[E1]‘thou’ is usually used to address those of superior rank.
[E2]Around what? The plain?
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 causinged 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 behind the
north. At least that way, it would appear that they had journeyed
from the Beastman realms to the north. 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, not 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
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 its
banks which wereas 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 itthe
forest. 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 ain’t 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.
“Do youes
thou [E1] 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 all
times 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 there 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 is greater thean
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. , Iif
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 will remain that 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 layies
dormant, patiently awaiting a time when it can arise again. Whether it beis
the blossoming of the first spring flower – or the sword in the virgin hands of
a stable boy,. Ggood
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 them;,
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 hHe did not
understand much in his life,; but, he
realized that with the last words of his master,;
that was about to change.
As dawn’s grasp tightened upon the
lands of 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 awaitedwaited only a
few minutes down the muddy trail!
A great deal of trees around [E2] 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.
For the men among the
wagons, Iit 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, or; worse,” he
spoke to himself., Hhis
drained blue eyes narrowing narrowed 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 wallWall. 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 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 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 wayday;,
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 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 of
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 – Aa blast that’s
magnitude had no equal! It
sent colored
sparks in fountains of colors like fireworks hundreds of
feet into the Heavens 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.
“YEAAAAAHHAAAAAAAAAAA!”
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;.
bBut
more importantly, it taught a the first
lesson of fear to the Majahi.