The House Dahan, Chapter XII: Raise the Banners
#13 of Dahan
A word of warning, this series should be taking a pretty big step soon. I hope it goes down well, since it will likely be quite a change. More info with the next chapter.
Any comments are, as usual, not only welcomed but encouraged! No really, don't pull any punches on constructive criticism, it's the only way to improve as a writer.
blablabla, diclaimer stuff here, please read tags and please enjoy!
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The House Dahan, Chapter XII: Raise the Banners
Dawn crept up gingerly over the hills to cast its warm light over the Dahan estates. Where usually the fields inside and around the large ringed walls of the stronghold would be calm, populated only by servants and serfs making their way to their respective duties, now they were blanketed in sea of blue and silver. Tents stood in neat, tight rows, all proudly displaying their Lord's colours. Banners displaying the silver wolf stood everywhere, the stylised beast twisting in the morning breeze. A horn sounded, calling the soldiers to their duties. Soon enough men hurried through the encampment, breaking the tents down and loading up supplies and weapons onto carts. It was organised chaos, the sergeants shouting commands left and right.
Inside the manse proper, Chen was sitting at the low, dark table in the family dining room, waiting for his breakfast. He looked up as the rest came in through the door. They greeted each other as usual, but Chen couldn't help but notice that Ling seemed agitated. She sat down across from him, Li next to him. The dark wolfess gave her husband a glare that would send any common man running for his life, Li simply frowned. "I've told you Ling, my decision is final. I am still the Lord of this house and you will do as I say."
Ling replied "You can't just leave me here! I'm your wife, I should be with you."
The Lord crossed his arms as a platter of bacon was placed in front of him. "You'll hardly be lonely, Fei will be here, as will most of the household servants and guards. All I want is for you to be safe! I can't have you in the middle of a battle..." he sighed, his expression softening "...I couldn't bear the thought of you getting hurt Ling. Please stay."
The wolfess softened herself. "...alright then, I'll stay..." Li nodded, relieved. "Thank you."
They wolfed down their breakfast (hehe, wolfed) and Li stood up. He patted Chen on the shoulder. "Come on son, time to get you suited up." They left Ling and Fei behind and headed to the Lord's armoury. The door was guarded full-time by two burly warriors, who bowed that familiarly impossible bow as they neared. Li unlocked the door, its heavy mechanism clacked as he turned the key. Inside stood, arrayed in neat racks, the finest arms and armour the house had available. A scarred, pot-bellied wolf sat sharpening a sword in the middle of the room.
"This is Lu Strong-arm, the Master of Arms. Lu, I believe you have something for us?"
The wolf nodded and got up, he went into the back of the room, poorly lit, and returned with a stand on which was mounted an exquisite suit of armour. The body consisted of steel scales all clinked together in tight rows. The neck was shielded by a curved plate. The arms and shins were also protected by plate of steel, with inlaid silver dragons. The skirt consisted of more scales and reached down to just above the knees, where they met the top of the greaves. A split ran down the sides, to allow riding a horse. The helmet was the most striking of all. It was shaped like a wolf's head, to perfectly fit one of that race, even the ears were protected by steel, perforated to allow hearing. From the top of the head it ran down the snout to the nose, curtaining down the side of the maw were steel teeth. The eyes were left open, for obvious reasons. The lower jaw was left open. The fabric underneath all of this was blue silk, covering boiled leather.
Chen smiled widely "Wow, that looks great!" The Master of Arms snorted "It don't matter how she looks milord, as long as she keeps the enemy out and yer guts in." He banged the chest, scales rattling softly. "This here'll make swords and axes stop dead in their tracks." He tapped the gap under the armpits "This leather here'll let them in like there wasn't any. So don't get cocky. Now come over here and we'll strap it on you."
The two men hoisted the young wolf into his new armour, made to measure. He flexed and tested it, asking for this or that strap to be adjusted. When he was happy with the fit, they hoisted Li into his own armour, made in similar style but with silver inlays on just about everything. The warrior jested that if he blinded the enemy outright, they'd be easier to kill. They picked out their swords, Li took his favourite Japanese style longsword. Chen collected the strange western blade he won at the tournament. The straight blade and sheath hung from his sword belt, his paw on the grip. He'd never felt quite as much like a warrior. Li looked him over, nodded approvingly and patted him in the back. "I think you've grown son, those lizards will run away at the mere sight of you."
_Lizards..._Chen's eyes flew open. "I almost forgot something! I'll meet you at the gates, I won't be long." He ran past a confused Li and headed down to his room. He rushed past the guards and pushed open the door, one guard grinned knowingly and shook his head.
The lizard girl Lily was standing in front of his mirror, admiring the long silk dress he'd had made for her. Her slender tail poked out from under it, just above the floor.
"Do you like it?"
The girl turned around to him, slightly startled. "My Lord...it's wonderful. The most beautiful thing I've ever had. Thank you." She looked over him with wide eyes "You look...very impressive."
Chen grinned like a silly schoolboy and walked up to her. He wrapped his arms around her, pulled her against his armour, she was a bit shorter than him. She giggled immediately, wriggling. "That's cold!"
He laughed out loud "...cold is it? Maybe I should warm you up?" He shot down and kissed her, soon enough his tongue darted into her maw. He loved the way her agile, slender tongue wrapped around his. The butterflies in his stomach seemed more restless than ever before and felt the blood rushing to his face and his member, pressing against the confines of his armour. The girl's tail wrapped around his leg, riding upwards under the skirt.
Chen undid the laces on the armoured skirt, which fell to the ground. His sword belt clanged loudly as it fell. The laces on his trousers yielded as quickly, his swollen member springing free, rubbing against Lily's stomach through the silk dress. The girl gasped as he pinned her to the wall next to the bed and urgently started tugging on her undergarments. She wriggled out of them and hoisted up her dress over her head, discarding it on the floor. Chen kissed her again and lifted her left leg up. He groaned as his throbbing cock slid into her, his welcome sopping wet. He felt her tail tightening around his thigh as he pushed in, her claws raked across the steel scales covering his back. He thrusted upwards again and again with a hunger, an urgency he'd never felt before. Their juices dripped onto the wooden floor beneath them.
Chen adjusted slightly, reaching down with his other arm and scooped up her right leg. He lifted her off the ground, pinning her back to the wall. He pressed against her as they rutted, their scales rubbing together steel against horn, mashing her breasts. Lily moaned louder as he picked up the pace further, her tail was thrashing against his legs. Her bright green eyes locked onto his emerald ones as his knot pushed onto her entrance. "Yes!...Push it inside me, please! It's so good!"
All too happy to oblige, the young wolf arched his back and gave it his all. The swollen knot slowly burrowed into her soft flesh. As he broke through, he growled in release. His throbbing cock shot out a copious amount of cum, all of it locked in by the knot. The girl squeezed his knot in her own orgasm, serving to milk him even more. As the rush of orgasm faded, he felt the strength seep from his arms. He turned and sank her down on the bed, still tied together. They were both breathing heavily, Chen's tongue dropped out of his maw.
As soon as the knot died down, he pulled out and rolled to lie down beside her. She turned over and put her arm over his chest, stroking the steel scales. Chen looked at her, frowning sadly. "I don't want to go...I want to stay here with you."
The girl looked back "You know you have to..."
Chen nodded, his ears flattened. "I know...but I'll be back as soon as I can. Then we can stay together as long as we want. I want to be with you."
Lily flushed, giving him a kiss. "I'll be here...my Lord." Their tongues slithered together again. Chen felt his member stir up again, raising to brush against her hand. Lily giggled and grabbed hold of it. "My Lord wants another ride I think." She stroked it slowly, coaxing a drop of pre from its tip. Chen bit his lip and arched his back, the light touch was sweet and excruciating. Lily's tongue shot out and licked up the precum, his cock throbbed and produced more in response. The reptilian tongue kept shooting forward, stroking the canine's meat relentlessly. It lapped and coiled around the throbbing shaft. Having soaked her lover's cock in pre and saliva, Lily turned over and got up on all fours, her tail raised high. She looked back, her eyes seductive.
Chen wasted no time and knelt behind her. He grabbed her rump and thrusted home to the hilt, wringing a gasp out of the girl. The slender scaled tail wrapped around his waist as he pierced her. Her pussy was sopping wet, cum from their previous coupling still seeped out, dripping down in strands. He pounded her, squeezing her rump. Lily groaned, her small tits jumping back and forth under the assault.
Chen adjusted his angle and leant forward. He speared deeply into the lizard girl, forcing her to lie down on her stomach, her closed legs gave a tight fit and he growled with pleasure. Every thrust slapped against her rump now and produced sopping sounds. He placed his paws on her back, pushing her hard into the bed. Her screams muffled in the sheets, her claws dug into them. He knotted her quickly, pumping a fresh batch of cum into her womb. He dropped back down beside her, holding her until he deflated. Lilly fell asleep in his arms.
Chen gave her one last kiss before straightening his armour and left her quietly.
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Outside, everyone was ready to march and waiting for the command. The troops, ten thousand between them, were arrayed in marching columns outside the gate. The supply train was loaded, the oxen strapped in. Chen was awaited by Torun, the captain of the horse. The pale wolf's cold stare made him uncomfortable. Those are dead eyes, he avoided look at them. The officer was clad in black armour and a black cloak. He held two horse by the reins. King snorted as he smelt his master. Torun handed him the reins "Your horse, my Lord."
Chen ascended the tall black animal, managing to accomplish some amount of grace. Torun mounted his own horse, a beast as pale as he was. "My Lordship's father awaits at the front of the column, shall we proceed?" Chen gave him a nod and they set off. He glanced over the officer as they rode side by side. The officer frightened him a bit, not that he'd ever admit it. As Torun glanced back at him, he snapped his head forwards again. A slim smile appeared on the officer's face.
They found Li atop his own horse, a marvellous and huge bay creature. The animal scraped its hooves impatiently, eager to ride. Beside him was captain Wun, leader of the infantry. The brown canine gave Chen a warm smile, the warm and friendly Wun seemed the complete opposite of Torun. He was always eager to laugh and eager to help.
Li greeted his son as he rode up beside him. "Good of you to make it son, I was beginning to think you'd gotten lost." Chen's ears flattened slightly "I was just..." Li raised a paw "I know exactly what you were doing, you were with that servant girl again...I do believe you're smitten." Wun guffawed beside him, Chen felt the blood rush to his face. Li patted him on the back. "Young love...savour it while it lasts son or you'll wish you did."
With that, he signalled to a nearby officer. The burly wolf brought a heavy looking horn to his mouth and took a deep breath.
AAWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooo
Six thousand men, of which half ahorse, began their march. Most of it will be spent in the woods, attempting to hide their presence from the Han as long as possible. Li insisted on riding at the head of the column, despite sergeant Pin's cautions, but ordered Chen to remain behind the vanguard, much to the young wolf's dismay. He dispatched a screen of outriders ahead, to scout their way and catch anyone that might inform Han. Their enemy's lands were not far away, their two strongholds were as close as neighbours as you could get. Only a few days march separated them.
Chen spent most of the march beside one of the commanding officers, as much bodyguards as companions. Captain Wun was his favourite. Wun was friendly and loved to tell stories about his time before he came to work for the Dahan. He was a sellsword, he said, moving from lord to lord in pursuit of riches and fame. He was renowned for his handling of the longaxe, a strange exotic weapon used more often in the Far West. Said axe was strapped to his horse. His boasts were as numerous as they were embellished.
"...fifty-six of them, killed them in less than half an hour. One of them had the biggest sword you'll ever see, the size of a man it was! Swung it around like it were made of pine instead of steel. Didn't do him much good against me though! Gutted him like a fish that one, one good swing is all I need...."
When he rode with sergeant Pin, they'd discuss swordfighting and military strategy. Chen was always eager to learn more on those subjects. The warm and fiercely loyal fox promised him he'd teach him to play a game called "Go". He said it would teach him to think like a commander. Chen agreed happily.
Next came Torun, the pale captain of the horse. The man was stoic and cold, but not averse to answering Chen's questions on horses or his own service.
"I came to this house's service some years ago, immediately after my Lord's father gained his estate. Before that I had served as a sergeant in the Han army. Lord Li recognised my value as commander and offered me a captain's position. Since then I have trained and commanded the cavalry, teaching them to ride and fight from horseback. If my Lord desires, I will give him the same training." Chen hesitated a moment, but accepted the offer nonetheless.
Lastly he rode with "The Hunter", usually called Hunt. The tiger was remarkably lean for his race, but famous for his archery. It was said he could cut a man's ear off at a hundred paces, but the cat denied this himself.
"It wasn't his ear I cut off, it was his cock. The man was having a piss." Chen smirked at the supposed joke, but Hunt's face was dead serious. "A bow is the perfect weapon you know. You can kill a man or wound him reliably. An arrow to the knee will stop anyone of an adventurous disposition. It can be silent as a whisper if need be and pierce even the finest armour, if you have the right arrows. And all that it does while keeping your foe at a respectable distance. A Lord should know how to use it, don't you think?" And so another agreement was made.
That night the army set up camp as best they could between the trees. A perimeter was set up, with guards posted all along. As Chen dismounted, he winced. Saddle sores. He dismissed the stableboy come to take his horse, Li had told him a man should take care of his own horse. So he brought King to the improvised stables, protected by a canvas roof and three canvas walls. He took off the saddle and started to dry the sweaty animal off with a handful of straw. It struck him that King was increasingly comfortable in his presence ever since they escaped Han's thugs. The beast would normally fight him at every turn, today he was calm and agreeable. "Told you you'd like me. Just had to get to know each other a bit" He scratched the horse behind the ear, where he knew he like it.
A voice sounded from behind him. "My Lord is good with horses."
Chen turned to see Torun leading his own horse. "Am I?"
Torun nodded gravely "You are, most men treat their mount as furniture which needs to be fed on occasion. Might be they polish it from time to time, but they never care for it. You care for that horse and so it responds in kind. The best riders are those that love their animals and whose animals love them. Particularly Dahan horses, they have something...unnervingly intelligent about them, as if they understand every word you say."
King gave the officer a look which indicated perfectly that he did.
Chen watched Torun see to his horse. The man lost his usual coldness, gently stroking the animal, whispering to it. He likes his horse better than any man. The young wolf finished up and went to search for his father. His tent was quite hard to miss, on top if it was mounted a pole flying the Dahan banner. He could see it poking up over the other tents. As he walked through the camp he passed a number of soldiers. Most were too busy setting up tents or getting dinner started to notice him, those that did see him bowed respectfully and gave him a "milord". He nodded back at every one that did, making sure that he looked the part. A Lord should always inspire confidence in his troops, he remembered one of Li's lessons.
He passed a group of men sitting near a fire, shouting as they played some game. He walked over to have a look. The game was called "Liar!", Chen had seen some of the guards play it before. Each man rolled five dice, hidden beneath his cup. They then called out a possible roll (for instance, three fives or four one's) which they might have made. If the other thought the first had less than he claimed he said "Liar!". If the man was lying, the challenger wins the pot, if he had as much or more then he wins. As the men noticed his presence, they stopped shouting. "My Lord! Are we disturbing you?"
Chen shook his head "No, not at all. Please continue." The men nodded, but seemed ill at ease and looked at each other. A lord should know his troops, they must see him as above them but also as one of them. The lesson had never made sense to him, but he thought he got it now. He sat down next to the men. "Come on, hand me a cup."
The man nearest him was surprised, but handed his cup over immediately. Chen rattled the dice between the cup and his hand and planted it on the ground. "I say two threes." After this first move, the men loosened up a bit. After he'd lost his first game, they were laughing again. He learned their names, listened to their complaints, told jokes with them and shared food with them. He gave them advice on swordfighting and they told him how to skin and cook a rabbit.
Hours later he wished them his best and left them to their beds.
When he finally arrived in the great tent, he found Li sitting in front of a small table, studying a map by candlelight. The wolf nodded to him "Chen, good to see you. I hear you've made plans with my officers, that's good. They'll teach you things that might save your life one day. Have you eaten yet?"
Chen nodded and sank down on a field bed at the back of the tent. "I ate with some of the men."
Li leaned back and stretched, groaning as he did. "Ugh...I'm too old for this nonsense damn it." Time for bed I'd say.
The two wolves slept in their armour that night.
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The camp woke at dawn to find the air chilly and moist, a fog spreading out through the trees. Chen came trotting out of his tent yawning. The remains of a campfire smouldered, wisps of smoke joining the fog. He saw a pair of soldiers doing some training exercises, the clacking of their spears echoing off the trees. The young wolf headed over to a long tent used as a makeshift cantina. The cook, a gruff old bear, shoved his breakfast in his paws. A hollowed out chunk of bread which served as a bowl for a thick beef stew. He sat down next to Wun, who appeared to be suffering from a hangover. He dismissed it with a grin.
"Too much cheap wine! Serves me right for feasting on the march."
The burly canine used his dagger to pick out the chunks of meat from his stew. Chen lacked one himself and picked a piece out with his paw.
"No, that won't do at all. You're the heir, not some peasant. Have this." The male drew another dagger out of his sleeve and presented him the hilt. "Always pays to have a spare blade tucked away, that there's good advice." The weapon had a sturdy and straight blade, double edged but without a guard. A simple black leather hilt provided a generous grip. Chen accepted it gladly. Wun showed him how to hide it in his sleeve and how to draw it without cutting himself. They were soon joined by the other officers and Li himself. They talked mostly military matters, interrupted by the occasional boastful tale from Wun. Torun left them early, muttering something about his horse.
An hour later the camp was starting to be torn down, tents being loaded back onto carts and men joining up with the rest of their units. Chen and Li were saddling their horses when their ears perked up at a distant sound, dampened by the fog and trees. Li frowned, his paw rested on the hilt of his sword. Chen looked up at him "What's wrong?"
Li stood silent a few more seconds, listening intently. Then he relaxed, turning back to his horse. "It was nothing".
Suddenly, a mounted soldier flashed passed them shouting "We're under attack!"
Soldiers around them started shouting and running around, sergeants pulled their men together and tried to restore order. Chen drew his sword and looked around confused. "What do we do?!"