The council's decision was quick; in a week, we would attack the nearest castle. The announcement was posted on the notice board, stating that anyone 14+ could sign up torsos the castle. By day 2, we had about 200 volunteers, about 50 of which turned out to have the special abilities. Richard's books were right. I'd been pouring over them since my grandfather had died, which is where I discovered the abilities.
The day of attack soon arrived, and we had about 500 in our little army, 100 of which had abilities. We set out at dawn to a thunderous applause. The entire city, about 3,000, were there to wave us off. Rocky, Flora, and River were with us, despite being underage. As council members, though, they had a right to go. Ozone, Current, Trench, and Star all turned out, as well as Gaia.
By nightfall we were there. With the castle looming in our sights, I briefed my soldiers. "Okay, here's how things are going to go down. First off, I need all my fliers to carry the water-breathers right above the moat and drop them in. You guys will stay there for the night. The fliers will scout the castle out, and report back with their findings. When we do make the attack, our rock-skinned will lead the assault, as they're impervious to the enemies weapons. All good?" Everyone nods. I clap my hands together. "Alright then. Fliers, do your thing." All 30 fliers each grabbed a water-breather and set off.
A couple minutes later, they were back. Sky and Gale gave the report. "Well, it's not much. They have a barracks with about two dozen warriors, and there are a couple thousand scouts, but nothing more. This is probably one of the poorer defended bases," they tell me. I nod.
One of them adds, "We also found a large camp filled with prisoners."
I frown. "Let's not worry about that. Besides, when we destroy the castle, they'll be able to escape," I decide.
Quickly, I scribble down instructions for River and Lilly on some paper. "Water proof, please," I say to Gale. She puts an air bubble around it. I use my magic to float it into the moat where they should receive it.
Then I turn to everyone else. "We attack now. Here's the plan." I outline my attack. I only hope it works.
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I crouch behind a bush with about 470 others. We all have our elemental bows, nocked and ready. "Ready!" I yell. "Aim! RELEASE!" With that, hundreds of arrows go flying at the enemies wall, my fire arrow in the lead. I can see scouts dropping on the front wall as our rain of arrows hit their mark.
"Fire at will!" I command, launching another arrow. "We need to draw the Warriors out!" Our arrow hail continues. Almost all of the scouts on the outer wall are dead, and they will have to call in reinforcements if they want to restock, which will thin out their forces.
After about 10 minutes, the drawbridge finally opens up and the Warriors come riding out, a black shield of dark magic rendering our arrows useless. The scouts return arrow fire on us, but their regular bows don't have the range of magic bows, and can't hit us.
The Warriors continue their charge, weapons drawn. 'Perfect,' I think. 'Just a couple more metres...' Bingo. Right where I want them. I shoot a torrent of fire into the air, the signal for my waters to attack. The Soul Hunters pay it little heed...until water arrows go flying into their backs. The Warriors cry in outrage, and put up a deflective shield facing the water types.
They turn round to charge, but now, their unprotected backs face us. "Now!" I yell. Another volley of arrows sails at the Warriors. But this time, they land direct hits. Two dozen Warriors drop dead off their horses. I smile. The rest is easy.
I shoot up another fire blast, and the water sorcerers and sorceresses propel themselves over the walls, which are now poorly protected. "Charge!" I holler and, now brandishing swords and axes, my army runs at the castle, the rock-skins leading the way. Arrows bounce harmlessly off of their chests, and my fliers begin an air raid on the remaining scouts.
We barge into the castle, and the scene is chaos. Hundreds of scout bodies lie dead around the castle grounds, most of them soaking wet. My water types are in the middle of everything, being slowly overwhelmed by fresh waves of scouts.
I spot Lilly and run up to her. "Need some help?" I ask, tossing a fireball at a scout.
"A little assistance couldn't hurt," she replies, letting an arrow fly. It hits a scout dead in the chest.
The onslaught is over in minutes. The scouts all lie dead at our feet, and we walk away with no casualties.
"So, what about those prisoners?" Lilly asks. I peer down the pathways in the castle, and spot a bunch of prison doors jarred open.
"I think they got out," I say. Then I see them, walking out of the rear of the castle. It looks like a warrior is leading them away but surely it isn't. They're all dead. It must be my imagination.
So when I hear the screaming, I just assume the same thing.
YOU ARE READING
Pyrus: War
FantasíaWith Pyrus as it's leader, the Sanctuary has returned. But the battle is far from over. The forces of evil are stirring, and it has only just begun. Pyrus and his people train themselves and hone their skills, preparing for the war to come. Discove...
