Suspicions

I hope you can forgive me for not writing. I have no excuse--things have been terribly quiet. It would seem the Ansgar Empire is either amassing more soldiers or reconsidering its strategy to conquer Boadhagh. I suspect it is both.

I have journeyed back to the king's castle. King Airell agrees with my suspicions. He too believes the Ansgarians are considering another way to invade his kingdom. They slew my parents, the king and queen of Rivalin, just before their seizing what should now be my kingdom.

But all we can do now is await their next attempt. I fear we shall not have to wait long.

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For the Moment

All of us rest now after fighting off the Ansgarian attempt to get through the Pass. Outside of working on making more flaming arrows, the soldiers of Boadhagh watch beyond the Pass and sharpen their weapons. They know another invasion will be tried. It is only a question of when.

Windfire is bored. That is a good sign combat is not forthcoming--for the moment.

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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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Momentary Quiet

The fight to keep the remainder of the Ansgarian army from getting through the Pass continued both yesterday and today. I must admit I am completely spent. Windfire no longer snorts flame. But how long that will remain to be true none of us here know.

A messenger came King Airell with a commendation for all of the Boadhagh warriors who fought off the incursion. It brought grins to many weary faces.

Even though no more Ansgarians watch us beyond the Pass, a strong watch has been posted this evening. I only hope not to be wakened this night for another attack. My muscles are supremely sore.

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Battle

Windfire (as always) was right. Another Ansgar army attempted to march through the Pass two nights ago. The fighting was bitter. The Boadhagh archers with their flaming arrows stopped the tree-like soldiers from crossing into the kingdom. The fires started among the enemy troops caused panic and confusion in their ranks.

Windfire and I rode among those who remained. Deathsong set many afire. And others I smote with the sword's edge.

Yet, even after such a loss, they came at us again the next day. The only thing I have ever seen an Ansgarian fear is being set on fire. Even with the possibility of that, their ranks marched towards us again.

How can you fight such courage and hope to win? I wonder sometimes.

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An Ominous Report

King Airell told me several days ago Ansgarian scouts were watching the Pass. Both of us feared what such news foretold for Boadhagh.

Windfire and I went to the Pass and joined the Boadhagh soldiers guarding it. They pointed out to me the tree-like soldiers in black and gold uniforms observing us. My warhorse snorts fire now. So battle is imminent. We await whatever the Ansgar army throws at us.

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