The night was clear void of any clouds or moon light. Stars that Hanzo never seen before all dancing in the sky above. He looked over the people that are now his to protect. The freed slaves stayed close to us and brought them close to the fire. Many children huddled close to there mothers or women that would take them in.
Han looked around for his three chiefs, borcas, Kyra and Hugo. Borcas can be see sitting with two woman beside him eating. Kyra can be seen looking around trying to make sure no one sees her. But Han can see her clearly.
He sees Kyra go in a tent and not long later he finally finds hugo. Hugo looks both ways before disappearing into the same tent Kyra is in. A small smile forms on Hanzo face, looks up to the stars again. He watches the night sky dance above up him, memorizing the stars and it's unique constellations.
His smile slowly faded and replaced with a grim look on his face. 7000 was all he thought, his clones counted before disappearing and reporting back. With his clansmen he brought and the freed slaves, around 5000-4900 men we have.
Hanzo wanted to go to the chiefs tents and go tell them but couldn't, too late at night. Hanzo gave it some thought for awhile but decided against it, it will wait till morning.
~next morning~
All the chiefs are in the tent discussing on what to do next after what Hanzo informed them on. All three houses are on the move and so are the slavers. Many yelled or tried to get there voice heard more then others. Hanzo an his clansmen just stood their and watched the chiefs squabble amongst themselves. Mag sat in the corner watching also not putting in any input.
Hanzo and the former didn't say anything till rollo ask Hanzo why he's not putting any input on the situation. "There coming we can't change it nor deny it. They know where we are and we have two ways out. The goat path or down the valley. The valley here is large enough for both armies to face off against each other."
Alysanne spoke first. "You want to lead them here!"
"Yes we can use it as bait, get every single one of them. Then there's the down side, all 7000 will be here against our 5000 men. We will dig trenches big and deep enough for men and cavalry to have trouble getting out. Spikes will be in those trenches too. The children and elderly will get out and the women that doesn't want to fight. Those fucks won't be here right away they'll have to pass valleys and path to reach here, right?"
Rollo. "Aye they will have too. We can hit them from afar while they pass through a difficult area. Shower them with arrows or rocks."
"Yes. That will also by us more time to prepare and fortify our position on the hill. Make them bleed for every inch they take."
Hullen spoke next. "Aye. How much men we going to send to delay them."
"100 men. They will be quick and small enough to do damage. Kill any scouts you see but before you kill them get as much information from them as you can."
After discussing for awhile longer it was decided that 100 men wasn't enough, that 100 went to 150. A giant was suggest to go with them for more damage but it was turned down. We want to keep the giants hidden till they come in the valley.
When the sun was at it highest they men let as all the chiefs watched them leave the valley.
"Now we should chop more trees down to make a wall on the hill to make it look like a fort. Giants and clansmen will be chopping down trees for the walls. I'll take of the holes, I just need people to make it look the same as before."
"Before?"
"Yes. So when the come they don't see holes on the ground, they'll just see the land untouched by men. But we will know what awaits them when they charge."
"It will be a slaughter." Rollo said while looking at Hanzo."
"Yes it will be and that's not all. The giants will carry clubs and I can see that some carry bows. That's artillery on legs, a Ballista that's meant for the walls on castles but not anymore thanks to the giants."
Everyone in the newly constructed building looked at one another and smiled slightly. Knowing that they'll have a chance for freedom instead of chains.
~Six days later~
Everyone was doing something in the camp now turned into a wooden fort. Walls 15ft high with two towers facing the valley entrance. There's a main gate that opens up fully for people to come and go. And the giants hide behind the walls easily while mag is 16ft tall, tallest of the giants clan. As the arrows and armour are being prepared a horn blast can be heard at the entrance of the valley.
Everyone in the fort and outside stopped what they were doing and quickly got there weapons. The children and elderly moved in the fort on one side, squeezing by but not stappeading in. The warriors moved in from till they see Hanzo looking over the valley.
"That's our men, seen them awhile ago but there are less then 150 that got sent out."
"How many returned." Ask Hullen.
"98 men, 17 are wounded. They bought us time and we got a lot done. Go meet them and bring them back don't want them to fall into our traps and die."
Some left right away and others returned to what they were doing earlier before the horn blast. After some time waiting the clansmen made it back in one peace.
"My chiefs. There near a days out. We faced them at the windy pass. We held them there for some time till they got some men behind us. Our scouts above were killed before they got word to us. We were caught off guard but we got it under control but it was enough for them to break through. We fell back a distance away for us to recover and they did also. We faced again but we knew we lost our hold on the pass. Some stayed to delay them for some time."
"That's troubling. No matter. You held them off long enough for us to get this done." As he gestures around here. "A days away Hm, by the first light tomorrow the children and the elderly will leave. And the rest of us will faced them. Win or lose, we will stand as one."
Everyone cheered and screamed out for victory. Hanzo looked at the chiefs and they also nodded and gave a small smile. As everyone dispersed and went there own way to prepare for the war tomorrow. Many sought out partners to let off some steam or the final pleasures of them flesh before they die.
Darkness descended upon the land again and the stars danced above. Hanzo watched everyone tonight he sees men holding there children mayhaps for the last time. Men taking there women inside the tents for love. Hanzo seen it all and he gave a smiled softly. Many things will change when the sun come up. He can hear laughter of children and friends alike. Many are trying to distract themselves from what's about to come, he can see it in there eyes.
As the morning sunlight shined in the valley everyone started to wake and stare out on what's coming. The fog on our breath is noticeable when we exit out tents and the cool wind brushes our faces. Like a soft gentle kiss. They didn't say anything to one another just got ready and prepared.
Everyone in the village of tents moved, children are slowly getting up from there slumber. Some woman packed food an extra fur for their journey through the goat path. Hanzo clones watched the path towards them and sent more to keep an eye on the enemy that's approaching.
Thanks to the 150 clansmen their numbers dwindled down to 6400 from their original 7000 men. 600 to their 52 lost Hanzo liked those numbers, thanks to the valley they could win. After some time when the sun is shining on the valley.
Hanzo looks over the valley on a cliff see the people moving, looking like ant from here. Fragments from his previous lives always come back. From earth and naruto world. How his life was back in Uzukagure or his life back on earth. His process on living in the game of thrones universe is weird. Should be freaking out on taking a life but he's not. Guess Hanzo life really change his perspective on his life now. Kill or be killed here no room for softness.
His memories of this world come and go but he also recalls that's some of his memory of this world have been taken. Can't remember what but he knows it was important, can't sell on it now.
Kyra, borcas and Hugo walked together towards Hanzo. Hanzo felt their presence and didn't say anything. When Hanzo was about to speak they seen him stop. He quickly looked towards the valley's entrance. His go former chiefs also took notice of this.
Hugo was the first to speak. "What is it Hanzo."
"There here. Not far from the entrance. My clones are watching and ready to attack."
"Are you, going to attack."
"No. I'm going to wait till there all in the valley then I'm going to seal them in. When we drive them out they'll be in for a surprise."
"You sound like we already won."
"Maybe we have. Gather the chiefs they'll be upon us soon."
The chiefs nodded and quickly left. Hanzo looked behind and sees Hugo didn't leave. "Have anything to say hugo. I'm not a tyrant to not let my people have a voice."
"We have something to tell you. You have your 'magic' and are not afraid to show it. We have our own magic." Hanzo looked surprised but also not he assumed that some have since he read about skinchanging, greenseers, and the last greensight the most rare to see the future.
"From all the clans there's about 100 left as you can tell from the animals in the camp." Hanzo nodded. "Some great beast from land to sea."
"There's some in the sea?"
"Yes some take days to go meet them and come back. All are here. 20 are sky wargs, 10 in the sea. The rest are the from land. Bears to shadow cats, squirrels or horses. All are ready to be used."
"Thanks Hugo. Come let's go meet the chiefs they are all heading to the house." Hugo nodded and followed.
We didn't make it inside as all the chiefs an clansmen were outside the door waiting. All weapons drawn and ready. Rollo was the first to speak. "What is it red hair. Your chiefs came right away."
"There near the entrance and are preparing to come in. There sending scouts in first but they're already taken care of. Same as we discussed. Me and rollo are in the front. Hugo, alysanne are on the left. Hullen, borcas on the right. Kyra in the centre with the reserves she'll move and help one of us. The giants will be mixed in the ranks. The fort will be the last line of defence if we fail to take them on the field. Our traps are at the base of the hill. Will set up half way down the hill."
"Gather the children and elderly get them ready to move when the approaching." Rollo said. Everyone nodded and got ready.
As the last of the people went down the goat path everyone one got into position. Hanzo with 1500 in the front, while Hugo on the left with 1000 and Hullen with the same amount on the right. Kyra has 500 on the centre waiting.
The waiting didn't last long as in the distance the see them. Banners of crowl, stane and magnar and two new banners flap in the wind. Hanzo sees cavalry pour in the valley taking the right and left flanks. His clones counted a 1300 cavalry splits into two now, 650 on each side. They also got into formation. Both sides didn't move.
Only the banners can be heard flapping in the wind. Till a horn blast was heard across the field.
The cavalry moved and so did the men beside them. All moved and charged towards us. The cavalry charged forward unaware of what's about to come when the reach near the base of the hill.
Everyone raised their shields and pointed there spears forward eating for the enemy to reach them. They watched at the cavalry was near and can hear the screams of the men on the horses. Till it happened the first row of cav fell into the pits below. Cries of men and horses can be heard.
Waves of cavalry came and fell but not all gaps were made so our men can move in between the pits and open fields. Some cavalry made it through the gaps while others stopped. Some charged forward through the gaps only to be met with arrows and spears.
The enemies can see this happen in the distance. There still quite a way aways be some time till they reach them. Hanzo order his men to charge and kill the cavalry and they did. Quickly dragging them down and stabbing them or driving a spear through his body.
The cavalry that didn't charge were getting pelted with arrows. While others are trying to get out the pits. Many still charged forward and made a stand only to fall shortly after.
Hanzo blow a horn and stopped his clansmen to move forward and attack the cavalry falling back. He ordered them to back into line gain because the enemy was almost upon them. The battle cries of men charging towards them was met with there won.
Moral was high because of there earlier victory on the cavalry. The giants drew their bows and let loose as it was a slaughter. The arrows shot from the giant left a trail of dead bodies all pin to the arrow. Many were blow back because the arrow was already filled in with men.
Arrows from both side let loose on one another, Hanzo men raised their shields and block there volleys. As did the enemy but they were not standing still but moving forward. Arrows landed an hit there mark while others hit but never killed only injured.
There was a gap from the base of the hill to the traps about 15 yards apart. Hanzo can see they were forming up which wasn't good so Hanzo lifted up his blade, then brought it down to signal everyone to charge forth.
Battle cry's can be heard throughout the battlefield. Hanzo was in the thick of hit. The ground turned muddy, blood and shit filled the uneven ground. Dead bodies are getting trampled on, cries of men begging to live or be saved.
Hanzo quickly did hand signs and a dozen of redheads came to existence and drew there blade at attack without mercy. Hanzo block an attack and quickly faced his opponent.
A tall bearded man with a battle axe charge and Hanzo met him at attack. The man's strength was tuff he was seasoned through war and slavery. But thanks to Hanzo clones it flick a kunai at hits back and the man froze only for Hanzo to cut off his head.
Hanzo looked at the battle field, the front was hold and Kyra was helping out the left as she had to move in. But she left 200 to watch and help any other flanks if the need help.
Rollo can be seen swinging down his axe on one of the crowl men. His head split in half as blood crashed out like a wave. He block an attack from behind only to get jumped by two more. Hanzo disappeared and reappeared beside one of the three men attacking rollo.
In the nick of time Hanzo block an attack that would have succeeded in killing rollo and removing his head as a trophy. Hanzo summoned a kunai and drove it into the would be attacker eye socket.
Hanzo clones jumped over his men fighting in the front an attacked the enemy that are trying to come in. After dealing with them Hanzo nodded at rollo and change forth again into the fray. Han left a trail of blood behind him as he made it to one of the gaps. He sees more men coming forth. He sees them walking over the men in the pits just to make it to them.
It was clumsy but they were making it slowly, some fell and quickly got up. Han charge to stop the enemy advance to slow them down a bit. His clones are doing work in the enemy lines. Some are creating pits or manipulating the wind element into his sword the slicing them like butter. No blade can stop Hanzo sword.
The battle raged on as rollo faced the leader of house crowl. One of Hanzo cloned killed a leader of one of the new banners he seen because after killing him they yelled and charge with more furiosity. The clansmen also met them with the same kind of enthusiasm.
Hanzo ducked underneath the enemies swing and with his blade in a reverse grip sliced him in half. He looked up and sees one of the giants takes a swing with his wooded log and several men flew and died from the blow.
Then he was hit by one of the memories of his clones being killed. He felt the pain of being stabbed and the memories of killing those people. Han took a breath and charge again not stopping because of the memories. Then again another clone died and he was given the memories.
Hanzo grab the man's head brought him down to his knees as he lifted his kunai to the man's neck. He sliced his neck open as blood flowed down the man's body drenching the man's armour in blood. He looked out into the field of corpses and sees crowl, stane, magnars and his men litter the ground. The battle took half of the day.
It showed the battle on the base of the hill and they battle on the field. The enemy lost the first engagement and fallen back to regroup, Hanzo and the chiefs met them on open field. We're the second battle happened. The giants played a key role on the open field. With them weilding tree logs to battle.
Hanzo clones and the wargs the joined helped a lot in the battle. Hanzo order that the wargs are to be protected they'll be good in the coming winters. Both battles were brutal bodies litter the ground. Roll order some men to reached the people that left to return as we won the war.
The men picked up our injured and headed back up the hill. Hanzo ordered someone to count how much men we lost and that are injured. The chiefs came back but I can see alysanne was bring a wounded Hugo back. His chiefs are alive thanks to the clones he sent out to watch over them.
"We made it." Rollo said with relief and sorrow. As he looked around seeing his clansmen on the ground.
"Aye we did." Hullen said while nursing a wound on his shoulder.
Borcas had his eye cut in the fighting and a finger gone thanks to one of them that bit it off. "What about the group retreated when they lost."
"Don't worry about them they already surrendered when they found out they couldn't escape."
"What does that mean." Alysanne ask.
"They'll be coming soon up the valley again."
"How do you know they will not betray us."
"They won't. Trust me. They'll behave."
After the battle was done the went back up in the wooden fort and waited for the people to come back and final answer to how many we lost. Night saddle on the land again and the people finally made it back. We already sorted our dead and counted.
We lost 1359 men, our wounded counted 1500 men. That can march we have 2141 men. As for the enemy out of the 7000 that came only 3945 were alive and taken as prisoners. Out of the 3658 prisoners 300 were slavers that lived.
Hanzo and the rest of the chiefs sat around the fire. As if sizzled and pops from burning log. Rollo spoke first. "We lost 1359 men our wounded are around 1500 men. Not life threatening but enough to wait a couple moons to heal."
"We won the war and freed skagos. The cost… we all knew the cost win or lose."
"Aye no denying that. Now what about the castles. There has to be enough to hold it."
"Aye there is but that the thing do we moved in a couple days or…"
"Or? What red hair."
"I can send my clones and deal with the castles alone. But not right now."
"Why? What's wrong." Ask Kyra.
"I used to much magic. It will take me a day or two to recover."
"Send your clones we will need to keep an eye on the persioners."
"Aye send them."
Hanzo nodded. "I will when I recover more of my magic." All the chiefs nodded and went back to talking.
Hanzo looked up at the stars again and just watched them dance in the sky above.