A Wizard's War - 14. The Siege at Southport

For days the drums had sounded outside the city of Southport. The constant pounding and the relentless siege upon the city’s walls made all the citizens restless and uneasy. From the highest tower in Southport, you could see the army of Lord Byron stretching out across the plains and over the horizon. He had countless men at his disposal to continue their attack upon the city until it crumbled before them. Southport had a few major advantages, their ships and high walls. They still held the harbor that allowed supplies to continue arriving unhindered.

As predicted, the Lady Evynee and her rebel forces had arrived just before the siege had begun and they had bolstered the defenses behind the walls of Southport. Evynee offered aid where she could and worked closely with the admirals of the Southport navy as well as the city guard to plan defensive and offensive strategies. Gregor was very thrilled when he was offered a position at these meetings, it helped him feel useful, since he was not yet in fighting shape.

Amos on the other hand was getting into fine fighting shape. General Herzod had given him a few instructions, but now Amos practiced his axe swinging daily under the tutelage of Quartermaster Gains. The older, experienced fighter was missing an eye, but he was still quicker than half the young men Amos had ever met. The Quartermaster’s dominant arm had also been injured long ago, so he tended to the weapons, and always practiced and strengthened the good arm he had left. He inspired all his pupils, teaching them there was always room for improvement and growth.

Mirva was set to work making meals for the many soldiers and the less fortunate citizens of the city. She was not accustomed to the cuisine of the coastal city, and she was getting rather tired of fish, but she worked with what she had. A little seafood went a long way in a stew or a pot. During her days, Mirva also learned new skills in armor repair and her fingers were getting sore and blistered from the tiresome work. She felt grateful though, to stay busy, especially when she couldn’t sleep due to the constant pounding of the drums.

After his exhaustive exercises, Amos would always come to visit Gregor at night, much to Gregor’s dismay. Fortunately, there were often excuses to use, such as the pain in his injuries or Amos would just be tired. Amos would just settle for lying up against Gregor or on his leg until he fell asleep. Gregor would be awake for a while, wondering if he should put a stop to Amos’ visits and their growing intimacy. Gregor was not prepared to offend or lose his best friend in this new world to which he was being forced to adjust. But Gregor also felt the flirtatious glances he shared with the Lady Evynee, whether real or imagined from her perspective, Gregor knew his attraction toward her.

After a particularly rough morning lesson, Quartermaster Gains gruffly concluded the training early that day, but he asked seven men to stay behind including Amos. The quartermaster lined the men up and gave them a long speech about proper form and military protocols. Under no circumstance should an order from a superior should ever be questioned.

“Permission to speak, Quartermaster?” inquired a quiet, but skilled archer named Dagon. Dagon had been a hunter in the forests near Eastwood, but had joined the rebellion forces after his home was overrun by the enemy.

“What is it?” The quartermaster grunted.

“Why are you telling us this?” Dagon asked, “Or rather, just us?”

“I was just getting to that part,” Gains growled, “Before I was interrupted. The troops are tired and although I wish there was more time, we need relief soldiers immediately. You seven represent the best I have at the moment, and you will need to rest this afternoon because tonight, you take up patrols on the walls of Southport so we can rotate other men out for some rest.”

Amos felt like the pit of his stomach dropped out but some of the other men, including Dagon, looked eager and ready for battle. Perhaps some of them had more to avenge, or maybe Amos was less of a fighter than he thought. When driven by a purpose it had been easy, but on the average day he believed most conflicts could be settled peacefully. But that didn’t seem likely with Byron’s forces.

“Stick to your training,” Gains continued, “Remember all I have taught you, and keep yourselves alive.”

When dismissed, Amos had walked in a daze back to the small room that Gregor had been given to use above a young widow’s fabric shop. Amos felt more comfortable there than in the cramped barracks where he would normally retire at night. Also, if he was honest, he just liked to see Gregor. Gregor immediately noticed his stricken expression and called him over.

“What’s the matter?” Gregor asked, his brow furrowing deeply as he looked over Amos.

“I am going to be on patrol tonight for the first time,” Amos muttered as he sat on the bed next to Gregor. He studied Gregor’s handsome face and then carefully stroked the man’s beard.

“That’s a good thing, isn’t it?” Gregor asked awkwardly.

“I’m not like you,” Amos looked down embarrassed, “I was never a fighter or a city guard. I don’t know if I can do this.”

“Look at me,” Gregor put a hand under Amos’ chin and Amos reluctantly looked back at him, “I know you can do this, because I know you.”

“You do, don’t you.” Amos half smiled and then he leaned in and kissed Gregor. Gregor went rigid and then softened after a moment.

“I’m sorry,” Amos pulled away, “I know you don’t want to.”

“I didn’t say that,” Gregor whispered as he gazed toward the opposite edge of the bed, away from Amos.

“You don’t have to,” Amos looked sullen.

“I feel…” Gregor continued to think about his dilemma, “conflicted.”

“Who is she?” Amos asked and Gregor looked up surprised.

“The Lady Evynee,” Gregor decided to answer honestly. Amos laughed awkwardly.

“You sure know how to pick ‘em.”

“Yea, I guess so,” Gregor smirked, “but there is nothing there yet. Just the thoughts. With you, maybe we have something real… I did have fun the last time.”

“I’m afraid it can’t just be fun for me,” Amos looked down, “But I’d settle for that to take my mind off things.”

“Are you trying to guilt me now?”

“No,” Amos shook his head adamantly, “I would never!”

“Yes, you would,” Gregor rubbed Amos’ shoulder, “even if you didn’t know that was what you were doing.”

“Is it working?” Amos asked his big frame turning toward Gregor with a wounded puppy dog face.

“I really don’t like you sometimes,” Gregor groaned and then he leaned in and kissed Amos. They melted together and they kept kissing more passionately. Their tongues began to collide as their hot breath filled the room and Amos could feel Gregor’s dick stiffening in excitement as he leaned over the bed toward him. His own big cock was throbbing in his pants against his leg.

In excitement, Amos began to pull Gregor’s pants down and freed his lovely dick from its confines. Amos deftly stroked the shaft as they continued to kiss. Gregor’s hands found their way under Amos’ shirt and he pulled it off over the big man’s head before resuming their passionate kisses. Amos was overcome by a need to do more with Gregor than they had before and he suddenly dipped down, sliding mostly off the bed onto his knees. His mouth lowered and engulfed Gregor’s hard shaft completely.

Gregor bucked and moaned at the sudden sensation of Amos’ throat closing over the fat mushroom head of his dick and he let out a breathless, “Oh, shit…”

Amos gagged suddenly as he felt the dick flare and twitch in his throat and he had to come up for some air. He panted heavily and then swallowed it again. Gregor winced a little when Amos didn’t open his mouth wide enough.

“Watch the teeth,” Gregor hissed and Amos eased up to just suck nicely on the head instead of trying to swallow the whole thing. Gregor felt amazed by the sensations, and he let Amos continue to please him.

After a bit of sucking, Amos was so turned on his cock practically hurt and he had to let it out of his trousers. He pulled them down and freed the fat shaft that was trapped inside and began to stroke himself as he sucked on Gregor. Amos’ cock was leaking fluid as he was totally enthralled by his sexy friend responding to his every move of his mouth.

“Gods that feels good,” Gregor moaned as he slightly pushed on Amos’ head and made him go a little deeper. Amos did his best and tried to remain mindful of his teeth as he swallowed Gregor a bit deeper again.

After some time, Amos sat up and kissed Gregor some more as their semi-naked bodies grinded against each other on the bed. Amos eventually pulled away and looked seriously into Gregor’s eyes.

“I want you inside of me.”

“I…” Gregor swallowed hard, “I… think I want that too.”

Amos got off the bed and freed himself completely from his trousers before coming back to straddle Gregor on the bed. As Amos’ huge cock hung in Gregor’s face for a moment, Gregor tenderly and nervously stroked it for him, but he seemed relieved when Amos sank down and began rubbing his muscular ass against his dick. Amos spit into his hand and then rubbed it against Gregor’s shaft and against his hole.

Gregor felt his mind in conflict, but he was so turned on by Amos’ eagerness to please and as that muscular ass began to sink down onto his cock he felt the tightest hole he’d ever experienced in his life. Gregor moaned and threw his head back in amazement as his cock head was clenched tight and massaged by Amos’ strangling hole.

“Damn,” Amos winced in pain and came back up off of Gregor so quickly and they both gasped at the sudden change in sensations. It was all Gregor could do not to cum immediately. Amos spit into his hand again and then held the hand out to Gregor.

“I need more,” Amos admitted. Gregor looked uncertainly at the offered hand at first but then realized what was being asked. He gathered his saliva and spit in Amos’ hand. Amos liberally wetted Gregor’s shaft again before going back down.

“Raigar’s fucking beard!” Gregor panted as Amos’ muscular ass swallowed more than half his cock and then squeezed as the stud came almost back up. Then Amos was descending again his hole opening and then tightening as he came up. Amos continued to ride up and down on the more lubricated dick until he had the whole thing in his ass. When Amos went deep they both clung to each other and felt even higher sensations of pleasure than before. Amos’ ass got tighter and Gregor pressed against the sensitive prostate. Amos’ own big cock was between them, leaking like a sieve.

“You feel amazing,” Amos whispered.

“The best I’ve ever had,” Gregor couldn’t believe he was saying.

“On my first try…” Amos was surprised.

“It’s just so tight!” Gregor gasped, “I love how good it feels. How good I’m clearly making you feel.”

“I’m afraid if I touch myself, I’ll cum.”

“Then let me do it,” Gregor urged and he began stroking the big dick that was bouncing around before him. Amos sucked in a deep breath and his ass clenched tighter as Gregor stroked. Amos relaxed again and then drew in another breath before shooting a hot load all over Gregor’s chest. A passionate groan slipped from Amos as he shuddered in extreme pleasure. His muscular ass was squeezing Gregor so tight as he came that Gregor’s cock subsequently slid out.

Gregor grabbed himself and continued to stroke his cock because he felt so close, but Amos was so eager to have more that he was coming back down, swallowing Gregor’s shaft with his hole. Gregor grabbed Amos’ waist and bucked his hips up into the muscular stud, pounding hard as he finished inside. Both men cried out as Gregor released his pent-up load inside of Amos and then their foreheads rested against each other as Amos encircled his arms around Gregor’s neck. They kissed some more, before falling on their backs next to each other on the bed.

“That was…” Gregor panted with a smile, his body and his wounds ached dully but the thrill of the sex was more overpowering.

“No words,” Amos whispered, “I need to get some rest now. But I agree, it was exactly what I needed.”

“Yes,” Gregor nodded and after some time Amos drifted off to sleep wrapped in Gregor’s arms. Gregor lay awake for much longer, worried there was no way to go back now.

The nights in the costal town were colder than Amos was used to, and he shivered as he stood out in the steady drizzle that was falling overhead. The night had been so black as the clouds covered the sky and in the early hours, after midnight, the rain had finally begun to fall. At first, Amos was amazed to finally see rain again, but the initial excitement was quickly replaced by annoyance as the cold drizzle persisted. He could hear little drips from their armor and their supplies, water running in small channels off the crenelated stone walls of Southport. The fires of their torches dimmed and sizzled as the cold mist persisted.

When the alarms sounded, Amos still could not make out any movement on the horizon, but a few moments later he could see the dim lights of enemy torches approaching through the hazy fields below. The shroud of the mist had allowed the enemy to approach almost unnoticed and they would arrive at the wall in no time. Amos had been fitted with a new sling in which to house his family’s battle axe, he unslung the leather straps and freed the heavy axe from its binding. He leaned it nearby against the stone wall and readied the large shield he had been training with.

More soldiers were being roused and alerted at the sound of the alarm and archers were filing in behind Amos as he prepared both mentally and physically. His heart was racing and he felt a lump in his throat, he tried to swallow, but his mouth felt suddenly dry and uncomfortable. He was glad he had his moment with Gregor the previous day, because it made this terrifying moment easier to face somehow. He had all these reasons to stay alive, and that’s exactly what Quartermaster Gains had order them to do, stay alive.

“Archers ready!” A guard commander suddenly shouted out.

“Nock!” Amos could barely see in the dark but could hear the clatter of arrows.

“Draw!” The creak of bow strings burdened with tension. There was little way to aim from the high vantage, they would just be raining a blind volley upon the enemy below.

“Loose!” Amos felt the hairs at the back of his neck stand on end as the projectiles whizzed by so close overhead, he could hear them whistle. There were a few cries below as arrows struck and wounded the enemy.

“Archers ready!” The chant started over again and they continued to rain volley after volley against the approaching enemy.

Amos leaned closer to the wall as he heard a steady rumble below. He tried to peer down and noticed an unusual congregation of torches. He finally recognized the sound, like the wooden rattle of giant carriage wheels. Pulling out of the mist below was a large wooden structure.

“Catapults!” shouted the guard commander, “Shields Ready!”

Amos hefted his giant shield up into the air and backed up so that he could better interlock with his neighboring soldiers. They formed a protective barrier that also secured the archers behind them. It felt like an eternity and Amos felt his arms straining under the weight of the shield, but suddenly rocks began raining down and pounding the surface of his shield. The vibrations shook his aching joints as the large projectiles struck the metal barricade. Amos managed to keep his feet with the wide stance they had taught him, but a nearby soldier was less fortunate and a rock struck an archer behind him and caved in his face.

“Shields Standby! Archers Ready!” Amos was relieved to put the heavy metal shield down for a moment. It was lifesaving, but very hard work. The volley of arrows began again and continued for some time. Amos appreciated the reprieve afforded as the enemy reset their siege weapons. In time they were called to raise the shields again to protect the forces on the wall and Amos was aching terribly from the brutal blows of the solid rocks. They continued to alternate and just when Amos was getting tired of the same awful routine, everything changed.

The enemy below suddenly ignited a ball of fire farther down the wall from where Amos was standing. Immediately after ignition the projectile was sent hurtling through the air as the catapult was triggered. The ball of flame crashed upon the high wall and like a waterfall of molten liquid it poured out each side of the crenelated ramparts. Men and women screamed, and houses or shops caught fire in the city within. New alarms were raised as people were called to fight the fires.

Amos watched in horror as three more balls of flame ignited in the field below all along the wall. One such inferno was far too close for comfort and he could feel the heat waft upward even from his high vantage point. Amos raised his shield as instructed, but he knew from the damage of the first fireball, that the shields would be useless if they were struck directly by this new weapon.

As if in slow motion, Amos watched the glowing flame rise into the air, propelled in his direction. He hoped deep down that he would be incinerated instantly and not slowly succumb to the agonizing fate of being burned alive. But the ball of fire hung suspended in midflight, like a miniature sun had just graced them with its presence. Only one of the new fireballs found its mark and it only caused minimal damage as it struck the outer wall.

“The Lady Evynee!” someone shouted and Amos followed the shouts and cheers until he was able to pick out the figure standing on the edge of a higher section of the wall. She was swirling her arms and focusing her will to halt the floating fireball. Then, like she suddenly lost interest, she threw up her hands. The fireball twisted ever so slightly and then plunged to the ground below where it exploded in a molten pool of flame. One of the enemy catapults was crushed into oblivion and its remnants set ablaze. Men cheered as the archers were ordered to resume their volley.

Amos soon realized that Evynee was being joined by several robed figures who began to cast and conjure various magics to hurl or damage the enemy in some way. The magic practitioners focused heavily on eliminating the enemy catapults from the battle first. Soon the entire field below was engulfed in flames and various explosions. The light showed just how many losses the enemy had suffered, men and corpses impaled by arrows and more men trying to clamber over them to reach the wall. And even more shocking was the vast numbers that still waited, ready to charge into danger.

Amos continued to raise the shield when ordered and watch the arrows fly overhead for a long time as the siege continued. Smoke rose from the city behind them, but most of the fires were under control and the constant rain was helping. The magic users worked wonders as they battered enemies with waves of magic and destroyed siege weapons. Amos even watched in awe as one sent crackling flashes of electricity to scorch the enemy troops below.

They never were able to see the sun rise, due to the overcast sky, but gradually the sky grew lighter and after several brutal hours of assault the enemy suddenly stopped and began to fall back. Almost immediately the steady drumming resumed from the enemy camps.

Amos felt himself slump with relief and extreme exhaustion as he collected his axe. There was commotion from the Lady Evynee and her magic users and soon new orders were being issued down the line. “Stand Ready!”

Amos looked down to the battlefield and saw the mist had adopted a wavering, translucent green hue. There was just the slightest hint of movement in the eerie fog below and Amos realized in horror that the piles of dead enemy soldiers were shifting and stirring beneath the green shimmer. The Lady Evynee suddenly cast gouts of fire from the high walls and began burning the corpses of the enemy and her magic users along the wall began to follow her lead.

Amos saw more movement and then like crawling insects he could see the dead bodies scrambling up the face of the wall. They moved unnaturally with their limbs twisted around so that their back was their front and their lifeless heads lolled to the side. As the bodies climbed, they seemed to use each other to grab onto and stand on to reach higher and higher heights along the wall’s surface. Arrows protruded from some of their lifeless bodies, and they grabbed onto them like rungs of a ladder to pull themselves up.

Amos could hear the undead rasping out inaudible words and choked moans and there was the sickening sound of their bones popping and breaking as they moved in unnatural positions. It did not take them long to scale the side and the soldiers began to strike down at the scaling horrors. Amos tensed as he saw a mangled hand reach over the wall followed by a head with glowing green eyes. Without hesitation he cleaved the monstrosity with his axe, and while his axe was buried deep in the junction between the neck and the shoulder the undead continued to reach out and try to grab at him.

Amos yanked his axe free and severed the reaching arm at the elbow and then the head from the body. Even as he pulled back panting he could see three more enemies rising through the gap in the crenelation to take its place. Amos struck wildly and cut them down as swiftly as he could, because more and more just continued to follow. To either side, Amos caught glimpses of his fellow soldiers doing their best to strike down the disturbing assailants as they clambered over the wall.

“Drive them back!” the guard commander roared over the clanging steel and haunting moans, “Hold the line!”

Amos was nearly overwhelmed as he struggled to untangle himself from the grasp of hands on his legs. More undead loomed up before him and they intended to tackle him to the ground, but several arrows flew into their chests and sent them tumbling backward off the wall. Amos nodded his thanks to the nearby archers and then went back to hacking at the enemy.

The assault seemed to last forever when it was only a little more than half hour, but the adrenaline and intense terror of the moment made time seem to slow and every experience was a nightmare. A blow that would kill a normal man would only slow this enemy for a short time. The tide was changed only as the magic users moved along the wall and burned the enemy to a crisp, it was the only true way to ensure the corpse soldiers were truly vanquished. Nothing but ashes could remain.

Amos was so relieved when a wizard came and threw gouts of flame into the attacking troops and then leaned closer to the edge to incinerate any corpses still scaling the side. The older wizard looked completely drained, but there were still many to kill, and he moved on to burn more of the enemy. Wizard fires burned all along the wall and while nothing remained to fuel the flames, they seemed to continue burning brightly long after they were cast. It was not like normal fire, but something much hotter and volatile.

When the work was finally finished, they all cheered and celebrated their victory. The Lady Evynee and the higher-ranking officers remained on edge until they were certain no further surprises were left behind by the enemy. Amos was embraced and clapped on the shoulders by his nearby fellow soldiers and the archers that had saved his life. They were also grateful for his excellent shield work. Amos was thrilled when he was dismissed and the new guard took up their post, he could not wait to see Gregor.

Amos made his way back to where Gregor was staying and as he let himself in, he saw Mirva also waiting anxiously for his return. Amos recounted his harrowing tale, and they were all horrified to learn about the way the enemy could raise the dead to continue fighting. Mirva made them a late lunch and they enjoyed each other’s company as they celebrated Amos’ safe return.

“I’m glad you are safe,” Gregor smiled at Amos as they finished eating and began drinking some of the bitter ale the sailors of Southport often drank. The flavors were unpleasant, but the effects were potent. Amos was just starting to feel a fuzzy, relaxed sensation when there came a knock at the door.

“Who could that be?” Mirva wondered as she moved to the door and opened it.

“Why, Lady Evynee?” Mirva exclaimed and Amos felt his heart sink a bit.

“Please wait here,” Evynee spoke to two guards waiting outside as she passed through the entrance and stood regally in the cramped space.

“Good afternoon,” Evynee smiled at Mirva and took the older woman’s hand in a warm gesture. She noticed Amos and nodded a happy greeting toward him as well. Then she trained her focus on Gregor who was struggling to stand with his crutch.

“I was hoping you would join me for a little walk,” Lady Evynee spoke pointedly at Gregor, “I find I have come to value your opinion. A strange occurrence since I normally only trust myself.”

“He shouldn’t strain himself too much,” Amos blurted out and then felt ashamed when Gregor cast him an irritated glance.

“I thought you were on the mend?” Evynee looked curiously from Amos to Gregor, “Did the healers not encourage you to get daily exercise?”

“They did,” Gregor smiled at her, “I’d be happy to walk with you.”

Amos felt a pang of hurt and jealousy rising in his chest. He had been foolish to think Gregor had actually cared about him the same way. Amos also felt ashamed for trying to make him feel something that really wasn’t there. They had fun together, nothing more. This stunning woman was all it would take to dissolve any illusion of a relationship to which Amos had clung. He felt powerless as he watched the two leave together.

“They’d make a darling couple, don’t you think?” Mirva said brightly after they had left. Amos simply scowled disgustedly in her direction.

“I’m going to the barracks for the night,” Amos grunted, “Want to celebrate with my fellow soldiers.”

“Oh!” Mirva looked a little wounded and Amos would feel bad later, “I guess I’ll just clean up here and then head out as well.”

Amos left and was grateful for the rainy afternoon since it hid the tears that stung his eyes. He had been such a fool, but he couldn’t help how he felt or who made him feel it. But he knew if he truly valued his friendship with Gregor, they would need to distance themselves. Amos would have to respect Gregor’s decision, no matter how painful it may be.