Zectas Book II: Heraldic City of Coatl (46 page)

 

 

 

 

 

It was just days ago when their militia volunteers were only 500 men, but from the residents that Sharur, Jinggu, and Vijaya gathered. They now had 1,500 men and women who were willing to fight with them.

 

 

The new arrivals had various jobs. There were Miners, Tailors, Thatchers, Cobblers, Bakers, Barbers, Blacksmiths, Candlemakers, and Carpenters.

 

 

Verbrannt started to take shape as a proper village. The OrkElves and their two battalions, quickly gathered the lumber required to build the houses.

 

 

Vijaya, together with Ichaival, had their battalions do some fishing. Adder told them to construct another fishing weir, similar to the dam Smoke constructed in Nanahuatl Village.

 

 

Their days were spent with either intense training, or rebuilding village structures and resources gathering.

 

 

With the aid of the Blacksmiths, the weapons and armors of the militia drastically improved. They used the metals from the loot of their previous battles.

 

 

Laernea and Gandiva went back and forth from Verbrannt to Coatl. They made sure that they weren't followed and even took a longer route to be safe.

 

 

Sierra asked them to bring medical supplies and other essentials that villagers may need. She likewise asked if they could use the winnings from the Mounted Race event.

 

 

The Lioumereans gladly agreed. They already planned on giving all of the money to Smoke in the first place.

 

 

Sierra stood on top of the tower and examined the improved Verbrannt Castle. All the refugees had their own homes. They had farmlands and a steady supply of fish.

 

 

It was almost a week since they encountered the 400 Brandals. Sierra was proud of herself. Then a notification window popped out in front of her.

 

            

 

 

Sierra couldn't believe that she now owned an entire village. Right after she closed the notification window, the residents of Verbrannt Village all looked up to the tower, and gave her a small bow.

 

 

Then, another notification window popped out.

 

            

 

 

Sierra was having the time of her life. First a village and now a title. Of course she knew that this village truly belonged to Smoke.

 

 

Even if he wasn't there in rebuilding it, he was still the main instrument of its reconstruction. She tried fiddling around with the menu, but she couldn't find a transfer ownership option.

 

 

As Sierra stayed on top of the tower, she saw an army of around 500 men coming from the north. She wondered why there were no flares up in the sky.

 

 

She quickly ordered for all battalions to gather in the main gates. They were going to meet this unidentified army.

 

 

Sierra asked Konig Mitleid to stay behind. She wanted to use him as a last resort. She didn't want her strongest card exposed right at the start.

 

 

The red werebear stood in front of all ten battalions, with Adder close behind her. They waited in anticipation for the 500 men to come into view.

 

 

Sierra was confused when she saw that the 500 men were actually Avendre Mercenaries.

 

 

"Stop right there! That's far enough."

 

 

All 500 Avendre Mercenaries immediately stopped.

 

 

"Who sent you?"

 

 

A captain of the Avendre Mercenary stepped forward and carried a contract with him.

 

 

"Smoke sent us. We're very sorry for our late arrival. We had a problem gathering 500 men on such short notice."

 

 

Sierra took the contract and read it. She saw that it had Smoke's character signature. Sierra gave the contract to Thyrsus. She wanted it double checked.

 

 

"It's the real deal. Looks like Smoke sent us some reinforcements."

 

 

Sierra took back the contract and raised it in the air.

 

 

"Men! We've got ourselves some new allies. Let's give these guys a loud Verbrannt Welcome!"

 

 

All the battalions cheered when they heard that the Avendre Mercenaries were on their side. Most of the militia felt that the few days of training wasn't enough to make them combat ready.

 

 

 

 

 

The Verbrannt militia was out on the plains. They endured the heat of the blazing sun. Sierra ordered all combatants to be running large scale combat formations.

 

 

This was the third day of practice of war formations. The Avendre Mercenaries were asked to lead every formation at the front. Followed closely by Sierra and Adder's battalion.

 

 

Thyrsus and Vijaya's battalions were on the outermost wings. As they had the advantage of their falcon's scouting ability.

 

 

Sharanga, Ichaival, Sharur, and Jinggu's battalion were at the center. The members of their battalions were mostly ranged fighters.

 

 

While Laernea and Gandiva's battalions were behind Sierra and Adder's. Their battalions were designed to be fast and mobile.

 

 

In the middle of their practice. Two purple flares were fired from the northern direction.

 

 

Straightaway, Sierra ordered the entire Verbrannt militia to charge at the direction of the purple flares. Two purple flares meant that there were approximately 2,000 invaders.

 

 

In less than thirty minutes, Sierra and the entire battalion were on their designated grounds for a northern invasion.

 

 

They were formed and ready to face the 2,000 invaders. Their eyes fixed on the horizon, waiting for the horde of black ctenosaur riders to appear.

 

 

However, the invaders were not the Brandals. Instead, they were variations of mounted Knights.

 

 

The invaders were composed of Zectians and Sonstwelters alike. Sierra stood in front of the invaders, and called out for their leader.

 

 

A Cavalry Lord stepped forward. It was Macher, the one who betrayed Smoke when he was disguised as Ilad.

 

 

Macher imprisoned Smoke inside the labyrinth. For that the Duke gave him the advance job of Cavalry Lord.

 

 

When Duke Burmistrz's 400 Brandals were killed, he gave Macher a quest to gather as many Knights to slaughter Smoke, Sierra, and their militia.

 

 

Macher stood a safe distance away from the red werebear. He was aware of how deadly she was. He yelled out to her, for everybody to hear their conversation.

 

 

"Hi! The name's Macher. I'm the leader of these fine Knights, and you must be the famous Sierra?"

 

 

As soon as she heard his name, Sierra boiled with rage. It took all her self control not to run at him and slit his throat.

 

 

"Why are you here? We've done nothing to offend Coatl City."

 

 

"That may be true for now, but Duke Burmistrz sent us to squash the next rebels. Your gathered militia is a high threat to all the villages under the Duke's protection."

 

 

The members of the militia all shouted at Macher. They called him a liar and a thief. Sierra raised her hand and asked them to be silent.

 

 

"As you can see. I think you have it backwards."

 

 

Sierra stepped closer to the gathered 2,000 Knights from Coatl City.

 

 

"Listen, I'm sure all of you have heard the rumors about Duke Burmistrz. About how he was a former High Commander of the 'Ladrones del Mundo'. Well, let me tell you that those rumors were false!"

 

 

Everybody was stunned when they heard Sierra. They thought that she was against the Duke.

 

 

"Because he isn't a former member he still presently is! In fact, he's also the leader of the Brandals, and he goes by the name Ultimo Maire, Brandal King."

 

 

Macher interjected Sierra's accusations.

 

 

"LIES! What this werebear is saying are all LIES! All of you have witnessed the progress that Coatl City has undergone. Those rumors came from the other royals who want to overthrow Duke Burmistrz."

 

 

Sierra shouted at the top of her voice.

 

 

"Where do you think the money for Coatl's events are coming from? All of them are from the scattered villages outside of Coatl. Sure the city may look rich, but the outer villages are in shambles. Only the ones who pay the Duke's protection tax are saved from the Brandals!"

 

 

The militia all yelled in agreement to Sierra's proclamation.

 

 

Macher felt the uncertainty in his gathered Knights.

 

 

"People! Remember that all of us are sharing the same quest. This is a special quest only given to the trusted Knights who have proven their worth to Coatl! We're here to stop their rebellion. You shouldn't believe what these vagabonds are saying."

 

 

Slowly, the 2,000 Knights were split in two. One side remained behind Macher, while another was being led to the side by a busty Aqua Knight.

 

 

Macher and Sierra vigilantly watched the third faction being formed. The Aqua Knight leader of the new group spoke out.

 

 

"Sierra, is it true that Ilad has joined Smoke?"

 

 

Sierra wondered why the female Aqua Knight asked about Smoke's disguised character, but answered her anyway.

 

 

"Yes, Ilad is a part of our group. Why do you ask?"

 

 

"I'm Mamelon. I was one of the leaders of Ilad's Non Aggression Pact, and most of the others behind have wanted to join Smoke for a long time now. But I'm joining you because I trust Ilad. With that said, we would like to join you in this quest of protecting these people."

 

 

At first, Sierra was confused at what Mamelon was saying. Then, she realized that Smoke's NAP members thought they were on a quest. She instantly took advantage of their misconception.

 

 

"That's right! Smoke, Ilad, and I are on a quest of not only protecting them, but also liberating the people of Coatl. Furthermore, We have reason to believe that this is a Series Quest. The final quest should be related to ending the tyranny of Duke Burmistrz."

 

 

Macher couldn't believe what he was hearing. He scanned the Knights behind Mamelon and estimated that there were around 800 of them.

 

 

"Mamelon! Don't be a fool! If you join them, then all of you will become wanted criminals in Coatl. Do you really want that? Do you want an entire main city against you?"

 

 

The voluptuous Aqua Knight faced the crowd behind her.

 

 

"I think going against a main city sounds fun. Are you guys with me?"

 

 

"YEAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"

 

 

"HOOHHAAA!"

 

 

"We'll follow you wherever you lead us, Mamelon!"

 

 

With a sneer on her face, Mamelon faced Macher.

 

 

"I think that answers your question."

 

 

Macher's face became disconcerted. He was fuming with anger as he yelled.

 

 

"YOU'LL ALL PAY FOR THIS! Do you really think you have a chance against us?"

 

 

Macher opened his party window and was about to remove all the members who had joined Sierra's side.

 

 

"Don't bother, we've already left your party."

 

 

Slowly, Mamelon's Knights started to join Sierra's side.

 

 

The Cavalry Lord had doubts that he could win. His 1,200 Knights versus 1,500 militia, 500 Avendre Mercenaries, and 800 Knights was next to impossible.

 

 

Sierra made a 'Whisper Message' to her forces to be on their toes. She wasn't sure if Mamelon was truly on their side.

 

 

Macher was about to sound his retreat when he saw one red flare up in the sky. It came from the south. Sierra saw Macher staring above, and she instinctively followed his gaze.

 

 

Dread overcame Sierra when she saw the red flare. She quickly called for the Commanders to look up. They immediately looked back to her, to ask for their orders.

 

 

One red flare meant that there was an approaching army of approximately 5,000.

 

 

Sierra was still racking her brains on what to do, when she heard Macher call out.

 

 

"CHARGE!"

 

 

Macher assumed that the flare was Sierra's men warning her of another attack from the south. Duke Burmistrz told him that he would have Macher attack the north while the Brandals attack the south.