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Darkwood Chronicles: Kasul
Darkwood Chronicles – Kasul: “War Torn” -Part I-
“ After the bold stroke of the Grashian Republic at the tribunal summit, a number of governments, monarchies, and empires were left crippled by the URAG, A device of mass destruction made by none other than my brother, Jakal-Rahul. Soon after, the Grashians began assimilating the other crippled nations into their own entity, a sort of blitzkrieg, easily forcing them one by one into submission and servitude under the Grashian banner. The Leader, Waryo-Ka, slowly marches his army upon the borders of the Laharian Kingdom. The four elders at an end on what should be done, my grandfather does not entertain the thought of surrender or terms. Good ..he shouldn’t, and while my grandfather delegates, I steady my resolve feeling somewhat responsible about what happened. Every day, I hear of new places being conquered leaving me to wonder when Lahara is upon the Garashian’s list of opponents and yet my heart and eyes stay cold and fixated upon the horizon. The anticipation biting at the very core of my soul every moment of the day the sun bakes my flesh, my time spent at the stone table where I plan, day in and day out, the defenses of Lahara to a tee often sleeping in my chair to start again the next morning. A game of chess Waryo-ka likes to play and I must admit he is a formidable opponent in gathering resources. The month has passed and his force should out number ours 10:1 and our chances of winning without terms, slim to none. With my men and I stationed at the Hallowed Gates we aim to warn Lahara of the approaching enemy and put up enough defense to give the message time to be received. I can see the fear building on their faces as they handle their everyday chores at the camp and I find some seldom staring at the horizon with worried faces. The horizon held many thoughts and prospects, but my thoughts turned to other things as I lay a hand upon the charm that hangs around my neck, a tight grasp of it and I know what I must do, it was that simple.”
Morning would come and Kasul would squint his eyes upon feeling the heat hit him as he left the tent. Placing a hand upon his forehead he blocked the sun out of his eyes, just when Captain Pike came to him and bowed.
Kasul:” Good morning, Pike…how are the men?”
Pike:” Tired sir…they are wondering what is taking the enemy so long.”
Kasul:” Heh..That sounds about like them, but let us not rush. Pass word the battle will be soon though---”
Pike:” Or They could only be bluffing us..waiting out our defenses, probing our Kingdom for spies or using the refugees as such.”
Kasul:” Heh..perhaps...maybe they are probing our defenses, seeing how our empire ticks, looking for holes, other ways to get in, but Lahara has not survived this long on maybes. Waryo-ka is clever, and he will attack and he will not have a brutish stroke like the other warlords we have faced. He will be smart and play the honorable warrior. He will ask for terms, he will state these terms,… and I will deny these terms, etc, etc…You know the runaround. Now then like the proverbial saying ’The ball will be in our court’ and then we will have to do what we were stationed here to do, and that is fight and hold them.”
Pike:” But Sire what do you plan to hold with only five hundred men?”
Kasul:” No Pike look closer…what can we do with 50 kinetics, 20 healers, 100 Riflemen with repeaters, 100 archers, 200 heavy and light infantry, and 30 scouts, plus ourselves?"
Pike:” I was never any good at math, my lord, hints why I am in the vanguard.”
Kasul:” .Right…dually noted, though I require you to at least try to fathom the idea I'm proposing. “
Pike:” Yes, My Lord. “
Kasul:” Now as I was saying before we grew off topic…We can form a battle plan that will throw the Grashians off their little surge through the country side. We can’t demoralize them, but We can let them know we are here.”
Pike:” Ah…I see. “
“We enter our third week of waiting and the troops become more restless. It grows more difficult to keep their moral from lurking of the shadows of doubt. Waryo-ka knows what he is doing by making the men wait like this, testing our resolve to hold the gates. I know the importance of this battle as any soldier should, but do the men share the same weight? It seems my captain’s suspicions seem to be well placed. Something is wrong. I can feel the tension in the air. Even the Ragna feels heavier than usual. At any other time, the air smells sweeter than any spice, and I see the thoughts of the troops turn to their lovers and wives; even I turn guilty to this by running my thumb over the charm we share. It’s okay to enjoy some of the simple things life brings you, like The smell of their hair, or the feel of their skin when I hug them close. Oh… How I miss them… I wonder how Gen and Echo are doing, and how much she has grown, and pray to the gods that I not miss her first steps.”
“As Dawn approaches…”
“Fog as thick as a beast’s hide layered the forest after the heavy night rains. The air was thick and muggy and I ordered light armor for all parties. The sound of a light pop is heard in the distance, until the whizzing of the shrapnel is heard. “Take cover” I yell, as the projectiles rain down upon us killing very few, but wounding others. I order the healers to help the wounded, but the sound of cracking trees and birds flocking away from their homes gave me an alert chill. “To your positions!,” we shout. Men scamper and rushed to their posts as I readied a single precursor for the non-combatants stationed at the camp, the cooks, the maidens, the traders, and scholars. I handed the pilot four scrolls to give to the elders upon return and wished him well. I watched as the fate of Lahara flew away. It was time for us to make a stand.”
“I take precedence with the archers touching a comrade upon the shoulder. ‘ Wait till my signal.’ and they listened waiting as the sound of mud sloshing under thousands of feet and battery moved closer and closer. ’Archers pull’ I yelled and a solid sound of rip chords being drawn back could be heard causing a few riflemen to turn and look. We held even as the second wave of rain began to fall upon our heads, we held until the wave appeared from the fog, ‘Hold’ was the command I gave three times, making them wait until the very last moment, ‘Fire’ and in a few seconds, a cloud of projectiles rained from the barriers dropping a large amount of the Garashians, ‘Second Volley, Fire!’ A second surge of arrows and bullets fired from the repeaters killing dozens and wounding more. As we fired, more and more enemies flooded against our wall of defenses to no avail. The Grashians turned and tucked tail back through the fog, and I watched the men cheer in victory. The finger tips of my hand grew numb as they bled along with the others. Giving each other a reassuring nod before placing our bows on standby, I soon left to find Pike along the Riflemen lines.”
Kasul:’Good shooting Pike,… you’re in charge while I am gone.. ‘
Pike:’ Where do you go sire?’
Kasul:’ To pay them a visit…’
Kasul would enter his tent and pull back a drape to show a table lined with armor black as coal. He slipped into the silk lining and a blue glow shinned through as he locked each piece in place. The more armor he adorned the less human he began to look, but he touched the crest upon his shoulder piece, and the armor would glow with fine lines of azure, modifying into a more light weight version of the armor. He left the tent to see the scouts waiting for him outside. Their armor was of a similar style and the prince gave a nod to the sight. There was no more worry in their faces; Kasul could see they had steadied their resolves. He threw his leg over and straddled Black Streak before kicking his sides lightly striding off with the others into the fog.
“We reach their camp by night fall. A perfect stage for what we had planned. I silently motion the others to their positions before giving the signal to move in. The rain provided us with the perfect cover. No camp fires, no torches, less patrols, yet I took no chance and kept them to the shadows, finding the ammo reserves for his rifle battalions. With this I found out they were only testing our strength to see how many we had, for what we face was only a fraction of the Grashian force. I motion the others to plant their charges where they saw fit and in important installations. I found myself outside a large tent the rain befuddled the sense of smell, but I recognized their voices, so I stay behind and listen.”
Kio-ka:” The casualties they inflicted today were not severe but substantial.”
Waryo-ka:”That means they are dug in and well supplied.”
Kio-ka:” From what I heard from the captain, their archers are accurate and pose a good threat and on top of that their riflemen lines hold repeating rifles I have never seen before.”
Waryo:” Any battery, Artillery, or Explosives?”
Kio-ka:” Not in the report of the Captian..but we should be careful.. in our next attack. It could be as you say. These Laharians seem like a tricky lot.”
Waryo-ka:” Especially if the prince is leading them... Either way it plays to our advantage. We will change nothing and attack at dawn. This is the last pocket of resistance that stands between us and victory. A sound victory here will usher in a new era for Kotoris-Yafur. It won’t be easy, they have their heroes we have ours, and we will need them all.”
“My attention shifts to the scout returning with empty bags of explosives, and they all give me reassuring nods that the charges are set. We slowly made our way back out of the camp to watch the sneak attack throw the enemy camp into disarray. We had dealt them a fatal blow in their pride, but their rage would not go unvented.”
Pike touched a sleeping Kasul upon the shoulder bolstering him awake, but the prince snapped awake with a dagger in hand as he grabbed the collar of Pike’s robe. Pike quickly put up a hand to stop him from slitting his throat and Kasul would nod lightly before sitting back against the rock he slept against.
Kasul:” Good morning..”
Pike:” Looks like they showed up a bit early… I think you might’ve pissed them off, sire.”
Kasul:” We did…”
Pike:” Yeah..and the guy who is leader is wanting to discuss terms..”
Kasul:” He is not here to discuss terms, but I will meet him.”
The prince gave a light whistle for Black streak to wake itself. The war cat moved to Kasul’s side, which Kasul mounted kicking his sides lightly and galloped past their rifle lines. Upon reaching the neutral site, Kasul dismounted to see Waryo-ka in front of him with a smug grin upon his face.
Kasul:” Waryo-ka..its good to see you again…You all look tired.”
Waryo-ka:” Sabotage?”
Kasul:” You liked that didn’t you?” We seldom like to outdo ourselves..”
Waryo-ka:” Safe to say it was a bold stroke. I respect that, but my men do not. So now just over that ridge, are five thousand angry men willing and able to kill even the smallest Laharian.
Kasul:” And there are five hundred Laharians willing to give life and limb to defend their loved ones and their country. So I think we are at a stand still.”
Bastion:” Prince Rahul, I implore you..to cease all resistance and discuss terms of a truce. It could spare thousands of lives.”
Kasul:” If you are speaking of your thousands…then sure, but if you are referring to my countrymen think again, and in discussion of terms we can discuss them here,…where your men and my troops will bleed.”
Waryo-ka:” You are a stubborn one I will give you that…but my terms are as they stand. The full surrender of Lahara and its lands, and no harm will come to the citizens, soldiers, or royalty of such nation, but all sakurite mines must fall under the banner of The Imperial Republic. These are my terms.”
Kasul:” You drive a hard bargin, Emperor of Garash. And as a future ruler of these lands I can not allow you or your Republic to take these from my people. So my terms are as follows … LEAVE THESE LANDS AND NEVER RETURN! “
A cloud of arrows were released from bows of his archers raining down upon Waryo-ka and his men. The Emperor ducking into a nearby transport to avoid the assault looking down at Kasul with a surprised stare, as the heavy infantry filed into a defensive formation around Kasul and Black Streak just as the prince slipped his helmet over his head as blue mist was released from his mouth plate.
Serephone:” This prince wishes to die…”
Waryo-ka:” No, I think he made terms with that long ago. Full Attack..”
Serephone:” Very well.”
Serephone opened his fan and waved the back side of his fan to the captains below, who gave a nod from behind their shields before lifting their spears with a battle cry. As all regiments charged towards the Laharian defenses.
Kasul:” I can tell by your faces you’re ready to stare death in the eye and not falter. Knowing that the Grashian hordes outnumber us ten to one, these odds alone have caused other kingdoms and empires like us to bow before their tyranny without even much as a fight,…But I say nigh!…All we have to do is hold them…..Hold them….For beyond these borders, these Hallowed Gates… lies our families…our heritage…our way of life… and if you’re not ready to die for that… you need not be here. Now look to your right …and now to your left…every single soul here willing fight and die by your side,…A Men at Arms… you can ask for no stronger bond."
Kasul’s men released a herald battle cry heard by both Razal and Waryo-ka, they knew what the prince had decided. Razal looked on with worry for his grandson, Natashia would then lay a hand on his shoulder and give a reassuring nod. Meanwhile the flagship of the Garashian Empire came to a stop to deploy their infantry upon hearing the war cry in the distance.
Serephone:” Oh..it seems the Laharians..are willing to fight…I do love a good massacre…”
Kio-ka:” Don’t think this battle will be easy…. I heard of these Laharians they fight with a singularity that is unparalleled… and if they all are ready to die this could drag on for months.”
Waryo-ka:” That is why I will negotiate terms with the prince..”
Li-ka:’ He’s here…on the front”
Waryo-ka:” Yes…I can feel him… waiting… and I think I will oblige.”
Kio-ka:” Father…do you think that is a good idea..”
Waryo-ka:” Yes…we do owe them honor of a good battle…”
Kio-ka:” tsk…We owe them nothing.”
Waryo-ka:” You speak this way because you know nothing…”
Li-ka:” I wish to stay with you, father…”
Waryo-ka:” No… I fear you heart is not here on the battle field…Return to your quarters…Kio-ka make sure she does this.”
Kio-ka:” Yes, Father...”
Li-ka:” But…”
Kio-ka:” Come sister..”
Waryo-ka:” Ready the cannons…”
Serephone:” But Emperor, the rain has soaked the black powder, so how are we to fire the cannons?”
Waryo-ka:” Not those cannons, The SDC…”
Serephone:” As you wish my lord…”
They launched a full scale attack right into the arrows of our archers. Kasul saw this and raised his blade and the artillery continued but the archers drew back their bows and waited. The prince dropped his arm signaling hundreds of arrows to be released and began flowing from the mountain facing. Screams of men being pierced by the arrow tips rung in his ears, but the prince looked on without a change in his demeanor. He did not want to take chances and he ordered the infantry to the front. A phalanx was formed at the entrance of the camp and Kasul looked on as the men of his enemy rushed to their doom. Kasul waited and knew what was coming and nodded to the captain who order the artillery be adjusted to the height of the aerial navy, but to no avail as the sound of enemy artillery smashing against their positions. Some of the archers were the first to be stunned letting some of the charging enemy through.
Kasul:” Stay tight!…Brace the front line!... Backside infantry, archers, prepare for close quarters combat!..”
The Archers placed down their bows and drew their blades and waited as the enemy crashed against the front lines.
Kasul:” Frontline Surge!..”
The front lines broke the phalanx rushing into the heat of battle with efficiency Lahara’s army was known for, but for all the might of the vanguard the prince saw them being pushed back. He waited for an opening, and the prince kicked black streak upon the sides and rushed past his troop who soon followed him right down the middle of the enemy forces. He leapt from the saddle of Black streak right into the heart of enemy forces cutting down the first one he saw, before catching another by the throat ripping it out of place. He pulled back his blade charging into an enemy impaling him, before pulling his blade from his gut, slashing another upon the throat, and snapping the neck of another, though the numbers proved to great even for him as the back of his leg was slashed. Kasul pulled his dagger from his shin guard and stabbed the creature multiple times, until he could not recognize him anymore. Finding his blade he surged through the ranks once again, before being caught in the shoulder by spear then tackled by another. They wrestled across the ground, before Kasul lock his hand upon the face of his enemy pressing the creature’s eyes into it skull, before seeing one of his men about to be slain, a quick tackle stopped this and the Laharian grabbed a rock and bashed in its skull, before grabbing his blade once again, impaling another in the back, and grabbing a younger warrior, seeing the fear in his face, but spared him no quarter as he ran his blade across the youngling neck killing him, before being shot in the back with an arrow, Kasul turned to see the one who shot him, before cutting him down him in cold blood. The prince looked back to see the rifle lines and archers holding behind him. Waryo-ka looked on with an unsteady glare.
Serephone:” So much blood…So much gore. They really think they can win…”
Waryo-ka:”That is what worries me,… Fire the Cannon…!”
Kio-ka:” But our army--”
Waryo-ka:”Do it..!”
Kio-ka:” You heard him fire the cannon!..”
Li-ka watched the fighting below from the balcony from her quarters with an amazed look, seeing a clad black figure fighting within the chaos tilting her head to the side, till she heard the engines cut to a halt and the metal clanking from the under belly of the ship. She leaned over to see the main weapon of their army and a concerned look fell over her face, just when the pressure forced her to run inside as the glass of her windows shattered and broke.
Kasul tiredly fell to one knee after impaling another below him only to see more charging into the fray, pulling his blade from the victim he and his surviving men rushed towards the new wave, before hearing the sound he dreaded from the very beginning, everything slowed down at this second just before the ammunition charge struck the masses below. The power of the blasts ripped some of his armor from his body before throwing him into the chaos again, he kept a tight grip on his blade as the blood flowed from his wounds, but he was slow to get up, but got up still staggering his way back to his feet before another round of blasts ripped through the forces fighting below leaving nothing but death. Kasul felt something pulling upon his frame and woke to find black streak pulling him back to the camp, but he saw to wounds of his war cat before seeing it collapse with him in its jaws. Kasul could not feel his arm and could not see out one eye, movement caused him to spit out blood before grimacing in pain as he looked on as survivors ran for the Hallowed Gates that was nothing but rubble. Kasul used a dying black streak to stand as he turned a dial on the belt of his armor, using his trump card. He could hear the canon preparing fire again, before turning to Black streak. ” I’m sorry black streak…we …couldn’t win… this one…” was the last words Kasul could muster to his old friend before the large chain of explosives rained over the battle field, but Kasul’s trap was sprung and his plan still saw fruition, as the explosive jam that lined the Hallowed Gates detonated causing a massive chain of explosions that sealed the only entrance to the Mirroring sands.
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Razal watched in horror as the black clouds rose and mingled with the rain that lingered in the distance from afar after hearing the final series of explosions happened. The king rushed through his escorts who tried to hold him back as he yelled for his grandson before breaking through clenching the banister. Natashia joined him soon after with a calm face but a look of concern, along with various others who had just lost their husbands, sons, and daughters. The people lining the streets saw the same omen and feared the worst as mothers lay crying in the streets.
Razal:” Prepare the Precursors…for medical assistance, those soldiers need help..”
Natashia:” But my love what if he is not among them…”
Razal:” I’m worried about my grandson, but his men need our help… prepare the precursors.”
Natashia would give a nod before leaving the balcony as she pulled the doors closed behind her, before seeing Seigfred rush to her short of breath before bowing to her.
Seigfred:” The precursors are ready to deploy…just give the word.”
Natashia:” Good. I want gunners on standby at all times to secure the perimeter upon approach, healers be ready. Move out!”
A small contingent of Precusors flew from the launch and over the city, Natashia pulled her goggles over her eyes, as she manned a gun.
Meanwhile, Waryo-ka looked over the devastation with a stated feeling and Serephone clapping to the massive display of power.
Waryo-ka:” It did not have to be this way Kasul….our nations would have made great allies..”
Serephone:’ Awh…The Great leader is mourning the dead..”
Waryo-ka:” They fought with honor…”
Kio-ka:” They knew they could not win…their pride was their own undoing, father.”
Waryo-ka:” Their pride is what deterred us from the main entry point to Lahara..now we must attack by sea…and their full air navy will be waiting…This one battle just extended the war..”
Li-ka:” Father,…I wish to take a search party to the battle field for any wounded…”
Waryo-ka:” You and Kio-ka..can lead a search and rescue for survivors..but I don’t think there is any..”
Waryo-ka left the deck of the flag ship with the other generals in toe. Li-ka and Kio-ka remained but the brother was not pleased with his sister’s request. A Small party waited for them upon a transport and a sharp look from Kio-ka to Li-ka, before the doors closed.
Kio-ka:” You forget I can see through your ploys and tricks, dear sister…You’re looking for that Laharian. I can assure you there is nothing left but bits and pieces.“
Li-ka:’ Well let us put your words to the test my brother… I’ve seen that man fight twice now and something still troubles me, he is human but something else, something worth taking a closer look at…and I can assure you it will take more than father’s cannon to kill this man “
Kio-ka:” You speak of him like he is a demon, are you sure he is a man?”
Li-ka:” Let us see and find out..”
Kio-ka:”If you say so…let us get this over with…”
Upon the door opening the smell of burning flesh hit their nose and caused the party to step back for a moment. Kio-ka silently motioned the men to search as Li-ka sauntered unto the field with a calm demeanor. Kio-ka wading through the bodies and parts of the dead as they searched for survivors, but li-ka knew what she was looking for. A large corpse laid upon the dead various spear tips and arrows protruding from the body, though upon closer examination she notice something very familiar.
Li-ka:”Kio-ka! ……I think I found the treasure of the day.”
-To Be Continued-
Ki surrounds me,
It's current ever flowing like the dance of an endless waltz.
Forever turning,
I am Ki, the energy of life and Life is
KASUL-RAHUL R.I.P Lt. Col.(ret) Joseph (Joe/Dad/Pops) C. Dortch
January 13, 1958 - October 24, 2014 Lydia (Moms/Mumsy) B. Dortch
May 29, 1958 - June 9, 2020 |
