Autumns Attack

Laran looked up from his maps as Lord Aristata sauntered in. His posture relaxed as he avoided eye contact with Laran, making Laran laugh.

‘Stop laughing and get that mind out of the gutter,’ Aristata grumbled as he walked gracefully over to the table where the plans for the latest campaign were spread. Leaning his six-foot four frame over the study, his dark eyes scrunched at the corners in concentration as he determinedly ignored Laran.

‘Okay. Spit it out,’ James droned, glancing at his friend and superior, as he ran his hand through his short, cropped auburn hair.

‘Why so defensive, James?’ Laran chuckled, enjoying teasing his friend.

’What do you mean, why? You’ve been ribbing me about this girl ever since I met her at that damn party you forced me to attend.’

‘Forced is strong,’ Laran complained teasingly.

‘Okay, she finally agreed to a second date, and it went well,’ Aristata bent down to study a map of the strong hold. Holding his breath while he waited for Laran to join the dots.

‘Finally got past first base then?’ Laran nudged his friend’s shoulder playfully.

‘Oh, um, yeah,’ Aristata replied. A small smile flashed across his features as he feigned interest in the battle plans spread across the table.

‘Does that mean I’m finally going to get to meet her, then?’ Laran asked.

‘Maybe one day,’ Aristata answered, his expression sheepish.

‘Why all the secrecy? We’re friends, aren’t we? You’re being so cloak and dagger about this mystery lady of yours, I’m thinking you’re making her up.’

Lord Aristata was serene. ‘you’ll get to meet her… eventually. It’s just that...you know you’re a big scary fella. The last thing I need is you scaring her off. Besides, remember that little blonde I introduced to you? One look at you and I didn’t even register,’ James huffed, crossing his arms over his chest.

‘What’s that supposed to mean? I’ll have you know I can be the perfect gentleman… when I want to be.’ Laran shrugged with a look of mock hurt.

‘Hmm… a likely story, anyway. Look sharp, the boss is coming,’ Lord Aristata said as Mother Nature entered the command tent.

‘What are you two slackers chuckling about?’ Holly asked as she walked over to Laran and put her arm around his waist, kissing him on the cheek as she did so.

‘Jimmy here is about to reveal the identity of his mystery girlfriend?’ Laran announced with a cheeky grin. ‘You know full well who she is,’ James laughed as Laran kissed Holly back.

‘Oh, get a room you two!’ said Ash as he walked into the tent. Laran grinned at him. He looked tired, with slight bags under his eyes and not his usual cocky self.

‘That baby keeping you up then, Ash?’ Laran enquired, watching a huge grin spread across Ash’s face.

‘Sure is, the little rascal, and I get massive brownie points if I get up to him at night.’ he winked at the others, making them chuckle. ‘Heard you met Jasmine’s family. How did that go?’

‘Oh, you know awkward as you would expect, I am not quite what her father had in mind for a son-in-law. Who told you?’ James chuckled as a blush crept up his neck.

‘Oh, erm Lord Alloces, the girls are friends… you know what it’s like. What with the babies and stuff?’ he shrugged.

‘Of course, shame. The rest of us aren’t as united as you Spring elves. Then maybe we wouldn’t be doing this again,’ James mused as Holly gave him a sympathetic smile.

‘How’s Ana?’ Holly asked, brightly changing the subject. She liked the springs and felt Lord Aristata needed a diversion.

‘Still messing with that rock star,’

‘Yeah, cocky bastard, hoping she takes him down a peg or two.’ Ash chuckled. ‘Bought her a Château last month, been holed up there ever since,’

‘Right then! Are we doing this?’ James enquired, still grinning ‘I for one am certain that Lord Eriator is in there and once we’ve got him, we can nip this minor rebellion in the bud,’ he grinned.

‘Alright ladies, enough socialising. We have a job to do. I’ve just spoken to Alectrona and her man on the inside has assured her that the Dark Elf Emperor is definitely in the castle,’ Holly said, her expression serious.

‘How certain is Alectrona that her man is trustworthy? It wouldn’t be the first false lead we’ve had recently,’ Ash asked.

‘She’s positive. Apparently, her spy is high up in the Dark Elf pecking order and is possibly even a lord,’ Holly reassured him. Ash studied the map ‘Exactly how certain are you? It’s too costly capturing this place. I’m not sure we can afford it if it turns out to be an expensive ruse.’

‘Yes, I’m sure, Alectronas man on the inside assured her he is definitely there,’ Aristata replied.

‘Yes, well, I’m not too thrilled to be trusting Alectrona on this one. After all, she won’t even tell us who this Dark Elf spy of hers is,’ Ash replied

‘Alectrona assured me her man was well placed.’

‘He must be. From what I’ve heard, things are falling apart in the Dark Elf camp. The emperor’s generals have realised that the end is near and apparently there have been two attempts on the emperor’s life this year alone. He’s had to move around a lot to stay ahead of the dissidents, let alone us,’ James Aristata said.

‘I’m certain this is the one. The moment news got out that we had the castle surrounded, a large Dark Elf force rushed up to aid them. Anahuit intercepted them and is currently engaging them around a small town twenty miles south of here. Even if the emperor isn’t inside, this place must be important for them to respond like that,’ Holly replied.

‘Well, alright then, how do we get in to find out for certain?’ Ash asked with anticipation.

‘That’s where I come in,’ Laran said as he leaned over a large map of the Dark Elf stronghold on the table.

‘The emperor had holed up in a classic medieval castle town. Because of the strong possibility that there are plenty of civilians inside, we will not be using artillery to crack the nut, I’m afraid. I’ve brought up a force of trolls to break through the castle front gates into the city. Lord Aristata and I will lead the vanguard with them. We’ll fight our way through the city to the main fortress complex.’ Laran studied the faces before him.

‘Seems like the best plan. FERA wants him alive if that is possible,’ Holly smirked as Laran rolled his eyes.

‘That settles it then,’ Laran declared with a grin, ‘I will lead my men over the walls with the grappling hooks and capture the gate house. Once it’s open, you will bring your men up to assist me Aristata and help me secure the courtyard. Assuming we still have a fighting force after that, Ash’s troops will link up with us and well storm the keep. Agreed?’

‘Agreed.’ Ash, Aristata and Holly said together before steaming out of the tent to make the final preparations.

The castle was heavily defended, and the fighting was fierce. Laran took the first wave of troops and, using grappling hooks, they scaled the walls before securing the gate from the other side without too much trouble. Right on cue, Aristata led his men rushing through the narrow entryway to join him ‘Are you secure here?’ he panted, getting his breath back.

‘Yeah, just about,’ Laran managed. He could feel pain.

‘You’re bleeding Laran! Where are you hurt?’ Aristata scanning his body, concerned he could see a lot of blood.

‘It’s fine, just a scratch- looks worse than it is,’ he grinned to reassure Aristata.

‘Okay if you’re sure,’ Aristata said, still concerned about his state, ‘Ash and Holly are in already. They found a poster gate and blasted their way through.’

Laran looked up with alarm. That wasn’t the. plan damn that woman. He took a deep breath and blocked out the pain.

‘Better get in there then,’ Laran managed heading toward the entrance, six of his best warriors flanking him.

What met him inside was shocking. The castle was littered with bodies of fallen combatants and the corridors were thick with smoke.

‘Ah! king autumn,’ echoed a calm and sinister voice through the halls, ‘… at last. So good of you to join us,’ a tall, dark elf smiled evilly at him. He nodded his head slightly and another group of dark elves moved forward, neutralising Laran’s guard and taking hold of Aristata, dragging him forward and forcing him to kneel.

‘What do you want?’ Laran snarled, realising too late.

He had led his men into a trap.

The dark elves had been warned.

He had been betrayed.

The dark elf circled James with his hands clasped behind him, studying his enemy as he struggled to get free. ‘Getting right to the point, are we, James?’ He retorted, satisfied with his plan as he crouched down in front of him. Icy fingers clasped James’s cheeks and jerked his head up. He reeked of death, and his deathly crimson eyes invaded Aristata’s soul. ’I want the elder council crushed -and I WANT this planet back!’ he listed. He was calm and deadly. ‘… and without you I can remove the human vermin once and for all,’ he answered, all the while smiling. Two of the elves yanked up king springs body and dragged it forward dumping it on the ground in front of Laran.

‘Your brother,’ the elf smiled coldly as he nodded his head. They dragged Holly forward. She was barely conscious. Laran’s eyes opened wide with shock as the elf calmly stabbed her through the heart, dropping her next to Ash.

‘Oh, dear. Did I just kill Mother Nature?’ he starred at Laran coldly and emptily, smirking as he slowly walked toward Laran.

‘I can’t kill you, but I can make this hurt make you scream for death, just like you did to my family. Do you remember them? No, didn’t think so.’ he casually dragged the blade of his sword down Laran’s body before stabbing him in the thigh, dropping him to the ground. Taking a handful of Laran’s hair, he pulled his head up, forcing Laran to look him in the eye.

‘Your disgusting elves attacked my home on the pretence of looking for weapons,’ he spat every word with pain and hatred. ‘We had no weapons. We were a peaceful farming community. Once you had slaughtered all the old men, as that was who was defending the village- old men- you went for women and children.’

Your men rounded up the women. They raped my wife while they forced my young son to watch -WATCH… as his mother beg for mercy. And do you know? When they had finished with her, they turned on my innocent child. Then they torched the village so I could find no evidence. They were sloppy-your men- and there were survivors to speak of such barbarism.’ Smiling, he ran Laran through, enjoying the pain on his face before dropping him to the floor. Kneeling, he grabbed a handful of Laran’s hair. ‘If one day you have a son,’ He snarled ‘I will hunt him down and I will make you suffer like I did, you will know how it feels to know you failed you couldn’t save them,’ rising to his feet he casually turned and walked away from the carnage that now littered the floor.

‘Goodbye king autumn. Might see you around,’ he laughed as he stepped over Laran’s body, viciously clubbing Aristata on his way out, knocking him to the floor, unconscious.

writing here…