Marina: Battle For The Realms

Marina:

Battle for the Realms

by Ian Johnstone

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2015 Ian Johnstone

Published by Strict Publishing International

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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CHAPTER ONE

Warrior had been sent to the world known as Leif to speak with the gods. He appeared outside a large palace and the gates opened to allow him in. The heralds took him to the main hall were all the gods were seated, Warrior bowed as he came to a halt in front of the Chief God or rather Goddess. My Lady Victoria, the Creators have sent me on your request to alleviate a problem here. As for all the gods in the universe, my sword arm is an extension of your own arm, and your enemies are my enemies.

"Warrior, I thank you for coming. We, the gods, have a serious problem on the surface of this world. Perhaps it is the result of our own mismanagement of the situation, but I feel that much of what has happened has been beyond our control.

There are two land masses on the surface, she continued, and she pointed to the hologram floating in the centre of the hall. "The large one on the left is called Tarn, and the one on the right is Metros. Their Lords and Kings have been changing throughout the years, and there have been the wars and upheavals that we were told to expect when we were sent here by the Creators.

A short time ago, the colours on the hologram changed to red overnight. We have no idea why this happened. As soon as we informed the Creators, they told us that for our own safety we should not go to the surface. We have had a lot of warriors sent to the big hall for the war at the End of the World, and they all say the same thing. There are two Kings down there, calling themselves Lord Cyber and Lord Flax, and the stories of atrocities they have committed are horrendous. We need to know, Warrior, what really is going on down on the surface. There is talk of evil magic and dead souls walking and fighting with these Lords’ armies. Monsters and the like are running free, with nothing to stop them killing and maiming the population. The only explanation we gods can put on it is that the world is not developing as it should because of these two warring Lords. In our estimation, this world is about a thousand years behind time. I know what you are thinking, but we informed the Creators of this over a thousand years ago. Their answer was to keep persevering, and that it would get better and its development would start to move faster, but they have given us no idea of the timescale and we cannot wait forever doing nothing.

I will go to the surface, my Lady, and see what this is all about. With your permission, my Lady, and Warrior bowed and faded.

He appeared on the surface, which he knew to be Tarn. Before him there was a battle taking place, with four thousand soldiers fighting what seemed an endless supply of the opposing army. There was no way the soldiers could win, and when fireballs began to rain down on them from out of nowhere they took the only reasonable action in the circumstances. A horn sounded, and both mounted and foot soldiers ran back towards the hills. Then Warrior heard the words he dreaded to hear, spoken by a man on the hill. The voice was loud, possibly too loud for a mortal.

Forward! We must find the Stepping Stones to the Gods.

Warrior faded from the scene, and reappeared on Metros, although he was invisible to everyone around him. He entered a large tent where one man, clearly in charge, was addressing the generals. The man looked up, his eyes narrowed as if he were looking for someone, but he could not see Warrior.

The man looked back at the generals, and shouted at them, You are letting me down. You should have found the Stepping Stones by now. It is my right by conquest to get to them first, but your incompetence may lead to another g… another Lord finding them before me. Now get back out there and scour the churches and sacred houses. I want the key.

Warrior had heard enough. He returned to the hall of the gods.

My Lady, the situation is worse than I ever thought it could be. I will have to go and report to the Creators.

He saw the goddess’s head drop in resignation. My Lady, if it is any consolation, it is not your fault. What is happening on the surface of this world is outside the control of the gods and far beyond anything you or any of the gods could have anticipated. Have faith in the power of the Creators and their warriors. With your permission, I must go and give my report, my Lady.

Yes, go, Warrior, and the gods hope that you have better news on your return. You will return, Warrior?

Yes, my Lady.

* * * * *

Warrior met the Creators in the Mists of Time and informed them of all he had seen and heard.

This is gross incompetence on the part of the gods, Warrior, and they and the world should be punished.

"My Lords, with respect, they informed the Creators of these problems over a thousand years ago. In fact, it may have been going on since before the Council of Gods for this world was appointed. These two gods on the surface of this world, for there is no doubt in my mind that they are gods, have used various guises over the centuries when they proclaimed themselves Lords or Kings. All the time, they have been building up their powers and their strength.

The Council of Gods here has only been doing what the Creators told them to do, and that was to persevere with the problem. They had no idea what was really going on, and they certainly could not have anticipated the exceptionally high level of evil that we can now sense. They only had some clue as to the severity of the problem when the hologram changed from green to red a short time ago, and that was when I was called. Over half the people of this world are good and God-fearing, and that on its own is more than enough to mean that they deserve help. However, the evil of those two gods is far too powerful for me to handle alone. I watched a rain of fireballs directed at an opposing force, and I believe this is only a small measure of the power that must be dealt with here. There are good people trying their best to fight, and yet they have little knowledge of what they are up against.

We will see to things. You may go to Asgard and rest, Warrior. We will seek the advice of the other Creators.

* * * * *

Marina and Brandon appeared on Leif, with the usual three Valkron accompanying them. There was a village not far away, and they headed towards it, but just outside of the perimeter Brandon stopped and looked around them.

There is something not right about this village, Marina. I am unsure what it is, but I have a strong feeling that there is danger here.

Yes I sense this danger too, Brandon. I sense that it is now on the move and heading towards us.

At that moment, twenty mounted soldiers rode out of the village towards them at a trot. On seeing the small group, five of the mounted soldiers stopped. Each had a young girl lying across the front of his saddle, and all the girls were screaming for the riders to let them go.

Well, look at this: a bonus four more to take to our camp. Four women look far too many for you, boy. I think you ought to pass them to us to look after for you.

No, I don’t think so, replied Brandon. I think it is you and your army that has far too many women for you to handle. I believe that if you release them and put them down, Marina will be lenient with your punishment.

You are obviously having trouble with your eyesight, boy. There are twenty of us and five of you. Now, what do you say to that?

Look, it’s far too late to tell me that. If you wanted to go and get reinforcements, you should have thought of it before you challenged us. Now, do as I say before I get upset. Put the girls down, and you’ll live.

We are going to set the girls down and then we will kill you, boy. We’ll have your horses too.

Brandon watched the soldiers put the girls on the ground telling them that they had better not move. You eight, the leader said to eight of the riders on his left, Go and rip that woman off her horse. I want her two swords.

Pull back, Brandon. The man wants my swords, said Marina.

Brandon smiled as he pulled his horse back well behind Marina.

Send your men over here, big mouth, and I send them back without their heads.

Get her now. The eight charged at Marina, and as they came close her swords were out and back in before the leader had any idea what was happening. The heads of the soldiers were rolling about on the ground.

Well, big mouth? Are you going to come and claim your prize?

Lord Flax is not going to like what you have done, the leader told Marina, showing no inclination of moving any closer to her. He will destroy you with his powerful magic. Get the girls and we will go back to the castle.

If you wish to remain alive you will leave the girls where they are, Marina retorted. Now toddle off to Lord Flax, and tell him that Marina is here to kick his miserable body off the surface of Leif. You can also tell him that his days of plundering the countryside are over. My army will be here shortly, and then I will show him what magic is all about.

If I had time I would cut you down, witch. We burn witches unless they are fighting for Lord Flax.

Drusilla, Marina said to one of the Valkron. Do something with that cape the big mouth is wearing. It will get caught on something if it goes on blowing about like that.

Drusilla pointed her finger, and the cape caught fire.

They watched as the soldier screamed and ripped it off his back. I will make you pay tenfold for that, witch. He rode away with the other soldiers at a blinding pace.

The girls were bowing, and one said, Thank you, my Lady.

I am not your Lady. I am Marina. Your Lady is the Goddess Victoria. It is she that you should be thanking, because it is on her request that I am here. If this is your village, then I think you ought to go home as soon as possible.

Marina watched the girls as they ran off, and once they were out of sight, she and the four others faded to reappear near the Palace of the Gods. The gates opened, and they were taken to the Meeting Hall of the Gods.

A goddess was standing near a lectern.

My Lady, I am Marina.

Marina heard the whispers round the room.

I have been sent here by the Creators to sort out this ugly mess. First though, I would like to say that my god, the Goddess Omecihuatl, sends her greeting to the gods of Leif.

Thank you, Marina. Your name carries a lot of weight, as does your god. I welcome you to our world, but as you say, it is in a mess. This must be Brandon, your General and second in command. Your name precedes you in the Pages of Time. Star, Drusilla and Topaz, I welcome you all on behalf of the gods in their entirety.

I have seen the chaos on the surface, my Lady. I have shown my intent to Lord Flax, as he is called.

How do you mean, ‘as he is called’? Who is he, Marina?

He is not a lord but a god.

There was another murmur passing around the seat of the gods.

I will tire him out before I imprison him, Marina told them. He is an evil god who should not be on the surface but in the Underworld. I could feel his immense power as soon as I appeared on the surface of Leif. Once he has been neutralised, I will do the same with Lord Cyber, because he too is an evil god.

Do you need an army, Marina? There is one on the surface, but it is disorganised. I am not sure how you will go about getting them to follow you, but I have been informed by the heralds that there are at least five thousand of them. The only problem is that Lord Flax has ten times that amount of soldiers, and he can summon them by magic with no more than a word.

So, he uses Magic to transport his army. The sort of army that I will place in front of him will soon put him in the right frame of mind. The soldier we ran into on the surface said something about going back to the castle. Do you know where this castle is?

There are over twenty castles dotted all over the countryside. Lord Flax has been building them for several years as he took more territory. He uses the prisoners he captures to do the building, treating them no better than slaves.

Where does he keep the prisoners? In the castles?

He built a prison that usually holds about three thousand of them. It is not very well protected, but no one has the nerve to attack it so not many guards are needed to defend it. It’s empty at the moment, because he is using the prisoners to build a new castle.

In that case, my Lady, the new building will be the place I free first, making the prisoners a large part of my army.

It is there that you will find the army that is loyal to me, Marina, but they are without a real commander.

With your permission, my Lady, I will speak with my Creator and then place my army on the surface.

Yes of course, Marina, and the blessings of the gods are with you.

They all faded, and Marina and Brandon met Marina’s Creator in the mists of time.

"These two gods, Marina, cannot go on with what they doing now. They are breaking all the universal laws and it has to stop. They are making a mockery of everything good, and they cannot be allowed to go on seeking the key to the Realms. Certainly they have a big task ahead of them if they persist in that direction. After the problems we had with Earth, all the lower Stepping Stones on every world were destroyed.

You have all the powers, and you may use whatever you need, but I very much doubt that you will have to go too far in that direction. You fight magic with magic, and the way you do it makes you the most powerful in the universe. I will never leave you wanting as you go about your task of cleaning up this mess, Marina. My blessing and those of the Creators in their entirety go with you.

* * * * *

Marina and the entire army of Valkron appeared on the surface, where the new partially built castle could be seen in the distance. In the other direction was the army that remained loyal to the Council of Gods.

We will go and see if the army is willing to make war with this Lord Flax.

They rode in the direction of the army. As they came closer, they could see that the lookouts had spotted them and the army was on the alert. A detachment was sent towards them, but on seeing Marina’s force of Valkron, they rode back to the main army at speed, and there was sudden movement in the ranks of soldiers. Archers fanned out in front of the army, and Marina could see that they were frightened but ready to do battle if necessary. There was nothing she could do about the way they were reacting, because she understood their reasons.

Deacon, we will need the barrier, but at no time do I want to look aggressive. I need this army to trust me.

Marina was within a hundred paces of the archers, and she continued riding slowly forward. At fifty paces, she stopped.

Who is in charge here? she demanded, but this was met by silence. Now, don’t be silly. I want to know who your leader is.

A voice from within the crowd answered, I am the leader, but for how long I have no idea. As he answered, he walked out in front of the archers. Who are you, and what do you want?

I am Marina, and I am here to free your world and give you your land back. There was a lot of muttering, and then the archers lowered their bows.

You are the one the priests have been talking about. They say you have a direct link to the gods. You can see that we are in fear and disorganised. We are all that is left of an army totalling thirty thousand. Do not mistake my words, Marina, we might be in fear but we will still fight to the death.

Then I am in time, because I have every intention of leading this army to victory, as depleted as it is. Who are you?

I am Bandore, and it was I that started the army and the fight back against Flax. I call him only ‘Flax’ because he is no Lord of mine.

Marina said, I want a true count of your spear men, archers and riders. I want them in ranks and each type of soldier in his own group. Tomorrow we are going to war and the first thing to do is to take our captured soldiers back from their slavery. We are going to destroy the new castle and all opposing forces in it.

Marina, we are five thousand men and no more. By the time we get near the castle there will be three times that number waiting for us.

What did your priest say about me, Bandore?

He said you would amass armies that have never before been seen on Leif, and that you will fight fire with fire.

Then trust me to do just that.

What about the walking dead he pulls from the grave, Marina? How are you going to fight them?

I will destroy them the same way as I would do if they were alive, but faster. Now do as I ask, because we go to war at first light.

* * * * *

The morning came and the army was now looking more like an army. The Valkron had organised them, with Brandon placing a Valkron at the front of every fifty soldiers.

Marina and Brandon were at the front, and Bandore was just to her left and rear, in line with Brandon.

Order your men forward, Bandore. They are still your army to lead. Brandon is my General, and you must do whatever he says without question.

They had been marching a short while there was an apparition in front of them. Marina halted the Army.

Where do you think you are going, witch, with that paltry little army? You are going the wrong way, woman. You should be running the other way. I am in no doubt that you will be doing just that when you see my army charging towards you.

Marina made no answer. She just looked ahead, and then she turned to Bandore, still ignoring Lord Flax.

I believe that is the new castle belonging to that disgusting creep Flax. Well, it won’t be long before he will have to get another one.

Don’t you ignore me, witch. I am the most powerful man on this world.

Marina still took no notice, as she nudged her horse forward through the apparition.

They were a thousand paces from the castle when they saw the army appear out of thin air. The army behind Marina started to talk all at once as they came to a halt. Brandon turned his horse to face them.

Now listen to me and forget about the army ahead, because they are about to be destroyed. Marina didn’t come all this way to see you defeated and die, so have a little bit of faith in Marina and the Goddess Victoria that sent her.

The army was once again quiet, and Brandon turned and rode closer to Marina. That army, Marina, consists of fifteen thousand foot soldiers. I see no mounted troops anywhere. I have also noticed a drop in Lord Flax’s power as those soldiers arrived, but there is no mistaking that they are real.

You are correct, Brandon, and I felt the same as you. He is using a lot of energy transporting those soldiers across the country. What do you see in the army?"

There are a thousand archers, five thousand spearmen, and the rest are swordsmen only. Only the spearmen have shields and they are not big enough to cover their bodies.

The battlefield is yours, Brandon.

The apparition appeared once more, and Lord Flax shouted, How dare you ignore me, witch? I will enjoy burning you when we capture you in a short while. I will see that it is a slow burn, just to hear you screaming in pain.

Marina did not even look at the apparition. She just looked ahead with her knowing smile.

Look at my army, you foolish witch. I am going to take pleasure in wiping your army off the surface of Leif. Are you deaf, witch? I am talking to you. Surrender now, and I will let you all live as slaves. Can you hear me? he shouted once more, but Marina just ignored him.

Then your fate is sealed, and the apparition disappeared.

The army started to march forward. They were ten deep, spread over a thousand paces. The army behind Marina watched nervously, and at that moment Brandon thought ‘Roman Legion with a thousand archers’. When they appeared in front of the army, there was a hubbub of conversation but now there was much less nervousness.

As soon as Lord Flax’ army saw the Roman Legion appear, it almost came to a halt and would have done just that if the officers had not pushed them forward.

Brandon shouted, March forward two hundred paces and form checkerboard.

The army behind Marina watched in awe as this took place. When the Romans stopped in formation, Brandon gave more orders: Archers prepare to shoot. On my command, a full quiver of arrows.

The army heading towards Marina was now moving forward much more slowly. They had never been up against anything like this before. At a hundred and fifty paces away, they stopped and it was then Brandon shouted, Archers to the front, pilum protect the archers for seventy five paces and then archers fire.

Several blocks ran forward, and as they came closer the opposing army fired their arrows. It was too early, and the arrows fell to the ground. The second wave of arrows was better, but the shield went up and only one percent was killed. The Romans stopped, and the archers fired a full quiver before turning and running back before the last arrow had met its target. The opposing army tried to do the same with their shields as the Romans had done, but they had had no practice in forming an effective interlocking defence with their shields, and over a third of them were killed. Their screams were horrific, but Marina was unconcerned. They had chosen to fight for the evil gods, and this was the consequence of their decision.

Finally, the opposing army reorganised and started to march forward again.

Pilum forward, Brandon shouted. The first block of soldiers ran forward, meeting no effective opposition. Each soldier threw his spear and then retreated, and then the second block ran out and did the same. By the time they had all returned, there were only about three thousand of the opposing army left to do battle.

Brandon shouted, Every other Cohort, charge into the attack. Let no one live.

The battle was quickly over, and the Romans returned to their formation with minimal losses.

Forward, to the Castle, commanded Brandon, and the entire army marched forward. They saw the few guards that had been looking after the prisoners riding out as fast as they could, and when they got to the castle the prisoners were walking out.

Marina clicked her fingers and the Roman Legion disappeared, and the remainder of Marina’s army marched up to the castle. She looked around at the dead from the opposing army and the few that her army had lost, and she clicked her fingers again. The dead disappeared from the battlefield, leaving behind their weapons and only a few horses to show they had ever been there.

Bandore, have some of the army collect the weapons and give them to the soldiers we’ve freed, and then get them food. They look half starved.

Brandon was still sitting on his horse, looking as if he was concentrating on something. A few seconds later, he relaxed and dismounted. He walked over to Marina and stood at her side.

Is something wrong, Brandon?

I am not sure, Marina. I keep getting a feeling that dead souls are here on the surface.

You are almost right, Brandon. There are dead souls, but right now they are still in the Underworld, being organised and prepared to be drawn out. You are feeling this now and not in the battle because we are not in the Outer World but on the surface. My Creator is pleased with the battle today.

Marina, in the final part of that battle, I told the Romans to let no one live. Was I correct in doing so?

These soldiers we are fighting made their mind up a long time ago to fight for evil gods, and to do that they too had to be evil. If it had been a wrong order, my Creator would have said so. The heralds have informed the gods of what happened, but they might wish to ask questions. I need rest, Brandon. Would you offer my apologies to the gods and answer anything they ask.

Marina then walked over to the castle wall and sat