The Land Below our Feet COMPLETE

CONTROL

Ishtun had stared at the column of smoke in the distance feeling his limbs freeze as he tried to brace himself for the impending battle. He had remained standing silent while the last sign of the dark fumes vanished into the air. Zhengo and Mandhiel flanking him with a stoical demeanor.

The message was clear. The full army was still in place, and they were going to face it soon.

There was a reason why the Yahurian had assigned him the largest group of soldiers, and that was because of the possibility that this would indeed happen. But still, he was not sure if it would be enough to overpower the menace that awaited them behind those walls… Yet, the time had come, and they were about to find out.

The young monarch had been just about to order them to start marching towards the city when his perplexed eyes spotted the second sign of fire timidly rising into the morning mist. His eyes blinking a few times with incredulity as the unlikely event transpired before them. Letting them know that his home would soon be undermanned enough for them to easily regain control.

Without wasting any more time, he turned to face his two warriors, who nodded at him wordlessly in return.

-It seems the Yahurian was right then – Ishtun commented, directing his attention to Mandhiel – You know what to do.

The large man gave him a grunt as his sole response, before heading cautiously towards the city.

It had taken him a few hours to come back to the campsite, but when he did, his dark eyes sparkled as he spoke with finality in his voice.

-It is true – He informed him, squaring his shoulders, and staring forward – They are leaving… Most of them.

-Good, take your men and follow the Mideian road… Just as we discussed – The young King instructed, replaying the Commander’s plan inside his head – This should keep you hot on their tails all the way to Midland’s gate. Stay right after them and wait for us. We won't be far behind you.

With that, the tall, hairy man had left to gather his group and by early afternoon they were already marching north, leaving Ishtun and Zhengo standing among a selected crowd, all of them eager to take their city back.

They had waited until sunset to start descending from their hidden campsite, approaching the city gates with the aid of the shadows cast by the full moon present in the sky.

Even when this time, Njál had left Mavaer in the custody of a more generous quantity of men than he had at Lowland's gate. They would prove to be no rival to a well-planned tactic and the always infallible element of surprise.

By the time they finally reacted to their attack, it was a little too late for the surprised warriors guarding the entrance to give much of a good fight. Their horses were already charging towards them at full speed as they desperately tried to shoot them down with disoriented movements.

Their fire had managed to kill a few of their riders, but even then, most had ended up trampled under the large beasts´ merciless hoofs. The Mavaerian men advancing with precision against the shocked invaders, cutting throats left and right.

Ishtun found himself immersed in a strange numbness as he pressed forward, his finger calmly pushing the trigger of his weapon repeatedly as he watched enemy after enemy dropping dead to the ground. His mind set on one goal only: Reaching the palace and claiming it back.

He did not know when or how they had joined them so quickly, but he soon spotted Sehira and her scouting crew swiftly engaging in battle out of the corner of his eye. His mouth widening in a grin as he switched his firearm for his spear and started striking the bunch of golden-haired attackers that lunged persistently against him. His face soon bathed in fresh blood as he kept moving unfazed.

The monarch was yanking his spear out of a fallen corpse when he saw a man creeping on a distracted Sehira, a few feet ahead of him. He jumped over him without a second thought, his spear colliding with the flesh of his leg and driving him down with the force of the impact. The young ruler immediately descending on him with his sharp knife drawn in his hand and cutting his neck in a single movement before the startled eyes of the girl.

-Thanks! – She had yelled briefly, over the chaos and bloodied turmoil surrounding them, her focus redirected to the battle camp after offering him a half smile – It seems like you DO have what it takes after all.

The rest of the battle had been a blur, the faces of his enemies merging into a featureless mass as they marched firmly towards the heart of the city and up the palace's steps.

Once there, and after finding the haunting scene of the rotting cadavers piled carelessly outside the place, his men had just thirstily begun slaughtering their opponents up and down, all of them driven by a strong urge for revenge at the sight of the macabre view.

Not much resistance was presented by then, the invaders´ lines clearly depleted and reduced to a few still standing men who had been captured and brought before him.

-What do we do with them, King Ishtun? – Zhengo had asked him as they held the prisoners at gunpoint, kneeling on the hall's cold floor.

-We give them the exact same treatment they gave our people, of course – The young man had simply replied. Wiping the blood off his face with the back of the once green sleeve of his quilting, and bitterly grimacing as he retook his place on his throne – Get rid of this pest once and for all… And don't bother wasting any shells on them, they don't deserve such a merciful death.

-I was not even planning on it – The experienced captain grinned, nodding towards his men – We are giving this human filth the kiss of our famous Mavaerian blades.

The sound of the knives cutting sharply through the submitted men's necks and the choking wheezes that emerged from their open throats had given Ishtun an uncanny sense of peace. His eyes watering for a second, before he regained his spirits.

-Burn their corpses! – He commanded, turning his head away from the bloodied stage – Then give our people a proper burial, for the love of the gods!

That night they had held a feast. His overjoyed army celebrating their victory and the reclaiming of their land. Yet, the young leader was not happy at all. His troubled mind often spacing out while his warriors ate and drank.

-You should be proud of yourself, Your Majesty – Sehira had muttered towards him as she sat before him, digging distractedly into her food – Mavaer is free now, you've got what you wanted.

-What I want is to eradicate this plague – Ishtun responded, taking a swig from his liquor, and giving her a knowing look – There are still plenty of these monsters marching up north. Our mission is still far from over.

-Glad you are aware of that – She sighed out loudly – So, do we agree then that we can't stay here for much longer if we want to catch up with them and stop them for good?

-We do – He replied resolutely, before turning to face his captain and calling for him – Zhengo!

-Yes, my King! – The massive man replied, standing up and straightening himself before him.

-Pick a team to stay behind and protect our home along with you, I am leaving you in charge until my return. So, don't let me down.

- Never! – The warrior exclaimed proudly, bowing to him briefly before spinning on his heels and heading out the hall – I will have you briefed about my selection by dawn.

-Good! – The monarch nodded in satisfaction, redirecting his gaze at the rest of the abundant crowd – Mavaerians! Our home is free now thanks to the bravery that each of you have shown today, and for that, you own my eternal gratitude… But our work is far from done and there is no time to lose! So, how would you like to resume this journey tomorrow and join me in the hunt for these elusive rats?

An overwhelming roar of loud cheers and excited voices detonated all around the hall, nearly deafening him as he smiled for the first time since they'd arrived. Deeply moved by the clear signs of his people's support.