The Enchanted World of Shaniah and Seth

Those who seek the storm finds its fury

Chapter Twelve

Dhugal reached the head of the procession and immediately he dismounted and ran towards Queen Ysa's carriage,
He kissed  her hands and took her blessings.

Where is Haggart and his family?
He did not noticed  the second Carriage  a few meters  behind where the Queen was ridding.
Queen Ysa saw the big concern in Dhugals eyes and said ,
"They are back there in the next Carriage, Yna and their child are safe over there."
Dhugal asked the queen what happened and Queen Ysa narrated the raids that took place.And she informed that Haggart  was left behind to face the destruction that is taking place at her kingdom.
Dhugal and Haggart  have known each other ever since they were kids.all three of them including Kelson were students of Queen Ysa when She was not yet the Warrior  Queen.

They are the three mighty warriors that fought during the war between the dark elves of Baleuor from the south. Together they defeated the Elven dark army with the help of the  good elves,and the combined forces with the help of the powerful elementals.
That was the war that left everything into ruins,all the knowledge and science were lost.the war that took hundred thousands of lives, including Kelson who sacrificed himself to save both mankind and elves alive destroying the source of all magic, destroying  the thing that turned the elves to become evil.
It is a thing combined by human science and elven magic. And Kelson was able to break it into pieces.
They ended up victorious  but the enemy were not defeated they just scattered and hid themselves. They vowed to eliminate the blood lines of the Xylsons. They bowed that they will one day rise and rule again.
The remaining Good elves gave three if the warriors gifts with that old magic but they took with them the most powerful stone They will keep it safe from those who will seek revenge. And one day found that the whole elven kingdom was gone.not a trace remain.

A seesaw battle between  Haggart's  men and the approaching army began each side trying  to gain control of the other. Arrows  have flown on each side.  The whole field was a big expanse of burnt crops and dead bodies. His main troops are gathered together on one side of the field and the enemy on the other side both outside an arrow shot range from each other.

Pan led his team farther towards the bluff scanning  from signs of movements and after making sure no danger lurks there landed his team. They have circled the dragons claw mountain and saw the massive army that were waiting . Men on horseback numbering in thousands, ogres being controlled by two or three mages, imps skipping and fluttering  above the low lying trees wating for commands from a few more lesser mages, and trolls breaking trees and boulders at the far end. Within the massive Pentagon  building they could see activities but could not distinguish what is being done.
He told two of the younger riders to report this to Morielle.  After  a few hours of rest he told them to leave and they are to inform that he will continue flying towards Pur.

The huge procession arrived at the gates of Xylson Kingdom,Alaris was the one welcome them,He immediately  guided them inside the palace to the waiting Coleene and Morielle,
"Welcome, Your Majesty Queen Ysa and Yna," as she embrace the Queen and then Yna with the baby in her arms. We are glad you have arrived safely, We were informed just this noon that you are arriving so we already prepared your rooms so you may rest. The journey you took was a real hasty and rough that I suggest you have yuh our lunch first and then rest, we can talk all about this during lunch,
She turned to Yna and said. So you and your son finally were able to come here. Although the times may not be the best still we are all glad you came here, You know that you are always welcome here.
And finally,She took the baby from Yna and said, such a handsome baby boy and What may his name be?
We named him after his God mother,and God father,His name is Dhuille..

The new attack of the advancing army, became a bloody war, the mercenaries and robbers attacked using bows and arrows, and the soldiers on horse back rushed to meet the attackers. This was a big mistake, The mercenaries retreated and the riders pursued thinking  the enemy are fleeing.  They chased them back until the end of the field and near the mountain.
That is where the ogres and imps and the rest of the mercenary armies lie in wait for an ambush. It was to late many of the riders fell and some were shot by arrows  as they retreat back to their lines. Many were wounded and brought in the palace, Haggart have already prepared for it and they were treated immediately,  those that are just bruises and cuts were sent to the palace garden to rest and were attended by fellow  soldiers.
That mistake was immediately seen by the mercenaries and they attacked in a renewed  force backed up by the ogres and imps they attacked the retreating army.
The warriors and trackers were ordered to withdraw back to the palace ,Haggart have a new plan.

Behind the palace was the great western forest,  this warriors will hide in the forest they will leave traps of all kinds  and stay hidden deep in the forest until they receive news from them.  There were almost a thousand of these trackers and warriors and double the number for each of them command a different  type of wild hunting dogs or big cats and other ferocious animals. They need to stay hidden deep in the forest and they have to mass up and near the forest of the kingdom of Xylson  some of them will circle the great mountains and forest of the northern side of the Kingdom . They too will hide and come on the right time,to aid them if the war was lost,they are to gather other tribes  to help and aid during the war.
Dhugal arrived on his horse and stormed the palace.
He hugged his long time friend and together they planned.
Everything was set. Runners have been running back and forth informing the soldiers and archers what needs to be done,  it is almost  evening and that will be their advantage. Their traps and plans would not be easily noticed.  Little by little their forces are retreating towards the palace, the horsemen were all inside the gardens now, those that were wounded were sent earlier to Xylson kingdom carried by half of the remaining abled soldiers two or three in one horse,  they are to bring the  this wounded half way and tie the horse  so that it will be rested and ready  for the plan. Then half of them will return and position near the mountain pass. These are the archers from the walls. Half of them were left to guide the walls.  The battle was getting near the Palace
Dhugal and Haggart rode towards the battle.  THE OLD WARRIORS  RIDE ONCE MORE..

The two warriors  ride slowly bearing a flag of truce, they were met by three of the leaders of the other army,
Grushev on their lead. He was a burly man with beard and mustache.
"Well met shouted Dhugal"
"Well met warriors of the south."Haggart followed and they dismounted and walked towards each other.
Grushev  almost went down on his knees upon seeing the two.
He knew this people.
Besides him was his son who led the mercenaries.
He was a tall  man with two swords and lots of throwing knives in his body.
Grushev spoke first.

"I never thought I would see the day that I'll be speaking to both of you once more my Lords. I thought you were both dead. "

Haggart  laughed and replied.
"We will be soon be if your army would not turn back the way you came from!
Dhugal however have easily recognized   Grushev  and kept quiet  and waited for the others response.

My Lord it is I Grushev, I once rode with you in battle long time ago. Don't  you recognize me?

"Let us all sit first and we will tell you our demands" said the third man, He was a thin  man with a snake face figure,obviously  the leader of the band of robbers and thieves.
We come here to take all of your gold and cattle  and you must surrender so that we will spare you and your children and women.

Haggart was so angry that he almost swung his maze.but Dhugal was quick  to stop him and he said. You may have power to back you up with that. We have seen how your army controlled  those monsters but we also have some tricks of our own.
We will never surrender.
The leader of the robbers drew his sword but a quick glance from Grushev  to his son produced two swift knives to
its chest killing him instantly.
Grushev then said , my Lords I would not have joined this army if we were not forced to.
Our children  were captured and enslaved by those who control  this monsters.
We have to do their bidding or our children will die.
But I realized that with the power  on your hands we have a fighting chance against them. Will you forgive us?
Dhugal smiled and said. Welcome back Grushev, and welcome to your son too. We would be glad to help but you will need to do as you will be told. And they carefully talked about his plans and all of them agreed.
First  they would have to wait. A rescue to the children will be done before dawn and it is up to Grushev and his son to delay the attack until then.
All is agreed.

The two went back to their lines.
Dhugal told his plan to Haggart  this involves Pan and his Rocs. It also is a plan for a counter attack and sudden retreat.
They have told Grushev  to wait for his message  that will come from a very good tracker and then they will attack and retreat at his signal. The signal will be one arrow to get ready two to attack a volley  of arrows to retreat.

It was just on perfect timing when Pan arrived at the palace. And Dhugal and Haggart went back as soon as they could.
Dhugal  and Pan embraced,and Quickly  they informed Pan about the plan it was dangerous and requires good planning and decision. 
It was Pan who thought about the distraction to be made.
It would require  Dhugal's magic sword and Haggart's own magical maze and a an attack and retreat  to force the army to make a counter attack.
They have to do it quickly. Time is running out. And as this is happening Pan will be attempting the rescue. Once they are successful.  They will have the signal.