{"sf1_id":11483,"sf2_id":"A1pKN9ln","title":"The Dark Forest","author":"Nightflurry","words":5756,"posted_at":"2006-06-24T02:48:00.000Z","tags":["Action","Fox","Raccoon"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/11483-the-dark-forest","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/A1pKN9ln","image_url":"https://www.sofurryfiles.com/std/thumb?page=11483\u0026ext=.jpg","description":"#6 of Heaven's Son","content":" This chapter contains parts of violence, and may not be  \nappropriate for younger audiences. Please use common discretion. All  \nthe characters within are my creations, so don't use them or distribute  \nthis story without permission.  \n  \nFor once, I'm actually fairly pleased with how this chapter came  \nout (It has to be better written after the total disaster that was  \nchapter 5). I apologize for taking so long to get it out though.  \nBetween college, work, and very severe writer's block it's been a long  \ntime coming. I hope you enjoy. As always, feedback is greatly  \nappreciated and can be sent to [[email\u0026nbsp;protected]](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection)  \n  \nChapter VI. \"The Dark Forest\"  \n  \nStultum est timere quod vitare non potes.  \nIt is foolish to fear that which you cannot avoid.  \n-Publilius Syrus  \n  \nLucian mumbled incoherently to himself as he paced though the  \ncamp again. It would be light in about an hour and most of the soldiers  \nwere waking up by this point. He'd gone to get Alexi, but the raccoon  \nwas not in his tent this morning. That, like almost everything else,  \nmade Lucian aggravated. In fact, now that he thought if it, he didn't  \nsee Naorume either.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; That was very out of character for Naorume, who made a well known  \nhabit of rising before dawn every morning. Ironically, the fox's normal  \nearly rising normally annoyed Lucian. Now, it was the opposite catalyst  \nfor the otter's annoyance; he just couldn't win. He made his way though  \nthe maze of tents toward Naorume's.  \n  \nThe camp was beginning to stir to life; in the solemn way camps  \ndo before a battle. Soldiers were quietly filing out of their tents and  \npreparing for a light meal. Some were in no mood to eat; likely the  \nyounger and green soldiers. They spent their time checking each other's  \narmour and equipment.  \n  \nLucian reached Naorume's tent and opened up the flap. He bent low  \nand poked his head in; his eyes opening and jaw dropping at the rather  \nunexpected sight awaiting him. \"Damnit Naorume, you couldn't halved  \nsave this until after the battle?\"  \n  \nThe fox groaned and tossed something at Lucian as he  \nsimultaneously nudged Alexi's side. The raccoon stirred and blinked at  \nthe vaguely silhouetted intruding otter. \"I'll be right out, Lucian.\"  \nThe otter swore under his breath and retreated. The remaining pair  \nremained motionless for a few moments.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; Naorume was the first to move. He slipped out from the covers and  \nreached for his clothing. Alexi followed suit, but realized that he  \nonly had his linens in the tent; he would have to make an awkward  \njourney back to his own to get his armour. The fox was apparently  \nthinking the same thing from the humored look upon his muzzle. The  \nraccoon growled and put on what he had. The fox have him a pat and  \nspoke carefully, trying not to giggle. \"I'll meet you by the generals,  \nthey're sure to be conferring. Go get something appropriate on.\"  \n  \nAlexi peeked his head out into the chilly morning air and peered  \naround...nobody looking, good. He exited and wrapped his arms around  \nhimself as a cold gust of wind hit him. The Enforcer began the walk  \ntowards his tent at a brisk pace, still unseen. That didn't last too  \nlong though, not like it could've been expected to. A rider trotted up,  \nand the mounted mouse soldier looked down upon the raccoon. \"I have a  \nmessage for Enforcer Comelius...seen him?\"  \n  \nAlexi cleared his throat and waved his paw sheepishly, nodding.  \n\"That would be me.\" The mouse cocked a brow inquisitively, staring  \ndisbelievingly down at the barely dressed raccoon.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; The rodent shrugged and handed the little scroll to Alexi.  \n\"That's an impeccable uniform, sir..\" He trotted off before Alexi could  \nget any decent comeback. He shrugged as well and looked at the message:  \nCouncil of War in one hour, please attend. General Caius  \n  \nHe finished the short walk unmolested; most of the troops were  \noff eating. As he donned his armour on this morning he realized that  \nthis time it was going to be used. It was an eerie sensation that  \nhadn't really hit him until now. He realized that it was possible he  \ncould be dead in a few hours. He shook his head, and the thought from  \nit.  \n  \nStepping out into the morning air, Alexi straightened his back  \nand stretched as best as possible through the armour. It didn't feel as  \nheavy as it did just a few short weeks ago, but it still was difficult  \nto move in. The scent of cooking breakfast caught the attention of the  \nraccoon, and he started towards the source; there was still time to eat  \nbefore having to meet with the generals.  \n  \nThe Enforcer entered a small clearing in the camp that was  \ncrowded with soldiers. He glanced around and tried to figure out how  \nthe system worked. Alexi tapped a nearby bear on the shoulder, and the  \nursine soldier looked over his shoulder with a biscuit in mouth. The  \nsoldier promptly removed the bread and pressed a fist to his breast.  \n\"Morning, sir. What can I do for you?\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; Alexi returned the salute and gestured with his eyes over to the  \nbulk of the crowd. \"Uh.. where's the line start?\"  \n  \nThe bear stared blankly for a split moment then burst out  \nchuckling. \"Oh no, sir. You go on down to the officer's tent and get  \nyou some good food. Don't worry about standing in line for this  \ngarbage.\"  \n  \nAlexi tried to withhold blushing and nodded; giving the soldier a  \nfriendly pat on the shoulder. He turned to go to the officer's tent  \nthen stopped; realizing he didn't know where that was. The bear was  \nahead of him. \"Second biggest tent at the camp center, by the  \nconference tent. Good luck.\"  \n  \nThe Enforcer nodded and smiled, \"Thanks... you too.\"  \n  \nAlexi sighed to himself and proceeded towards the camp center. He  \nreally needed to get used to this lifestyle, it was getting old being  \nthe odd man out all the time. He felt so inept at leading, and he knew  \nit due to the fact that he was inept; that only made his feelings on  \nthe matter more intense. What did it really take to fit in with this  \ngroup? Would he have to show some tremendous courage? Perhaps, Alexi  \nthought, he just needed to get some blood on his paws. That wasn't an  \nappealing idea to the raccoon though, and he wasn't sure to feel about  \nthat either. Alexi was not looking forward to battle, as young men  \noften fancy themselves doing; no, he dreaded the thought.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; He came to realize this morning, while walking through the camp,  \nthat every one of these men here was someone's baby boy at one point.  \nThey'd all spent years learning, making friends, falling in love. That  \nwould all be for naught if they die. It all seemed a terrible waste to  \nAlexi, and he was unsure if that was a legitimate thought or if he was  \njust weak. How did the other soldiers get over such thoughts? Did they  \neven have them?  \n  \nThe thoughts would have to wait for another time. Besides,  \nNaorume would tell him to not dwell on that now, that he needed to  \nfocus on the task at hand.  \n  \nThe raccoon reached the camp center and the large tents it  \ncontained. He picked out the officer's tent and cleared his mind. There  \nwas no need to look totally terrified in front of everyone else.  \n  \nThis must be what it was like for his father when the elder  \nraccoon had a major battle; not in war, but in the senate. It was said  \nthat Senator Comelius was one of the most forceful, charismatic, and  \neloquent speakers and leaders in the entire Empire. The truth though,  \nwas that he was deeply insecure. Alexi knew now that his father  \nhad two faces. One that everyone saw; full of confidence and totally  \nfearless. The other that only his loved ones saw was the real senator;  \nthe real living being beneath the face. Alexi would have to take that  \nlesson, and put on a good face.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; He drew in a breath of the chilly morning air and entered the  \nlarge officer's tent. The Enforcer's muzzle instantly salivated at the  \nsmells contained within. The tent was just a large open room with  \nmakeshift chairs and tables strewn around, and in the center were two  \nentire roasted bulls. Near the meat was a cluster of officers, taking  \ntheir fill and then congregating at the tables. It was a marked  \ncontrast to the other meal that was served to the common soldier; the  \nprivalige of being in the elite was clear even in the army.  \n  \nAlexi wandered towards the food instinctively, catching the  \nnotice of some of the crowd. Most of the officers had not yet seen the  \nEnforcer up close, and were trying to stealthily peer at the raccoon.  \nAlexi nodded to them and got in line behind a pair of fellow raccoons;  \nlikely brothers. They both saluted and grinned, and the taller one  \nspoke. \"Pleasure to see you here, Lord. How are you this fine morning?\"  \n  \nAlexi felt like a weight had been lifted off his chest, this  \nwouldn't be as hard as he thought it might be. He smiled and returned  \nthe salutes. \"I'm hungry and tired, but otherwise just fine, and you  \ntwo?\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; The shorter and younger coon replied this time. \"Oh we're  \nalright, eager for our first battle.\"  \n  \nAlexi felt even better since he now knew he wasn't totally alone  \nin this place anymore. He had fellow raccoons who were also facing  \ntheir first fight. He wondered if they were really 'eager' though or if  \nthey were just trying to impress their superior with optimism. \"Are you  \ntwo brothers then?\" Small talk was something Alexi hadn't had time it  \nin awhile now and it felt nice.  \n  \nIn perfect unison, the raccoons nodded. \"Twins.\" The pair looked  \nat each other and laughed.  \n  \nThe shorter procyon continued. \"I'm Julian Commenus, and my  \nbrother here is Phillip. We're twins, but he grew taller for some  \nreason.\"  \n  \nAlexi nodded as the group reached the food, each raccoon taking a  \nhealthy portion. The trio filed over to an empty table, and moment  \nlater Naorume sat down as well. The fox grinned widely and looked over  \nthe gathering. \"Three raccoons in one place, this could be dangerous!\"  \nHe extended clasped paws briefly with the two Commenus twins and bowed  \nslightly. \"I'm Naorume, by the way, Captain of the Tourii Guard.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; Julian bowed back. \"Two high ranking officers in one place, now  \nthat is dangerous!\"  \n  \nAlexi chuckled and chewed on his food. It tasted so good after a  \nmonth of mostly bread and weak soup; maybe this army thing wouldn't be  \nso bad after all...speaking of army matters. \"Hey, Naorume. I was  \nthinking, why in the world are we spending half the morning getting  \nready and eating? Can't the wolves just come slaughter us in camp at  \nany time like this?\" The raccoon twins looked less excited and both  \nlooked over at the fox, looking for his answer.  \n  \nThe fox raised a brow and patted Alexi. \"No, no. The Melikar  \naren't coming at us, they might lose like that. They have us by the  \nballs right now, we have to attack them and they can wait as long as  \nthey want in those woods. So, they're waiting for us to make the move.\"  \n  \nThe rest of the party nodded. Alexi wasn't sure that was  \nnecessarily any more comforting. Either way it seemed like a bad  \nsituation. Naorume didn't seem concerned though, so maybe it wasn't so  \ngrim. The small little gathering passed most of the rest of the meal in  \nidle and shallow small talk. None of the members at the table were  \nseriously paying attention to each other as each was lost in his own  \nthoughts.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; All too soon Naorume tapped the Enforcer on the shoulder gently.  \n\"It's time to get into the conference tent, Alexi.\" The raccoon nodded  \nin response and smiled brightly at the twins.  \n  \n\"I'll be seeing you two again after this, watch yourselves.\" The  \ntwins nodded eagerly and saluted.  \n  \nThe pair silently made their way around the dining officers,  \nreturning a few nods here; a few salutes there. Some of the officers  \nseemed to show a genuine respect for Alexi. It was clear though that  \nmany regarded the raccoon in a different manner; as one would regard a  \nchild about to undertake some dangerous stunt that you as an adult know  \nall to well is dangerous but that the child has no inkling of. Reaching  \nthe conference tent, Alexi placed his paw on the canvas flap and threw  \nit open.  \n  \n\\* \\* \\*  \n  \nThe heavy furred flap of the tent was thrown open and Prince  \nLetorn immediately followed it in with the same confidence and energy.  \nThe Melikar Prince was a very typical example of his people. He was  \naverage height for a wolf, and his body tone was slim and powerful.  \nIt's a misconception in the Imperial world that the wolves are massive  \nmuscle-bound brutes. The truth is that the ideal wolf is sleek and  \nagile (still exceptionally strong), not large and slow. Letorn's jet  \nblack hair hung down past his shoulders, and within the strands were  \nbraids and colorful beads woven in elaborate and artistic patterns.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; The prince was not the eldest in the royal family, but he was the  \nmost well known to the people. He was always the sensible one, the one  \nto see a solution to a problem and the one to be willing to try  \nuntraditional methods to achieve such. Tradition was very important to  \nthe wolves, and the Prince's ways were questioned by many at first; he  \nalways got results though. Letorn was very careful not to depart too  \nfar from the wolf ways; he would never allow himself to become like the  \nImperials. He could think abstractly it was true, but his people had no  \nneed of aqueducts or great cities of stone.. those things only seemed  \nto corrupt and destroy the real soul of a people.  \n  \nAnother misconception about the Melikar Kingdom is that they go  \nto war easily and like barbarians. This is most certainly not the case.  \nThe wolves do not like outsiders, they have no desire to conquer anyone  \nelse because those conquered would not be wolves; they would not  \nunderstand. They most certainly would defend their territory, but as a  \npeople there was no need to threaten the territory of others.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; It was never enough for the Dorians though, their settlers always  \nneeded new farmlands, new mines, new forests, new everything. Then they  \nhad the gall to act upset when the wolves began to defend themselves.  \nLately things had gotten better and the wars had all but disappeared  \nfor years. That was, until General Caius took over the legion stationed  \nnear the border.  \n  \nThe tiger general was a total butcher who wasn't fit to manage a  \nmarket stand in an Imperial city. Gods only know why he got his  \nposition, but it surely wasn't from merit. The general liked his own  \nvoice and power too much for his own good, and he soon learned he could  \nget his way with anything. After a few months Caius began dispatching  \nraiding parties into wolf villages. Of course, there was always some  \njustification, but the only true reason was pure ego. The recent  \nincident was the spark that lit the fire.  \n  \nThe Prince was at the palace when the news... and wagons came in.  \nThree thousand severed tails and a short letter delivered to the King.  \nThe rest of the story can be surmised, the wolves did what any people  \nwould.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; A short distance away in another camp General Caius planted his  \nfoot firmly on the ground in the tent. \"Alexi, run through the plan of  \nattack again, I want to be sure you understand.\" General Caius  \ncertainly had a way of being an asshole in a not so subtle way, but  \nAlexi would oblige him regardless. The strategy was uncomfortably  \nsimple.  \n  \nThe Enforcer took a pointer stick and whacked it down on the  \nmarkers on the sand table. \"The army is divided like this: Three  \ncohorts on the left wing, five on the right wing, two in the renter  \nreserve. All Cequestes on the right save for two centuries in reserve.  \nMe and the Tourii with the center.\" He slided the blocks on the right  \nsignifying individual cohorts up the map to the wood line. \"The right  \nwing, led by General Caius, is to make a full out assault with the bulk  \nof the army right here at the little ravine in the woods.\" Alexi  \nbrought the stick back and circled the three blocks on the left. \"The  \nleft wing will demonstrate in order to tie the Melikar right into not  \nmoving to support their own left. The center is strictly a reserve in  \ncase it's needed.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; The tiger general unfolded his arms and huffed; he was hoping  \nAlexi would make some error, but the raccoon did not. \"Very good, my  \nlord. You'll manage the center yourself, and I'll have General Attalus  \nmind the left.\" A middle-aged skunk with a large scar running from  \nabove his left eye down to his left jaw nodded.  \n  \nAttalus spoke. \"You simply want my troops to demonstrate then?  \nShouldn't we set up some sort of signal for me to attack if needed?\"  \nThe skunk asked his questions matter of factly, without any hint of  \nemotion or misgiving.  \n  \nCaius nodded in response. \"Yes General, just demonstrate to keep  \nthe wolves opposite you in check. Our assault on the right will not  \nfail... those wolves will be no match for a concentration of Imperial  \ndiscipline.\"  \n  \nAlexi's spine shivered slightly at that last statement; something  \nseemed...wrong with it. He noticed the butterflies in his stomach  \nbeginning to appear once more. This plan was no good. Before he got a  \nchance to imagine a better one, Caius dismissed the gathering. The  \ngenerals all scurried off to their commands, and within a few moments  \nhe heard trumpets sounding throughout the camp; the call to fall in.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \\* \\* \\*  \n  \nThe prince stood now silhouetted in the entrance to the tent,  \nlooking around the musky and dim interior before stepping in. His  \nofficers looked expectantly at him. The prince shook his head and  \nmotioned for them to come outside; was no good doing this in a dark  \ntent. They followed silently and without question, and the group made  \ntheir way behind their Prince towards the wood line; the beams of  \nmorning light illuminating their sparse symbols of rank intermittently.  \n  \nLetorn reached the edge of the woods and squinted into the  \nblinding light, barely able to discern that the Imperials were forming  \nup. He nodded to himself, as he understood the delay of his enemy; they  \nwere waiting for the sun to help cover their movements. He turned to  \nthe officers and grinned fiercely. \"We'll have to skip the briefing. Is  \neveryone in position?\"  \n  \nThey all nodded or sounded in the affirmative, and so the prince  \ngave them a wave of the paw. \"Then get to your commands, you know the  \nplan.\" They complied immediately.  \n  \nThe prince covered his eyes with a paw and stared a few more  \nmoments across the field. The Imperials were forming up fast, very  \nfast. He studied the glimmering masses of armour and tried to discern  \nsome sort of formation. Off to the left side something was happening..  \nwhat was it? He closed his eyes and looked away, the sunspots in his  \nvision were making him temporarily blind. As he was recovering his  \nsight he heard a rider come up fast. \"Prince Letorn!\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; The prince didn't need to see the rider to identify him; it was  \nTargus, the short little chief of the scouts. \"What is it, Targus?\"  \n  \n\"My scouts report that the enemy is concentrating their cavalry  \non their right flank.\" Letorn grumbled and nodded. So that was was he  \nwas seeing off to the left. He motioned for the other to go on. \"Oh  \nyes, and they spot Tourii in their center in a reserve position.\"  \n  \nLetorn's back straightened and his ears perked up at the last  \ncomment. Tourii, here? Even a small number could tilt a battle, but why  \nwould they be in reserve? Of course.. General Caius would want to win  \nwithout them.. \"How many Tourii?\"  \n  \n\"About fifty.\"  \n  \nWell they mustn't concern him right now. The main thing was  \ndealing with the apparent drive on the flank. \"Thank you, as usual,  \nTargus. I'll be moving to the left flank.\" The scout bowed in  \nacknowledgment.  \n  \nThe Prince mounted his saddle-less steed and set off at a brisk  \ntrot to the flank. The Imperial trick with the sun may have worked had  \nit not been for the fine wolf scouts like Targus. Fortunately, the  \nImperials couldn't see the wolves either since the lupines were covered  \nin the woods. If he was fast, Letorn could shift enough of his army to  \nmeet the massed attack. As he came to the center of the line he halted  \nand waved down the commander, an old ruffian named Varin.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \"Varin, old fellow, take all your units to the left wing as fast  \nas you can, but don't make a ruckus doing it! Also, get the archers  \ninto action immediately.\"  \n  \nVarin made to obey but hesitated. \"My Prince, our archers will  \nhave almost no effect at this range...is it wise to use the arrows?\"  \n  \n\"It'll keep the Dorians' minds off our movement. Get to it; no  \nmore questions!\" He have the horse a pair of jabs and galloped off to  \nthe flank.  \n  \n  \nAcross the field, Alexi and Naorume sat by side on their mounts.  \nThe arrows had just started raining down, but the range was too great  \nfor many of them to do damage. Nonetheless, the raccoon was stiff as a  \nboard and keenly observing for any hint of incoming danger. \"Why are  \ntheir archers at work already?\"  \n  \nHis fox companion let out an annoyed growl. \"Gods be damned if I  \nknow, but I know this: There's a reason for it.\" The wolves were not so  \nstupid as General Caius seemed to believe. Indeed, the wolves were not  \nhalf as unintelligent as the good general. Naorume glanced over to the  \nright. General Caius could just barely be made out amongst the mass of  \ntroops on the flank. His head shook undetectably as he stared on; there  \nwas something wrong about all of this.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; His mind was jolted by an upcoming rider who addressed Naorume  \nrather than Alexi; an unusual and perhaps revealing mistake. \"The  \ngeneral is speeding up the attack to get the men through the arrows  \nfaster.\"  \n  \nThat was true. While he and Alexi and the troops back here were  \nalmost totally out of danger from the projectiles, the troops and  \ncavalry in advance on the right flank would be more exposed. Rushing  \nthem ahead would preserve morale by getting out of the rain of arrows,  \nbut would partially exhaust the soldiers before they even became  \nengaged.  \n  \nSure enough, the mass of formations off to the right seamlessly  \nwent from a brisk march to a semi-run. They seemed to be able to  \nmaintain their formation perfectly despite the rapid change in pace.  \nAlexi growled to himself and faced the rider. \"I want you to run a  \nmessage over to General Attalus on the left. I want the left moved  \ncloser to at least somewhat compensate for the speedier advance of  \nCaius on the right. Tell him that a triple blow of the horns means he  \nis to disregard Caius' orders and make a direct assault. Make it very  \nclear though that if that should happen he is not at all to pursue any  \nfleeing wolves. He absolutely must not take his men into those woods if  \nthe wolves fall back into them.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; The rider looked back and forth between Alexi and Naorume in  \ndisbelief, but took and breath, repeated the instructions, and galloped  \naway to the flank.  \n  \nAlexi looked over to his fox companion but was somewhat surprised  \nto see no visible response to the raccoon changing the orders of  \nCaius.  \n  \n\\* \\* \\*  \n  \n\"My prince, all the men are in position.\"  \n  \nLetorn nodded quietly and patted Varin on the back. He was a bit  \nunsettled at the sudden advance of the enemy's left and the courier  \nactivity at the center. The left was still holding back from an attack  \nbut the Imperials had surely adjusted their plan; something Caius would  \nnever do. That could mean a few things. Caius might not be in charge,  \nbut that made no sense. Another possibility is that one of the imperial  \ngenerals was disobeying orders, which was unlikely with Caius as the  \npunisher. Lastly, Caius could be outranked on the battlefield. The  \nprince shook his head. It didn't matter right now. What mattered was  \nwinning this moment.  \n  \n\"Good work Varin, now listen up. The moment those imperials hit  \nour line I want you to attack right into their sides. They won't  \nsuspect it and you might be able to envelope them. Hold nothing back.  \nIf they break and rout you follow them. The Imperial army will probably  \nmake an orderly withdrawal if one of its wings is shattered rather than  \ntaking a risk and trying to stabilize the battle.\" The older wolf  \nnodded respectfully and after bowing went to prepare the ambush.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; Letorn looked on anxiously at the rapidly nearing enemy. He  \nclosed his eyes and mouthed a prayer to the god of war requesting that  \nVarin would be ready and the Imperials weak hearted. A loud crash from  \nthe enemy line meeting his soldiers jolted him and he drew in a deep  \nbreath before opening his eyes.  \n  \n\\* \\* \\*  \n  \nAlexi craned his neck and squinted; trying to see some detail in  \nwhat was happening. Naorume spoke. \"They're attacking strong; that's  \ngood.\" They sat watching a few moments. Alexi felt quite helpless where  \nhe was, and not to mention totally out of control of events. Then  \nsomething happened. A great yell-deafening even from their distance-  \neminated from the woods and what could only be described as a sea of  \ngrey and black flowed almost like water along both sides of the  \nDorians. The raccoon gasped and felt his hair stand straight on end. He  \ntried to speak but just stammered a moment incoherently.  \n  \n\"By the gods that must be twenty-five thousand coming out just  \nright there, eh Naorume?\"  \n  \n\"Aye, Lucian, it looks like it. Those wolves were concentrated  \nright where we hit them... just as they should be.\" The fox sighed and  \nshook his head as he tapped Alexi on the wrist.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; \"Relax, we have the finest soldiers in the world. I give them  \nhalf and half of fighting through even that. It looks like a lot  \nbecause of how they made that counterattack, but those numbers are  \npretty even.\" Naorume didn't believe any of that but it seemed to ease  \nhis friend somewhat. Even numbers or no-superior training or not- that  \nfight was hopeless.  \n  \nThey sat and watched the carnage from afar. Naorume knew that  \ntrying to tell time in a battle was useless. Hours became minutes, and  \nsometimes those minutes became eons. It was thus impossible to tell  \nthen how long it was until the first noticeable thing happened. The  \nsoldiers were breaking. Slowly at first, like a drizzly rain, they came  \nwearily back to the camp. Within a few minutes though the drizzle had  \nbecome a downpour; a rout. It was chaos plain even from a distance. The  \nDorian soldiers were in a completely disorganized flight to the rear;  \nbeing cut to pieces as they fled in terror.  \n  \nContrasting the chaos ahead was the calm and collected voice of  \nNaorume. \"Alexi, we need to redeploy our reserves as a rear guard and  \nmake a withdrawal.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; As the fox was saying that another rider galloped up and  \nstruggled to regain his breath. Once he did he spoke. \"My Lord, Caius  \nis nowhere to be found, he may have fallen in the battle. What are your  \norders?\"  \n  \nAlexi stared blankly at the rider. What was he supposed to do?  \nThe raccoon's mind went in a thousand directions and time seemed to  \nstop. Orders... orders...  \n  \n\"My Lord?\"  \n  \nThat's right, that's what he'd do! Alexi's tension faded somewhat  \nas the solution presented itself in the myriad of thoughts. He gathered  \nlungpower to be heard over the loudening din of the battle. \"Sound  \nthree trumpet blasts!\" Naorume turned his head sharply at that order  \nbut was not given time to say anything as Alexi shouted more orders;  \nthis time at the nearby mass that was the center reserve. \"Center  \nreserve, double quick right into those pursuing wolves! Now! Tourii and  \nreserve Cequestes on me!\"  \n  \nWithin seconds the ten thousand men of the center were on a rapid  \nadvance towards the wolves. Alexi was off at a gallop in the direction  \nof the extreme right; the Tourii and Naorume trailing close behind.  \nThen the fox saw it.. the wolves were spread out in their pursuit and  \nalmost certainly tired; their numbers didn't matter so much now and  \nthey were as disorganized as the fleeing Dorians. Alexi was leading the  \ncavalry around to strike the far side of the wolves it seemed.. crazy..  \nbut it might just turn the tide.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; Things looked different from within the woods. The wolf prince  \nhad watched the short battle unfold. All had gone according to the plan  \nat first, but something strange happened. Once the imperial right was  \nshattered they should've used their reserves as a rear guard and  \nretreat in good order, but that's not what happened. Instead, their  \nleft suddenly attacked and their reserves sprang right at the pursuing  \nwolves. What was even more concerning to Letorn was the Tourii seemed  \nto be making a long flanking maneuver. The wolf growled and paced back  \nand forth. He wanted to recall his men from the pursuit but that was  \nimpossible now. The orders couldn't reach the soldiers now and even if  \nthey did there was no organization in such a wild pursuit.  \n  \nNaorume growled and struggled to catch up to Alexi, but it wasn't  \ngoing to happen. Alexi's horse, Matthias, was galloping at a pace far  \nfaster than the other mounts could achieve. It was quite a sight  \nthough. The rider out in front; purple robes and tassel fluttering  \nbehind him in the wind and leaving a small trail of dust from the hoof  \nbeats into the dirty ground.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; He wasn't sure what had come over him, and he just now realized  \nwhat exactly he was doing. Alexi made a quick glance back and suddenly  \nfelt very alone at the sight of the other Tourii lagging behind. That  \ncouldn't worry him, he had to focus. Right ahead was the spot he picked  \nin his mind a few minutes ago to turn and come at the wolves from the  \nopposite side as the infantry reserve. On reaching it he sharply turned  \nMatthias. The horse obliged but Alexi was nearly thrown off the saddle  \nfrom the maneuver.  \n  \nThe raccoon looked ahead and suddenly felt his stomach knot up.  \nThere were wolves everywhere and he'd hit them in a few seconds. He  \ncollected himself best he could. It should be ok, they were in pursuit  \nand wouldn't expect the cavalry charging into them. With his right arm  \nhe held out his cavalry style gladius, picked a wolf, and closed his  \neyes. The second or two seemed to take ages but a rough tug on his  \nsword arm and Matthias' slowing brought Alexi back to his senses. He  \nopened his eyes and caught the sight of red on his blade and chaos  \neverywhere else. The noise level was incredible and he tried to sort  \nsomethings out before realizing that he had to keep moving or he  \nwouldn't last long.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; At that moment he heard a series of loud crashes behind him and  \nwith a glance back his suspicion was confirmed; the other Tourii had  \narrived. About half of them dismounted swiftly and the rest fanned out  \namongst the wolves, hacking and slashing as if it was some sort of  \ndaily routine for them. Another even louder crash signaled that the  \nreserve infantry connected on the other side. The raccoon gave Matthias  \na firm nudge and peeked around. The wolves were still in shock and  \nweren't registering that he was there quite yet; it wouldn't last. He  \nset off at a trot towards the Tourii, spotting a wolf's backside and  \nmaking a quick slash as he passed; it connected.  \n  \nThings became a blur after that as Alexi lost himself in the  \nconfusion of battle. A few wolves made swings at him but none landed  \nanything. It was a completely unfair fight and the wolves fell before  \nthe imperial onslaught as grain to a scythe.  \n  \nAnd then it was all over; the Melikar were in full retreat back  \nto their woods and Naorume came up alongside the enforcer. The fox's  \narmour was spattered with blood in a dozen places and he was covered in  \ndust but amazingly showed no signs at all of exhaustion. \"Do you want  \nus to follow them, Alexi?\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp; The raccoon panted a few moments as the adrenalin rush started to  \nfade and a wave of fatigue hit him. \"No... we're not going into those  \nwoods. We'll have to settle for a draw.\" The raccoon looked over at  \nGeneral Attalus in the distance. \"Call Attalus off as well. Have the  \narmy reform at its original position.\"  \n  \nNaorume said nothing, merely nodded and relayed the orders.  \n  \nAlexi turned Matthias around in a slow circle; examining the  \nmacabre landscape. He didn't feel much right now; just a sense of  \nnumbness. Some cheering erupted from the imperial soldiers and he  \nthought a few of them congratulated him as he slowly took Matthias  \nthrough the battlefield on a roundabout route back.  \n  \nThen something caught his eye and as he neared he saw that it was  \nanother raccoon hunched down on the ground. Alexi absent-mindedly  \ndismounted and walked over to the other; it was Julian Commenus. On the  \nground beside him was the taller twin: Phillip. He stared a moment at  \nthe bloody and dirty mess that was Phillip. Then, Alexi took Julian by  \nthe paw without any resistance and walked him away silently; Matthias  \nfollowing the pair of his own accord.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"Heaven's Son","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/8278-the-loudest-silence.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/11804-adustum.json"}}