Authors: Darryl T. Mallard
Now, although this was typically how battles were typically fought in the empire and other places on Bellasaria, battles of this sort were a bit old-fashioned and hadn’t been practiced in the bloody battles between the Mavie and Barratians for a very long time. However, these were not Mavie warriors and it would seem that there were many among the Barratians who missed the old ways, or at the very least, felt that the warriors facing them now (being men) were worthy of the honor of personal battle.
So as the duels commenced and continued most of the day with everyone gathered to watch, five hundred of Jawara’s warriors slipped around the enemy flanks in a large arch behind their lines, positioned themselves in hiding places, and waited. At the prescribed time, the battle was concluded with little loss of life and the bulk of the prisoners being taken by Jawara’s warriors. These were naturally handed over to Queen Shanis and other female leaders (much to the horror of the Barratians) who then divided them among their women…for
safe
keeping.
The next day when Jawara’s forces charged across the river in the usual western form of battle, the Barratians found themselves suddenly taken from behind at the crucial moment of the battle by warriors of uncertain numbers who had been patiently and quietly waiting. The surprised Barratians panicked, broke formation and were quickly defeated. Some saw this as dirty pool, but it would be later argued effectively that Jawara had conducted his previous battle honorably and that not a single warrior who slipped across the Barratian lines made a hostile move until the next day. They had not broken any rules of battle. Indeed, in the inquiries after the war, it was unanimously agreed that the Barratians themselves were at fault for becoming lax in their defenses allowing the enemy to slip around them. Even their flyers, who would have spotted Jawara’s warriors from the air, had been aground watching the duels. Jawara would later state that this was the luckiest gamble he played during the whole war.
In any case, that trick would only work once, and despite their victory, the Jawarians (as they were now being called) didn’t have the numbers or desire to completely wipeout or prevent a large portion of the Barratians from escaping. If Jawara had wished though, he could have slaughtered a great many and reduced his enemies’ numbers to some considerable degree, and there were those among his chiefs who questioned why he didn’t.
However, Jawara’s cunning and mercy had impressed many who were dissatisfied with Stragg’s incompetent leadership and inferior lineage, and many came over to his side, thus proving the wisdom of the Dark Prince’s judgment. Yet the task at hand wasn’t getting easier. Stragg had finally pulled his head out of his ass and had personally brought a large force west. Stragg’s host was large and strong enough to fight Jawara’s forces and even push him back to a degree. Shockingly, Stragg was actually fighting at the very fore of his forces bravely and well, thus regaining some of his followers’ confidence and salvaging his reputation…and even earning his enemies grudging respect.
But the word from Stragg’s thin forces in the east was bad. The Bellasarians were aware of Jawara’s invasion from the west and his weaken forces in the east and were now moving west in force to smash him between the rocks. Fortunately for Stragg, his warriors had intercepted Jawara’s messenger and her Bellasarian comrades, who to everyone’s surprise, Stragg ordered to be decently treated. Not one woman was raped or man tortured. However, Jawara was still unaware of how dire Stragg’s situation was. Stragg knew that Jawara would have to be decisively defeated and quickly. The only way for him to deal with the Bellasarians effectively would be to destroy or at least send Jawara running back across the border before the Bellasarians arrived or Jawara knew they were on the march. Then he could devote his full attention to Empress Beral III and her vengeful hordes, but he wasn’t optimistic in his chances against the Bellasarians even with Jawara out of the picture.
Near the old town of McGrath the two armies clashed and it would be the bloodiest and longest battle in the western region’s memory. Jawara’s forces had gained the upper hand in the beginning of the battle, but Stragg’s numbers were beginning to tell.
******
“My King, the Bastard Prince has broken through our first and second defensive lines, but we have checked him.”
Stragg nodded. He had been supervising the battle up till now and knew that the warriors of the first lines were inferior. He had hoped that Jawara would push deeper into his ranks without thinking and thus fall victim to the same trick his own kinsman Harold the Great used against King Tarrack at the battle of Bloody Trees. But the bastard prince was too sharp. He had ordered his right and left mandibles strengthened thus preventing an enveloping maneuver by the enemy. He also did not commit his full forces to the charge. Stragg also noted that although Jawara was known to lead from the front, he also knew when to supervise and instruct. Sadly, Stragg now realized how seriously he had underestimated this boy. Indeed, how they all had, simply because his mother was a slave. Fleetingly he thought of sending messengers of truce, promising Jawara half of the domain if he would join with him against Beral III. After all, Lady Ayala wasn’t
his
mother. However, the lord elder, Lord Terrence, reminded him that King Roc was still Jawara’s beloved father. He would never agree to work with him. For the hundredth time, Stragg asked himself why he ever listened to that man. The westerners lines were buckling now and fresh warriors were entering the fray to hold them.
“Jawara’s forces are being driven back and he has called in his reserves,” observed Stragg rising. “Give Lord Henry the order to attack!”
The order was passed on via telepaths and soon the signal drums began to sound and the Barratian reserves began to charge under their commanders. Stragg knew it was a gamble, but he was now glad he had taken so many warriors from the eastern defenses. With luck, he would destroy Jawara completely here and then be back to deal with the stumbling Bellasarians before they could move through the unfamiliar terrain and aid him.
The Barratians forces smashed into the Jawarians and broke their lines forcing Jawara himself to enter the battle and restore order, but it wasn’t looking good.
“Lord Jawara!” cried Queen Shanis over the din. “We must withdraw! The battle is lost!”
“Damn that bastard!” snarled Jawara. He was semi-transformed and the bodies of enemy warriors littered the ground around him, but Stragg and a vanguard of his most powerful mutants was moving in his direction. Jawara knew that even he would not do well against those odds. He would have to swallow his pride and withdraw and return another day. The idea of challenging Stragg to personal combat never came into his mind. Jawara’s father had been overcome and foully murdered by overwhelming numbers by Stragg, not in honorable single combat. There was no reason to believe that Stragg would behave any differently this time, especially with the clear victory in his hands.
“Retreat…In order!”
commanded Jawara telepathically to his chiefs and allies.
“We’ve got’em now boys!” roared Stragg. “Push on, the bastard flees before me!”
Jawara heard this and angrily whirled towards Stragg’s voice. He transformed fully and charged into the Barratians, Queen Shanis cursing a blue streak behind him.
“Damn you boy!” screamed Shanis. “Well, c’mon! We can’t let the brave fool die!” The Jawarians charged with renewed ferocity taking the Barratians aback with this sudden turn. The advance lines began to crumble and fall back onto the advancing warriors.
Jawara was fighting savagely with several of Stragg’s elite warriors, most of whom were shapeshifters and nearly as strong as Stragg himself. Jawara spied Stragg battling a huge Borrenqi warrior. He parried her axe and kicked her viciously in the midsection. The Borrenqi crumpled to the ground. Stragg was about to finish the gasping woman off when he heard Jawara’s voice in his head.
“Brutalizer of slaves!”
cried Jawara mentally.
“Raper of other men’s mates! Murder of your own liege lord! I challenge you to personal combat! Or do you fear to fight with other than women?!”
The challenge and insults were sent in open telepathy anyone could have picked it up and many did…on both sides.
Stragg had regretted ever opening his mouth, but now even more so. The tide had turned again. And worse of all, after what Jawara had said, he’d dare not refuse or he’d be torn apart by his own warriors. But then…
“Stop!”
cried elder Terrence appearing at Stragg’s side.
“We are on verge of victory! Ignore this challenge and rally our men before it’s too late!”
“I cannot and you know it!”
snapped Stragg in disgust.
“If I ignore this challenge, especially after these insults, I will lose the respect I have worked hard to regain!”
Stragg gave mental commands for his warriors to cease all battle and Jawara did the same. The word spread swiftly as the telepaths on both sides relayed the orders. With remarkable speed the fighting all over the battlefield died off and the two armies separated.
Terrence looked on in disgust. The advantage was now clearly Stragg’s. The ferocious momentum of the Jawarians was now gone and they were outnumbered. A little loss of face now would be worth it if victory was achieved. It never occurred to the elder that
very
recently he would have seen such behavior as craven and unforgivable himself. Behavior expected of a human, and an Earth human at that, not a Bellasarian mutant. He was slowly unraveling even as Stragg was finally pulling himself together.
Suddenly a desperate telepathic warning was transmitted to the Barratian command and just as quickly to Stragg and Elder Terrence. The Bellasarians were approaching fast and in force with literally thousands of former slaves both Mavie and otherwise. Also, thousands of Barratians loyal to the royal family were marching with them as well, including the Domigodo Clan and other once supporters of Stragg.
“Well, old man,” said Stragg, “it’s a good thing we didn’t do things your way after all.”
One of the Jawarians stalked half way over to the Barratian positions under sign of truce and demanded what the delay was.
“Tell your master,” said Stragg, “that his kinsmen are approaching and will be in sight soon. I will send word that the final outcome of this battle will be decided by personal combat between us…If that is alright with him?” The messenger looked at Stragg and then walked back to his own lines. A curt assent was then received by Stragg. The Barratian chiefs grumbled among themselves. The Dark Prince could have communicated his query himself telepathically, but instead he sent a human subordinate. This was a clear insult recognized by all including Stragg himself who ignored it. Quickly Stragg turned to one of his chieftains. “Send word to the Bellasarians not to attack. Tell them that it has been agreed that a duel between leaders will decide this battle.”
Stragg knew better than to say “Decide the war”, because the Bellasarians would never forgive the atrocities he’d committed against their kin. Even should he prevail against the bastard he’d still have to placate them, and they would settle for nothing less than him…and alive. He knew what that would mean. The rape and murder of Lady Ayala had seen to that. He shuddered. Better to be killed in battle by far.
It was fifteen minutes later when the Bellasarian host appeared on the scene. The two previously battling armies watched in awe as the Bellasarians and their allies began to spread and fill the forests and clearings like a vast sea of black ants. They did not approach the two sides too closely, but the Barratian royal siblings spotted Jawara’s figure among his forces and immediately sent their greetings mentally to their half-brother. The duel would begin soon. They would have to await the outcome before they could greet their brother face to face. Nobody doubted Jawara’s ability to easily defeat Stragg…at least almost nobody.
“My Lord, you’ve taken some serious injuries,” said Princess Miko with concern. “Please postpone this duel till tomorrow. Outwardly you are healed but…”
“I cannot,” said Jawara. “The challenge was made and accepted today. I
am
weary and the warriors I faced in battle today were very powerful. Truly I’m not at my best.” Then Jawara grinned and said, “I suppose that will make this an even match.”
Jawara walked out onto the field armed with a blade and shield. Since Stragg lacked shapeshifting ability it was agreed that Jawara would not use either his transitional form or his full panther transformation.
Several of the Mavie and Bellasarians chuckled at this new display of cowardice on Stragg’s part. Queen Maya also had lacked shifting ability and was weaker than Stragg, yet she still fought and slew the mighty Barrat himself as he was fully transformed. Others protested and for the very same reason, but the Dark Prince agreed nonetheless.
Actually, this would work to Jawara’s favor. If he transformed in his condition it could be disastrous as either form would take more strength to maintain. He couldn’t kill Stragg, who he wanted to give alive to the Bellasarian women for what he’d done to Lady Ayala. That would mean he would have to maintain beast-form in prolonged battle. Stragg was no pushover. Jawara would have to defeat him without killing him and if pushed too hard he could revert to human form anyway, thus revealing to Stragg his weakened condition. If he had chosen not to use beast-transformation on his own accord the Barratians would have known immediately he was not at his best. Jawara chuckled to himself. By making cowardly demands the Barratians had done him a great favor.