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Rumors of war decended from the Spinebreaker, as did wave after wave of Immortals in their blood red uniforms. Scouts brought in news of raiders carrying a black standard landing on the Western shore. The garrison at Arashi stood ready.
"Our Nation's fate rests in your hands today" the General almost whispered, his troops hardly taking notice. Each man knew his duty, and each knew their commander had no place on the frontier.
No one understood this better than the General's Charioteer, who had been granted the post as a favor to his late father. A father who had voluntarily taken a most dangerous post so his son could have the safest. "The only battle I'll see is the General's aide de camp trying to fit him into his uniform" was the thought of the son today. Tears of frustration welled in his eyes as he watched the army headed out into the field without him.
The main body of troops faced North to meet the Immortals. A small group branching off to meet the new seaborne threat to the West. The General watched impatiently from a vantage point on a hill near Arashi, constantly inquiring as to when brunch should be ready.
In the West the battle started well, many raiders being caught by suprise as to the force mustered against them. The black standard fell, as did those who followed it.
To the North things were looking bleak though. It was a clouded morning, having rained the night before. Muddy fields slowed the Chariots, and there was no infantry support.
"Tis magnificent!" exclaimed the General, savouring a pastry that had captured his attention. "A brilliant tactic to send the icing to flank the jelly that way good Chef! I taste a decoration in this for you." and with a wink the General stepped up onto the Chariot to recon what else the kitchen might have in store to assault his gullet with.
The other occupant of the Chariot had much different concerns. A rage unlike anything he had ever felt was welling up inside. Below were those who had killed his father, those who would destroy his country. Below the second line had broke on a wall of Immortals, and Chariots were fleeing in disarray. His whip cracked and the horses lunged forward as he let loose a terrible cry.
With the unexpected start, the General lost his grasp on his plate. He saw the life giving (and delicious) sustenance fall onto the grass. His cry of outrage mingled with the Charioteer's. Like thunder it echoed through the valley. Everyone, both Chariot and Immortal, paused at the roar it was so dreadful. In the same moment, a break in the clouds cast a ray of light onto the decending Chariot, and gleamed on the balding head of the General. As a golden crown it radiated and a shout went up from the Chariots below, thinking Stormbringer himself had decended the clouds to do battle!
The madness of the General knew no bounds as he mercilessly pummelled his chauffeur. The madness of the Charioteer was equal to the task as he disregarded his passenger's blows and continued on. What troops were left formed up as the Chariot passed, but none could match the speed and the furry with which it flew.
The Immortals had broken rank to pursue the fleeing Chariots. Precision had turned to bloodlust in giving chase, and now turned into disarray. A thousand hands reached to grasp this new target racing through them, to capture this Chariot that charged when all others fled. The flank of the Immortals became their front, their chase a retreat, even though they still were pursuing their target.
The main body of Chariots fell upon now distracted targets with a frenzy to match that of their leader. What had been a rout became another.
A few days later, the General was summoned back to the heartland, where all spoke his name 'Ramses' with awe. A great post awaits the people's hero. At the garrison of Arashi they know better though, the hero is the Charioteer. The one willing to take the greatest risk, just like his father. Only now, it's Grog on Wheels...
"Our Nation's fate rests in your hands today" the General almost whispered, his troops hardly taking notice. Each man knew his duty, and each knew their commander had no place on the frontier.
No one understood this better than the General's Charioteer, who had been granted the post as a favor to his late father. A father who had voluntarily taken a most dangerous post so his son could have the safest. "The only battle I'll see is the General's aide de camp trying to fit him into his uniform" was the thought of the son today. Tears of frustration welled in his eyes as he watched the army headed out into the field without him.
The main body of troops faced North to meet the Immortals. A small group branching off to meet the new seaborne threat to the West. The General watched impatiently from a vantage point on a hill near Arashi, constantly inquiring as to when brunch should be ready.
In the West the battle started well, many raiders being caught by suprise as to the force mustered against them. The black standard fell, as did those who followed it.
To the North things were looking bleak though. It was a clouded morning, having rained the night before. Muddy fields slowed the Chariots, and there was no infantry support.
"Tis magnificent!" exclaimed the General, savouring a pastry that had captured his attention. "A brilliant tactic to send the icing to flank the jelly that way good Chef! I taste a decoration in this for you." and with a wink the General stepped up onto the Chariot to recon what else the kitchen might have in store to assault his gullet with.
The other occupant of the Chariot had much different concerns. A rage unlike anything he had ever felt was welling up inside. Below were those who had killed his father, those who would destroy his country. Below the second line had broke on a wall of Immortals, and Chariots were fleeing in disarray. His whip cracked and the horses lunged forward as he let loose a terrible cry.
With the unexpected start, the General lost his grasp on his plate. He saw the life giving (and delicious) sustenance fall onto the grass. His cry of outrage mingled with the Charioteer's. Like thunder it echoed through the valley. Everyone, both Chariot and Immortal, paused at the roar it was so dreadful. In the same moment, a break in the clouds cast a ray of light onto the decending Chariot, and gleamed on the balding head of the General. As a golden crown it radiated and a shout went up from the Chariots below, thinking Stormbringer himself had decended the clouds to do battle!
The madness of the General knew no bounds as he mercilessly pummelled his chauffeur. The madness of the Charioteer was equal to the task as he disregarded his passenger's blows and continued on. What troops were left formed up as the Chariot passed, but none could match the speed and the furry with which it flew.
The Immortals had broken rank to pursue the fleeing Chariots. Precision had turned to bloodlust in giving chase, and now turned into disarray. A thousand hands reached to grasp this new target racing through them, to capture this Chariot that charged when all others fled. The flank of the Immortals became their front, their chase a retreat, even though they still were pursuing their target.
The main body of Chariots fell upon now distracted targets with a frenzy to match that of their leader. What had been a rout became another.
A few days later, the General was summoned back to the heartland, where all spoke his name 'Ramses' with awe. A great post awaits the people's hero. At the garrison of Arashi they know better though, the hero is the Charioteer. The one willing to take the greatest risk, just like his father. Only now, it's Grog on Wheels...
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