Let’s clear the causeway first, Khollo said grimly. Then we can see about the next trouble spot.
A wailing horn deafened Khollo, emanating from a point below them. The vertaga had noticed Kanin. He saw the advance falter on the causeway as horned heads turned, seeking out this new threat.
Kanin roared his own challenge to the vertaga now and swooped towards the causeway, mouth wide open, flames already kindling between his jaws. Khollo yelled along with the dragon, and a torrent of fire erupted from Kanin, bathing the road below and carving a wide swath in the enemy ranks.
Vertaga screamed as they were burned alive or knocked from the causeway by flailing comrades. The battering ram sagged to one side as several of its bearers either released it in panic or collapsed from their wounds. Kanin climbed high into the sky, twisting back to face the causeway, passing very close to the fortress walls. The cheers of the defenders deafened Khollo. Then they were swooping down on the causeway again, preparing to strike the vertaga from the opposite side.
Several of the beasts shouted and pointed, raising shields over their heads or running towards the fortress to get out of the line of fire. But few succeeded in defending themselves from Kanin. The dragon bellowed and spewed flame again, turning the causeway into a deadly inferno. This time though, Kanin swooped lower and his forelegs struck the battering ram a tremendous blow, hurling it off the causeway to smash on the rocks below.
Kanin wheeled and climbed up above the West Bank, then hovered over the gate, allowing Khollo to survey the progress of the battle.
That was fun! Kanin announced fiercely.
You were incredible, Khollo assured the dragon, grinning. We’ve definitely given them something to think about.
More than something to think about. They are retreating!
Khollo’s gaze had strayed to the main body of the enemy army, but it now snapped back to the causeway. Sure enough, vertaga were scrambling downhill over the burned bodies of their comrades. A few stumbled and fell, pierced by arrows, but most of those that fled made it back to their own ranks. But they left at least a hundred of their fellows lying dead on and around the path to the fortress.
A horn sounded belatedly from the vertaga ranks, calling for a retreat, Khollo assumed. The vertaga fell back and reformed their lines, the gaps more apparent now that the vertaga stood in formation.
Then, without any apparent command, the vertaga scattered. Enemies bounded in every direction, swarming towards the hill the West Bank stood on. Several hundred vertaga swept out and around the sides of the fortress, staying out of arrow range, led by a large number of lutag riders. The rest charged the main gate again, determined to breach it.
Khollo sighed heavily. Here we go. They’re hitting us with everything this time.
Kanin looked back and forth, trying to keep an eye on each of the vertaga forces. This is not good, he observed. I have seen archers among their soldiers. I will not be able to flame them very well.
It was no problem at Ishkabur.
The enemy were all fighting with hand to hand weapons, Kanin reminded him. There were very few archers among them.
So, what do we do?
Kanin thought about this, watching as the vertaga advanced up the causeway, pelted by arrows. As they drew closer, other missiles began to fly as well: spears, rocks, even a small oil jar that burst open near the smoldering patch Kanin had charred moments ago. The oil went up in a rippling sheet of flame, catching the advancing enemy off guard. One vertaga stepped sideways to avoid it, right off the edge of the causeway into a long fall to the rocks below.
We will have to surprise them, Khollo decided finally. Hit them where they are distracted or not expecting an attack.
From the rear, maybe? Kanin asked.
Exactly, Khollo agreed. Keep an eye out for arrows.
Get your bow ready, Kanin said as he began flapping to gain altitude. You can pick off the enemy leaders during the next attack run.
Khollo nodded and nocked an arrow to his bowstring, flexing it slightly. Ready when you are.
Kanin continued gaining altitude, then drifted over the battle far below. From this height, the horned vertaga looked like ants, and the causeway was a wriggling black mass of thrashing bodies.
Hold on, Kanin warned. Then he folded his left wing and spun downwards, gaining speed rapidly.
Khollo felt the wind tearing at him and was once again thankful for the fighting straps. They were the only thing keeping him on Kanin’s back at the moment, as his bow needed two hands to keep it from spinning away. Kanin slowly began to pull out of his dive, gaining speed all the while. They were behind the vertaga lines now, but closing rapidly.
Khollo scanned the horned figures before him, looking for the enemy leaders. There was no obvious distinction between soldiers and officers that he could see. No banners marked command posts, no vertaga were standing back from the fight, trying to put together a plan for assault.
The vertaga may lead from the front, Khollo mused. I’ll just have to settle for picking off some soldiers I guess.
Every little bit helps, Kanin replied. Here we go.
Kanin dropped another few meters and opened his mouth, summoning fire from within. Khollo raised his bow and picked a target slightly to the left. He released at the same instant that Kanin breathed fire. Vertaga shouted and ran for cover below, but the billowing smoke and flame hid them from Khollo’s view. He had another arrow nocked already, but with no targets he was forced to just sit and watch.
Kanin rolled up and over as a trio of arrows streaked out of the smoke.
