War Of The Wildlands Read Free Page A

the men handle
it.”
    “You can handle it
all you want,” Essa remarked. “But when it comes to fighting, you should let
the women take charge. We know attack plans better than those who hide in the
trees. We’re at the front of the line. You men are just our backup.”
    Men began shouting
and arguing at her words. They were offended by her comment, and they wanted to
let her know it. Wild Elf men generally stand a head shorter than the women,
allowing them greater stealth when moving through the trees. Neither sex,
however, is any less fierce than the other.
    “Quiet!” Reylin
shouted. “She’s just trying to get under our skin. She’s ticked that we didn’t
let Her Majesty come with us. We’re big boys, Essa. We do what we want. Next
time, we’ll work together, ok?”
    Essa nodded and
took a seat at the small dining table at the back of the room. Reylin and
Reylana both sat as well. A small hand-drawn map of the area was laid out on
the table. From this map, they would determine which village had the best
layout for them to attack with stealth. The women would need to be concealed
until the men could force the villagers in their direction. Then, when there
was no chance of escape, the women would attack. No one would be left alive.
Domren’s men had been ruthless in their attacks on the elves. No elf had been
spared for any reason, and the elves were most willing to retaliate in the same
fashion. The time for small skirmishes was coming to an end. A war was about to
begin.

Chapter 3
     
    K ing Domren
shifted anxiously on his horse as he peered deep into the woods. “Do you think
Aelryk’s men are in position?” he asked.
    “Until Mi’tal makes
his way here, we have no way of knowing,” General Luca replied. His gray eyes
were stern, his passion for battle ever-present on his face.
    “He should have
been here by now. I don’t like waiting.” The king let out a heavy sigh and
clenched his teeth. His dark eyes focused into the trees, hoping to catch any sign
of movement. Wild Elves are masters of stealth within the forests, and he
wondered if he was already being watched.
    From behind, he
heard a horse approaching. He turned his head to see Mi’tal coming up from the
rear of his company. The young, black-haired man hurried past the soldiers and went
straight to the king.
    “Majesty,” he said,
“Aelryk and his men are in position and are awaiting your lead.”
    “Finally,” the king
said. He raised an arm and motioned his troops to follow. Drawing their
weapons, they charged into the thick forest. The Silver Birch Clan was about to
experience the king’s wrath.
    As they entered the
village, they showed no signs of slowing. The surprised elves were sent fleeing
in all directions. Many were trampled by the horses and several others were cut
down as they ran. Women and children were not spared, nor were elderly clansmen
who could not possibly offer a fight. The warriors rushed to their huts to
retrieve their weapons. They had been given no sign their village would be
attacked, and they had not been prepared for battle.
    Mages at the rear
of the company began firing off spells. Most of them cast fireballs at the huts,
while others fired energy blasts to knock the fleeing elves off balance. Those
who managed to get to a weapon were quickly dispatched by the energy blasts,
dropping their weapons as they fell. The elves who did not find their feet
quickly were trampled by the horses as they charged. Within minutes, the first
village lay in ruins.
    Domren’s troops
rode on toward the second village. It was larger, but with Aelryk’s company
charging from the opposite end, there was little chance of encountering any
significant resistance. The elves had been alerted by the cries coming from the
neighboring village, but that had also signaled Aelryk to begin the attack. He
was young and had little experience in battle, but he was obedient and very capable
of following the orders his father had given