War Of The Wildlands Read Free Page B

him.
    Arrows whizzed from
the highest branches, shot by the few elves who had managed to make it to the
trees. Their swordswomen dodged the horses as they charged past at full speed.
Foot soldiers were no match for mounted cavalry. Many of them began to run into
the woods as well. Domren smiled to himself to see the bravest among the elves
fleeing. He hoped to continue the attacks until every Wild Elf was driven to
the far side of the Blue River or killed. He did not care whether they had to
be annihilated or left willingly. His mission was to expand his kingdom, and
the elves were in his way.
    The mages began
setting fire to the huts in this village as well. They tossed their fireballs
casually and sipped at their potions as if they hadn’t a care in the world. Human
mages do not regenerate their power naturally. Instead, they rely on a steady
supply of potions to continue being useful in combat. The mages enjoyed testing
their prowess in battle, as they normally sat around discussing magical theory
and practicing little tricks to amuse the nobles. Today, they were proving
their worth to their king, and they were making it look like child’s play.
    Once the second
village lay in ruins, Aelryk came riding up to his father. The two men were
similar in appearance, both with dark hair and eyes. Aelryk, however, stood
half a foot taller and had a far more pleasing countenance than his father.
    “Good morning,
Father,” he said. “It seems everything has gone to plan.”
    “It has,” Domren
replied. “You have done well for your first true battle. Gather your men and
we’ll head back to the palace.”
    Aelryk did as he
was commanded, and the company set off eastward, leaving the smoking villages
behind them. Mi’tal rode next to Aelryk at the front of the company. Before his
death, Mi’tal’s father had been charged with the personal safety of King
Domren. Mi’tal had taken it upon himself to act as a protector for the young
prince. He could be impulsive at times, and Mi’tal had always been there to
pull the prince back in his anger. Usually it was just a petty argument over some
minor insult. Today, however, marked a new chapter in the prince’s future. He
would be riding into battle regularly, and Mi’tal planned to be there to
protect him, even if it cost him his life.
    “Well done today,
my lord,” Mi’tal said, his brown eyes sincere.
    Aelryk nodded. “Father
had everything set up very well. I would have been an idiot to mess it up.
Nonetheless, I thank you for the compliment.” Aelryk grinned at his friend, and
the two of them laughed.
    “Soon you will be
planning your own strategies,” Mi’tal commented. “You will make a fine war
leader. Your men love you, and they will fight for you no matter the cost.”
    Aelryk considered
the notion for a moment. He was young, but he wanted to be fair with his troops
and gain their respect. His father ruled using fear, and everyone jumped at his
command. He wasn’t sure if that was the kind of commander he wanted to be.
    Normally, his
father would bark commands at him without expressing any gratitude once his
wish had been fulfilled. Aelryk believed in discipline, of course, but his
father’s manner was a little rougher than his own. It was not in his nature to
be cruel. He preferred to treat others with the respect they had earned, and if
someone needed to be punished, it should be done with fairness. Justice was not
in his father’s vocabulary. Trials were held for show when a noble was accused.
Anyone else could only hope for a swift, painless execution. Most were not that
lucky.
    When it came to the
elves, King Domren was unwavering. He wanted them either exterminated or moved
as far away as possible. Aelryk had not yet mentioned his thoughts on diplomacy
to his father, but he hoped to have the opportunity soon. Today’s show of
strength should convince the elves to accept the king’s terms. If he could
convince his father to let him speak with the