Legends: The Knight of Helm (#1)

Chapter 30

Nerus huffed as he slowly approached Fort Crown, the men garrisoned there watched the ommart man struggle with a fiery might. Nerus pulled and tugged on the rope with tired muscles, as he began to walk through the gate. The men around him scurried around the fort preparing for his arrival. Commands were yelled and signals signed, and the double wooden door, with reinforced steel, swung open for the general. Each soldier wore a black scarf, cape, or cloak, to honor the newly killed King. General Nerus, with his wounds, had not yet been given the chance to endow himself with such a garment.

Lennix was tied firmly and tightly. He was ashamed that he was bested by a man. He was the strongest ommart that ever lived, even stronger than their desisted king. Lennix looked up at Nerus as he was positioned on his knees in the center of Fort Crown. He could see the place slowly becoming a village rather than a simple fort. His pale white eyes followed the men and their actions as Nerus knelt down to his level.

Lennix spoke up in spite, "Untie me, and I will show you how you really fight!"

Spittle flew from his mouth as he spoke, landing in Nerus's eyes, but he had but a simple reply, "I will let you sit here and ponder on your shame perhaps a few minutes longer."

Lennix growled, tossing and turning in his bonds. He was trying to wiggle out, or break a cord. Even with all his strength, he couldn't break through the thick rope; in fact, the more he struggled the more the tight bonds dug into his wrist and feet. He watched as Nerus walked around the camp. Lennix realized what he was doing; it was the same thing he was doing, sizing up the camp. Nerus was a master tactician, while the Ommart were simple brutes who fought mercilessly, men where slower, and wearier of their enemies.

"All men front and center," Nerus yelled to the whole camp.

Each man rushed to position, turning their heads to look at the good general. The fort was full of soldiers, and had the greatest number of Helmish knights. There were over a hundred knights, and a thousand soldiers. Nerus called a scribe up, as he began to pencil in his orders.

"We are to expect company," Nerus paused, "We will construct structures in the mountains for our archers, and ground pikes for our soldiers. The knights will wait outside the city led by me for an ambush, pushing the enemy against our walls. I want hot coals and oil mounted around the battlements. We will see our enemies' burn!" Nerus shouted with vigor.

The men shouted back with a strong war cry, something that could be heard a mile off. Lennix looked at Nerus with dismay and disgust. He hated the man, if not for his actions, then for the simple fact that he caught him.

"Your plan will not work," Lennix said both mockingly and boldly, "general."

"Then, what would you suggest? What would be a better plan?" Nerus questioned.

"I would dig a mote around the fort, with three bridges, one for the East, West, and the South side. Once done, I would secure my men beyond the point in a secluded area, retrieve the bridges once my enemies crossed, leaving them stuck to suffer the agony of your hot oil and coals." Lennix replied, "You must admit, it's a better plan. Also, your men will just get slaughtered against the Ommart army, if you don't give them distance."

"That indeed is a good plan. It's too bad you are on the wrong side, Lennix, you would make a superior commanding officer, even though I hate you." General Nerus said plainly.

"Oh, indeed, though you would be much less useful to me. Though, I would have fun snapping your neck."

"I'm sure you would Lennix, oh, I'm sure you would." Nerus replied walking off, leaving four men to guard him.