Arcana Series - Hierophant

Siege

“I still don’t think that this is a good idea.”

“And I missed the part where we asked your opinion Ellaine.” Sylas retorted, supported by the other knights who were more than willing to take Alice’s offer of getting dethroned through a war game.

“She’s our queen.” Ellaine stated.

“She’s crazy. That’s what she is.” Nathan said defensively. “We can’t let a fledgling like her lead us. She hasn’t even donned the armor of Illumine Leon yet. That means she is useless in the battlefield and, as far as connections are concerned, each of us hold more than her.”

“With King Migard being in his current state, the Flauros household has lost a lot of valuable assets. A lot of powerful people do owe a huge debt to the household but, that is directly linked to Migard.” Helix explained. “If he’s not the one ruling, then the Flauros house just becomes a mere decoration.”

“Your point is?”

“The point is, a child...”

“A woman.” Ellaine corrected.

“Whatever she is.” Nathan said. “If she doesn’t have neither an overpowering dominance in the battlefield or the connections needed to stabilize the government, then she should not be sitting there. She should be taken down before she causes any serious problems in Obelisk.”

Ellaine sighed in defeat. “You guys can continue on with this. I don’t want to take part with it anymore.”

“Fine. But don’t think that we would be sharing rulership of the kingdom with you.”

“It’s not a role for me to fill. You guys can play kings all you want.” Ellaine said as she finally left the meeting room. Bringing the knights back to their planning.

Siege.

This is the war game which the knights will be playing against the three servants of Queen Alice. This is a normal game that is usually played during times of festivity. One which serves for an entertainment purpose as well as showing off the skills and capabilities of every household.

For this game, there are two tall towers. Twenty feet in height each and made from strong and sturdy materials. Capable of even withstanding explosive spells. These structures are situated far away and opposite from each other. With a wide open field being placed in the middle.

Here, various obstacles placed along the path made by the court mages who make use of their earth magic in order to change the terrain. Thus making the battlefield change every time the game is played. Aside from this, there is a single banner which is placed on both towers. Hanging at the top of the structure.

There are two ways to win in this battle. The first is to capture the banner from the top of the tower. This item cannot be carried by any of the contestants and so, the only way for it to be taken is for the opposing side to get it from the tower.

As for the second option, participants can capture their opponents. Meaning, they would be placed in a state that would render them unfit for battle. If the time runs out and the banners aren’t taken, then the side who has more contenders still available would win. That said, if all the participants on the opposing side are captured, this would instantly result in the victory of the captors.

However, teams also need to get out of their towers. They aren’t allowed to idly stay there until the time goes out. This would also result in an automatic disqualification although, leaving a few members in the tower is also allowed.

Of course this game would be unfair if anyone uses powers. That is why, the said game is played without it. Making the playing field leveled among Cairons, Bairons, and Airons. Then there is the added part of each contestant only allowed to bring a single item with them. Hence diversifying the strategy which could be used even more.

This game is something which Dimitri has always one against his fellow knights. Making use of his street smarts from being a pickpocket during the days in order to give him a leverage on the types of strategy he could use. Proving that he has the other knights beat on all other categories aside from spell casting and mana reserves. But he isn’t there anymore and, the second best strategist among the knights, Azed, has taken up the role of creating their strategy.

“Okay listen up. We’re gonna take those kids down a quickly as we can.” The knight said. “I don’t want anyone wasting resources in this fight. We need to be efficient because any slight deviation on my orders may turn the tides against us.”

“You’re sounding too careful Azed.” Cael commented. “You don’t actually believe that a bunch of kids are going to defeat us are you?”

“Of course I don’t. But the queen surely believes that.” Azed said in reply. “She made eight knights fight three common servants. We don’t even know what the lineage of those three are from but, if the queen believes that they are capable enough to fend against us, then we should be more wary of what they can do.”

“Are you even listening to yourself Azed?” Philip commented in an entertained tone. “Like you said these are merely three children and we are eight knights strong. Eight battle hardened and experienced knights.”

“I’m with Philip on this one.” Aneiro said. “This is not out of boastfulness but, we are the knights of Obelisk. We are the strongest of the kingdom and, I doubt that those three have accomplishments as great as ours.”

“Nevertheless.” Azed commented. “It would be wise for us to move as I have instructed. That will give us the utmost efficiency we need and, the assurance of our victory.”

“Fine. Let’s get to it then.” Philip commented as, the banner of their tower was finally raised. Signaling that they are ready for the fight to begin and, so were their enemies who raised their banner at the same time as the knights. Giving the signal as the horns blew and the knights began their move.

Azed’s plan is simple. Leroy and Philip are left to defend the banner on top of the tower. The other six are in charge of advancing against their opponents. Moving in sets of three in order to assure that they would not have a disadvantage in numbers in case the three servants of the queen attacked them at once.

This also serves as a way to efficiently cut through the defenses of the enemies. If one group does encounter these servants, then that would leave the other group free to move without any worries. Allowing them to sprint towards the unguarded tower and claim the banner.

As for the weaponry. All of them chose blades as their weapon. There wasn’t much thought that needed to be done on this. With their numbers, offense is the best type of defense. And this type of mindset is the exact reason why they fell for Damian’s trap.

Azed saw something being thrown from the top of the tower. Thinking that it would be a type of explosive, he and the other knights began backing away. Retreating behind walls as they waited for the explosion to come.

But it didn’t.

There were a few seconds of silence and calm. Making Azed and the other knights look at what just happened, only to find that a smokescreen has been used on them. Obscuring the whole battlefield in a thick mist-like substance.

Before this could take their vision off entirely, they saw one of their enemies descending from the tower using a rope. Something which none of the knights understood and, even before they could process this, they heard footsteps coming towards their direction.

Thinking that this will be the sole weapon holder, the knights raised their arms and prepared for the attack. Following the sound of the footsteps in order to anticipate where this would come from. But this confused them even more because, as the footsteps came near, these started to get irregular. As if their opponent was making hops and, it was too late when they realized why this is so.

Cleo leapt past them. Jumping from one wall of earth to another. Completely passing them by. Soon after, they heard another set of footsteps. This coming from the center of the arena. Not running towards them but, right past them. In a speed which was faster than any of them could possibly achieve.

“They’re after the banner! Turn around!” Azed ordered as the realization finally dawned on him.

Of course their opponents would not fight them head on. Who would be stupid enough to fight eight knights if there are only three fighters on the opposing side.

Hence the knights made their advance. Turning around to get back to their tower where they thought their enemies would be waiting for them. With the mist still getting thicker which prevented them from seeing their targets.

And with all of these happening, they heard another running behind them. It was too late when Nathan’s group realized this. Even before they could turn to face their enemy, a large object suddenly brushed away the mist. Bashing him and his allies head on as their weapons have been taken out of their hands.

Within this same time, Azed’s group found themselves in a predicament because, he and his allies suddenly tripped on something. This being the rope which he and his allies saw a few moments ago. They all dropped to the ground and with this came the swift movement of two people. Grabbing their swords and hitting them at their nape one by one. Knocking them all unconscious as, six of the knights have instantly been disabled. Ending the fight in the complete victory of Damian and his allies as, these servants of the queen simply waited for the time limit to pass.