The Troll War

Chapter Thirteen - Black Pool

Prince Charred summoned his four Generals to his table, "Rabbit, you will take one siege weapon and two squads for protection, heading towards the castle on the road through Bottomless Pit. Stout, I want you to take one squad and one siege weapon on the road through Gravel Switch, you should have that squad and the volunteers join you. Pete, you will command the main body of our forces and siege weapons, taking the main road to the castle. There 'might' be some traps near the castle, but nothing we can't handle." Then he turned his attention to his fourth General, a bat. "You sir, will be in charge of all of your fellow bats, and will put your men on each side of the main column protecting our flanks."

Charred sat back in his chair, "Now, Rabbit and Stout, it will take you longer to reach the castle than those of us on the main road, so you will leave at next sun, the rest of us will leave a few suns later. Two black dragons have joined with us, and I'm sure more will come along shortly, but they will let me know when you are three to four suns from the castle, at which time the main body will begin it's march. Questions?"

"And where will you be sire?", asked the bat.

Smiling, "I will be at the head of the main column, with my Royal Guard." He was very proud that he had a Royal Guard, and that he would soon be King of the entire Troll Kingdom.

On the next sun, just as the sun came over the horizon, Rabbit and Stout gathered their troops and siege weapon. With visions of success in their minds, and pride in their hearts, they set out towards the castle on their assigned roads. On foot it would take two or three suns to reach their assigned towns, then several more suns to reach the castle. The siege weapons would slow their progress considerably since the equipment was large and heavy, forcing multiple rest stops. But they were on a mission that they could not fail to accomplish, primarily because to fail would mean death. Charred didn't tolerate failure of any kind.

Charred walked to the two black dragons resting just outside Dark Pool, "Well my friends, it has started. Two groups have started through the back roads to the castle, the main body will follow on the main road to the castle a few suns later."

"And what would you have us do Sire?"

"You two, will initially track those two columns and advise me on a daily basis as to their progress. When they are three or four suns from the castle the main body of troops will leave. We should all arrive at the castle at about the same time. Once our siege begins, you will attack the castle directly. Your attacks, along with the siege weapons at three locations should have them totally confused, allowing us to quickly over-run their defenses."

"And what if we encounter other dragons as part of their defense, you do not expect us to attack a brother dragon do you?"

"Of course I do, they are, after all, part of the enemy forces."

"Yes Sire." And the dragons laid their heads down in contemplation as Charred walked away. "He is an idiot if he thinks dragons would fight each other, that is simply unheard of. Doesn't he know that many of our brothermen have joined with the trolls and elves? Then with a laugh, "Oops! I forgot to tell him that."

The other dragon, "I will follow him until he attacks the castle or any of the defenders, then I'm headed home. If they want to slaughter their own kind, then let them. I will not join in their foolishness."

"Nor will I." Said the first dragon.