The Conqueror's Leader

Chapter 11 :THE FIRST WAVE

Kain was atop the knoll, looking at the northern pass.

Below the valley, it was peaceful. The water was clear in the stream. The walls of the palisades were high. His people went round the camp, getting ready for battle. They were quiet but Kain could sense their fear. He carried a cold weight in his chest and a hum in the back of his mind.

He had three days. Then two. Then one.

On the last night, he called his warriors together. Twelve men and women capable of wielding a spear or drawing a bow. The rest were too old, too young, or too wounded. They remained within the palisade, and tended the fires.

“It's important we don't have too many people here to hold the walls because we can't,” Kain said, his voice steady. So we won't attempt it, we will go to the pass. Ryna what did you see, Ryna?"

Ryna stepped forward. The army is just one column, and they're moving quickly, they're not expecting to meet resistance.

"Good," Kain said. We'll get them to pay for every step, we will.

He presented his scheme. The pass was very narrow, just wide enough for four men to walk abreast of each other. Kain had directed his folk to dig pits in secret, and to spread rocks along the ridges.

The first wave will be scouts, Kain explained. We let them through and do not touch them and the main force will follow them in and we will set traps when they enter the pass.

So what if they don't get it? Gareth asked.

Then we go back to the fort and defend the walls," Kain replied. “There is enough in here for three months, but their there isn't.”

The fighters nodded. This wasn't a good idea. But it was a plan.

When the morning came, Kain was at the mouth of the pass with Linden and Ryna. The three of them sat still in silence.

One hour later the first scouts were spotted. Four men on horseback, traveling with caution through the trees. Kain watched them go by. He didn't move.

The scouts went down into the valley. Kain waited.

Main force arrived an hour later.

Two hundred men. They were in a long line, their boots clattering on the ice. They were equipped with spears, swords, and shields. They marched with their banners high.

Kain's heart was pounding in his chest. He couldn't breathe without forcing himself to do so. He tried his best to hold his horse.

The first rank went into the pass.

"Now," Kain whispered.

Ryna pulled back her bow and fired an arrow. It hit the lead soldier in his chest. He fell.

The ridge erupted. The rocks crashed down the hillside. The soldiers screamed. The hidden nuts burst open and devoured men and horses. There was a panic in the column.

"Fall back!" Kain shouted.

He sent his warriors back on the hillside, shooting arrows at them. The enemy attempted to pursue but the pass was too narrow. They were trapped, and pinned down by rocks that fell on them and their own dead.

It took one hour for the battle to be fought.

The pass was filled to capacity with the dead as soon as it was finished. Kain reported a minimum of 50 dead. The remainder had withdrawn, regrouping.

Kain's people were on the ridge waiting for battle. They were bloody and tired, but still alive. No one had died.

Ryna approached Kain; her face looked white.

She has said: “They're not broken.” "They're just angry."

Kain took a look at the pass. The enemy was regrouping at the far end. He saw their commander, a tall man with a black horse, yelling at them.

“We got to go back and hit them again,” Kain said. “While they are not organized.”

"No," Ryna said. We're going to have to retreat to the fort, we've hurt them but we haven't stopped them.

Kain looked at the enemy. She was right. It was a delay, rather than a victory.

Kain commanded, "Fall back!Kain said, "Fall back!

They went to the fort. The palisade walls were standing ready. When Kain walked through the gate he went up the watchtower. He gazed down on the valley. The enemy was on the move yet again. They were head on toward the fortification.

A soft ping echoed in Kain's mind. The blue panel shimmered.

Tighten up on the wall to stop the ball moving.Close down the wall to prevent the ball from rolling.

[OBJECTIVE 1: Maintain the pass. ] — ACCOMPLISHED

Objective #2: Defend the fort. — IN PROGRESS

[REWARD: Unknown.]

Kain looked at the words. He completed the first part. The difficult part was about to begin.

He gazed at his people below. They were tired. They were scared. However, they were prepared.

“Get into your spots,” Kain responded.

The enemy army was in the valley's edge. Two hundred bearded men with their banners up, their swords drawn. They didn't stop. They didn't negotiate. They charged.

Kain, however, saw them coming. He was not afraid. There was a feeling in his heart that was beyond that.

He felt ready.

Palisade was hit by the first wave. The impact made the wood walls shake.

Kain lifted up his arm.

"Hold the line!"