enemy in close to the Scythtar Mountains. They beheld the opportunity to slay a weakly supported Malveel and attacked. After the enemy fully committed, Woil ordered his own Hackles in from the tree line and inflicted heavy damage.
Nagret winced, remembering a particular incident near the small cataract known as Aquaba. Nagret questioned Woil’s orders during that particular battle. Woil ensured no question of his command in the future. The Lamentation allowed the ruse to go too far. Zodrian cavalry swarmed Nagret and nearly killed him. However, the risky maneuver proved more successful than usual. Woil took great pleasure in reporting heavy losses amongst the Zodrians.
These tactics were certainly not the stuff of genius, but they secured Woil’s place in the Malveel hierarchy. With the One-Eye gone, Woil gained control of the Scythtar and Nagret garnered more power by default. Woil chose to control the Hackles from Greeb’s stronghold in the Mnim. This also suited Nagret. It left him free to enforce his will upon the packs stationed along the Frizgard without the eye of Woil constantly upon him.
Now he stood on a small ledge of the Scythtar high above the Frizgard River. He watched as Zodrian riders cut down his Hackles. The Ulrog fell to both spear and lance as they lumbered north toward a thin tree line screening the Frizgard. The loss of so many stone men angered Nagret. A new enemy created a wrinkle to his plan.
Horsemen beneath the blue banner of a jumping fish hampered his Hackles escape and thus the effectiveness of the plan. The horsemen employed mesh nets that proved surprisingly successful against his Hackles. They heaved the nets over the retreating stone men’s rocky hides then latched the nets onto the pommels of their saddles. Their powerful steeds spun and ripped the Ulrog from their feet. Zodrian lancers trailed closely behind and rushed in to quickly dispatch the prone Hackles.
Only a few dozen Ulrog remained on their feet and moved toward the tree line. Nagret growled. Conquest required sacrifice, but too many of his servants fell.
The Malveel’s mood changed quickly as the enemy closed on his position. A glint of gold and silver indicated the sacrifice of his Hackles would reap significant reward. Centered amongst the enemy rode a pair of men in ornate battle gear. Their mounts displayed the trappings of command, smartly armored and outfitted.
The pair worked the battle in symmetry. The lead rider wore a cape of blue that trailed behind him like a banner on the breeze. A sparkling metal net spun above him, catching the sun and igniting from its light. The net lashed out, hooking onto a speedy tracker who previously evaded all attempts to snare him.
The net wielder instantly secured the trap, reined his horse and spun to the right. The tracker jerked backward, lost his footing and flipped into the air. The second horseman, a silver haired Zodrian in gold breast plate, set upon him. The Zodrian darted past the net and slammed a long spear into the Hackle. The beast’s howl carried all the way up the mountainside to Nagret’s position. The tracker died in agony, pinned to the ground by the spear. The Zodrian snatched a second spear from a holder secured to the flank of his horse. The blue cape rode hard, advancing on another victim.
Nagret’s jaws snapped at the air in frustration. His vision drifted to the Frizgard five hundred yards northeast of the battle. The tree line thickened at this point and left the Frizgard invisible to the field of battle. Between the river and the tree line stood the milling forms of hundreds of Hackles. Several red robed priests moved amongst them, keeping them still.
Nagret swept his vision to the west. Similar forces lie hidden there. The sounds of war agitated his troops, but Nagret issued explicit orders. He commanded the priest’s to cut the throat of any Hackle who might betray their position. Woil’s most important lesson proved a hard one to learn.
Nagret winced, remembering a particular incident near the small cataract known as Aquaba. Nagret questioned Woil’s orders during that particular battle. Woil ensured no question of his command in the future. The Lamentation allowed the ruse to go too far. Zodrian cavalry swarmed Nagret and nearly killed him. However, the risky maneuver proved more successful than usual. Woil took great pleasure in reporting heavy losses amongst the Zodrians.
These tactics were certainly not the stuff of genius, but they secured Woil’s place in the Malveel hierarchy. With the One-Eye gone, Woil gained control of the Scythtar and Nagret garnered more power by default. Woil chose to control the Hackles from Greeb’s stronghold in the Mnim. This also suited Nagret. It left him free to enforce his will upon the packs stationed along the Frizgard without the eye of Woil constantly upon him.
Now he stood on a small ledge of the Scythtar high above the Frizgard River. He watched as Zodrian riders cut down his Hackles. The Ulrog fell to both spear and lance as they lumbered north toward a thin tree line screening the Frizgard. The loss of so many stone men angered Nagret. A new enemy created a wrinkle to his plan.
Horsemen beneath the blue banner of a jumping fish hampered his Hackles escape and thus the effectiveness of the plan. The horsemen employed mesh nets that proved surprisingly successful against his Hackles. They heaved the nets over the retreating stone men’s rocky hides then latched the nets onto the pommels of their saddles. Their powerful steeds spun and ripped the Ulrog from their feet. Zodrian lancers trailed closely behind and rushed in to quickly dispatch the prone Hackles.
Only a few dozen Ulrog remained on their feet and moved toward the tree line. Nagret growled. Conquest required sacrifice, but too many of his servants fell.
The Malveel’s mood changed quickly as the enemy closed on his position. A glint of gold and silver indicated the sacrifice of his Hackles would reap significant reward. Centered amongst the enemy rode a pair of men in ornate battle gear. Their mounts displayed the trappings of command, smartly armored and outfitted.
The pair worked the battle in symmetry. The lead rider wore a cape of blue that trailed behind him like a banner on the breeze. A sparkling metal net spun above him, catching the sun and igniting from its light. The net lashed out, hooking onto a speedy tracker who previously evaded all attempts to snare him.
The net wielder instantly secured the trap, reined his horse and spun to the right. The tracker jerked backward, lost his footing and flipped into the air. The second horseman, a silver haired Zodrian in gold breast plate, set upon him. The Zodrian darted past the net and slammed a long spear into the Hackle. The beast’s howl carried all the way up the mountainside to Nagret’s position. The tracker died in agony, pinned to the ground by the spear. The Zodrian snatched a second spear from a holder secured to the flank of his horse. The blue cape rode hard, advancing on another victim.
Nagret’s jaws snapped at the air in frustration. His vision drifted to the Frizgard five hundred yards northeast of the battle. The tree line thickened at this point and left the Frizgard invisible to the field of battle. Between the river and the tree line stood the milling forms of hundreds of Hackles. Several red robed priests moved amongst them, keeping them still.
Nagret swept his vision to the west. Similar forces lie hidden there. The sounds of war agitated his troops, but Nagret issued explicit orders. He commanded the priest’s to cut the throat of any Hackle who might betray their position. Woil’s most important lesson proved a hard one to learn.
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