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Home » Great Library at Hoeth » Book of Tales » Tales of Si'anelle » A Further Telling of the Tale: Sebekneru Prince of Battle, Chapter Fifteen: A Council of War, and the Events That Did Follow
| A Further Telling of the Tale: Sebekneru Prince of Battle, Chapter Fifteen: A Council of War, and the Events That Did Follow |
| - by Lady Si'anelle |
This was a council of war such as would not have been seen before in Sebekneru's lands. Bronwyn quietly stood telling off the captain's names; - Sebekneru of Araby, Prince of Battles, Bane of the Tomb Kings of Khemri; T'amsine, called the Queen of Horse Thieves, also of Araby; Helene the Orcslayer of Norsca, heroine and battle standard bearer; the Noble Lady Si'anelle of Avelorn, daughter of Arhaindir Moonhand the Shadowborn; the Lady Ae'thenal also of Avelorn, daughter of Telimis the Brave; Nimine Starbrow of the Noble House of Arhaindir Moonhand, heroine of Finuval Plain; Cedwyn Brighteye of Avelorn, archer champion who had served the Lady Si'anelle's mother before her tragic death at Druchii hands; and last and not the least Peledym Ashleaf of Athel Loren, Gladerider champion. These captains apart three others were also present; - Lu'uk of Norsca, wolf daughter; Jean-marie d'Quenelles, scorceress of Bretonnia; and Taileth Mistborn of Athel Loren, Wood Elven enchantress.
Perhaps if the Orcs did realise whom they had come to fight they might swiftly depart. Supressing her urge to chuckle Bronwyn returned her attention to the map Lu'uk had made among the furrows with clods of earth and small broken sticks of wood. The wolf daughter was near to exhaustion that she could see plain enough, the staining of thick Goblin blood was on her limbs and body mingling with her sweat and other smears of dirt. Even though Bronwyn could see not so much as a small cut upon Lu'uk's sun darkened skin for all that she had plainly fought her way back here, she did know as a certainty that the wolf daughter would not take a telling part in the coming battle in her weary state.
Squatting as she was upon the ground Lu'uk's hands and nibble fingers played out the tale of why the Orcs still sulked within the forest. And where there was need she also made use of mimicry as skilled as any fairground player in her facial expressions and the language of her body. It seemed that a full three companies of Goblins had tried to depart without the Orcish Warlord's permission once they had come to realise that the magic orb's Elven keepers could fight back. And that was not all, for they had not liked their own scouts discovery that the two she-Elven were not a pair that were alone, but did have all too many well armed troops that were abroad searching the countryside with diligence. With a winning Orcish subtlety the warlord had convinced the Goblins that they should stay by laying into them with his fists; his fellow Orks being so companionable as to lend him a hand in this work. Save that the Goblins had not meekly been brought to heel and had rained spears, stones and arrows upon the Orcs trusting that their greater numbers would permit them to get away with it. And by the time that the Orcish warlord had made a final settlement of the matter, a full third of his force was in no condition to obey his grunted commands that they get themselves into order and get ready to march to the attack.
By moving small stones into place Lu'uk showed where the Orcs and Goblins had been within the forest, and the direction in which they were moving. Plainly yet more disputes and arguments had the further delayed them because there was no sign or sound of them at present to disturb the morning's peace. Now Lu'uk's fingers moved to place further stones in the furrow that was serving to represent the valley and the old Dwarven road that ran through it. At once Bronwyn knew why it was that Lu'uk was in such an exhausted state; - if she had run to scout that valley, and then had run back here again, pausing only to slay several Goblin scouts that had attempted to ambush her, then no wonder she could barely stand. The wolf daughter's hands played out the telling of it, for all her weariness her gestures easy enough to understand. There was indeed an Undead host about to enter the mouth of that valley, and enough of them to raise Sebekneru's holdfast to the ground and lay waste to her all her lands should they not be so prevented.
Now it was that Si'anelle of Avelorn lowered herself to kneel upon the furrowed ground, the Banepearl held dark and sullen in her left hand, as Lu'uk did withdraw to squat at Helene's feet. "The Orcs shall quit the forest here," she did say as her pale and slender finger touched that place upon Lu'uk's map. "They shall risk all upon a direct charge while they shall trust the Goblins with them to guard their flanks." Her fingers moved to reposition the small stones to show how the attack would be shaped, and then selected other stones and laid them down opposite those that did represent the Orcs and Goblins.
"Cedwyn, your archers shall be here at the centre and Nimine with you. Lay arrows thick upon the Orcs and flee and reform when they do get too close. Then shall you and your she-Elven meet and hold the Orcs with your long spears Nimine." Further stones were swiftly set in place, "Sebekneru, you shall be here with Helene and her Norsca women. When the Orcs do clash up against Nimine's spears drive hard into their flank and join with Nimine in slaying them all." Now the Lady Si'anelle sought out Peledym with her eyes, "Peledym, your Gladeriders shall harry the Goblins on this flank," and her finger touched the place. Her gaze shifted to find T'amsine, "T'amsine your women shall hold this the other flank against the Goblins here." Again her finger came to rest upon a group of small stones amidst the clods of earth. The final part of her battle plan was given by saying, "Cedwyn I shall trust you with choosing what targets you may without bringing harm to ourselves and our friends. However stay ready on your feet and keep your distance from the fray, for you and your archers are not equipt to stand and fight hand to hand against an outraged Orc."
In her turn Sebekneru squatted down leaning on her huge sword, the flowing Araby script worked into the metal flaring gold in the morning sun. "Always like to see how another war captain likes to set it up," was her comment and she sniffed pursing her lips. "Alright so you've got it laid out good Si'anelle. Keep ya archers moving and picking targets while the hard troops git stuck in here." Her sizeable black finger prodded at the centre of Lu'uk's map. "Fast cavalry gives the Gobbos over here a bad day, while T'amsine's skirmishers give the rest of the green shits a lively time on the other flank." She sniffed again, "Reckon one or the other'll break, picking it'll be this lot who get to suffer the cavalry. Either way who ever winds up with time on their hands should git themselves inta the back of them Orcs as soon as they can while the other lot keep the balance of the Gobbos occupied."
At that the Lady Si'anelle inclined her head towards the giantess before she rose to her feet. Bronwyn had to admit she was more than a little amazed, before her eyes she had seen Sebekneru plan out a battle with an Elf, and that with more than a slight degree of respect for the Lady Si'anelle's competence to command. And it was plain the other captains thought this plan was good, for each had merely nodded their head in silent agreement as their part was told to them without dispute.
Except that it was not going to be so simple, for as it happened Sebekneru was not done. "Yeah, a good plan Si'anelle," was the giantess's comment as she nodded. "Only what are you and your close friend going ta be doing while all this is going on? Come to that what about the Half-Elven there and those two witches standing with her?" With a sharp sniff Sebekneru turned her head and Bronwyn found that she was now suffering inspection from a pair of cold green eyes that were weighing her for her purity of purpose. Beside her Jean-marie was tight lipped with her annoyance at being named a witch, while it seemed that Taileth Mistborn did not particularly care what name the giantess might call her, for her gaze was absent as if she was not entirely a part of this council of war.
With an air of calm that did not fit well with the fevered aspect of her violet gaze the Lady Si'anelle did drop lightly to one knee. Reaching out with her right hand her extended finger fell to touch the furrow that did represent the valley that the Undead would soon claim at their shambling pace. "I and my companions shall be here Sebekneru," she did quietly say. At once such a level of protest was raised by all the Elven captains present that the Orcs might well have heard them plain enough from within the forest. By virtue of her seniority it was Nimine Starbrow who did take a step towards the place where her Lady knelt.
"What folly is this?" she did bluntly say. "That is a host that you shall ride against my Lady Si'anelle, not a handful of mouldering skeletons with rotted wargear on their backs."
Except that the Lady Si'anelle was not moved from her intention despite Nimine Starbrow's chiding. "The Orcs must be dealt with here first of all," she did quietly but firmly say. "And the Undead must not win to Sebekneru's lands before that is done." Again her finger found the place upon the map that Lu'uk had made and lightly touched the earth. "The valley does narrow here and I and my companions do own the skills to hold the Undead at a pause until we may be reinforced when the Orcs are dead; - surely you do see the truth of this Nimine."
"All I do see is that yet again you shall tempt with Fate my Lady," was Nimine's reply. Her eyes sought out her foster-daughter then, except she did only see the same resolve mirrored in Ae'thenal's level gaze. Loosing a sigh and flinging up her hands she said, "Once again I must trust the pair of you to Isha's care! Yes I do see well enough that nothing else may be done; our numbers are too few to divide our force and win against the Orcs. Except I still do not like the odds of four against a host Si'anelle of Avelorn."
"Gotta say you got some hide on ya to wanta take a holding action like that on yaself," said the giantess as now she pushed herself back onto her feet. "Either that or you're as half-baked reckless as the Half-Elven whose taken up with ya."
Mock gracious Bronwyn did now bow towards Sebekneru who curled her lip at her before she spoke to the Lady Si'anelle again, "An sick invalid Elf with a magic orb, another one with a firey sword and a high opinion of herself, a big eyed slip of a Bretonnian witch and a cocky Half-Elf in rusty armour whose gotta a Dwarf sword with runes of power on the blade." Sebekneru shook her head and laughed, "If that's skills enough ta hold the Undead in place then may the goddess bless ya all."
The gathered captains began to move away then to prepare and give their orders to their troops. Only it was then that Taileth Mistborn did seem to awaken and blink her eyes. Of a sudden she cried out, "The danger comes in full flood; - fly now to your regiments and take up your weapons in your hands. Hesitate and you all shall die."
With a sharp oath at the following sounding of Orcish and Goblin warhorns from the forest Sebekneru siezed both T'amsine and Helene by the arm and bodily propelled them towards their seperate bands of warrior women. And with that brazen and discordant sound still echoing across the field the giantess snatched up her great sword and shield and sprinted to follow after Helene. The Elven did also need no further prompting for Peledym ran at once to swiftly mount his Elven steed and join his Gladeriders, while Cedwyn hastened towards his ranks of archers. Only Nimine tarried for a moment to fling her arms about her foster-daughter's neck and kiss her cheek, and then to also kiss her Lady's cheek and hug her close before she whispered Isha's name and ran to where her female guard did await her beneath the Moonhand's warbanner.
Now each regiment was swift to find its place upon the field as their captains gave out their commands, and this managed with good discipline for all the haste of it. Pure noted Elven horns gave reply to the Orcs' braying warhorns and from Sebekneru's women the sounding clash of their weapons upon their shields gave out their challenge as they stood defiant. The Norsca shieldmaidens and Araby skirmishers perhaps not so fine in the setting of their ranks as the Elven, but in their own fashion resolute before the Orcish threat.
Which did leave the five of them standing alone on the plowed field and well to the rear of the combined Human and Elven host. Quiet now the Lady Si'anelle did say, "Bronwyn will you go to fetch our horses, for we also are pressed for time." In the moment that she did move to go and do as she had been asked, Bronwyn heard a sudden rising roar from the direction of the forest and knew at once the Orcs had begun their advance. Even as she hastened back with the reins of four horses in her hands, glad that all four animals were of a mood to be easily lead. The first flight of arrows was loosed from the bows of Cedwyn and Nimine's troops, Nimine's she-Elven standing with their bows in their hands and with their long spears plunged blade first into the ground. Swift after that another flight rose from their bows even as the Orcs' first angry crys of pain came to her ears.
Barely had she offered the Lady Si'anelle Finaith's reins than the she-Elf was in the saddle and riding fast to where Sebekneru and Helene the Orcslayer were standing awaiting the Orcs in company with their warrior women. As Jean-marie cried out in alarm, Bronwyn's impulse was to ride in pursuit, save that Ae'thenal's hand came to rest upon her shoulder. "My Si'anelle shall soon return," she did say before she drew in a breath, her pale and fair face clouded with despair.
"What knowledge do you have that we do not know Ae'thenal?" she demanded of her. "What danger do we ride to meet?"
And all Ae'thenal would say was, "Not you brave Bronwyn; nor also you loyal Jean-marie."
'Councils of war,' Sebekneru grinned and spat richly on the furrowed ground. 'All fine and well, but this is where it counts for real.' She hefted Wraith-hammer in her grip her eyes on the mass of Orcs working their way across the cropping fields that thick flights of Elf arrows were fast turning into a killing ground. Pity the skinnies didn't have a fancy Elf bolt thrower or two with them to properly sort the bastards out.
Helene's hand dropping on her arm made her glance around then. "Sebekneru, the she-Elf comes."
And she didn't need Helene's pointing finger either to pick out the rider that was galloping towards them from behind the lines. Fact was with her feather cloak flying out behind her and the bronze and green wargear on her back it would be pretty damn hard to miss that it was Si'anelle of Avelorn who'd taken it into her head to ignore a pack a Orcs and come over for a visit. "Goddamn idiot Elf," she said before she spat on the ground again.
When she finally got to them she cut it bloody fine in hauling up her great lump of an Elf bred horse, winding up so damn close against her women's shields that anybody would think she'd been about to pull an attack. In fact a few a her shieldmaidens'd got themselves so hot on that possibility that they'd been about to swing back their maces so they could lay one on her. And right off and without giving any reason she'd said,
"Helene I would have your helmet of you," holding out her free hand as if she just expected Helene ta give it to her. All the while cuddling her magic orb up close against herself as if she expected it to jump outta her hand all by itself.
"By the Hag you've gotta hide on ya alright Si'anelle," she told her putting it pretty damn plain. "Or ain't ya noticed the bloody Orcs are getting a bit on the close side?"
Right away Si'anelle went and laid her damn haunted looking eyes on her. "I would not ask if there was not a need," she said before she went and spurred her horse into them so damn quick they were all caught flatfooted. And in the press and cursing her skinny pale hand darted out to snatch Helene's horned helmet right off her head before she got clean away. Goddamn using just her knees and heels to git her horse to do what she wanted so damn well she made T'amsine look like a raw beginner. Though as the blasted Elven bitch galloped off she yelled something back at Helene that plain made all the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. "Today is not the day you shall die Helene the Orcslayer."
Her blasted Norsca shieldmaidens were a superstitious enough lot at any time without them hearing something like that. Right off they started shrieking, "The Luck, the Luck," and Helene herself was right in the middle of the pack of them her blonde hair flying loose, working herself into a frenzy their battle standard jerking up and down in her fist. A sharp horn blast had all her attention then, glancing that way she saw that the Elf archers were cutting and running for it, their bows gripped useless in their hands, while that grim faced Elf piece's she-Elves were jerking their spears loose from the ground. Somewhere a Gobbo warhorn brayed and over aways she heard T'amsine's skirmishers begin to clash their shields in a slow pounding rhythm in reply before they all started singing to the Gobbo's in Araby as they advanced. Was a pretty rude song too, though you'd haveta understand Araby ta know that. Another Elf horn blew then which told her the Wood Elf cavalry was moving out on the other flank. And right down the bloody centre the Orcs were pounding in like an avalanche down a hillside.
With a curse she thrust out a hand and gave Helene a tooth rattling shake to bring her to her senses, "Git yaself and ya women sorted now!"
Praise be to Isha her sensing had been true. Half within the World and half within her waking dream Taileth softly sighed, the Orcs would now be met with a determined defense and nothing more could be done save watch and wait and trust that Isha did not wish for them all to die this day. With the part of herself that still flew above the field of battle she saw the Orcs begin their headlong rush that would break like the ocean tide upon the blades of Nimine Starbrow's spears. Here the battle would be won or lost if the shieldmaidens of Norsca were not equal to their task; or if they were but a heart beat slow in the making of their flanking attack. The dark bird of her vision did fly on and again she saw herself standing alone upon the furrowed ground well apart from the battle's fury. Except that again she saw a glimpse that she could fathom as the bird did wheel away and fly on.
'No, no, come back to me,' was her silent cry as she sought with all her will to make the bird return, but it would not, and would only show to her that which she did already know. With tears of frustration wet upon her face she struggled to fling her dreaming from herself. What use was this? A gifted sight of the future that was incomplete and a one that would not tell her what will follow beyond this day. Oh Mother Isha better that I be blind than I be taunted with this fragmented thing.
And as she did blink her tears from her eyes she became aware of blaring warhorns and the clashing of weapons upon shields. She heard the roaring of the Orcs and the pounding of their feet, heard an Elf-horn's pure note before she saw at the edges of her vision Elven archers fleeing away. But not in disorder, but in a disciplined retreat that would take them well away and to one side of the place where they had formerly stood to harry the Orcish advance with their arrows. The sudden sound of she-Elven voices raised in a shout of defiance against the bellows of the Orcish mob made her jerk her head as she tried to discover the sound's source; then there came the clash and grind of steel and shrieks and screaming; and yet more bellowing followed by howls of pain.
She blinked her eyes again seeking to clearly see about herself for she still could not certain where she was. Was she in the World or in the vision's country? Were these true events about her, or a sensing of what might be? Dizzy and faint she missed her step and her ankle twisted on a furrow's edge so that she fell to her knees. And all the while round and round high above her head the dark bird flew, its eyes watching outwards so that she was invisible to its sight below.
Jean-marie saw Taileth Mistborn stumble and fall to her knees her eyes strange and staring as if she saw more than those events that were close about her. Before this she had observed no clue that might have told her that the enchantress did own a seer's gift of seeing the future, but plain enough the she-Elf was in some distress as if she could not break free of her waking dream. She was about the act of dismounting from Cloud when Bronwyn warned her, "The Lady Si'anelle is now riding back Jean-marie."
"I cannot leave Taileth Mistborn in this state Bronwyn," was her reply even though her heart was fast beating in her chest because she was afraid. "If any Orc should find her now she would not know of it until he struck her dead."
She saw Bronwyn turn her gaze towards where Ae'thenal sat upon Nadimar as if to seek for her advice, except that Ae'thenal's attention was all upon her childhood friend as she now cantered forward to catch Finaith's harness. The two she-Elven sat their Elf-breed horses in silence eyes each upon the other, which did mean they were now bespeaking one another. Unsure as to what she should do now Jean-marie regained her seat upon Cloud's saddle, save that she could not lift her own gaze away from where Taileth Mistborn still panted and wept upon her knees. The desire to aid the enchantress tore at her, save that the four of them did have to be in another place and soon if the battle being fought here was not to be lost.
The soft jingle of harness told her of the moment when the Lady Si'anelle climbed down from Finaith. That act awkward done with both the Banepearl and the Norsca helmet she'd taken held in her hands. Though why Si'anelle had ridden hard in the moments before battle had been joined to steal a helmet Jean-marie could not begin to say. She watched as the Banepearl's keeper made her way towards where Taileth Mistborn was still upon her knees on the furrowed ground, Si'anelle's stride quick and sure for all that her violet eyes were too fever bright and haunted in her pale and fair face. And utterly dark in her left hand did lie the Banepearl, while in the other she held the helm she had taken from Helene the Orcslayer. A riveted iron helm with two white ivory tusks fixed at either side, well made so far as Jean-marie could see, with a padded leather and linen lining to cushion it against its wearer's head. What did the Lady Si'anelle intend? Jean-marie glanced to where the centre of the battle raged her fear alive within her breast, afraid at every cry of pain that came sudden on the breeze to reach her ears. This was madness, beyond the forest's boundaries an Undead host was making its shambling way here; and so far as she could tell Si'anelle was engaged in wasting time.
As a shadow fell upon Taileth Mistborn she cried out in alarm. Except that in that moment her sight became more clear as her waking dream departed and she found herself returned to the World again. And as she blinked her eyes she saw that it was Si'anelle of Avelorn who stood in front of her, the noble born she-Elf terrible in her unearthly beauty. Slow and careful Taileth found her feet and rose from her knees, though while she was occupied with this, it was as if she could not take her eyes away from the Lady Si'anelle. For with her stance and with her ancient bronze and green armour girded upon her it was as if a one of the kindred out of legend had returned to the world to do that which the gods had commanded of her. Save that when her gaze did fall upon the Banepearl held within the noble Lady's left hand it was as if the spell was broken, so that now all Taileth did see was the bright fevered quality of the Lady Si'anelle's gaze and the despair worn openly upon her face.
"Taileth Mistborn," soft Si'anelle did say to her, "you have told me that you are not my enemy."
"And I am not Si'anelle of Avelorn," was her reply. "My service is to Isha and Ariel of Athel Loren; if I do have an enemy it is the Banepearl that you do hold." She saw Si'anelle smile then, a small sad smile that lacked the strength to drive away the despair that did cloud her face.
With a sigh the Lady Si'anelle did say to her, "In this moment when events do swiftly move to ensnare me I would ask your aid Taileth Mistborn; will you refuse me? It is your free choosing."
Again the dark bird was in flight above her head, and again she saw that spare glimpse of herself alone upon the field while all about her the battle raged. 'Oh Mother Isha what is it that thou do will of me?' she asked in silence. For several heartbeats she did hold her head in her hands, her staff placed to lean against her shoulder, the knowledge alive in her breast that she could not delay her answer a moment more. Drawing in a breath she did now take the risk not knowing if she had chosen true, but still holding close the hope that in this she did have the Mother's guidance. "I shall give thee aid Si'anelle of Avelorn."
"Hold out your hands Taileth," quiet now Si'anelle did say to her without gifting to her one small sign as to whether she had chosen well. Laying down her staff upon the furrowed earth she then stood upright again, save that when she did hold out her hands and shake back her cloak , her hands were trembling and she could barely rule them. To her amazement the Lady Si'anelle did now place a helm of Norsca work into her grip, and did gently guide her fingers' placement about the helm with her pale right hand so that she held it as if it was like to being an offering bowl, such as she often held before this to honor Isha at the dawning of a new day. Except that the Lady Si'anelle's following act did cause her to cry out as if of a sudden she had foreseen the moment of her own death. With a swift made movement of her left hand Si'anelle placed the Banepearl within the Norsca helm, lightly rested a finger to touch it once before she then did turn and walk away.
In horror Taileth now did stand with her eyes upon the wicked thing that lay cupped inside the iron helm, while above her head the dark bird flew showing to her in full measure what it would not show to her before. She did have to fight to unlock her gaze from the the foul object's sullen darkness where black flame sulked in its deep core, and as she raised her head she saw the Banepearl's enthralled servant pausing to place her booted foot in the stirrup before she did mount her horse.
"Si'anelle!" she cried out to her. "Si'anelle, what is it that you have done?"
For a moment the Lady Si'anelle did rest her fevered gaze upon her, her expression not unkind. "In innocence and trusting that you did do Isha's will you did accept the Banepearl from me Taileth Mistborn," she said to her, "And this being done with the wish to gift me your aid; however do not take the Banepearl up in your hand unless you do wish to be forever lost. Do not be afraid for I shall return and claim it back from you once this may be safely done." And with these final words Si'anelle of Avelorn set herself upon her horse, signed to her three companions to follow and rode away. To leave her standing alone to know in full the point in time when her foreseeing of the future had united with the present moment and had become true.
"What has our Lady done?" Jean-marie did urgently whisper to her as she rode by her side and for a reply Bronwyn could only shake her head. Ahead of them Ae'thenal rode close by the Lady Si'anelle's side and if Ae'thenal was also amazed by what her childhood friend had done there was nothing in her manner to bear witness to it. At the pace at which they were travelling the plowed field and the noise and fury of the battle was swiftly left behind them. All they could now do was trust that the careful made stratergy that the Lady Si'anelle and Sebekneru had laid out against the Orcs would win the day; and that the cost in lives lost would not be too high.
As they entered the forest's deep shadow the Lady Si'anelle raised a hand to sign a pause, and as she sat upon Finaith as if she was content to stand at a wait despite the urgency that they did need to be at the valley's most narrow part and soon, Bronwyn began to wonder what other amazements their Lady was going to bring before this day was done. A shadow moved within the shadows beneath the huge trees and it was Lu'uk the wolf daughter that now showed herself as she came to crouch at the Lady Si'anelle's stirrup.
"Now show me where these Undead do wait Lu'uk of Norsca," was her quiet spoken word and at once Lu'uk sprang away to run at a swift pace into the deeper forest. And at once the Lady Si'anelle did follow urging Finaith into a gallop with Ae'thenal close behind on Nadimar.
"By the Lady this is madness," was Jean-marie's cry as they in their turn urged their mounts to follow at the same furious pace between the great trees. Except that Jean-marie did also laugh aloud as she did cling close to her mare Cloud's neck. Surrendering to the moment Bronwyn did also let loose a laugh as she ducked low beneath a sudden branch. For in her long years as a footloose sellsword she had learned well the lesson that joy should be taken where it might be found, for death's sleep was long and would take all who drew breath in the end.
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