Chapter 1014: Icethorne under siege (3)

Chapter 1014: Chapter 1014: Icethorne under siege (3)

"So...your master wants an alliance and to prove his intentions he sent you lot to help me in this war of mine while he engages Randloph back in the homeland." Duke Runak cupped and rubbed his chin in thought, ruminating on the proposal offered by Cavalish. Well perhaps proposal wasn’t the right word, there were no benefits outlined or agreements just a pledge to work together in a certain direction.

"Yes Duke Runak." Cavalish bowed his head low being as respectful as humanly possible. This man before him now had a bearing no weaker than that of his Master and in many ways it was even more imposing.

He came here with an open mind in regards to the Duke’s prowess but still he couldn’t help but feel an innate dread in the depths of his bones while under his gaze.

’Has he pierced the veil and reached that realm?’ No one knew Duke Runak’s true limit, was he at the peak of A-rank, half step S or had he actually reached that fabled domain that placed you beneath none but the Gods themselves.

Cavalish lacked the strength to give an accurate answer, but he could say for certain that Duke Runak was the most powerful man or monster he’d ever come across, even the head of the royal guard paled in comparison.

"Interesting, who would have thought Sedrick would be the one acting in the interests of the nation...how very peculiar." Duke Runak smiled, his eyes dancing in thought as if making light of the revelation.

"Sir?" Cavalish needed an answer.

"Oh right you want to hear my opinion but unfortunately I’m not the one you have to convince. My loyalties lie entirely with the Princess but even if you did manage to snare her with your promises of an alliance it’ll never amount to anything hehehehe."

"I’m sorry I don’t unders...."

"This war....it can’t be won." Duke Runak’s eyes stared into the distance as though seeing through the walls of the palace and straight into the heart of the enemy army entrenched before the city’s northern wall. His tone was bereft of frustration or anger, only acceptance dwelled within as if he was merely stating a run of the mill fact.

"What!!!!" It wasn’t just Cavalish who shouted but Yellow, Green, Blue and even Avarice. They just arrived with 5000 elites yet the man who was supposed to be invincible was telling them this war was already lost, what happened to make someone like him sound so defeatist.

"Did you think I was joking when I sent that letter to the Capital. Unless Northrend provides true reinforcements all I can manage to do is stall the inevitable, 3 months is what I promised, anything beyond that is in fate’s hands." Duke Oscar Runak shrugged his shoulders and shook his head; with the resources he had both in manpower and materials he simply couldn’t win against the endless numbers that made up the liberation alliance. The might of Icethorne could only spread so far before reaching a limit...3 months was that limit.

Cold sweat poured down Cavalish’s spine he didn’t think things were truly that bad. Generals always exaggerate situations to ensure they get what they need don’t they?

"Hoh the situation really is that dire War Marshall?" Baron Glorfile who’d kept mum since the Duke walked in finally made his voice heard, strangely his tone and cadence were not all that dissimilar to the Duke’s.

"General Glorfile to think I’d see that mug of yours back on the fields of battle hehehe. Yes Senior the situation is that dire, with things as they are currently we have no hope in winning....our numbers are simply too few."

"Impossible odds?"

"Yes, as impossible as they can be." The two Generals exchanged stares as they discussed their dismal circumstances but oddly they were smiling, frustration, anger or fury were absent in both their tone and expressions.

"Since when has the mighty Oscar Runak fallen so low that he’s already admitting defeat when his soldiers still draw breath and are able to swing their blades." A brave and powerful voice interceded between Duke Runak and Baron Glorfile. General Anya who still donned a disguise peeled away her robes and masks to reveal the valiant woman lying beneath.

"Ahh little sister, I knew you’d end up dragging your ass here the moment Princess Avira arrived, but I didn’t expect you to do it while under such an impressive disguise." Duke Runak’s eyes rippled like water on a lake, he smiled softly, love or at least fondness in his gaze as he greeted her, a woman he had known for a very, very long time. Her disguise was so thorough that even he failed to notice her standing there silently behind Baron Glorfile.

His heart was somewhat torn seeing her there, part of him wanted her here fighting by his side during the final hour while another wanted her as far away from here as humanly possible.

Decades ago when the young Oscar Runak recently enlisted in the military and was already starting to turn heads a young girl with fierce, obstinate personality joined his squad. They argued over and over, disagreed on almost every tactic but in the end when their path got rough she always had his back, the only one from way back then who could keep up with him as he skyrocketed through the ranks.

Unfortunately they had been separated shortly after reaching the rank of officer, he was stationed with the War Ursa Battalion while General Anya was initially sent to the royal guard where she protected Empress Amilia and for a brief time Princess Avira before then being transferred to the Frost Wolf Battalion.

It’d been almost 5 years since they last met in person though they did exchange letters.

She was older now, but that fierceness still remained, she was still that spit fire of a little sister biting at his heels like a determined hound.

"Your talents have certainly expanded during your tenure with the Frost Wolf Battalion, but it seems that your strength has fallen short as a consequence. Mid A-rank I thought for sure you’d be at least in the late stages perhaps even hounding after the peak." She may have been able to hide her true strength from those she travelled with but a man with his capabilities could see right through her.

"Hmph unlike you I’ve not had much opportunity to fight for my life...bar the past few weeks of course." Before the civil war erupted life for the military in Northrend was rather lacklustre. With no wars to fight and merely the occasional monster stampede to deal with Anya’s training suffered as a result. Her progress slowed to a crawl, but it did not stop, she still had room for improvement, late stage and perhaps even the peak were not out of the cards yet.

"But enough of that, when have you ever surrendered in the face of unbeatable odds?" Anya just couldn’t wrap her head around it, her Oscar was invincible, he could face and defeat any foe and even if he couldn’t he’d never admit defeat so readily....what kind of foe is he up against?

"Surrendered.....hahahahaha it seems you’ve misunderstood dear sister." Duke Runak tilted his head to the side, baffled by Anya’s question before erupting with laughter.

"Hahahaha yes it seems she has." Baron Glorfile added as though he was part of an inside joke with the Duke, greatly puzzling everyone else

"What are you on about?" Now she was pissed, a slight blush of shame marring her cheeks as she questioned the two wartime Generals.

"General Anya, the Duke has no intention to surrender in fact he plans to fight with everything he’s got, until the last solider of the War Ursa Battalion draws breath they will continue to fight and repel the enemy." Baron Glorfile explained, understanding both the Duke and the War Ursa Battalion completely.

"He’s just keenly aware that even with such fervour and determination the end result will ultimately be same. Icethorne will fall and no matter how well he fights personally, rations his supplies and endures with his limited amount of soldiers there is no stopping the inevitable....that is what it means to face off against truly impossible odds. Strategy, sudden boosts in powers, miracles of chance nothing like that can stem the tide." Every high ranking General who had been in charge of a battlefield knew full well how much might they could bring to the table and exactly how much they could fight against. Once the numbers reached a certain level only greater numbers could compete against them.

"5000 elites....I can probably get another two maybe three days out of you....if I’m lucky." Duke Runak muttered, running the numbers in his head.

His words evoked a chill in the hearts of those who heard him.

"....If things are truly that bad then shouldn’t we retreat, preserve as much of the War Ursa Battalion as possible." Eventually after a gruelling and tense period of dreaded silence Cavalish who’s mind had been sent on a rollercoaster and then some spoke up.

His words had merit, if you couldn’t beat your opponent then fleeing was a good option, live to fight another day but upon hearing what he had to say, Duke Runak, General Jessica, the wounded General Katrina and all those from the War Ursa Battalion stationed in the war room invoked their aura, radiated an intense blood lust and laughed to the high heavens.

"Retreat hahahaha there is no retreat here my friend, if we leave carnage will follow in our wake and Northrend will face it in our stead."