Lord of the Oasis Chapter 2

The Jackalans constituted the most prevalent humanoid species inhabiting the vast Nahrin Desert. Once, their numbers were immense, sprawling across the desert and reaching as far as the Senwaya Range. During protracted periods of conflict between various dukedoms, the Jackalans seized the opportunity to penetrate the northern territories. For approximately three years, they posed a persistent menace to the dukedom. Their presence was perceived as a loathsome affliction, seemingly creeping towards the central regions.

Following the cessation of hostilities with other dukedoms, the Dukedom of Leo resolved to eradicate the Jackalans from their domain. This extensive purge spanned an entire year. The Jackalan Tribes, which had reveled in their invasion of the dukedom as if they had discovered a promised land, were swiftly overwhelmed by the Duke's fierce retaliation. Lacking sophisticated weaponry or armor, the Jackalans proved no match for the disciplined human forces. They were easily cut down by the cavalry units, a source of immense pride and a highly respected component of the Dukedom of Leo's military might. It is recounted that the sheer volume of Jackalan heads separated from their bodies a decade prior was sufficient to line both edges of the main roads.

The savage purge rapidly escalated into an all-encompassing genocide, extending from the northern border of the dukedom deep into the southern reaches of the Nahrin Desert. The primary Jackalan Tribes, boasting larger populations, teetered on the brink of extinction as a consequence of this brutal campaign. Any Jackalan Tribes that managed to survive fled into the desert north of the dukedom, paralyzed by fear. However, vestiges of their presence remained scattered throughout the region.

A significant number of Jackalan Tribes could still be found within the Senwaya Range, as evidenced by the recurring, sporadic raids on the northern villages of the dukedom. In the southern expanse of the Nahrin Desert, the Jackalan population had likely experienced a resurgence, benefiting from a decade of relative peace. There was no turning back now.

Kant moistened his dry, cracked lips, his gaze resolute. He was unwavering in his determination to establish his village following their arduous trek across the desert. Armed with the 'Kingdom of Swadia' system as his trump card, he was resolved to avoid a state of complete destitution. The very dunes that had been the subject of their recent discussion now lay before them, marking the designated location for their encampment. The strategy was to erect tents in the shaded area behind the imposing dune.

“Alright, everyone, get to work!” Under Rowan's continued command, the knights proceeded with his directives. “Conduct a thorough sweep of the perimeter. I have no intention of becoming a Jackalan or beast's midnight snack!” Upon receiving their orders, the twenty knights dispersed to fulfill their assigned tasks. Yet, a portion of them approached their duty with a noticeable lack of urgency. Having marched for six consecutive days without encountering any sign of Jackalans, their commitment to a meticulous search began to wane. Satisfied that no immediate threats were present in the vicinity of the dunes, the knights regrouped to prepare for a much-needed rest and the erection of tents.

“Get the tents set up.” Kant instructed the peasants to commence their tasks as well. Among the three carriages were ample supplies for establishing camp, including over a dozen tents, along with the necessary poles and ropes for their assembly. Some of the peasants diligently began excavating the sand with their sickles, digging approximately eleven inches down to uncover the cooler layers beneath. This was a well-known survival technique in the desert, allowing inhabitants to escape the oppressive heat by lying within the sand's embrace. It was a method utilized by the desert-dwelling Jackalans, later adopted by the soldiers of the Dukedom of Leo, and subsequently documented by scholars in their writings.

Prior to embarking on his desert expedition, Kant had immersed himself in various texts concerning the Nahrin Desert, thoroughly absorbing their contents. Twenty tents were subsequently erected over the freshly dug hollows in the sand, secured by poles and ropes. The camp provided adequate rest for all fifty-one members of the entourage, as well as for the twenty-seven horses. “Rowan, I’ll entrust the remaining duties to you.” Standing before his modest tent, Kant exhaled a sigh of relief. The most strenuous phase of establishing the camp had been successfully concluded. Rowan responded with a nod, “Affirmative, Your Lordship.” The subsequent tasks involved the provision of food and water for the horses, alongside the preparation of meals and the equitable distribution of water throughout the day. While these duties were relatively straightforward, they demanded utmost diligence. Rowan, known for his meticulous and dependable nature, was undeniably the most suitable individual for these responsibilities. The tents offered shelter from the sun, while the shallow excavations provided a welcome coolness from the earth. Kant unfurled a linen sheet and lay down, feeling the burdensome exhaustion of their difficult journey begin to dissipate. Perhaps, he mused, a refreshing pint of lager would be the perfect accompaniment to this moment of respite.

Kant closed his eyes, a sigh escaping him. Will there ever come a time when I can finally live at ease? He found himself in a situation where he had to start everything from the very beginning. In such circumstances, luxuries like alcohol were simply out of the question; there was no way he could afford to drink any. No trade caravans made the journey to Oasis Lookout to supply cheap liquor to his fief. After all, they were deep within the Nahrin Desert, a desolate expanse where human presence was rare. Kant shook his head, dismissing the thought. A faint scent of food wafted towards him from outside the tent. It was lunchtime. Just as Kant was contemplating a nap within his dug-out shelter, the familiar chime of a System Prompt jolted him awake. Simultaneously, a dialog box materialized before his eyes. [Ding... Side Quest assigned] [Side Quest: The Jackalans’ Ambush] [Reward: Date Palm Trees x 20 (Ripe)] [Introduction: The aroma of cooking has drawn the attention of a pack of Jackalans, renowned for their keen sense of smell. You must annihilate them.] Kant immediately rose from his makeshift bed. He adopted a determined posture, recognizing that side quests from the system were bestowed unpredictably, without any set schedule. However, this particular quest from the system served to confirm a critical piece of information: a group of Jackalans, their numbers unknown, were lying in wait in the dunes surrounding their campsite. Furthermore, these Jackalans had detected their presence and were poised to strike at any moment. "We've been careless!" Kant exclaimed, frustrated by the knights' failure in proper reconnaissance. Since he held no command over them, issuing orders was impossible. He quickly exited his tent to find over a dozen peasants still occupied with preparing lunch. The knights assigned by the dukedom for their protection were nowhere to be seen, seemingly burrowed within their tents and shelters, with not a single scout visible outside. Their guard had evidently been let down considerably. Kant's brow furrowed deeply at the sight. Had it not been for the System Prompt, those Jackalans might have already infiltrated their camp, remaining undetected. He decided not to make a grand fuss about the situation. Kant approached the carriage, locating his stored supplies. Within was a lightweight crossbow and a quiver containing twenty short, stout iron bolts. It was imperative that he be the one to discover the Jackalans; otherwise, explaining his foreknowledge of the impending attack would be impossible, as he was a scholar, not a mage wielding mystical powers. Accompanied by three Swadian Peasants, he swiftly ascended the dunes overlooking their campsite. He cautiously crouched, surveying the surrounding landscape. "Over there. I've spotted them," a peasant announced first, his voice hushed as he pointed northward. "Look, Jackalans. Quite a few of them." "Indeed," Kant affirmed. Approximately half a mile to the north of their current encampment, roughly fifty Jackalans, clad in tattered garments, were stealthily moving about. They remained low to the ground, appearing as though they were out on a hunt. And indeed, they were hunting, for human flesh was a common delicacy among the more savage Jackalan tribes. "Fall back. Rouse everyone and prepare for battle." Kant retreated slowly, maintaining his low crouch. Despite his outward seriousness, his expression had visibly eased. While the appearance of over fifty Jackalans seemed formidable, and their numbers nearly matched Kant's retinue, they posed no significant threat. All twenty knights dispatched from the dukedom, currently resting in their sandy shelters, could undoubtedly handle the Jackalans with minimal casualties. Seasoned and well-trained knights were more than capable of dispatching such primitive, humanoid adversaries. Kant rapidly descended the dune, crossbow in hand. "Captain Rowan, we are in danger. Please alert everyone and prepare for combat. Approximately fifty Jackalans are poised to ambush our camp." "Jackalans?" Captain Rowan’s voice registered surprise. The twenty knights within their tents swiftly retrieved their weapons and emerged, their faces set with stern determination. As they scanned the surrounding dunes, nothing appeared out of the ordinary. Rowan, however, did not doubt Kant's word. "My Lord, where exactly are they?" "North of here, and they will attack very soon," Kant replied, gesturing towards the northern dunes. "Mount your horses and prepare for engagement." Rowan clenched his jaw, casting a stern glare towards the knights behind him. He promptly reprimanded them, "Damn it, four of you will spend the night polishing everyone's boots. I ordered you to scout the area, and yet you missed such a large group of Jackalans." The four knights wore crestfallen expressions but offered no protest. It was undeniably their oversight; they had been tasked with scouting the northern approaches. "My Lord, I apologize for this lapse, but we will handle the Jackalans."

Rowan assisted the knights in mounting their steeds. Their lances and longswords were secured. He turned to Kant, his expression grave. "We will all be deployed, leaving us unable to cover for you. Please exercise caution, Your Lordship."

"Understood," Kant replied with a nod.

The knights were not intended for defensive maneuvers; their purpose was to engage the Jackalans directly.

Once an ambush was revealed, the advantage of surprise vanished.

Observing the 20 knights, with Rowan at their forefront, rapidly ascending the dunes and proceeding north, Kant issued his command. "All personnel, prepare for engagement. Follow my lead."

"Aye, aye, sir!"

The 30 Swadian Peasants responded in unison.

Though their primary role involved agricultural labor, they possessed some experience in combat.

Their specially refitted sickles, attached to staffs measuring 6 feet 5 inches, transformed into formidable long scythes resembling halberds. These weapons were adept at both thrusting and slashing. Despite their seemingly cumbersome nature, they were instruments of immense destructive power.

Furthermore, the 30 Swadian Peasants, wielding their long scythes, arranged themselves into two disciplined square formations.

It was probable that some among them would receive an enhancement after this engagement.

Kant then led the Swadian Peasants to the crest of the dunes.

From a distance of approximately 650 feet, the 20 dukedom knights lowered their lances, each exceeding six feet in length, and charged fearlessly towards the disheveled Jackalan horde.

"Glory to the Dukedom of Leo!"

The knights’ war cries echoed as the warhorses beneath them thundered across the sand at impressive speeds.

While the shifting sands somewhat restricted their ultimate velocity, the knights' charge utterly surprised the Jackalans.

The Jackalans, as the preeminent inhabitants of the Nahrin Desert, had grown complacent. This arrogance led them to approach the location where a pleasing scent originated, without any inkling of their opponent's identity.

Upon witnessing the human knights descending the dunes, a wave of panic washed over them, and they began to disperse in disarray.

The brutal massacre from a decade prior remained a vivid and terrifying memory.