บท 44: Chapter Fourty-Four: The Sortie
Garret and Thorne led their chosen group of soldiers through the fortress gates, which creaked open just enough to let them slip out before closing tightly behind them. The moment they stepped beyond the walls, the sound of battle intensified—a cacophony of clashing steel, shouted commands, and the distant roar of enemy war cries.
The sortie team moved swiftly, staying low as they navigated the rugged terrain that surrounded the fortress. Garret, at the front, scanned the battlefield with the trained eye of a seasoned strategist. He knew they had one shot at this—one chance to disrupt the enemy's momentum and buy the fortress precious time.
"Remember," Garret whispered to the soldiers as they approached the enemy lines. "We hit fast and hard, then fall back. Don't get drawn into a prolonged fight. Our goal is to create chaos, not win a battle here."
Thorne, who was just behind him, gave a nod of agreement. "Stick to the plan, and we'll make it back. Stay focused."
The soldiers murmured their assent, their faces set with determination. They knew the risks—they were deep behind enemy lines with no guarantee of success—but they trusted their leaders, and more importantly, they believed in the cause they were fighting for.
The enemy had deployed their forces in a broad line, with their strongest units positioned toward the center. Garret knew this was where the mages were most heavily concentrated, protected by a contingent of elite soldiers. It was a formidable defense, but also a potential weak spot if they could break through.
As they neared the enemy formation, Garret signaled for the soldiers to fan out. They spread out in a crescent shape, each group targeting a different section of the enemy line. The goal was to create confusion and disarray, forcing the enemy to respond on multiple fronts.
With a final, silent command, Garret raised his hand, and then dropped it sharply. The sortie began.
The soldiers surged forward with a fierce battle cry, their sudden appearance catching the enemy off guard. The first clash was brutal—steel meeting steel as Garret's men slammed into the enemy line with the force of a battering ram. The surprise attack worked; the enemy formation buckled under the initial impact, and several soldiers were thrown into disarray.
Thorne, wielding his massive broadsword with deadly precision, led his group directly toward the mages. He cut through the enemy soldiers with powerful, sweeping strikes, his every move designed to clear a path for his men. Behind him, the soldiers followed, striking down anyone who tried to block their way.
Garret, meanwhile, led his group in a flanking maneuver, aiming to strike the enemy from the side and force them into a defensive posture. His swords flashed in the early morning light as he dispatched foes with quick, efficient blows, his mind constantly calculating their next move.
The battlefield quickly descended into chaos. The enemy, though well-trained, had not expected such an aggressive attack. They scrambled to respond, their lines breaking as they struggled to contain the sudden assault. The mages, caught in the middle, were forced to divert their attention from the fortress to defend themselves, weakening their coordinated attacks.
For a moment, it seemed as though the plan was working. The enemy line began to fracture, and Garret could see the soldiers starting to panic as they were pushed back. But the victory was short-lived.
A horn sounded from the enemy ranks, a deep, resonant note that cut through the noise of battle. Garret's eyes narrowed as he realized what was happening. Reinforcements were on the way, and they were coming fast.
"Fall back!" Garret shouted to his men, his voice carrying over the din. "Fall back to the fortress! We've done what we came for!"
The soldiers, disciplined and well-trained, responded immediately. They disengaged from the fight, retreating in an organized manner as they moved back toward the fortress. Thorne and Garret took up the rear, ensuring no one was left behind as they made their way to safety.
But the enemy wasn't about to let them go so easily. As the sortie team began their retreat, the enemy forces surged forward, determined to cut them off before they could reach the fortress walls. Arrows whistled through the air, and Garret's men had to dodge and weave to avoid being struck down.
Thorne gritted his teeth as he parried a blow from an enemy soldier, then swiftly dispatched his opponent with a powerful strike. "We're almost there!" he called out, urging the others on. "Keep moving!"
The gates of the fortress loomed ahead, tantalizingly close yet seemingly out of reach as the enemy pressed in from all sides. The soldiers pushed themselves to their limits, sprinting the last few yards as the fortress defenders on the walls provided covering fire.
Elyra watched from the battlements, her heart pounding in her chest as she saw Garret and Thorne leading the retreat. She could see the desperation in their movements, the enemy closing in fast behind them. Without hesitation, she called out to the archers.
"Cover them! Don't let the enemy reach the gates!"
The archers responded immediately, unleashing a hail of arrows that rained down on the pursuing forces. The enemy soldiers faltered under the barrage, some falling to the ground, others forced to slow their advance. It was just the opening Garret and Thorne needed.
With a final burst of speed, the sortie team reached the gates, which swung open just in time to let them through before slamming shut once more. The enemy, thwarted and enraged, pounded on the gates with their weapons, but the thick iron held firm.
Garret, Thorne, and the remaining soldiers stumbled into the courtyard, breathless and battered but alive. They had done it—they had struck a blow against the enemy and lived to tell the tale.
Elyra rushed down to meet them, relief flooding through her as she saw that they were safe. "You did it," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "You bought us time."
Garret nodded, though his face was grim. "But it won't be long before they regroup. We hit them hard, but they'll come back with even more force."
Thorne, still catching his breath, added, "They're determined, Elyra. This is far from over."
Elyra knew he was right. The battle had only just begun, and the true test was still to come. But as she looked at the soldiers around her, at Garret and Thorne standing tall despite their exhaustion, she felt a flicker of hope.
They had faced the enemy and held their ground. They had shown that they would not be easily defeated. And as long as they stood together, Elyra knew they could face whatever came next.
As the fortress prepared for the next wave of the assault, Elyra took a deep breath, steeling herself for the battle that lay ahead. They had survived this day, but tomorrow would bring new challenges.
But no matter what, she vowed silently, they would defend this fortress to the last. They would not let the enemy take the kingdom. Not while they still drew breath.
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