Unstoppable

It was a hard day today--and a day of defeat. Even with the Long Riders striking at the Ansgarian army flanks, they moved further into Boadhagh. As I said yesterday, I have never seen them create such a large force before. They seem unstoppable.

Windfire and I wreaked what damage we could. Many of them burned today. But there are just so many more to take the place of those slain.

I had the Long Riders' commander send a messenger back to King Airell beseeching him to send his archers to us. I only hope they can turn the tide of this invasion.

Bruce Skye, fantasy book, fantasy novels, Grayrider, new book releases, sci fi fantasy, science fiction and fantasy

Another Day, Another Battle

Windfire and I reached the invaders long before the Long Riders did. I know of no faster horse in Boadhagh than Windfire. Their army is immense. All I could see as we thundered down the hillside towards the invaders were the accursed tall soldiers wearing their black and gold uniforms.

At a distance, Ansgarians appear to be human. They have two arms and legs as we do. They have heads as humans do. But they are covered in a tough bark. Deathsong and Windfire both set many aflame, which broke up the ordered ranks on one side of the advancing column. Those on fire panicked and ran heedless of what happened to those around them.

We waded in among the Ansgar warriors. I know not how long we fought. The leader of the Long Riders finally called to me--the enemy is still advancing. But he insisted we must rest. I looked up to see it was nearly dusk. My arms are so weary from wielding my great sword. I fear that is a soldier's lot.

We shall fight again come the dawn.

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Another Fight

An army messenger reached the castle last night; another Ansgarian army is moving across the Boadhagh border away from the Pass. It is night now. Windfire and I are going to the incursion point before dawn.

The Long Riders will go there at first light.

Another fight is before us. I envy my warhorse sometimes, for Windfire lusts for battle. I only wish I did.

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Pursuit

Windfire was right; the Ansgarians easily broke through the wood barrier put across the Pass by the Boadhagh soldiers. Flaming arrows shot into their midst by our longbow archers stopped the penetration. They retreated. Windfire and I pursued them, slaying more of them. I only wanted to kill as many of the varlets as I could. Deathsong set several afire.

Chaos ensued among the tree-like soldiers. We chased them for a league or so before finally going back through the Pass.

We have won another respite. But I fear that is all it is.

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We Can Only Hope

No other Ansgarians came near the Pass these last few days. It gave us all time to rest. The commander of the Boadhagh contingent guarding the Pass has started building a wooden barrier across the defile opening to slow another incursion--which will surely come.

Windfire snorts in derision as he watches the work. He doubts it will seriously hinder our opponents. We can only hope.

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A Sad Dinner

King Airell and I had dinner last night. He wanted to hear how we drove the Ansgarians out of Boadhagh.

After the meal was finished, we sat drinking mead. His eyes became sad and he looked distantly at the far wall. He was thinking of his missing daughter Deirdre, I suspect.

Seeing him like that grieves my heart. I only wish I could do something to gladden him. Yet I cannot. Only her return here will remedy his loss.

Bruce Skye, fantasy book, fantasy novels, Grayrider, new book releases, sci fi fantasy, science fiction and fantasy

Solution

Kalen, as always, found a solution to the problem of fighting the much larger Ansgarian army facing us in the Pass. He had the many archers the Boadhagh army possesses fire flaming arrows at the tree-like soldiers.

Chaos ensued as those set afire panicked and collided with their brethren. The pending attack early this morning fell apart. Those who survived retreated.

I know not how long it will be until the Ansgarians strike south again. But it will be all too soon, I fear.

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A Long Fight

Kalen and I were up well before dawn moving the army to the Pass. We stood watching the Ansgarian army near the Pass late this morning. He is worried we shall not succeed in stopping the varlets from entering Boadhagh. I share his concern--I know not if we shall triumph here. It would seem a long and bloody fight is before us.

The Angarians vastly outnumbers us. Numbers alone can many times win battles. My only hope is Kalen can find a way to once more outwit our opponents.

Windfire snorts flame now. He knows battle is near. I only wish I lusted for it as he does.

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Vengeance

I can never forget finding everyone I had ever known and loved slumped before their unfinished dinners. The sight of my slain parents and their retainers is not something I am not sure anyone could forget. Nor do I want to.

That memory spurs me to slay as many of the hated Ansgarians as I can. It keeps me going, pushing me on when exhaustion and weariness bid me to rest.

Vengeance is all I have left.

Bruce Skye, fantasy book, fantasy novel, Grayrider, new book release, sci fi fantasy, science fiction and fantasy

The Soldiers of Ansgar

The warriors of the Ansgar Empire are not human. They appear human from a distance, for they have two arms and legs as well as a head. But they are covered with bark. Cutting through their armor and their bark is trying sometimes.

That is why I am most glad I possess my magical sword, Deathsong. The blade will set some of the varlets aflame before Windfire and I ever reach them. And that causes panic among those set afire. It is an advantage that has saved us more than once.

Ansgarians have no fear of battle. Even knowing they face my glowing sword, they attack.

I fear Deathsong's power. But I know not how I could fight the Ansgarians without it.

Bruce Skye, fantasy book, fantasy novel, Grayrider, new book release, sci fi fantasy, science fiction and fantasy