16: Redemption

Fitz had readied with speed but had only managed to secure eighteen out of twenty wagons Optimus requested for his plan. The water pump from the mill that had crashed upon the armory roof caused considerable damage and the injury of two men. Two wagons were destroyed – thankfully before they were filled with the powder.

They left Gohan through the southern gate just minutes after Optimus and Bart made their great leap into the bog. Heading west into the darkness, their plan was to make way around behind the dark army and approach them from the north. At least that way, it would appear that they had journeyed from the Beastman realms. Travel was slow and timely; one wrong move and the powder in the wagons could ignite, foiling their plan, not to mention killing all of them instantly. It was also likely that they could be spotted by the enemy. If that was to happen near Gohan, the chances were high that they’d be killed that instant, having not ever completed their mission. But Fitz had every intention of succeeding at dawn just as he had said. He knew how important his task was to the survival of Gohan, not to mention the future of his own people. A final burden, in a lifetime of countless.

“Do you’s reckon the Majahi will allow our admission?” a short plump Beastman questioned waddling quickly to the side of the wagon Fitz drove.

“It won’t matter,” Fitz returned, “If we are discovered we will ride through them.”

Fitz’s gaze did not fall upon the man as he answered. Rather, the forest ahead. The trail they traveled upon was within a particularly beautiful area of Nash. Left of the road the Foghorn River flowed peacefully - its waters sparkling brilliantly from the largest concentration of light creatures he had ever seen. The currents flowed slowly, smoothly, almost allowing the wagons to keep pace.

The river here was only thirty feet to the other bank, but grew wider as it eventually turned south toward Creekish lands. Lush flowers and tall grass grew at it banks which was not only tranquil to look upon, but served as home for the countless millions of light creatures in the forest. Though Fitz had been here many times before, this was the most beautiful he had ever seen it. Perhaps it was the abnormally enormous amount of creatures, lighting the waters in glorious blue. Or more likely, it was because he and his men were going to their death. Whatever the reason, it mattered none to Fitz, he enjoyed beautiful things.

“Fitz, is thee listening to me?” the plump man spoke in an annoyed tone. Evidently he had been speaking for some time, but Fitz had ignored him while he gazed upon the river.

“Sorry Doram,” Fitz returned, “I was in dream; speak now, for you have my ear.”

“We aint got no plan if the Majahi finds us out is all. If I to die, I’s wish it not to be by one of dem black devils,” Doram stumbled.

Doram was a young Beastman, considered uneducated by most of his horde; though the most seasoned Beastmen had almost no education at all. Doram was considered the horde fool and labeled as ‘good for nothing’ by the rest of his people. Fitz had thought for quite some time that Doram volunteered for this task not really understanding what had to be done, or why. He only allowed him to come because Dorman (despite his stupidity) was of pure heart.

He gazed at Fitz with brown eyes that seemed to bulge from his filth covered face. His hair was of short nature but ragged and hung over his eyes so that he would be forced to peer through. He was dressed in the same leather kilt-like manor as the rest of the Beastmen, but hadn’t washed in what looked and smelled like months. Indeed, he appeared as a fool.

“Doram, do you know in the slightest what we take quest to do?” Fitz questioned as he leapt down from his wagon.

“We’s goin to die Fitz,” Doram answered still looking confused – but he always looked confused.

“Does thou know why?” Fitz returned with a sigh.

Doram’s eyes perked through his shaggy hair, his body jerked as if he had an answer.

“Yes we’s goin because…,” he faltered to silence, “No.”

Fitz pulled his wagon to the side of the trail allowing another man to take over and began to walk – Doram following close behind.

“Look around young one; what do you see?”

Doram remained silent for a moment looking around.

“Trees sir,” he returned.

“Let me speak of what I see. All around me, upon every leaf, on every blade of grass, on every tree, I see blood,” Fitz spoken in a solemn tone.

Doram looked around a bit as if he was trying to understand what Fitz was talking about.

“I’ don’t understand sir. I’s see no blood,” he lisped in bafflement.

“See it you cannot, but it is there… tis everywhere,” Fitz continued, “You see my friend; blood must be spilled to achieve freedom. That was the way of our ancestors, it is the way for us now, and will be this way for all times to come,” Fitz paused again to let Doram soak it in, “Every stride we take, we walk upon the blood of men that died in the defense of these lands, or in the attack of them. It is the same for all men, in all the lands beneath the Heavens, for all times past, and eventually to come.”

“I think I’s understand sir,” Doram returned.

Fitz sighed and stopped cold in his tracks. He stared upon Doram as if searching for something that couldn’t be seen.

“Son… blood is the foundation for freedom; without it would be a world where nothing could exist. Though time may pass with the setting sun; the blood will never wash away. It lingers on eventually sinking to dim memory. Its existence is only known by the men that remember… which is why you can come with us no longer.”

Doram stayed silent. He seemed saddened and frustrated with his seemingly eternal confusion as Fitz began to speak again.

“I should not ask a man to die for a cause in which he does not understand. I would rather have you spend your days in search of its meaning.”

“I wish I’s could understand sir,” Doram replied – his eyes welling with tears.

“You will young-one, and with your wisdom, our memory will not dim for long years to come. This task, I so proudly give to you. Its importance greater then victory itself, “Fitz placed a gentle hand on Dorman’s shoulder.

“If this battle should be ours to loose and the world comes to ruin. If the rivers should flow backwards with the blood of the dead, and the Gods themselves curse every last grain of sand upon this Earth… only one thing will remain. One thing our enemies cannot smite – one thing that can never be undone… for the memory of good cannot fall by any blade – it cannot be tainted by any magic. It would not be shrouded by any shadow – it becomes the shadow, it lies dormant, patiently awaiting a time when it can arise again. Whether it be the blossoming of the first spring flower – or the sword in the virgin hands of a stable boy. Good can not be killed.”

Do not return to Gohan, keep your life so that someday you might share this tale. Let all men know of the burdens that were bared during these dark times and remember the words that I have spoken, for they are my last to the world.”

Doram stood silent watching the wagons pass – eventually disappearing into history. He stood long after they had gone. Though he did not understand; he would not forget the words that Fitz had spoken. Looking back down the trail toward Gohan he began to walk. With his first step, something deep inside his heart began to change. Though he did not understand much in his life; he realized that with the last words of his master; that was about to change.

As dawn’s grasp tightened upon the lands of Nash Forest, Fitz and the convoy and made their mark. Critical it was to complete their loop around the army, so if they were to be discovered, the enemy would assume they came from the north – it would make their story all the more believable. They now rode upon path that the Majahi had taken to enter the plain. Just minutes away from the bulk of the dark army, tensions began to rise. It was then that Fitz stopped the convoy and readied his men.

“My brothers, hear my words. We are but minutes from our destiny. Beyond those trees does dwell the Plain of Gohan and our people. Our task will not be easy and it will claim the lives of its executers. Among us are twenty-five brave souls but I require only seventeen to finish this task. Who will stay with me?”

In unison all the Beastmen roared, “I WILL LORD!”

All fell silent again.

“Right then, here is our mission. The enemy’s artillery cripples the defense of Gohan. If it is not destroyed, the Kingdom will fall and with it, the freedom of our people. Drive your wagons upon the cannons, tell any who ask that the powder is for their re-supply. At the sight of the first explosion, light your powder. If we are discovered, don’t let them take you alive; ignite your wagons and destroy as many of those Godless bastards you can. Let us go now so that our people may be redeemed in the eyes of free men upon these lands. Let us die for the powers of good!”

A vista of nodding heads and meaningful stares answered Fitz’s words as his wagon lurched into motion to lead the way. Destiny awaited only a few minutes down the muddy trail!

A great deal of trees around had been chopped to the ground – their giant trunks littering the muddy dirt everywhere. Ahead the road forked into five that gave access to different parts of the plain. Between the paths, huge piles of tree-trunks and rubble towered in horrible ruin.

Scattered across the tremendous piles were the slaughtered bodies of many forest animals. Deer, pigs, birds – anything once of beauty and life, now defiled, sprawled within the cruel wake of the dark army. Though it was day, the light creatures hovered about trying desperately to clean the debris and dead from the smoldering piles. They struggled with the weight of the trees, but there appeared to be no hope of creatures so small moving things of such scale.

It was a sad sight to see for the men among the wagons. Watching solemnly as the creatures hopelessly struggled against the destruction. They gave small cries as they flew morbidly about the wasted forest. Some struggled to their deaths as others gave in to their frustration.

Fitz ordered the convoy split down the five paths and wished each one well in their mission.

“This will be the reality of things if we are to fail; worse,” he spoke to himself, his drained blue eyes narrowing upon the ravaged surround.

Majahi began to appear as Fitz drew into the plane. He drove his wagon not far from where Michael and Topski had strolled days ago. Gohan looked mighty from this view, and despite their evil, a sight it was to see the thousands of the dark army in the foreground of the Bastion wall. Fitz stared at the massive force long while men and monster alike moved this way and that, removing wounded, carrying weapons and food with horrid systematic precision.

“You there, what is your purpose,” A skinny Beastman spoke approaching with two Majahi soldiers.

Fitz halted his wagon to meet the approaching troops.

“I bring gifts from the Kehran horde, north two day’s journey from here – Tis special flash powder for your cannons.”

“What’s so special about it,” the Beastman questioned.

He eyed Fitz suspiciously as the two Majahi on either side hissed and smirked at him.

“Tis more powerful than a standard grain,” Fitz explained, “Though I know not how it matches up to what you presently use.”

“It must be inspected,” one of the Majahi hissed with a piercing stare.

Slowly the soldiers walked around toward the rear of the canvas covered wagon. The Majahi readied their daggers as the Beastman threw up the canvas cover.

“Flash powder. Continue with your errand slave, and with haste,” the Beastman spoke as he returned to Fitz’s side.

Fitz nodded and gave whip to his ponies.

“The canons are there.”

The Beastman pointed east toward the rear of the army.

“Put the wagon with our primary powder stock.”

“Why thank you,” Fitz muttered to himself, rolling away with a sinister smile shaping his face.

As luck would have it, the seventeen other wagons were allowed upon the grounds as well. They distributed slowly and silently across the rear line of the enemy. Many wagons were ordered to flash powder stockpiles just as Fitz was.

Though some of the cannons themselves would survive this way; the flash powder would not, leaving the cannons, but no way to use them. With the unexpected length of the battle, it seemed the dark army had begun to run low on the power. The Bastion wall had proven itself against the powerful weaponry that the Majahi had brought.

As Fitz dismounted his wagon and lit his pipe, many Majahi approached emptying the powder from their power bladders into his wagon. Clearly, the Majahi Commander (Sith) viewed his artillery far more important than his soldiers firearms, and he was right to do so.

***

“Do we have enough powder for a final bombardment?” Sith questioned to one of his officers.

“We do, and stronger than our first lord. Nearly all our men have emptied their weapons and bladders into our stocks. I also have word that the Kehran horde has brought more as well, eighteen full wagons if it was reported to me accurately,” the Majahi officer hissed in return.

Sith smiled with pleasure from the news.

“Ready our troops for charge and begin the bombardment at once. Tell all whom arm the cannons to target the central section of wall until it crumbles. The walls of Gohan are strong, but I believe concentrated fire will fall them,” Sith spoke with a snarl.

He was right; though strong, the Bastion wall would quickly fall to such a strike. Sith was tired of trying to send his forces over it; he would now go through it. Though he wasn’t flustered, he knew that the forces within Gohan had fought with great strength and wisdom. They fought with an honor that would demand respect from any enemy commander, perhaps even himself.

Knowing now that Gohan was prepared for a tactical assault, he also believed that there was no substitute for brute force. Destroying the wall would pit the small number of Gohan men against the countless thousands of the dark army in open war. Majahi soldiers were stronger, faster, and far more seasoned to battle than common men. With their superior numbers the soldiers of Gohan would not last long in an open fight.

Sith was finished with his original plan of grinding Gohan to weakness with small assaults. He would now destroy the wall and send the whole of his army through it.

The sound of the Majahi rose around him to a hissing roar as his orders were received. The artillery began to fire across the plain hurtling their payloads with accuracy upon the central Bastion wall.

“THIS IS IT,” Sith announced with pleasure as the Majahi screams arose to thunder.

“This is it,” Fitz whispered with a last look toward the battle scared vista of Gohan.

“This is it,” Optimus heard the men atop the Bastion wall whimper as the artillery came roaring in.

Then something happened… a miracle! As the eyes of men turned to terror the north western plain irrupted with a tremendous explosion – A blast that’s magnitude had no equal! It sent fountains of colors like fireworks hundreds of feet into the Heavens scattering enemy troops across the plain like blowing leaves. All the souls of Gohan fell silent as another explosion rocked the dark army; then another and another! The roaring Majahi silenced instantly turning in confusion as the whole of their rear line was destroyed in a shower of colors – explosions of all sizes and sounds sending dirt and rubble showering down for hundreds of yards. Over and over they rocked the land without mercy as if the Gods themselves had set their will against them.

“YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!” Optimus roared thrusting is sword high above his head.

Men cheered dropping to their knees in balling cries to hail the Gods above as a huge number of the enemy was annihilated. Yasmine smiled within her castle stronghold as she saw the triumph in her mind and a swell of hope within her heart.

There were eighteen explosions in total… eighteen craters… eighteen clouds of smoke… but only one voice as all in Gohan roared together in defiance to their foes.

The Bastion wall began to shake as the repetitious chant of “N E V E R!” roared passionately forth in unison from the celebrating defenders of Gohan!

A new expression formed upon the wretched faces of the Majahi – looks of bewilderment and disbelief softened their glares. For the first time they knew… they were NOT invincible – the savage spirits within them could be broken… and they knew the men of Gohan knew it too!

With all their wars, in all their time - never had any who resisted fought so fiercely against them.

Fitz’s sacrifice had redeemed his people, giving hope to all; but more importantly, taught a first lesson of fear to the Majahi.

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