secure this position until help arrives. Let's get down to work."

With little rest the men began to reinforce the position they had won. The held a mass burning of the bodies they had slain, and with little sleep they continue to fortify their position with what little they had. Nerus had a scout posted on cliff edge, a day after their victory, with small stone walls for protect. They had forced a path through the slate for an advantage point. They couldn't afford the loss of this position; it fortified their standings in the north regions of Helm's land.

Each man had only two thoughts in their minds; the fear of losing their lives and the thought of returning back to home, their wives and children by their side. The beautiful blue flames of Helm's magical wells were imprinted as if seen before them. The City of Kings, Helm their homeland, every man would envy for the chance of a birthplace in Helm.

General Nerus closed his eyes, his thoughts reached out to his endeared pupil Cladius. His deep breath proved his worry, as he looked down from the wall he stood. Even in noon day, with the beating sun, and his heavy eyes, the man couldn't sleep. He wondered how Volohs could have become so desperate.