Besieged Settlement of Hatr
*Shhh* *Shhh*
The defenders of Hatr pointed their spears at the ground. Since ten minutes ago, this part of the village has been emitting odd sounds and with parts of the ground sinking.
The defenders fear that the goblins learned to used their claws to dig a tunnel. That notion horrified the men, such a thing was unheard for in Zalsac.
But the same can be said for the goblin invasion, no such thing have ever been recorded in the history of the barony since its founding.
That's why the men began placing stakes and barricades around the area. They're not taking any chances especially with the life of their people.
The golden haired knight together with the leaders of Hatr's defense, had been observing the fortifications made by the villagers.
There were Sharpened Stakes placed on the ground its sharpened end pointed on the direction where the ground is sinking.
Barricades of woods from demolished house were built on the path heading deeper in to the village.
Small holes were dug to attempt to trip the goblins if they popped out from the ground.
Arrows placed on the roofs as a dozen of men holding bow's littered on the roofs of the houses.
This placed has been fortified to the best that they can. Only a decisive battle can tell whether their fortifications are effective or not.
Lancel, gathered the leaders of the defense. His wounds from his earlier clash with the goblin chief now healed. As his energy helped in helping him close the wounds. Although his ability was limited at the moment he's still capable of organizing the men to come up with a proper defense.
Seeing the preparations seem to be nearly done, he began giving orders to the leaders of Hatrt's defense.
"Bran, go lead the noncombatants to the village center, I have already ordered the people there to open the underground shelter
After they're all evacuated, you and your group will protect the village center's doors." First was the scar-faced man name Bran. Bran nodded, this job is easy especially for someone like him.
A former adventure, he is one of the few locals who tried their luck on a profession which many dare not take.
Like a mercenary, he and people like him accepts task from their employers. The difference is that mercenaries tends to point their weapons usually at humans, while adventurers tends to point theirs at monster and wild beasts.
Lancel, glanced at the wooden walls surrounding the village. One of the reason why the Hatr is able to hold on this long.
Turning to the village chief of Hatr, he gave him the command to defend it.
"Raul, lead the men to defend the walls. No matter what happens you're to stay there and hold it…" The second person to receive an order was Raul, the elderly veteran of Hatr.
"Oros, you gather the young men to bring rocks and wood to the walls, also get the rest of the arrows bring them aswell. After that head to the gate, I want more debris blocking it." Followed by Oros, the plump warrior, a local butcher wielding a ginormous hammer.
Both men nodded at Lancel, indicating they understood and accept the task given to them.
Seeing that they have accepted their respective task, Lancel, dismissed the the three leaders as he turned to those who are left.
"The rest of you men, with me. We guard this area no matter what happens." With a shout he raised his sword, declaring his and their duty.
"FOR ZALSAC! FOR HATR! FOR THE PEOPLE!"
The golden haired knight's voice of encouragement, raised the morale of the defenders.
"Yes!" "Zalsac!" "Hatr!" "For the People!" The defenders of Hatr, raised their weapons as they followed the esteemed knights example.
They shout with fervor as they prepared themselves for the inevitable.
__
It has been a while since the men took their defensive positions the noise on the ground has been getting stronger.
*Crack*
A loud crack echoed from the ground then soon it began collapsing on it self. Dust rose to the air as the earth kept sinking, the former flat ground now with a small hole, slowly enlarging in a matter of seconds.
The moment the defenders felt movement on the ground the men lower their postures and prepared themselves. Shields raised, spears pointed forward, bows aimed and arrows knocked, all eyes stared at the sinking ground with bated breath.
With another loud cracking sound, a plume of dust formed, blocking the view of the men.
There were movements within the dust cloud, just as the men were about to loose their arrows, Lancel raised his hand indicating for the men to hold their attack.
With narrowed eyes Lancel tried to make out of the figures in smoke.
*cough* *cough* Coughing sounded from the smokes. Followed by a familiar voice.
"Sorry about that, it's my first time using such a spell." A man's apologetic voice, sounded.
*cough* "It's alright sir Luci *cough* us." Another voice replied.
The defenders could see silhouettes inside the cloud of dust.
Lancel's eyes widened as he realized who those voices belonged to.
Calling to the figures in the smoke filled area."Lucius? Barov?"
"Huh? *cough* Lancel!" Lucius which had been covering his mouth and nose with his robe, widened his eyes at the voice which called out to them.
"Ser Lancel!" Barov was overjoyed to hear of his immediate superiors voice. Finally a friendly face, his face brightened at such a thought.
Lucius, Barov, and the rest of the warriors who accompanied them to the great forest had been under ground for hours.
Tunneling their way to the village of Hatr. Hoping to reach the village's safe walls. Now they've finally succeeded.
The defenders breath a sigh of relief, as long as it's not the goblins digging a tunnel it's fine.
Their sigh of relief turned to joy as they've realize who the person Lancel was talking to.
Sir Lucius Marius, the Earth Mage of Zalsac, one of the new addition to the barony of Xalsac since Lord Prewell's sat on his late father's position.
With the addition of Sir Lucius and his companions the defense of Hatr will be strengthened by a lot.
Smiles and laughters eased the tense atmosphere in Hatr. The men were happy as Lancel led Lucius and the rest onto the village center, explaining the dilemma they are currently experiencing.
_
Fortified Wood Land Camp
Nearly One thousand Eight Hundred troops stood in front of Prewell. Some were nervous while some lax.
"You are gathered here today for one simple reason. Hatr is undersieged by goblins. It needs all the help that it can to quell the goblin threat surrounding it."
"My people you've known the history of our home all your life. Since its creation Zalsac hadn't faced such a threat before… but now that such a threat had appeared before us, we must stand united."
"HATR! Is the frontier village of Zalsac. It acts as our eyes and ears against the creature of the Great Forest of the legendary hero Pluma. Its fall means open access to the entire barony. So we must gather and lift the siege which the creatures of evils has placed on it. Thousands of life rely on us, so we fight! We fight to hold our land! We fight to keep our homes! We fight for the safety of our loved ones!
We fight for we are humans! We are the master of this land! We don't surrender to such creatures, we are greater than they'll ever amount to.
We are the sons and daughters of our ancestors, who fought against greater evils.
So we fight! For the pride of our species, we fight for we can!"
The men and women gathered, whether they're locals of Zalsac or foreign mercenaries, had their blood boiling. Their emotions were riles up at Prewell's speech.
Yes! They were humans, the species on these land which occupied more land than some other species combined.
Though they are a short-lived race, they held their lands for generations after generations. They are humans from barbaric nomads of the land to the masters of war, economy, magic and technology.
The wonders they made match those of the long living race, their heroes numbering the thousands, dealing with monsters, demons, abyss creatures, and cultist.
They are humans, they must be proud, proud of their heritage, proud of their glory.
Just as the troops on the field were bursting with extreme emotion. Prewell l "Both you my people and you the mercenaries and adventurers invited for this goblin incursion, hear me. Just know that as long you don't back off and follow my commands, you'll be greatly compensated. All I need is for you is to kill as many goblins as you can. No need for proof."
With a pause Prewell's cold and indifferent voice turned colder as his voice lowered even more and his eyes became more devoid of emotion.
"Kill them… that is all I ask you. The wealth accumulated by the Ih Leviathan will be opened to compensate you… or your designated person if you're to fall…."
After he finished his words, as if the troops in the field didn't hear the last part of his speech they yelled and shouted. "Yeah!" "Kill!" "Zalsac!"
For wealth, for glory, for home, or for their future. Whichever it is the troops yelled because of the things that drive them to fight. This drive is what Prewell wants, this is the drive that make his troops fight hard.
_
"… of our species, we must fight!" A female in dark green robe stared at the man in front of the combined army of Zalsac and the foreign troops.
Her lavender eyes locked on Prewell. Staring onto the him as an image of a platinum haired lady pinching her cheeks appeared in her mind.
Red eyes and symmetrical face almost identical to Prewell's, if not for his indifferent face.
The lady in her mind wore a gentle smile which infects whoever is lucky enough to see it.
The lady lowered her head then turned and left.
Mumbling as she thought of her teacher in the lonely tower. "Teacher… your son… grew into a wonderful man… please rest assured…"
_
A black banner with a winged snaked etched on its center waved through the air. As a dust of smoke trailed the column of the marching army… their direction East… to Hart.