BXBX NOVEL Chapter 200: The Battle Begins!
At the forefront of the coalition, two of the most powerful tribal chiefs, Arar and Lero, shared a light-hearted conversation, their laughter cutting through the tension in the air. It was only natural that, as the commanding leaders of this alliance, they would share both the burdens and the triumphs of their impending battle.
Suddenly, a dozen wolf cavalrymen burst into view, galloping towards them with urgency. The atmosphere shifted instantly as the tribal chiefs turned their attention to the approaching scouts.
"What news do you bring?" Arar called out, his voice steady despite the rising tension.
The leader of the wolf cavalry dismounted swiftly and saluted respectfully. "Chief Arar, we\'ve confirmed that the Silver Mane Tribe has dispatched over 10,000 warriors to the front. They seem poised to intercept our advance!"
"Intercept us?" Arar frowned, his brow furrowing with concern.
The other tribal chiefs exchanged glances, surprise etched on their faces. Lero, the chieftain of the Qatar tribe, raised an eyebrow. "If they\'re preparing to stop us, then it seems the Silver Mane Tribe is aware of our alliance."
"It\'s not surprising," Arar replied with a resigned shake of his head. "All tribes were mobilized yesterday; word travels fast among the Beastmen."
Lero turned to the scout leader, his expression serious. "Are you certain there are only 10,000 warriors?"
"Yes, Chief. That\'s the number we verified," the scout replied, his tone unwavering.
"Could there be an ambush lurking nearby?" Lero asked, glancing at Arar for reassurance.
"Even if there is an ambush, what does it matter? We have over 30,000 warriors at our disposal. Even if the Silver Mane Tribe pulls every last warrior, they\'re unlikely to match our numbers," Arar responded, his confidence radiating.
"In that case, let\'s proceed with full force. In the face of such overwhelming strength, what good is an ambush?" Lero asserted, his eyes gleaming with determination.
How strong could a tribe possibly become in just a few months? Lero was dismissive of the Silver Mane Tribe\'s capabilities. After all, even if they did muster more warriors, how many would truly be willing to fight for them?
With their minds made up, the coalition forces quickened their pace. The distance to the Silver Mane Tribe\'s defenses dwindled rapidly. In a mere ten minutes, the entire coalition found themselves facing the impressive defensive line of the Silver Mane Tribe, now less than two miles apart.
As the coalition appeared, the Silver Mane Tribe swiftly moved into combat readiness, their warriors assembling with purpose and resolve, ready to stand against the approaching tide.
"Warriors of the Silver Mane Tribe! Cease your service to them at once!" Arar\'s voice boomed across the wasteland, piercing the air with authority. "The coalition forces have arrived to dismantle the ambitious Silver Mane Tribe and restore all the tribes they have annexed. Lay down your weapons immediately and join us in eradicating the Silver Mane Tribe!"
His words echoed, but they were met with a mixture of confusion and skepticism from the defenders.
"Warriors of the Silver Mane Tribe! You are called to abandon your allegiance! The coalition is here to defeat the Silver Mane and rebuild the tribes they\'ve overrun! Drop your weapons and unite with us against them!"
The coalition forces didn\'t launch their attack right away. Instead, Arar commanded a squad of wolf cavalry to relay their message, their shouts rising in urgency towards the Silver Mane\'s fortified line.
Logan watched with a raised brow, surprised at the tactic. "So, this is their strategy," he mused. "A psychological ploy to sway our warriors. But I doubt it will succeed."
He glanced at the Beastmen warriors manning the defense line, who appeared perplexed rather than persuaded. Many exchanged incredulous looks. Hadn\'t they found safety, food, and camaraderie under the Silver Mane? Why would they want to return to a time of hunger and strife? Their murmurs of dissent rose above the din, and a few archers even nocked their arrows, ready to respond.
But the officers quickly intervened, reminding them to maintain their composure.
Barnett, stationed beside Logan, surveyed the coalition forces in the distance. "You know, seeing 30,000 warriors gathered like that is truly intimidating," he admitted, his eyes wide with the enormity of the scene before them.
"It really is," Logan agreed, feeling the tension in the air as the warriors around him shifted restlessly, their breaths quickening in anticipation.
Lero, one of the coalition chiefs, rolled his eyes dismissively. "Your shouting is pointless!" he declared, impatience dripping from his words. "We don\'t need rhetoric; let\'s just attack!"
His sentiment resonated with many of the tribal chiefs, who shared his desire for immediate action. The delay frustrated them, as they believed in the raw strength of their combined forces.
Arar, however, was unfazed by Lero\'s dismissal. He understood the purpose behind his tactics; sowing seeds of doubt within the Silver Mane Tribe\'s ranks could fracture their morale. Yet, he also recognized the necessity of gauging the full scope of their enemy\'s defenses.
He assessed the situation, noting that among the more than 10,000 defenders, only a few hundred were cavalry. The rest were infantry, an army that could be overwhelmed. Although the fear of an ambush lingered in his mind, the prolonged stillness from the Silver Mane Tribe suggested that they were merely stalling the coalition\'s advance.
With over 30,000 werewolf warriors ready to deploy, Arar felt the time for action was fast approaching.
"Let\'s gather our forces and prepare for the next step," he instructed, rallying his allies. The ground beneath them trembled slightly with the collective energy of their warriors, ready to surge forward.
"Since you refuse to appreciate my kindness, then attack!" Arar\'s voice dripped with cold determination, cutting through the tension in the air.
He was a cautious leader, yes, but he was also a man of action when pushed to the edge.
"Attack!" Arar echoed, his command a clarion call that rang out across the battlefield.
The tribal chiefs, energized by his words, relayed the order down the line.
"Attack!!!"
The battle cry erupted from Arar and Lero, powerful warriors whose voices carried the weight of their resolve. Their roar ignited the spirits of the werewolf warriors, a surge of energy that reverberated across the coalition.
Even the Silver Mane Tribe heard the rallying cry, their defenses bracing for the impending clash.
"Are they really going to attack?" Logan asked, his expression shifting from surprise to seriousness. He turned to his trusted officers, Kro and Lots, urgency evident in his voice. "Prepare for battle immediately! We need to let them close in to within 300 meters!"
"Yes, Chief!" the Beastmen officers responded in unison, moving quickly to their designated positions along the defense line.
The air buzzed with the fervor of the 30,000-strong coalition, their charge resounding like thunder as the ground trembled beneath their feet. A wolf cavalryman burst forth from the ranks, and soon thousands of riders formed an impressive wall of fur and fury, like a living arrow hurtling toward the Silver Mane Tribe\'s defenses.
Logan watched, unfazed by the spectacle of the cavalry charging toward them. After all, with so many tribes united, it was no surprise they could muster such a force. However, he remained unaware that two powerful cavalry units were flanking the coalition from the north and south, ready to strike.
"The wolf cavalry is impressively swift!" he mused, a faint smile crossing his face as he observed their aggressive advance. They were driven by tales of endless food that awaited them if they could vanquish the Silver Mane Tribe. It was a powerful motivation; one that fueled their ferocity.
"Launch the attack!" Logan commanded, his voice steady and commanding.
With that, the air was pierced by the whir of crossbows being readied. Beastmen soldiers sprang into action, and bolts thicker than a man\'s thumb flew from their positions, aimed directly at the oncoming riders.
"Ah!!!"
"Help!!!"
The sound of agony filled the air as the first wave of unsuspecting wolf cavalry was struck. Crossbow bolts pierced through the ranks, their immense force knocking riders from their mounts and sending them crashing to the ground. In a shocking display of strength, bolts even strung two or three warriors together, the deadly projectiles wreaking havoc on the coalition\'s advance.
Logan surveyed the scene, a grim satisfaction settling over him. He knew this battle would not be easily won.