“Retreatâ€
Across the battlefield the word echoed in the minds of the followers of Nagash. For split second some stood in shock, and for some that second proved to be costly indeed. One of the lower ranking Disciples started to speak, questioning if they had heard correctly. He never completed the sentence as black fire consumed his body, reducing it into sooty particles that were swept away in the wind. The commands of the Dark Lord were not to be questioned, and no one was beyond his reach.
Again images flashed into their heads, this time a plan of retreat. Years of living under Nagash’s command had drilled his infallibility into his servants and the rest responded without pause or question. The Dreadlords swiftly retreated, using nearby minions to block their opponents and make their escape. Casting their spells the Disciples of Nagash created a wall of corpses as a rearguard, blocking the rest of the army as they pulled back. A similar wall surrounded the Orcs. Whilst the zombies were next to useless, and easily cut down by the vampires, there was enough to give the Legions of Nagash time to retreat.
It was not the only reason they retreated without harm. Though they may have pulled back, the damage that had been done to the Council’s forces was immense. Over half of their army lay fallen, some so damaged that no necromancy spell would be able to bring them back. As much as they would have liked to pursue, the Council’s army was in no fit shape to do so.
The Legion had not escaped unharmed though. In addition to the many troops sacrificed as a rearguard, the Black Shard had exploded, levelling everything nearby. Countless Pinnacle Guard, and the rare Spectral Cavalry had also being destroyed, and the Bone Throwers had been commandeered by the marauding Orcs.
Within a few hours the plain in front of the Council’s forces was clear once more, littered this time with mounds of the dead, the number added to as the rearguard also collapsed as they were released from the Disciple's control. It was indeed a victory for the Council, though it was a poor one at best. They had not showed they could stand up to the might of Nagash, in truth if the Legion had not retreated, many thought the Council would have met its end here.
The leaders of the Council stood together, convened atop a small hillock overlooking the battle field. It was hard to gather what they thought, for they stood in silence for a moment, though it was clear from some faces they were not happy.
His armour blackened and twisted, the Duke stood next to Lesa. He for one felt different. The magical artefact used on him by the enemy commander had nearly cost him his unlive, and he felt truly thankful he was still here. How he lived he would never know, all that he knew was that he had awoken on the back of a horse, carried out of the fray by one of his loyal knights. As much as he would have liked to saviour the feeling longer he knew action must be taken, for if the enemy returned when they were in this state they would easily be crushed. However even as he opened his mouth to speak, he heard a voice next to him.
“What is that?†The rest of the Council turned to where Lesa was pointing. The Lahmian looked tired to death, her eyes dark and her skin grey. The spell she had cast had nearly run out of control, threatening to rip a larger tear into the realms of chaos. It had only been contained when V’azrin had lent his power to dispel it. Even then he could not bring himself to talk to Lesa and had swiftly walked away when the task had been complete.
“It looks like someone walking, “Victarias replied after a moment. The fact that the object was over a mile away was testament to the vampiresses sight, but as they all stared they could see she was right. A second later what they saw was enough to set alarm bells ringing. Rising into the air the figure seemed to try and disperse, before a violet flash brought it back together, sending it back to the ground.
“It’s the Innocence,†Lesa breathed in horror, “I thought my spell would have crushed him.†They watched for a moment longer before she spoke again, “it seems to be containing his abilities though, it looks like can’t turn into his mist form.â€
“Then this is our chance,†Mircea said, followed by a nod from Simon with a feral grin on his face, “we can finally get rid of one of these bastards.â€
â€Do not underestimate a Lord of Dread,†V’azrin hissed, â€It may be a ploy, and even if it isn’t, he is still immensely powerful.â€
“I agree,†Helena counselled, “I do not think we should rush into this –“
“We should take what chances we are given before they are taken away,†Vekarin interrupted, pointing with his gauntleted fist. The Innocence was moving more quickly now, headed towards the mountains, no doubt to hide within its shadow. Presented with the opportunity the Council for once reached a decision within minutes. They would follow and annihilate the Dreadlord, and to ensure the task was done the full Council would carry out the task.
The Innocence had moved a deceptive amount of distance, and when they Council finally caught up with him, he was disappearing into a cave in the mountainside. A look from some of the Council suggested they were not happy in following into what possibly could be a trap, but again any protests were squashed when presented with the opportunity to destroy one of the Dreadlords. Weapons drawn, spells ready, the cautiously followed.
In the cave they found only a dank tunnel leading downwards, and from the darkness came a shuffling that told of the Innocence’s difficult progress. Their quarry in sight the vampires sped up, not noticing the shadow that followed now behind. Eyes glinting in the darkness Rask tailed them silently, though for what reasons no one knew, possibly not even he knew.
The tunnel finally came to an end, yet not even the vampires eyes could pierce the complete darkness of the cavern before them. Before Lesa could speak an incantation to summon a ball of energy, light suddenly flared into being in front of them, causing all of them to shield their eyes against its harsh glare.
â€Do you think you will kill me that easily?†The mocking voice of the Innocence echoed round, and they looked up to see him stood on a plinth in the middle of the cavern, a sword in his hand. Vekarin didn’t wait and rushed forward in a blur of motion, sword lashing out. The rest of the Council followed closely, ready to take advantage of any opening they could get, but they would never have the chance.
At Vekarin’s first blow the Innocence seemed to stumble back, his hood twisting for a moment, and in that moment his ghastly visage was revealed. Too caught up in the thrill of combat Vekarin had not seen his face, and he brought his sword round in a decapitating arc. Suddenly a crackle of lighting roared across the room, slamming the Blood Dragon to the ground. Such an attack to overpower Vekarin’s plate armour could have only come from one person, and he looked in Lesa’s direction with a look on confusion and anger. When he saw the look on her face he paused for a moment, for he had never seen such anguish in the face of another creature.
“It can’t.......†she mumbled, dropping to her knees, her eyes fixed on the sight in front of her. Looking back Vekarin saw the Innocence rise once more, his hood no longer covering his face, and the Blood Dragons face dropped in shock.
“Milosh?......â€