Alexandros Manuscript Page 109
I
rode hard throughout the night and the following day into the next night. I stopped briefly only for a few hours each time to rest and allow my horse rest. Now as I closed in on the city of Naukratis I could see I may be too late. The city looked as if it was well under attack. Many of the walls appeared collapsed and fires burning billowing smoke into the air over many areas of the city.
I kicked my horse ushering for it to run faster. The air hung heavy with the feeling of evil. A fear I was more than ready to face.
——
Get
a squad to the south wall!" Khaldun yelled.
The city's siege began in the early hours of the morning and now it was late afternoon. Khaldun had four battalions including the company already at the city's garrison. The battle had been nonstop, but his men weren't ready to give in.
Khaldun scanned the battle. He was in the mix on several occasions, but had recently stepped back to issue orders. He was more of a hands-on general than one that stayed behind the lines, but at times he had to step back. His attention was caught by a man carefully making his way down a secured path toward him. His battledress showed the man to be an officer and Khaldun had a pretty good idea who the man was.
"Badru I presume," Khaldun said when the man reached earshot range.
"Yes general."
"Excellent job with the evacuation," Khaldun congratulated.
"It couldn't have been done without Commander Anhur's planning and leadership." Badru beamed with pride at the mention of his former commander.
"Yes, Anhur was good man and leader. It is unfortunate Pharaoh has lost such a soldier, but it is fortunate you have made it."
"Thank you, sir." Badru looked eager to meet Khaldun but also eager to be someplace else.
"You seem to have your mind someplace else," the general said picking up on Badru's body language.
"I'm sorry general," he said looking away momentarily. "I was just disappointed having to leave the people under my guard. Not that I would want to pass up the chance to me you."
Khaldun laughed. "I'm only the general of Pharaoh's army, meeting me is not as grand as a meeting with Pharaoh," he said humbly. "I actually called you here because I need you more than the citizens. They will make it to Memphis as the demon horde is more interested in us than they are of them."
"Then I am at your service general."
"Good. As it is now we are holding the front lines, but it seems our enemy wants to surprise us with an attack to our rear. I need someone to lead the men back there and ensure our lines don't falter."
"I will try my best sir," Badru said with pride.
"You had better or we all fail."
——
Rashida
saw the danger as a small group of demons broke away from the main battle and began a flanking maneuver. For whatever reason, her attention was caught by the small group.
From the rooftop of the building she had occupied she had a good view of the city and its outskirts. Armed with a bow, she aided Khaldun and his men using her archery skills to take down many of the creatures. Yet no matter how many she dispatched, the horde only seemed to grow.
She thought about attempting to eliminate the strike force, but by the time they would be in range of her bow they would be well within the city walls. So she decided it was time to get up close and personal. Tossing her bow to the side, she drew her scimitar and leapt over the side of the building. She landed gracefully and began a run for the back gates.
——
It appears Lapas has failed.
Amnischnell said as he stood atop what remained of Xios' wall facing outward. Malanatohiel stood not far from the
Ifrit
. Both armies met up as commanded by Vectivus.
Sapon and Lapas were to take the portion of the horde under their command and attack Naukratis. Once each of the cities was taken, all would meet their master, Vectivus in Bubastis. From there the entire horde would systematically destroy each city lying in the path to Memphis.
