The Chronicles of Anicordia: Chapter 56

Just to the west of Lionden, a mile or so beyond the castle, there was a wide, flat expanse of ground, bereft of grass and bearing only a few bare trees and some scattered boulders. It looked like the aftermath of a wildfire that had never healed.

It was the very same land where the last great war Anicordia had ever known had taken place, and it was a truly dismal sight. I hated to admit, but Ironscale had a point: it was the perfect backdrop for Round 2…

The four of us kept together in a pack as we went along, keeping a better rhythm with the mixed masses of the volunteer fighters than the synchronized marching of the Knights of the Order. The tramp of boots and bare feet intermingled with the clanking of metal and weapons. We made quite a motley crew, considering what lay ahead. As we went along, I saw, out of the corner of my eye, Fhey put up her hood, and she disappeared without a trace.

It should have been quite a bit of a walk, going a mile away from the castle in a marching group, but it felt much quicker somehow. Knowing that I was walking ever closer to a war, perhaps even to my death, seemed to be making time go even faster. My heart was hammering wildly behind my ribs, as though determined to pump out as many beats as it could before the end.

I didn’t want to think about dying out there, faced by so many, and yet I was ready for it. This was what we’d been aiming for, ever since we first set out from Fenwood. I’d known the risks, and I went along with it. We all had, deep down.



Dawn was not much further away by the time we finally arrived at the battlefield. A thin layer of snow lay upon the otherwise barren ground, and a breeze made the sparse trees creak, their limbs twitching feebly. It was an absolutely depressing place.

“Not exactly a prime picnic spot, is it?” Eclipse muttered in my ear.

The corners of my mouth twitched. I couldn’t muster a full smile at the moment.

“Halt!”

We came to a sudden stop. We had reached the edge of the wasteland. Far off, just visible on the horizon, I could see Ironscale and his forces assembled. Even without Salazar, Le Croak, and his toadies, he still had a troubling amount of followers at his command.

It was painful to think how many fellow Anicordians had decided to betray us for him. As King Richard had said, it was highly likely some of them were good friends of animals now standing beside me, ready to fight them…

My paw shifted slightly, and it met another’s, which clasped mine within it. I turned and looked into Eclipse’s eyes. She seemed to be thinking the same as I was, but the disquiet it gave her was not on her face. There was only firm, steely resolve, the determination to do what was necessary, regardless of the circumstances. I returned the squeeze with one of my own. It made me feel even braver, having her by my side.

All we could do was stand in the shallow snow, waiting for the first rays of dawn. Once that happened, it would be war.

No one spoke. No one made a sound. Everyone seemed to be containing themselves, concentrating everything on their resolve to stand and fight. I didn’t blame them. It was taking everything I had to even be here. Jack started whistling, but when others looked around at him, he quickly stopped, looking awkward.

As the sky began to slowly lighten, changing from black to velvety blue, King Richard finally broke the silence.

“Hermes?”

The pigeon from before approached and saluted.

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“Send a message to Ironscale. Tell him I shall give him one last chance to rescind his rash decision. Pull back his troops, retire back to Carnivus with those who remain loyal to him, and never trouble Anicordia again, and we, likewise, shall do nothing to trouble him. This is my final word.”

Hermes looked reluctant, no doubt worried that Ironscale had never heard of the phrase ‘don’t kill the messenger’.

“You have nothing to fear, Hermes,” said His Majesty, in a firm yet gentle tone. “I promise.”

At last, with a nod, Hermes took to the air and flapped off toward the other end of the battlefield. I could see some stirring on their side. They must have thought a threat was coming their way. However, they soon ceased, and we could see Hermes talking with Ironscale, his voice barely distinguishable over the distance.

Eventually, Ironscale made an impatient gesture, and Hermes came fluttering back, looking quite glad to have gotten away.

“I have...a response...sire!” he panted, as he landed.

“And that is?”

“Lord Ironscale says, and I quote, ‘I was under the impression that His Majesty’s name was Lionheart, not Chickenheart. I will accept no compromises. We settle this here and now!’ End quote.”

The knights made sounds of outrage. The volunteers were even louder in vocalizing their displeasure.

“Peace!” rumbled His Majesty. “Do not let your anger carry you away! I had hoped he might yet see reason, but he is clearly adamant. We have no choice, then. We continue as planned.”

After that bit of excitement, we went back to waiting for the dawn. The tension was as thick as custard.

Custard...that brought my mind to Mom’s cooking. How welcome it was after being abroad so long, when we finally arrived at the bunker. It had felt just like home again...

Gah! What was I thinking? I had to focus! This was to decide everything, all of our fates! I couldn’t let my mind wander! Hurry up, you stupid sun!

At last, at long last, the sky turned pale. Dawn was approaching. On the other side, I could see Ironscale’s forces moving about. They were getting into formation.

“Attention!” barked King Richard.

All of us went stiff as boards, as His Majesty strode before us.

“I have only to give you much of the same as I said back in the castle,” he said. “Do not waver in your resolve. If it must come to death, then let it be so. We fight for the salvation of our kingdom and our way of life. Ironscale has sought to twist and pervert our very existence, poisoning it with his Carnivorous philosophy. You stand before me because you, as I do, refuse to allow such lies to possess your thoughts. If we do not stop him, it is not a far way off from ‘carnivores first’ to ‘Ironscale first’!”

He drew his sword suddenly, and raised it to the sky.

“Now stand with me, my people, and prove to him that all animals are indeed equal!”

A tumultuous cheer rose from innumerable throats, as every animal present, including us, raised our own weapons to the heavens. And in that instant, a dazzling ray of sunlight peered over the horizon, glinting on armor, shield, and sword alike.

It was time.

“Now, Anicordia!” King Richard roared. “Chaaaarge!”

With a roar to match his, the entire pack charged forward, weapons raised, eyes blazing. Across the way, Ironscale’s voice could just be heard bellowing ‘Charge!’, and the forces of Carnivus and the traitors of Anicordia surged forth to meet us, screaming war cries of their own.

It had begun.



Chaos.

That’s the one word I could use to describe this war.

Everything was utter chaos. Duels and battles as far as the eye could see. The air full of cries of war, terror, rage, and pain. Swords swinging, arrows and bullets flying, claws slashing, fangs biting, and worst of all, blood splattering. The snow and ground were dotted with drops and puddles of crimson blood.

And Ironscale’s forces were out for blood. The more savage of them, wolves, coyotes, jungle cats, bears, snakes, and the like, were using their fangs and claws just as much as their actual weapons. They seemed determined, or rather, hell-bent, on getting the taste of blood, to experience the satisfaction of sinking their teeth into animal flesh. It was horrid…

I didn’t hesitate, however. As soon as the two armies converged, I threw myself into the fray, body and soul. Everyone seemed to be gaining adversaries on the spot, as though it had been predetermined.

Every single one of the Knights of the Order had found themselves a duel opponent, and sometimes, there were even two or more against one, depending on the side. I saw Sir Gregory locking blades with a black-scaled lizard with a row of white spines running down his back, Sir Godred alternating between slashing with his sword and ducking into his shell as a pair of vampire bats tried to stab him, and Dame Vivian darting around as a cobra snapped at her, more than once burying his face into the frigid snow.

And what of my friends? Jack was going toe-to-toe with an enormous black bear who looked just as muscular as he did, but he didn’t have metal gloves, so he was outmatched from the get-go. Sure enough, I saw Jack sock him right in the jaw with his paw, and judging by the look on that other bear’s face, it hurt. That bear was made of strong stuff, though, as he swung right back, and the two were savaging each other ferociously. I wondered if Tessie would be proud or scared to see her hubby fighting so fiercely.

Eclipse, meanwhile, after firing off several well-aimed arrows, had at last found Sienna Venatrix. The lioness was wearing long claw-like blades strapped to her wrists. She was swinging and slashing with frightening speed for a woman of her bulk, but my beloved was more than a match for her, blocking each and every strike with her sword, all the while matching the look of ferocity in the lioness’s eyes with one of her own. The downside was that she was forced to stay on the defensive and couldn’t find an opening to attack back. How long could she keep it up?

I couldn’t see what Fhey was doing, so I could only hope she hadn’t been discovered. Occasionally, however, I saw a flash of light or burst of fire, or even the flicker of a transparent bubble, and couldn’t see what had caused it, so I felt confident it had been her.

Not even the Moonfangs were idle. Fiona had taken a spot on the branch of one of the dead trees, and was firing arrows from her crossbow with a skill and agility that was nearly on par with Eclipse. Dominic, meanwhile, was dueling with another wolf, his teeth bared in a snarl as he struck at him with his pair of knives, while his savage opponent parried and jabbed with a spear.

In the very center of the hubbub, King Richard was locking blades with Ironscale himself. It was difficult to say which face showed more hatred as they hacked and swung, sparks practically flying every time their swords met. As agreed, no one was interfering with their duel. It was between the king and Ironscale.

“Aha! Fox boy!”

I had barely a second to react. I shifted to the side as a curved blade missed my head by mere inches from behind. Wheeling around, I found myself face to face with Guffaw, a maniacal grin on his face.

“You!”

“Me!” he cackled. “You and I have got some unfinished business! So let’s finish it!”

“Let’s!”

He swung again, and this time, I was ready. Rencroc met his blade in the middle, but I hadn’t the thought to make it ignite this time. Again and again we swung at each other, Guffaw panting with the exertion, but that crazed smile never left his face.

It wasn’t like our duel in Fenwood, however. I was older and wiser now, and I was not about to let him get the advantage. I was slowly but surely driving him backward, now and again able to get a hit on him, and yet he was still smiling.

“Do you think this is a joke?” I asked. “You think it’s funny that you’re losing?”

“Losing?!” shrieked Guffaw. “You’re the loser, loser! The joke’s on you!”

“Well, laugh at this!”

That wasn’t my voice.

There was a burst of flame right at Guffaw’s right side. He howled in pain as the fire burned his paw.

That was my chance!

I knocked the sword out of his grip, then punched him right in the face. Guffaw, still with that mad grin on his face, toppled backward, knocking his head against a rock. There he slumped, and did not move. He was out cold.

“Nice work, Fhey,” I said.

“I owed him,” came Fhey’s voice. “I had to at least have that. Keep going, Turbo! You’re doing great!”

“Stay safe!” I called.

“Blimey, what a row!”

Another voice had met my ears. Turning around, I saw an armored possum with a scruffy beard looking at the prostrate form of Guffaw on the ground. And then, I recognized him.

“Sir Hector? Sir Hector Griptail?”

“Aye, that’s me,” said Sir Hector. “Me boy told me all about you and your friends, Mr. Vulpe, while he was ‘idin’ in the mountains. We only just got ‘ere, but better late than never, eh?”

“Where is Toby?”

“Off in the caves with everyone else. ‘E’s got a knight’s spirit, but this is no place for a young lad. Good luck to ya!”

And he charged into the tumult, his sword aloft.

At least Toby would be safe with Syren, Crystal, and the others.

The ground was not just covered in blood. By now, the bodies of early casualties were lying in the snow, stabbed, shot, bitten, or left to bleed to death. It was a horrible sight, but I couldn’t stop. Somewhere in this mass of murderers was Abraxas, unless he too had turned tail and ran. If it was the last thing I did, I would find him and-

And then I saw them!

The Rattleys, crouching behind a boulder, aiming rifles! They were looking to pick off fighters without having to get into it themselves!

Not on my watch!

Dodging the tusks of a boar, the wild swinging arms of a gorilla, and the thrashing tail of a komodo dragon, I made straight for that boulder, hoping they hadn’t spotted me. I was in luck; neither of them looked up as I came upon them from behind. Horace was laughing childishly as he fired a shot.

“Bang, bang, bang!” he said. “Look at ‘em fall, Ivan!”

“Yes, indeed, Horace,” said Ivan. “Easy pickings for us.”

“Why am I not surprised?”

Both of them jumped and wheeled about, both gun barrels aimed right at me, but I didn’t flinch. I pointed Rencroc at them in answer.

“You two would be crouching in the shadows. Why don’t you fight like men?”

“But we’re not men,” said Horace. “We’re rats!”

“That’s for sure,” I said.

Horace didn’t seem to have caught the meaning of what he’d just admitted. Ivan scowled.

“Are you calling us cowards, Vulpe?”

“Maybe I am,” I said. “You think you’re such big-shots, shooting them when they don’t know what’s hitting them.”

“Heheh, I get it!” laughed Horace. “‘Big-shots’! Cuz we’re using guns!”

“Shut up, Horace!” snapped Ivan.

“Listen,” I said, in a calmer, placating tone, “I don’t know what happened to you guys to make you want to side with Ironscale, but it’s not too late to turn things around. Put the guns down and come over to the right side. You might get off easier than by being taken to court for assassinating under Ironscale’s orders. You still have a chance. What do you say?”

Horace looked hesitant. He seemed, for a second, to teeter on the possibility. Ivan, however, was stony-faced. His retort grew more and more heated as he went.

“You’re right, Vulpe. You don’t know what it’s been like for us. You’ve never had to claw your way up from a penniless life on the streets, beaten down and shunned by everyone you came across! You’ve never had to support a brother who’s suffered from a blow to the head he’s never recovered from, when no one else would! Well, now we have the power to make all the difference! We have the power to make them hurt for a change! Take your preaching and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine!”

I sighed.

“I was hoping to be reasonable with you,” I said, “but apparently, you’re beyond reason.”

“It’s too late for second chances, Vulpe,” said Ivan, icily. “We chose our path long ago. It’s no fault of ours that you chose the losing side!”

I raised Rencroc, ready to fight. While Horace looked ready to defend himself, Ivan pointed his gun around the rock and fired, seemingly at random. But then...

“Argh!”

My blood ran cold. I knew that voice!

Sure enough, as I looked, Eclipse was gripping her leg in pain, a dark stain appearing on the leg of her pants. With a wicked smile of triumph, Sienna gave a sweep of her claws across Eclipse’s front, and she buckled, slashed again across the torso, just like when she’d fought Ironscale. Leogriffe fell from her grip, and she collapsed into a kneeling position onto the snow.

“Eclipse!!”