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Zephyrial -> RE: The Rise of Domrius (1/18/2015 19:17:59)
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"Looks like... archers, 'bout two hundred fifty. Infantry are all spearmen: pikes, halberds, billhooks. That'll be hell on our cavalry! Couple of supply wagons, and... well, you'd probably better decide what that is."
"Thank you, Captain Grazos," Sayden replied, gently receiving the proffered spyglass. Peering through it, he surveyed the battlefield with an air of dismay, watching as the Alquen forces arranged themselves into a peculiar box formation, trailed by a quartet of wagons - three normal, one not. It was magic, there was no doubt about that - hooded entourage aside, the air around it thrummed with arcane power - but as to the nature of it, Sayden had no idea. If it was a weapon, then it would likely be his responsibility to defend against it.
"Captain. If you would, please send any of your men equipped with projectile weapons to join the archers. We will need every bowstring we have for this battle. And- dispatch one man of good character to meet with these Warsmiths. Best we know what they are up to." Tactfully ignoring the 'good character' comment, the Captain gave a bow before striding off towards his men, barking orders with a smile. Sayden turned back towards the battlefield, trying to rationalise the trials that lay ahead.
Yesterday's battle was nothing compared to this... Can I do this?
Although his outward exterior was calm and composed, a whirlwind of doubt raged within. Against his wishes, the War Council had declared him to be the day's Supreme Commander, responsible for all their fates. Although he was confident in his strategic handle on the situation, the responsibility still weighed heavily upon him. He had led his own men in battle many a time, yes... even handled those rabble masquerading as Sentinels... But an entire army? Composed of many and varied parts, most bearing some sort of hatred towards another (and all towards him), and none agreeing entirely on strategy? Perhaps the great commanders of legend could keep control of such a volatile situation. But he was just a mage, a scholar- would they listen to him? The challenge that confronted him seemed insurmountable...
The challenge began before the Alquen forces had even taken a step. Without allowing so much as a minute for Sayden to assess the situation, the commander from Thanisgard - Trevor - had sprung into action, ordering around his big hulking cavalry unit with no regard for any of the other components of the Alliance army. Sayden watched, dumbfounded, as his men organised into some sort of bizarre ring formation. Has he no sense at all? My mages are tasked to defend the archers, not the other way around! And with those blasted cavalry in the way, none of our ranged forces can see a thing! His confusion turned to fury as a bright-eyed messenger lumbered up, passing him a note from the offending commander. Seizing it, Sayden cast it a cursory glance - meaningless platitudes, and tactical information that any half-competent commander would have learned in his first day at school - before casting it to the floor. The messenger held out his hand expectantly, waiting for a reply... instead he received only a rebuke, sending him scurrying away, tail between his legs.
"Return to your fool master. I am my own messenger."
That man will learn his place.
With a deep breath, Sayden focused his energies. Although he had made battlemagic his true calling some time ago, he had still become a mage of some stature in the ordinary disciplines, and few arcane arts were out of his reach. He began to whirl his arms - slowly at first, but quickly rising to a crescendo - as if he were weaving a gigantic basket. Eventually, a shimmering disc of pure mana hung in front of him, and stepping onto it, he was carried skywards until he could view the entire battlefield. Then, touching is fingertips gently to his throat, he amplified his voice until it rang off the sides of the canyon like a peal of thunder - although not quite loud enough that the Alquen forces could discern his words. Finally, he exercised one last power. Groaning, he gathered his focus... then lunged mentally, wielding his thoughts like a weapon, and penetrating the mind of the Thanisgard commander directly. Like an edict from the Gods, his thoughts tumbled irrepressibly into the other man's head.
Trevor Arcturus Minx, of Thanisgard! Know your place! Remember who is the Supreme Commander - I will give my orders, and only then will you give yours! Am I understood? Dissolve your formations!
After delivering his rebuke, he withdrew, satisfied. The experience would no doubt have been alarming for the soldier, even a little painful... Hopefully it got his message across. He would almost certainly pay for it sometime in the future - but as it stood, winning this battle was all that mattered.
Now, he prepared to mould the battlefield to meet his expectations. Stretching his empowered vocal cords, he addressed the entire army with one voice.
"Archers! Of Gilrade, Thanisgard, and the Collective! Assemble before the mages, in ranks two deep. They will protect you from enemy projectiles, so fear not! When your commanders determine that the enemy is within range... loose! And do not stop until not a single arrow remains on the battlefield."
"Infantry! Of Je, Kulak, Daret, and Gilrade! Form flanks to either side of the mages and archers, at your commanders' discretion! When I give the signal, to indicate that the enemy has advanced too far towards us, proceed to the front of the formation, via the flanks, and rank up in front of the archers. Any of you equipped with shields, form the front line, and protect your comrades! Do. Not. Give. An. Inch!"
"Cavalry! Of Thanisgard, and Gilrade! belay any previous orders. Form ranks at the rear of the formation, and once the signal is given, follow the infantry up the flanks until they have carried out their orders, and form the new flanks! To attack such an enemy head on would be foolhardy - hold back until their formation has been disrupted by our archers, and then, proceed to tear their lines apart!"
"All commanders! The odds against us are great - we lack the appropriate troops to counter the Alquen formations. As such, our victory will hinge upon your skill and authority! if we are to succeed here today, our movements must be exact, immediate, and without complications. I am relying on you to see that it is so. Good luck!"
Finally, he rekindled the mental link among his own forces, and addressed them directly.
Divisions One and Two, form a rank and prepare to protect our allies. Divisions Three and Four, hang back and prepare to rotate with the active divisions if the shield begins to falter. Division Five, remain in reserve... We may need to react quickly to whatever is in that wagon. Are you prepared?
Let none pass.
Following his orders like clockwork, the mages ranged themselves into the desired formation. Those ten who remained at the front raised their hands... and a glimmering veil rose up from the ground before them. Approximately twelve feet high, it curved gently back towards the Alliance army, forming a roof which would protect the front lines from all but the most prodigious bowshots. Just enough space remained for the archers to organise themselves as commanded, which would hopefully remove any confusion regarding his intent. The shield was not a taxing spell, consuming energy only when it was struck... and with the four divisions in rotation, it seemed likely that they could maintain the shield for the entirety of the battle.
Orders given, Sayden remained in the air, surveying the army's progress. Positioned as he was, he was protected by the shield - and by remaining a seemingly vulnerable target, he hoped to draw some of the enemy's fire. Anxiety gnawed at his stomach as he waited to see if his orders would be heeded... If yesterday's battle was any indication, the component forces of the Alliance much preferred to fight alone, making decisions independent of any higher authority. But that was not Sayden's style. Random collaboration may have worked on the barbarians from yesterday, but against disciplined, skilled Alquen regulars, it would not suffice. Particularly now, with the stakes so high; although he may come under fire from the other commanders, he was prepared to shoulder the blame, if it meant that the Alliance army lasted another day.
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