Chrysalis

The appearance of the Blademasters on the field changed the situation dramatically. Grand Marshal Cicera considered the scene that spread before her with a pensive frown. Centurions had been hunted down in the confusion and chaos of the battlefield, disrupting the chain of command and leaving a quarter of the legionaries sent over the bridge blowing in the wind.

It was a deceitful, cowardly strategy that relied completely on the element of surprise and the unique abilities the Blademasters possessed. It was also clever, and effective. Had the Folk announced their presence and stated their intention to defend the Tree, Cicera would have brought another four legions to ensure the job got done.

Her centurions would have also been more hesitant to stand apart from their troops. It was a standard strategy to assassinate officers in the field and the Abyssal Legion prided itself on its record for preserving the lives of not only its officers, but the rank and file legionaries as well.

To do such a thing was close to a declaration of war. There would come a reckoning for this.

For now, her focus had to be on the mission. The tree would fall, there was no doubt of this.

"Focus the barrage on the left side of the trunk," she ordered. "Tell the Praetorians to find and assist the leaderless soldiers. They must be guided and absorbed into the command of existing groups."

The commanders passed her orders and within minutes she could see the results play out before her. The constant barrage of artillery and magic continued unabated, but this time focusing on one side of the trunk. The already burning wood began to crack and splinter under the weight of the assault. Thick clouds of smoke already billowed around the tree, rising to the canopy and drifting out into the vast open spaces of the fourth stratum.

She could see glimpses of the soldiers regrouping in the distance. Her superhuman vision allowed her to pick out the determined faces as they reformed their lines and began to advance once more. The praetorians had been notified of the presence of the Folk in the battle and already they had come to blows.

Of course, despite their incredible skill, not even they could stand up to the finest the Legion had to offer.

"The Folk are retreating whenever they see a praetorian approach. They don't want to engage directly."

"Not surprising," Cicera remarked dryly. "That's not a fight they can win."

was a worthy trade off. If the Blademasters spent their time running from the praetorians, then they

forces from the Folk appearing. Not elites, regular

larger contingent at this point of the battle? Why? The tree was crippled, success was

in the auxiliaries," she ordered. "It's

change if more unanticipated factors were allowed to influence the field.

down the line quickly and tens of thousands of soldiers prepared to deploy. The auxiliaries were a potent fighting force

served in the medicus and managed supplies. No fighting force in the

specialised soldiers

prisoners howled and gibbered with delight as the order finally came. They had waited so long, watching as their

the bridge and threw themselves into the fight with wild abandon. They smashed into the front lines like a sledgehammer,

with detached interest as the first of the hand

whirled their bolas overhead before releasing them, their abnormal strength allowing them to cover tremendous distance. The clay balls shattered on impact, spreading their payload across the

own, the stuff would do little, but when ignited, it would burn with incredible heat. Good thing

of breaking timber reached them easily over the distance. Black, oily smoke

an

now," Cicera said with confidence.

their fatigued allies as the artillery barrage continued overhead. The tree and its children continued to fight, but they were a spent force. The tree

praetorians, their armour scorched and blackened in places, but otherwise unharmed. The army gave way as these titans of the battlefield walked through

They had duties and responsibilities below that could not be allowed to wait. It had been difficult for the Legion to spare even this

saluted. Without ceremony, she saluted back, fist to heart,