[ IP ] Invasion

`` Two of them, sir. And airships.'' 
 
 Cursing his luck, Morris turned and motioned for the Spriggans to head back into the trees. They were lithe creatures and vanished in a moment's notice. 
 
 The Morning Knight steadied the horse some more. The stone behemoths were an imposing sight, towering over the countryside. Out there, far beyond them, was the Palace that Morris was fighting so hard to reclaim. 
 
 `` Sir, they decimated an army with only one of those giants. With two we barely stand a chance of survival if we retreat now.'' 
 
 `` Where would we go? Back to the trees? If we do n't carry through with this attack we'll never reclaim our homeland.'' 
 
 `` Our homeland.'' The knight was a native - Morris was not. The fact that the champion leading them on this mission was from a foreign land was still a point of concern among many in the army. `` Why are you actually helping us?'' 
 
 Morris shrugged, his slender frame ill suiting the armour he was dressed in. The staff was still twice his height. Whoever heard of a fifteen year old Sorcerer Supreme? 
 
 `` That palace they took has my only way home. Without it I'll be stuck here.'' 
 
 Nodding, understanding but not accepting, the Morning Knight turned his horse back to the front line. The colossi were getting restless, sensing the coming battle. 
 
 Morris followed the Spriggans back beyond the tree line. As he walked he held the staff to his forehead, imagining the Delves and the Spriggans, the Warnti and the Til. With an ease that only comes from practise he touch their minds and pulled them together. 
 
 *Are we ready? * 
 
 *The Delves are at your command. * 
 
 *May the forest watch over the Spriggans as we fight by your side. * 
 
 *Wantti live to fight. We were born for this. * 
 
 *Our Grace and the Learning are yours to unleash. * 
 
 *Then, * said Morris *sound the drums. We march to war. * 
 
 The Morning Knight raised a horn to his lips and blew. The clarion call rose and was matched by a hundred more. 
 
 The invasion had begun. 
 
 -- 
 
 Busy day today. If I get the chance I'm totally adding the actual attack to this. Edit; totally did. 
 
 -- 
 
 Deep below the Collosi the Delves sprang into action. Explosive charges were detonated, bringing the earth crashing down. The sound was deafening, but the a Delves were prepared. They were tall creatures, as proud as any other in the Freelands, and as the sun pierced the darkness they began to climb with practised speed. 
 
 They broke the surface as the Warnti and Spriggan's charge hit the front line of the Collosi armies. Even the smart stone creatures towered over the eight foot Warnti - but they could n't hope to match the ferocity. Grand Warlord Hilk's axe rose and fell in a brutal rhythm. Stone shards flew in response. 
 
 Here and there the Spriggans jumped about the battlefield. Stocky little creatures, as green as the trees they called home, they made difficult targets for the Collosi foot soldiers. Many were riding the Warnti into battle - jabbing with their short spears and laughing madly. 
 
 The airforce began to react, lumbering around and bringing cannons to bear. 
 
 First salvo. 
 
 Cannon balls tore toward the Mass of Warnti. 
 
 Second salvo. Fired before the first even hit their mark. 
 
 And there were the Til, cousins to the Warnti, forming out if thin air, the gossamer wings riding the heat currets, carrying them up. One dove for a cannon ball and latched on, magic burning, dragged down with it. But then she moved in a spiral, hurling it back toward the cannon that fired it. 
 
 Wood splintered as the Til forces crashed into the first ship. 
 
 Back down on the ground Morris strode through the melee with immunity. The Warnti fought all around, cutting down any who tried to get close in a haze of bloodlust. 
 
 The Delves were clawing their way up the first Collosus. Foreman Elandril hammered another spike in place, letting the rope fall to his brothers below. The beast roared, trying to shake them off, but the Delves hung on. 
 
 They were bringing dynamite. 
 
 Morris brought his staff crashing down, throwing dirt up all around him and spinning it above his head. A ring of stone and metal formed an expanding halo as he moved. He had spotted a Colossus General. 
 
 `` You took their homeland!'' He screamed. `` You forced us a out - you banished us to the Freelands!'' 
 
 `` You did not count on the Freelanders!'' General Hilk roared, cutting a swathe through the enemy numbers. Morris followed in us footsteps. A Spriggan bounced up on to his staff and cackled, throwing a rock high into the air. It arced poorly but still found a target. On this field it was impossible to miss. 
 
 `` The Spriggans are more dangerous than you give us credit for!'' 
 
 The airship crews were beginning to panic. The Til were n't large opponents, but they moved with such speed that it did n't matter. They landed on swords, flew through windows and unbuckled armour. 
 
 And finally, Foreman Elandril had reached the face of the Collosus. He smiled and waved, hacking a hole above the thing's eyebrow and sliding dynamite in. 
 
 Getting down was going to be the hard bit. 
 
 -- 
 
 `` The Freelanders came to our aid,'' said the Morning Knight quietly as he watched the battle unfold. The refugees he had sworn to protect clustered behind him. Each one was underfed, dressed in rags - but now they were smiling. 
 
 By the end of the day they would be home. 
 
 -- 
 
 `` We have brought you everything we found in the Freelands. Strength. Courage. Learning. Honour.'' Morris could feel his magic growing impatient. `` We have brought you these gifts.'' 
 
 He strode toward the Collosus leader, intending to end the battle for good.
