Dragon Alliance: Dark Storm

Once all the introductions were made and all his junior leaders were around him he looked over to Jodem, Toderan and Lupek, who gave him a nod. “Leaders and soldiers of Draden Weir, I wanted to gather you together before Gallanth and I lead the other dragons and aerial battalions into battle, to talk to you as our friends. The only enemy that can defeat you today is fear, for you and your soldiers’ swords and arrows will cut the orcs and Morgathians down. To this I have faith in your abilities.
We have trained hard for this, but as good as we are with our weapons, they cannot defend against fear. You must embrace this emotion you feel, and use it as a shield to protect yourselves and your brothers and sisters who fight beside you. While hope is not a good planning tool to go into battle with, faith in yourselves and your fellow soldiers, as well as in the Creator, will carry the day. Remember that no arsenal, no magical weapon of power is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free citizens. Use this strength, lead your soldiers by example, and you will be victorious. Gallanth and I will be there for you as the battle begins to rage, but trust in your own abilities as well each other,” Mkel told his leaders.
Mkel, the chromatics are inbound, attacking earlier than expected, Gallanth said out loud as he sensed the rise of the chromatic dragon squadrons from many miles away. “Luck to you all,” Mkel said as he started to mount Gallanth. Luck to you soldiers of Draden, Gallanth added as he gave his challenge roar to his draconic enemies and to signal the dragons and aerial forces to take to the predawn sky. The echoes of his roar seemed to almost shake the sides of the narrow valley, and with a leap they were airborne rising to meet their ancestral enemies. Tegent, Lupek and the rangers mounted their griffons and also rose up and into the near darkness. They all had the special seeing crystal visors that pulled over one eye that allowed them to see in the dark. Not as good as a dragon, but good enough to guide their mounts to keep in formation and not crash into each other.
They all angled up to meet the Eladran dragons and two battalions of mounted hippogriffs, griffins, giant eagles and winged horses coming from the legion’s assembly area. Lupek then guided his griffon Razor Claw and the Draden rangers to move in front of the winged forces and the Eladran dragons lined up behind Gallanth. Fieranth and Killenth, the two lead Eladran Weir bronze dragons formed the first part of the two prongs of the V formation behind Gallanth, and they all flew slowly and quietly above the valley trail towards the Morgathian army. Jodem told Mkel that they shouldn’t teleport above the enemy columns, as it will trigger the chromatics to move faster and not allow them to hit the army below before becoming decisively engaged.
As they glided toward the inevitable battle to come, Mkel closed his eyes and enjoyed the brief seconds of calm before the storm of battle. Gallanth sensing his rider’s feelings spoke to him telepathically, the tide of battle today will go in our favor my rider, but victory will not come easy. Gallanth’s words and encouragement always gave Mkel confidence, and was especially appreciated now. This battle had been prepared for with days of rehearsal, unlike the fight in Handsdown which was fast, and their part there was much simpler. Now he had the whole of Draden Weir, his infantry company, as well as the rest of the garrison along with his elf and dwarf comrades. So many he and his dragon are responsible for weighed heavily on his mind. Fear not my rider, we will do our best, and that is all your soldiers expect, as for the elves and the dwarves, they need no convincing. “Thank you my friend. Are you ready?” Mkel asked. Yes, as are all of our Eladran friends behind us. The Morgathians are just below and are awaiting our welcome call, Gallanth answered. “Then let’s not keep them waiting,” Mkel explained as he cocked Markthrea with a magazine of exploding tipped bolts and bore down on the stock.
Dawn was just breaking and the sun would silhouette them in seconds so the time for attack was now. With a ferocious roar, Gallanth signaled the attack, which was echoed by the two dozen dragons behind him as all the female Eladran dragons would participate in this first attack and then move back to support the legions.
Mkel could feel Gallanth’s neck tightening as he prepared to unleash a plasma fireball. He took aim at the center of the orc battalions and fired. His bolt streaked downward and was fired in conjunction with a sunburst beam Gallanth aimed at a fire giant, which struck him in the upper breast plate and bore a hole three feet in diameter through its chest killing it instantly. Mkel’s bolt struck in the middle of a group of orcs, with the explosion sending dozens flying in all directions. Just before they turned to fly up from the dive, Gallanth let loose his powerful fireball which exploded with tremendous force at the lead of the fire giants’ column incinerating three common giants, severely injuring three more, and wiping out a company of orcs and other creatures. The lightning bolts, jets of flame, and flaming acid streams from the two wings of Eladran dragons he led and the corresponding spells or energy bolts from their riders left a devastating effect on the ground against the attacking armies. Four more fire giants fell, along with two battalions or more of orcs and ten common giants.
The fire giants attempted a crude counter fire by throwing their boulders at the dragons as they passed. Only one was successful in hitting a copper dragon who was struck in the underbelly and suffered a severe bruise, but was not nearly enough to knock him from the sky. Lupek led the Alliance aerial battalions on their attack run against the rear portion of the Morgathian column. As the passed they let loose a fusillade of dragons’ fire grenades and arrows, killing hundreds below. The Morgathian archers sent up a barrage of arrows to counter the devastating strike but only managed to down five hippogriffs.
As they rose from this first destructive attack the roars of the approaching chromatic dragons and Morgathian manticores and wyverns could be heard from up the valley. Gallanth looked up and saw the cloud forming in the early morning sky, and ordered the female metallics to break off and return to the legions to provide them cover in case any of the chromatics slipped passed them. However, he also told them to pay the Morgathian army below another visit on the way back. The twelve female dragons veered off and turned back down the valley and conducted another devastating attack on the Morgathian and fire giant army.
This surprises me my rider. The chromatics never lend their army this much support this early in the battle. This must have been at some urging by someone or something powerful. We must take care, Gallanth told Mkel as they formed their V and headed toward the incoming chromatics. “I agree my friend, but now we have other matters to attend to,” he answered as he looked into his crossbow’s scope and saw the armada of chromatics coming toward them. “By the Creator Gallanth, there must be over eighty dragons heading our way,” he spoke out loud very concerned. I see my rider, keep your courage and keep your aim true, these were the odds we faced during the Great War; we will prevail, Gallanth reassured him as he issued his challenge roar, which was echoed by the dozen metallics behind him.