Ingdom of Minatorie Ch 4 Battle

KINGDOM OF MINATORIE CH 4 THE BATTLE

It is strange to have an adult son that you've only known for a month. He will be my heir, and I named him Alexander. I asked Mousius to take him under his wing and train him as he trains his son from Anastasia in the ways of battle. We know the battle is coming.

Mousius and Anastasia knew from where the battle was coming. The land to our north, over the mountains, was inhabited by the Centaurs. Mousius filled me in on the history of our two peoples.

Years ago, a family of Centaurs attended a wedding in Thessaly. Some of them got drunk and tried to carry away the bride. Hercules was there, and the Centaurs lost the following battle. That family was banished to the land above us. It was a nice area; except they didn't have enough water. Most of the water flowing out of the mountains between the two groups flowed south. The wizard believed the gods did that on purpose, but, whatever the reason, it caused the Centaurs to look southward. They especially coveted a large lake at the base of the mountains. There was a valley that the water flowed out of. The gorge cleaved the entire mountain range in two. Mousius had already fought and defeated the Centaurs twice in the last twenty years. They were undoubtedly behind the sorcerous' plan to kill as many male Minotaur as possible.

Our new males trained continuously for the next month, all the while, with Mousius nervously watching the north. Why haven't they attacked when we were the weakest? The answer to why was answered by the wizard the next time he returned.

The wizard gathered Mousius, Anastasia, and myself in one of my meeting rooms. "It is time for all to be made clear. The reason they have not attacked is because of the gods. All of what I have done is because of the gods. The gods don't really pay much attention to anyone other than themselves. The only exception is when something so angers them that they decide to intervene. Your history with the Centaur is such an occasion. They were entertained by your wars until the Centaurs stepped into what the gods consider their territory. They hired the sorcerous to somehow kill most of the male Minotaur before they attacked. The gods stopped the attack the day it was going to happen and sent me here to restore as much of the balance as I could before they would remove the barrier they had erected between the two groups. They just want to be entertained by a good fight. There is one thing I can't see. It is in a haze from the sorcerous, and the gods won't allow me to penetrate it. You will need to be careful until you understand what it is.

I am here now because they are lowering the barrier in two days. The Centaurs have been informed of this also. I was allowed to imbue your new males with the wisdom of a Minotaur of twenty-five years. Plan your battle. I am unable to assist you any further, except to stand by and assist you if what hides behind the haze is judged by the gods to give them an unfair advantage. Otherwise, I can only consult. May the gods be with you."

With that, he disappeared.

Mousius laid out his battle plan. He intended to keep the two armies separate and put half of each army near the lake as a show of force. The other half would be held in reserve to reinforce as needed.

Mousius brought out one thing I was completely surprised by. He called them battle bulls. He brought out two of the largest cattle bulls I had ever seen. They had armor on them and a place on top for two.

"Mousius, what is this?"

"These are the bulls the King and his commanders would ride into battle on. Deliliah had tried to kill them all, but these two were hidden in a secret pasture. I've always hidden things whenever I could. You will ride on one of these bulls in your armor. Your golden sword shall radiate in the sun as a symbol of our people's fight. Your human servant will ride behind you with your other weapons."

I walked up to the largest bull and held out my hand. He stood almost as high as I was tall. He looked me in the eye, and for a moment, we stared into the other's eyes. He finally lowered his head, and I scratched his head. He bellowed softly, and it was done. Mousius helped me on board, and I learned how to ride a bull that day. I could understand how this worked. I'm tall as it is, but sitting on this huge bull, I had to be an impressive sight to behold. As I walked around the area, practicing my riding, anyone we came upon bowed immediately. It seemed my people knew more about this bull than I did. I didn't care if they were bowing because of the bull or me. It just gave me confidence with the thought of how imposing I was. Of course, it never occurred to me until the battle started, just how much of a target this made me in the battle. Mousius was very aware and had instructed Thunder to have her squadron in the battle to surround and protect me.

Unfortunately, I had to allow Alexander to march toward the battlefield with the armies. He rode beside Perius, Mausius and Anastasia's son. They rode beside Mousius and his Generals. Anastasia rode in front of her army. Before they had begun the march, the wizard arrived with a herd of large horses for the leaders to ride into battle. This would negate the advantage the Centaur had with their horses' bodies.

I sat on my bull from a high point and watched them leave. Each battalion saluted as they marched by, male and female

Once they were nearly out of sight, I turned and returned to the palace.

Once inside, I looked for Thunder. She was preparing their armor with her royal guard. "Thank you, Thunder, for going with me into battle."

"Sire, that is what we have been born for. We all will die before allowing you to be harmed."

I put my hand to her face and held it softly. Her face softened and she looked me in the eyes. "I would be very sad if anything happened to you, my love. Please protect yourself, too."

I had to turn and get out of there before my guards saw the King tear up.

I headed for the dining hall. I had Toy a step behind me, my eternal shadow. Except for nature's call or me mating with Astoria or my cow, she was always beside me. After a somber meal, I retired to my chamber. I found cow in her bed, as always when I'm coming in, and Astoria in her adjourning chambers.

I called each of them to me. Cow lay before me and Astoria was standing in front of me with her head bowed. I had long since stopped Astoria from kneeling in front of me. If she was to be my Queen, she would have to maintain her dignity. She chose to do this by standing with her head bowed until I spoke to her. "Astoria, my love, please sit beside me."

She sat down beside me and took my hand in her lap. I have always liked that, and she knew it. Toy stood at the door. I turned to her. "Toy, please have Thunder send another guard for the door. I wish to have you with me tonight." Toy nodded and went to find Thunder.

When Toy returned, I had her kneel on the other side from Astoria. I told Cow to sit up. When she did, I patted her bald head and rubbed her cheek. She cooed softly and rubbed her face on my hand.

"Tomorrow will be the battle to determine our future. I wish to spend what might be my last night in the world with the three loves of my life. I won't choose one. Each of you hold a special place in my heart. Astoria, you shall be my wife and the Queen of the land. I love your strength and beauty. I will count on your council when we return to our normal ways after the battle. Toy, you were my first love in this strange land. You have stood with me from the first moment you joined me. Any day I can't see your beautiful face is a wasted day for me."

I reached down and stroked Cow's head. Our eyes met and I held the gaze for a minute or two. Finally, "Minatorie, I believe the gods were unjust in how they treated you. How were you supposed to overcome a sorceress's curse? You are the mother of the next King. When I return, I will restore you to womanhood from your degraded position. There are only so many things I can do, but I shall give you chambers here, and servants to assist you. I can't allow you to put on clothes because of the judgement, but I will allow you to leave my chambers once you are strong enough to ignore the stares of the people. You can't leave the palace, but it is huge, and you will be free to wander it at your leisure." Minatorie collapsed at my feet, crying.

"Thank you, my lord, thank you."

"They may have decreed your name to be King's Cow, but my nickname for you in private shall be Minatorie."

I looked at each and smiled. "Now, if each of you will, please retire to my bed. I wish to enjoy each of you tonight."

They jumped up and disappeared into my private chambers. When I entered, the three were sitting in my bed, naked and willing. I could see three tunnels waiting for me. The mere sight opened my tunnel. It may be my last night in this kingdom, but I will remember it for as long as I live.

I told them to submit, and each turned and bent over on their knees. Their juices were ebbing out of them and dripping on the bed. I began at the one on the left and proceeded to mount each in turn. I knew who each was as I entered them, but, in my mind, I was just defiling my nameless harem. To me, even the night of the festival of life couldn't compare to this night. That night had just been a duty to perform. This night was the joy of these females presenting their asses to allow me to enjoy each.

I rode each to conclusion and we all lay down in a pile of arms and legs. After recovering, I took each from the front, staring into their eyes as I took them again. We finally fell asleep in exhaustion. If I die tomorrow, at least I know what I'm fighting for.

I was up early and told Toy to go to the guard chambers and get ready for battle. I told Minatorie to go to her old room. She had not been there since the wizard had sent her to the bed behind my headboard. I kissed Astoria and talked to her about what to do if I don't come back.

"You are to talk to whichever leader returns from the battle. If Alexander survives, he shall be named King. If he dies also and Mousius survives, you are to inform him I wish him to be named King. One of the three of us should survive this battle. The Kingdom must continue." I kissed her and asked her to assist me in putting on my armor. She did so but had tears in her eyes the entire time.

Toy and I joined the rest of the Royal Guard, and we went to the barns where my bull was waiting. He seemed anxious, ready to go, but he stood calmly while I mounted him. Once in place, my servant handed me my shield and sword. He then handed me the bag of other weapons we would take into battle, and I gave him a lift up into his seat. He took the bag, and we were ready.

The march to the field took most of the day. As the sun was setting, I came over the hill to see our army spread out before me. Mousius and Anastasia rode up and met me in my tent at our campground.

Mousius saluted. "Sire, Anastasia and I will take our halves of the army during the night and set up our positions behind the lake in the valley. Our reserves will stay here with you."

Anastasia pointed to one of her Generals. "Sire, Presese will stay with you and command the female army in reserve for you. Alexander shall command your reserve army with you."

"Mousius, I cannot stand back and have my men in harm's way."

"I understand. I will stand by your side in front."

I nodded and mounted my bull. Bwa was flying over the area and I could see through his eyes that the Centaurs were bunched in the gorge behind the lake. He then went around the mountain to find another column of Centaurs coming around on our flank to the left. He then went to the other side to see more there. They were all waiting for the barrier to drop.

As we rode toward the front, I told Mousius and Anastasia of the flanking maneuver. They each sent messengers to the rear to tell the reserves to engage the flanking armies.

Mousius and I stood in front of our ranks. My sword and armor gleamed in the afternoon sun. Bwa landed on my shoulder.

"Bwa, stay above us here and try to see whatever trick they have hidden."

He nodded and took off. The wizard appeared in the sky above us and waved his arms. Both armies immediately charged. The Centaurs came on in a stampede. They were half horses after all, and they made a thundering sound as they spewed out of the gorge onto the plain below. Just as my bull was nearing the first line of Centaurs, I saw Bwa circling feverously in front of me, to my right. I motioned to Mousius that I was shifting to the right and pulled my bull hard right. He didn't hesitant but turned right and bowled over the front row of Centaurs as he turned. My men were able to pounce on the fallen Centaurs and make short work of them. Meanwhile, I was riding parallel down the line, defending my left side. I kept my shield in my left hand and fought with my right until I arrived at where Bwa was circling. There, in the middle of my female warriors was a large tail-less leopard. He was huge, moving from warrior to warrior. My warriors were freezing as he locked his eyes on them. I had to get him away from my female warriors. I have no idea what he was doing, but he was helping the Centaurs push my female warriors back. I saw Anastasia in the front lines. She was moving from warrior to warrior on her horse and yelling at her troops something. Her warriors immediately put their shields over their faces. They couldn't see who to fight, but they were slowly falling back in an organized retreat.

The leopard was quick, jumping from area to area, freezing my warriors each step of his path. My bull charged at him, and he saw us at the last second. He was able to avert being crushed, but he was now too busy to attack my females. He tried to jump over my bull's head toward me, but the bull caught him with one of his horns. While he was attempting to dodge that horn, I thrust him through with my sword. The scream he made as I watched death come across his face was horrific and could be heard above battle. For one second, the Centaurs froze, and my females turned back toward them.

I let them push past me until I was free to turn. I saw our reserves heading toward each flank of our armies. I spurred my bull toward the left flank, where Alexander was leading our males into the center of the Centaur's line.

My bull and I joined the fray just as Alexander was beginning to bend their line. My bull shattered the line, and we poured through their ranks, attacking on each side until I was completely through their lines.

My men had broken their lines, and the Centaurs were retreating toward their side of the mountains. Many of them lay dead, along with several of my Minotaur.

I waved for Bwa and pointed toward the other side of the battle. He immediately turned that way, and I got a clear view of the battlelines on that side. Now that the leopard was dead, my females were holding their own with the male Centaurs.

I waved for Alexander, and we started following the Centaurs back home. Just on the other side of the mountains, we found their camp.

Their warriors hadn't stopped to regroup around their King but had continued running. It was a simple task to overwhelm his Royal Guard. He surrendered without resistance.

I got down off my bull and walked up to him. He knelt in front of me. I helped him up. "There's no time for this now. Both our people are dying. It is not necessary. There is enough water for both of us. Come with me to the mountain top. We must stop the fighting."

He nodded. I got back on my bull and the two of us galloped up the mountain. As we crested the summit, we could see the devastation that was being wrought on both sides.

He brought a bugler with a ram's horn and the man blew the horn. It reverberated through the mountains and down onto the plain below. He continued to blow until the warriors started looking up to find the horn. When each side saw their King still alive and each standing together, everyone froze. We both raised our hands. When it was quiet, I spoke. "Minotaurs and Centaurs, I speak for both Kingdoms. The battle is over. We have reached an agreement. Please, everyone return to your lines so we can tend to each's wounded and care for the dead."

Slowly at first, but quicker as everyone began to understand they would live through today. When everyone was separated, their King ordered them back home. I ordered my army to stay on this side of the mountain, and we turned back toward his camp. My Royal Guard was with me. They had lost only two of my guards in the battle.

When we arrived at his camp, I sent a messenger to get Mousius and Anastasia to have them join us. I asked him to bring his Generals and have a meeting together to end the hostilities.

When everyone was present, I started. "Your majesty, I believe we can settle this dispute for good. I understand you have fought three battles attempting to gain the water your people need to survive. Is that correct?" He nodded. "My people are weary of fighting your people. Especially considering there is enough water for both. This is what I propose.

I will give your people permission to cross the mountains to this lake.

I will allow your people to build a structure here to facilitate the moving of lake water to your people. My people will not bother your people, as long as they stay by the lake.

You may have the water you need in perpetuity.

In return, I propose a defense treaty between our two peoples. If you are attacked, we will defend you, and if I am attacked you will defend me. We are two of the fiercest species in this realm. I believe we will both be safe, as I can't imagine anyone being foolish enough to take both of us on.

I propose we begin trading between our people. I will allow your traders to safely travel to our city and give them a building to use as their market to my people.

I propose you do the same.

Even if you wish to think about the last one, can we agree with everything else?"

The Centaur King stood up and shook my hand. "I agree with all but the last, for now. If I send an emissary later to speak to you, will he have safe travel?"

I looked at Mousius and he nodded. "We agree. We will build a small settlement on the south side of the lake. Any of your people who wish to come to our city, they just check in and we will send a warrior with them to keep anyone from harming them. I know you will have some troops at your buildings, and we shall also. However, they need not fight each other but get along. They need to be able to talk to each other without fighting. We are allies now, not enemies."

The King stood up. "I agree and command my people to live in peace with the Minotaur."

I stood up. "I command my people to live in peace with the Centaur." We shook hands and he invited us to a feast in the large tent in the center of the room.

I accepted but sent messengers to the other Generals the terms and to have them continue to treat the wounded and bury the dead.

Toy and Thunder stayed by my side for the entire meal. They ate nothing, but kept their eyes fixed on our hosts. His guards did the same. It'll take time to lower the hostilities.

When the meal was over, I shook his hand and thanked him for his hospitality, and he thanked me for sparing his life and that of his family.

We headed back through the gorge to our own forces as darkness was falling. Once back at my tent, I gathered everyone for a report.

The wizard appeared. "The leopard was named Ampelus. His special magic was the infliction of ailments on the females of each species. Each affliction is different for each species. With a Minotaur, it is blindness for the females. When the gods saw him jump to the front, they allowed me to fog his mind, just a little. That was all you needed. The gods are disappointed with the short war, but, they have already moved on to other things and left you behind. The peace treaty should be very helpful to both species. I see peace in the future, and a fierce partnership that won't be challenged for a long time. I shall leave you with this."