Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,307

flesh of one of its enemies and severed the unicorn’s spine.

Thirty unicorns perished with no chance of defending themselves. The others, though injured, responded by using their magic to teleport home to the Dark Forest. The strongest threat to Brandor’s army had been disbanded in a matter of a few short moments.

Nathan’s men lifted their swords and cheered for their winged allies. The moment had arrived to turn their attention to the next big threat. Kepler’s feline subjects, which included the support of the barbarian archers, were the next wave they would face.

The rest of Brandor’s army stopped their retreat to rejoin the battle while Nathan and his men climbed back into their alcove of stone to retrieve their armor.

Once again, the mighty griffins and their family of hippogriffs dropped from the sky. Forty of the giant cats perished—another 52 lay injured and unable to fight. However, the winged army was not without casualties. Many of the giant cats were ready to pounce, their quick reflexes allowed them to avoid being crushed. They leapt onto their assailants’ backs and tore into the feathers covering the back of their necks.

The arrows of the Barbarian archers darkened the sky, causing little damage to the griffins whose thick hides protected them as they descended for another attack. The hippogriffs were not so fortunate. Their hides were not as resistant to the projectiles. Forty-seven hippogriffs fell in an uncontrolled spiral, their blood staining the ground as they splattered.

The largest of the griffins snatched the cats up with their talons. They carried them high into the air and used the felines’ bodies as projectiles against the barbarian archers. The men of the north were in tight formation and could not avoid being crushed beneath the weight of the giant cats as they rained from the sky.

Soresym shrieked as he landed in front of Sam. “It appears I’ve come at a moment of need, King of Brandor.”

Sam let out a sigh of relief. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re here. We’re outnumbered and surrounded. I could use your help.”

Soresym shrieked again. “The unicorns are no longer a concern for your army, but I fear the hippogriffs will be no match for the barbarians’ arrows.”

The griffin shifted and looked over his back as he scanned the area. “Order your army to the north to assist your legions. We will deal with the serpents since they have no airborne weapons. I, on the other hand, will fly south and speak with Groth. I’ll convince the bear to fight with us. The Minotaur should stop their attack once they realize I’m fighting at your side.”

Sam pulled back on the reins of his mount. “The Minotaur are angry about their champion. They may not listen.”

“Do as I say, King of Brandor!” Soresym ordered.

Sam nodded. “I’ll do that. But separate the horns from the unicorns and use them against the serpents. The snakes should come to the surface. We planned to smoke them out. The unicorn horns should tip the scales.”

Soresym raised his massive eagle head and called out in a language Sam somewhat understood. Another griffin, flying overhead, responded and departed to relay the orders to gather the horns and fly south.

Sam shouted, “General, take the troops north to join the attack!” He turned his attention back to Soresym. “I’m in your debt. I don’t know how you knew I was in trouble, but you’re a sight for sore eyes.”

“I suggest we speak of this later. There’s a fight upon us.” With that, the griffin launched into the air.

The serpents were making quick work of Dreston’s men as they fled from Seth’s underground city. The snakes, most 30 paces long, out-slithered the running men and delivered their deadly poison. For every serpent to fall, five men perished. Hope was almost gone. With more than 7,200 Brandorian troops ended by the serpents, only 520 soldiers were still standing when relief finally came.

With swords held high and voices raised, they watched as the snakes burst into flames. The griffins and the hippogriffs descended on the serpents with unicorn horns grasped in their talons. With each swooping pass, their slithering bodies disintegrated into piles of ash. The serpents’ retreat was inevitable as they hurried to the safety of their underground lair, only to realize the toxic fumes would not allow it.

Since staying topside was hopeless, Seth called for his army’s surrender.

The Bear King stopped his army when Soresym landed in front of him. The griffin spoke in the bear’s