A Heart Of A Warrior Book 1: Revolution

Chapter 5-Battle of Black Hollow

Town of Black Hollow, Kingdom of Sevaeth-

As A Guard watched from her post in the Town of Black Hollow, plumes of black smoke rose from over the mountain pass near Twilight City, filling the air with the smell of smoke that stung her eyes and lungs. She heard a young wolf ask her grandmother something as she said, "What's going on, Grandma?"

Her grandmother replied worriedly, "I don't know, little one."

A loud screech was heard as a falcon swooped down and landed next to the guard. She said turning to the falcon, "How bad is it, and what's going on over there, Tatu?" Tatu replied as she said, "Lady Wren, The whole city is alight and burning. From what I could survey, the Empire's military is rounding up civilians and forcing them into the military or just straight up, killing innocent lives. I also spotted them sending scouting parties into the mountain pass to find a way through."

She looked horrified at her familiar and asked, "Does the Queen know about this?" Tatu shifted uncomfortably and replied, "Yes, She does. She has been alerted about what's happening, but the coalition is still about a half-day march from here." Wren said, "Shit! This is not good at all. We need to start evacuating the pups and the elderly out of town and to safety and mobilizing any able-bodied citizen to help in the defense of our home."

Wren closed her eyes as she felt her Shadow element surge through her as she drew in its power. She then opened her eyes as she blasted her shadow element skyward alerting the town and the guard posts around the town as they responded in kind to Wren. She looked down at the elderly wolf who then nodded her head, acknowledging Wren before then saying to her granddaughter, "We got to move, little one. Danger is close, and stay close to me." Wren then dashed off, shouting orders to her soldiers as she ran through the town. She quickly collected the town elders and pups, helping them to safety.

She then sprinted back to the town and asked a guard, "Is everyone in the town evacuated." The guard then turned to look at Wren as she said, "Yes, Lady Wren, the town is fully evacuated. The only ones here are just the garrison and whatever citizen wanted to stay and fight." Wren then said, "Good, Have everyone stay on high alert. Also, have you seen Tatu? I need to talk to her."

Tatu replied as she flew overhead, "I'm right here my Lady." Wren looked up at Tatu and said, "Any updates on the whereabouts of the Empire's army?" Tatu said grimly, "It's not looking good my lady, they have amassed a sizable army inside Twilight City. The Vanguard Group has just made it into the mountain pass and should be here in the next hour." Wren said horrified, "Shit, This is not good. Fly as fast you can my friend and warn the Queen. If we fall they will be walking into an ambush!"

Tatu said as she swooped down and landed next to her friend and said putting her head together with Wren's head, "Stay safe and fight to the last warrior if it comes to that," Wren then replied, "I will do my duty the best I can to protect this town," as Tatu took to the air and shot off into the early evening sky with her message for the Queen.

Wren looked at the sky where her familiar was now only a small speck on the horizon as she said to the guard next to her, "Nakoa it's time to fight, We need to disperse and set up an ambush of our own," Nakoa replied as his Fire element circled around his paws, "The plains outside the pass are a perfect place for an ambush, my lady." Wren then turned to him and said thoughtfully, "That's a great idea Nakoa, it may work." She then looked towards the open plains in front of her and said, "This plan is going to need a lot of coordination for it to work."

Wren watched the guards as they prepared for the upcoming battle. She could feel her heart racing inside her chest as she knew this was going to be the most important battle of their lives. She knew she had to be brave and fight for what was right. She closed her eyes and steadied herself as powerful shadow magic surged through her and casted a powerful illusion over the town obscuring it from the view of the advancing Imperial army making it look like the town was derelict and abandoned with a few charred buildings here and there. Her senses were then alerted by the presence of Nakoa next to her as he cast a powerful infernal blood sigil of protection over the town. Nakoa then said to Wren as they put their heads together while his flames healed the wound on his leg he made, "Everything is set, my love. Anyone that passes through that sigil will be turned into nothing but ash." Wren then said, "I know my love," as a chill ran down her spine as Nakoa's words echoed in her head. She knew that his words were true, and the fate of anyone who entered the sigil was sealed. A Guard then said to the pair, "Battle is near my Lieges, the Imperial Army has been spotted," before they turned and bolted for the battle line forming in the tall grasses outside the town.