Chapter 15: Into the Wolf's Den

With the initial invasion repelled, Leonard wasted no time in pressing his advantage. He understood that allowing Northwood and Blackwood to regroup would only prolong the war and give them another opportunity to threaten Aethelgard. His decision was swift and decisive: he would take the fight to them.

Leaving a strong contingent of the royal guard and allied forces to secure Aethelgard's borders and watch for any renewed Blackwood incursions, Leonard gathered a formidable army for a campaign into Northwood. This force comprised his most seasoned warriors, the cavalry that had broken the Blackwood charge, and a significant number of skilled archers. Above them, the shadows of several majestic dragons patrolled the skies, their presence a potent symbol of Aethelgard's power.

The march into Northwood was fraught with peril. The terrain was unforgiving, a stark contrast to Aethelgard's fertile lands. Jagged peaks pierced the sky, and dense, ancient forests carpeted the valleys. Supply lines were stretched thin, and the threat of ambush was ever-present.

Leonard, however, was undeterred. He rode at the forefront of his army, the Dragon's Breath sword strapped to his saddle, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The dragon core within him pulsed with energy, providing him with an almost preternatural awareness of his surroundings. He anticipated enemy movements, navigated treacherous paths, and maintained the morale of his troops through sheer force of will.

Elara's network of spies proved invaluable once again. They provided Leonard with information about Northwood's defenses, the locations of their garrisons, and the movements of their main armies. This intelligence allowed Leonard to bypass heavily fortified areas and strike where the enemy was weakest.

His strategy was not one of outright conquest, at least not initially. His primary objective was to cripple Northwood's ability to wage war, to disrupt their supply chains, and to sow chaos within their own territory. He aimed to break their will to fight.

The first major engagement occurred near the town of Oakhaven (a different Oakhaven, nestled within the foothills of Northwood's central mountains). A significant Northwood garrison, expecting reinforcements, was caught completely off guard by Leonard's swift advance. The Aethelgardian cavalry, spearheaded by Leonard himself, smashed through their defenses before they could fully organize. The battle was swift and decisive, the Northwood soldiers routed, and their supplies captured.

News of Leonard's lightning strike spread like wildfire throughout Northwood, instilling fear in the hearts of its people and its king. King Alaric, who had initially been confident in his legions' ability to crush Aethelgard, was now faced with the unsettling reality of a Dragon King on his own soil.

Leonard continued his advance, bypassing major cities and instead targeting strategically important locations: supply depots, mining operations that fueled Northwood's war efforts, and smaller, vulnerable settlements that housed the families of Northwood soldiers. His aim was to undermine their war machine from within.

The dragons played a crucial role in this campaign. They soared over Northwood's fortresses, their roars echoing through the valleys, their fiery breath destroying siege engines and scattering enemy formations. Their presence alone was enough to deter many Northwood garrisons from engaging Leonard's main force.

However, King Alaric was not one to surrender easily. He began to consolidate his remaining forces, recalling troops from the border with Aethelgard and preparing for a major confrontation. He understood that if he could defeat Leonard in a decisive battle, he could still salvage the situation.

The two armies finally met on the Fields of Ashwood, a wide, open plain that offered little in the way of natural cover. King Alaric had gathered his elite guard, his remaining heavy infantry, and what cavalry he could muster. He positioned his forces carefully, hoping to use the terrain to his advantage.

Leonard arrayed his own army, his seasoned veterans facing the numerically superior Northwood forces. He knew that this battle would be critical, a test of wills and strategic acumen.

Before the battle commenced, Leonard rode out alone, the Dragon's Breath sword held aloft. He called out to King Alaric, his voice echoing across the field.

"Alaric of Northwood!" he boomed. "Your aggression has brought war to our lands. Turn back now, and spare your people further bloodshed."

King Alaric, clad in gleaming armor, rode forward to meet him, his face grim. "Leonard of Aethelgard," he retorted. "You have invaded my kingdom. I will not yield. Today, one of us will fall."

With those defiant words, the battle began.

The Northwood infantry advanced in disciplined ranks, their shields locked, a wall of steel moving across the plain. Leonard's archers unleashed a volley of arrows, but the Northwood shields held firm.

Then, the Aethelgardian cavalry charged, their lances lowered, slamming into the Northwood flanks. The impact was devastating, breaking the enemy formations and creating chaos in their ranks. Leonard, leading the charge, carved a path through the Northwood lines, his Dragon's Breath sword a whirlwind of death.

The battle raged fiercely, a brutal exchange of blows. The Northwood infantry, though disciplined, were outmatched by the experience and ferocity of Leonard's veterans. The Aethelgardian cavalry, supported by the devastating aerial attacks of the dragons, tore through the Northwood formations.

King Alaric, seeing his lines falter, committed his elite guard to the fray. They were formidable warriors, clad in the finest armor, fighting with desperate courage. Leonard met them head-on, his Dragon's Breath sword clashing against their steel. The power of the dragon core surged through him, granting him the strength and speed to overcome their numbers.

The battle reached its climax in a duel between Leonard and King Alaric. Their swords clashed repeatedly, sparks flying as steel met steel. Alaric was a skilled warrior, but he was no match for the Dragon King, whose power and determination were unmatched.

With a final, decisive blow, Leonard disarmed Alaric and held the Dragon's Breath sword to his throat.

"Yield, Alaric," Leonard commanded, his voice ringing across the battlefield. "End this bloodshed."

Seeing his king defeated and his army routed, the remaining Northwood soldiers threw down their weapons. The battle was over.

Leonard had struck a decisive blow against Northwood, crippling their ability to wage war. He had ventured into the wolf's den and emerged victorious. But he knew that the war was not yet won. Blackwood still remained a threat, and the consequences of his actions in Northwood would undoubtedly ripple across the political landscape. The reign of the Dragon King was being forged in the fires of war, and the challenges ahead remained formidable.