Loki: Winds of Winter

Chapter 55 - The 2nd Battle of Shiroyama

Loki sat on Rhaegal's back, gazing down from the top of Mount Shiroyama. 143 years prior, a battle had been fought on the slopes of that mountain; the final battle of the Satsuma Rebellion. Somewhere on this mountain top, Saigo Takamori had been assisted in committing seppuku so as to avoid the dishonor of defeat. Sansa admired the Asian myths and had told Loki, although Loki had studied the legend when he had come to Japan, pre-World War II. He had seen Saigo's statue when he passed through and had to applaud the man for being proud of his pudginess. Loki glanced over his shoulder as somebody else rode up beside him. He saw it was his wife, Sansa Frostborn, riding astride Alfheim. Both of them were wearing armor but had been designed in a Japanese fashion. The Japanese had wanted to give them the armor, but their material was not what Loki deemed strong enough. He had merely taken the designs and had the armor forged by Westerosi smiths, imbued with his own magic. The body of their armor was designed in the traditional samurai fashion. Sansa's was slimmer than Loki's and in white and silver colors, a tribute to her old house, but there was a black cat painted on her armor. Loki's was done in green and gold, with a serpent painted on the front. Sansa had a helmet tucked under her sleeve and her hair done up in a braid and pinned around her head. Her helmet had a complete face covering so that only her eyes could be seen. Loki had a similar helmet, and the face looked like an oni. Loki and Sansa looked down the slopes to the plains below and beheld the small Wight Walker force that had been sent to take over the island nation of Japan. "The Wight Walkers are not expending a lot of energy to capture Japan. Should we tell them to be insulted?" Loki asked. 

"It would appear that they want to focus on the main body of Asia. Although, I hear China is tough, like a gristly piece of meat," Sansa commented, and Loki chuckled. He placed his helmet on his head and Sansa followed suit. 

"I'm assuming the horsemen are ready. Have them wait in the wings. I will advance first with Rhaegal. The infantry will hold until I draw them out. Once the Wight Walkers begin to advance, I want the forward scouts to probe their defenses, to move forward, kill a few, and then retreat. No direct combat. Please inform the captains," Loki said, and Sansa nodded, turning Alfheim around and riding back to their forces. Loki grinned as he pulled his spear out of the Nether Realm. "Når du er i Japan, oppfør deg som japanerne gjør (When in Japan, behave as the Japanese do)," Loki said as his magic morphed the spear into a naginata. He brought it across his chest and gave Rhaegal a light kick in the sides. Rhaegal snorted and glared over his shoulder at his rider. "Ikke gi meg det utseendet! Du vet hva jeg vil ha (Don't give me that look! You know what I want)." Rhaegal rolled his eyes, spread his wings, and rose into the air. Descending down the slopes of Mount Shiroyama, Rhaegal created a wind behind him, stirring the grass. Sansa arrived back at the line and smiled gallantly at Jon Stark-Targaryen, as he waited, mounted on Viserion. 

"Loki said to keep the horsemen back, wait until the Wight Walkers advance, and then send in the forward scouts," she told her cousin. 

"Interesting strategy. Is he trying to draw them up the hill? It's not like they're alive to get exhausted," Jon pointed out. 

"No, but fighting an uphill battle is never easy regardless. We can use the high ground to our advantage," Sansa reminded. The Lady of House Frostborn watched as Rhaegal swooped down and around the Wight Walkers, gauging to see if they would attempt to pursue him. The soldiers did not seem interested in attacking him, and this made Loki wonder. However, he did not have long to ponder what was taking them when a few stray bullets flew past him.

Sansa, Loki said, transmitting a mental communication to her.

What was that? Sansa asked in return.

Bullets. It would seem the Wight Walkers have snipers in their ranks, Loki explained.

How is that possible? They've gotten their hands on modern weapons? Sansa posed.