Atulon's Pass (Full)(Started!)

[Yorgmiester]

The gray clouds descended, the snow fell like sand, the wind howled a long and noisome lament. Thunder crashed in the distance and somewhere above, the sun crested the mountains and dropped behind their jagged peaks, casting all the east into shadow. The air carried a sickly striain, and the whispered suggestion of galloping horses.

Seiban pulled his cloak tightly about himself, lifting the collar above his jaw. His lips were drawn tight over his teeth in grimace, his squinting eyes observing the world outside his little cloth haven with contempt. Pellets of frozen moisture stung his face, causing the muscles underneath the man's fair skin to twitch. A gloved hand shot up to wipe away a cold sliver of mucus that appeared at the tip of his nose.

These people will not survive the night. Seiben's eyes shot to the south, or at least what he thought was the south, scanning through his limited visibility for anything that moved in the chaotic storm. Enemies from all sides, we flee to the mountains. The god damned mountains. WE won't survive the night.

The armored figure of Io appeared out of the gray jumble of a caravan nearby. "Heave to! We have to move!" she called out as she passed him at a run, clapping one muscular hand on his frosty shoulder in a gesture she apparently meant to be endearing.

Seiben hurriedly crammed his helmet onto his head and shook away his thoughts, turning around and high-tailing it towards his horse.

~~​

They weren't moving fast enough.

Rinus observed the forming caravan with increasing anxiety. Goods were not being packed efficiently enough, people were not running quickly enough, carts were not being loaded in time with his racing thoughts. Perhaps he had not been clear enough regarding their peril? Perhaps he had not gotten across the idea strongly enough? Or perhaps he was simply overreacting...

No. He was not overreacting. He had been in the service too long for that. His senses screamed danger, imminent danger. His sixth sense assured him that the camp was not being moved out quickly enough. Disaster was just beyond the nearest hill.

The captain cursed, his eyes systematically scanning southward for any signs of the enemy he knew was fast approaching.

~~​

Fredrick bustled his wife and child along, moving them towards one of the large wagons. He wouldn't feel right putting them on one if there were still elderly or sick to be carried, but he could at least check...

He was confronted by a soldier before the wagon even became clearly visible. "There's no more room." the man said simply, holding up one hand. Fredrick nodded concededly and turned back to his wife.

"We can't get on the cart, Ellie. We'll have to walk, okay?" He searched his wife's eyes for any kind of reaction, but got nothing. Her only response was a slight nod and the wiping away of yet another tear from her cheek. Her eyes were hollow and sad, looking constantly downward, and she barely spoke at all. She couldn't even carry their daughter.

Fredrick gulped and held back a tear of his own, then picked up his quietly sobbing daughter and grabbed his wife's hand firmly, leading them off into the midst of the slowly bustling crowd of refugees.

 

[The Hairminator]

"Oh, Captain, it can't be that bad." Yan said as he rode up besides Rinus, who still was still keeping his gaze southward, looking for movement. "This is hardly the first time we've been fleeing, with a foe that vastly outnumbers us right behind our backs, while secretly thinking 'we are all going to die' and survived in the end."

But Yan's words sounded hollow, even to himself. "I.. I volounteer for a reconnaissance mission, should it be needed." he finally uttered. In truth Yan wanted to just get away from the idle helplessness and the tension building up among the villagers, and that will to get away had started to outweigh his own fear.

 

[Sporky111]

The sharp whistle brought Orson's senses back to the present, and he looked over to see Aryana among the bustling crowd of soldiers and villagers. The area was rapidly darkening around them, and he was finding it harder to even see as far as Aryana.

"Right." he mumbled, "You should join the villagers." he said to Elliara, before setting off at a run toward his horse and mounting it. On the way by, he patted Aryana's back with a muttered "Thanks".

 

[Shionarco]

Elliara was left alone and she wasn't sure where exactly she should go....she hand't exactly made friends with any of the other villagers today.....then she noticed Weiss running towards her....great

~~~

Weiss went off to find Elliara....he spotted her and started running over to her in a hurry and nearly ran into Orson as he was walking away from Elliara...

"Oh sorry, didn't notice you there" he mumbles to Orson and continues over to Elliara....

"Elliara what were you thinking?! You nearly killed a man and got yourself expelled!....What happened to the sweet little Elliara all those years ago?"

~~~

Elliara was not really in the mood for her brother....he didn't understand her anyway.....

"All I was thinking was making sure I would be safe...but the idiots here made sure that everything is going to be difficult anyway....and that sweet little Elliara that you loved so much....she is dead, and I her murderer....But shouldn't we be preparing for the battle that is going to happen soon?"

~~~

Weiss stared at his sister...dumbfounded....Why had she changed so much in the last few years?


"Yeah you're right....lets go get you somewhere safe and I should go off with the other soldiers"

Weiss grabbed his sister by the hand and they took off running to find someone to help...

 

[Yorgmiester]

"Very well." Rinus replied without turning his eyes away from the scene about him. "Gather Felon and go keep watch atop that hill." He pointed at the nearest rise to the south, which blocked their view of all the land beyond it. The captain looked Yan in the eye, conveying his thoughts and fears, then turned his horse around and trotted off towards the caravan.

~~​

Ravius reached the top of the tower and peered out at the land to the east, performing one last check on the Easterner's main army. It was as they feared; the bastards had seen the smoke and were now attempting to traverse the Gullies. It was only a matter of time before they succeeded in penetrating those cliffs, just as the villagers had, and then the chase would be on. Not to mention the unknown force who rose from the south. Already on their doorstep, so to speak. The solemn archer turned his eyes to the south, shielding them against the snow with his hands, but could perceive nothing.

A sigh laden with anxiety breached his lips as he descended from the Tower and mounted his horse, riding back across the now emptying camp. He offered a small wave to Yan and Felon as he passed them on his way towards the slowly forming crowd of refugees.

"It does not look good, captain." Ravius said, riding up next to Rinus. "The Easterners are gathering against the Gullies, and shall soon find a way through, and then of course there are the enemies to the south, who will come any moment. We won't have enough time, Captain, even with a head start."

Rinus nodded in grim acknowledgment. "Loosen your blade against the frost."

Yan and Felon are to keep watch on the hill to the south, as that is where the newcomers' pursuers will allegedly come from. For now, all you'll see is a vague snowy landscape mostly concealed by blizzard.

 

[The Hairminator]

"All right, preacher boy! Time to shine." Yan said as he tapped the unsuspecting Felon on the shoulder. "We have a mission."
Yan couldn't say he particularly liked Felon, but he didn't mind him as long as he wasn't in his worst 'praise-the-gods' moods. He had also helped handling the situation with Elliara and Griger Lucas before, and Yan could respect that.
------------

Yan stopped his horse as they arrived at the top of the hill. "Well, shit. That's a weight of my shoulders, I was seriously expecting the enemy to be here, just waiting for us." Yan gave out a nervous laugh that died quickly. The snow storm covered a lot of their view distance, but there didn't appear to be anything in the valley below.

 

[Lost In The Void]

Felon looked into the fog and snow. The blizzard was tormenting the land and obscuring most of the landscape. It was impossible to see whether or not there was a pursuing force. Felon sighed and sheathed his bow. He always scouted by sighting down his bow allowed him to focus and if possible he could see farther, not much but it never took much, "Tell me Yan. If this ends the way I suspect it will, how will you find your peace?"

 

[The Hairminator]

Yan was quiet for a long moment, him too gazing down the hillside, searching for movement. He gave out a sigh. "Well, I don't know. I guess that's a problem I'll have to deal with when I get there. Right not I'd much prefer focusing on, y'know, staying alive?"

Inside his own mind, Yan laughed at his own patheticness. Was he even too much of a coward to make peace with the gods? Was the reason for his atheism simply fear of what he couldn't perceive? Yan pushed the thoughts away, but the doubt had gotten a foothold, and remained.

Yan had heard stories about old people, suddenly becoming religious fanatics as they felt death creeping closer. He sarcastically wondered to himself if maybe he was experiencing something similar.

 

[Shapsters]

Aryana smiled and nodded at Orson,

"No problem." she said as she hurried over to help bundle up a young boy and his mother.

*******************

Zieg and his mother were staying rather calm, not much was said to them about the current situation but they knew something bad was afoot. At the same time they knew that panic would do them no good, they welcomed Aryana as she hurried over to them, helping them prepare to depart,

"Why is this happening ma'am?" asked the young boy as Aryana helped him put a small pack on his back, "Who is chasing us and why do they want to hurt us?"

The soldier stayed mostly silent, she grimly finished helping them get ready and moved on to the next person in need of help. She didn't know what to say to the boy and hoped his mother would try and explain the situation.

 

[Lost In The Void]

"Fair enough answer," Felon answered, taking another look into the Blizzard. He saw something, he didn't know what. He moved closer to the edge before the shapes materialized into soldiers on horses. Felon was shocked, they weren't more then 60 yards away, "By the Gods themselves," Felon muttered as he saw the troops quicken their pace. They had seen them, "Yan," Felon muttered quietly, "Get to the camp. Let them know they need to move now, I'll be behind you soon."

Felon knocked his bow and aimed through the Blizzard, "May the Gods guide my arrows."

 

[The Hairminator]

Yan saw the shilouettes of the soldiers emerge through the snow, as in a dream, and while his ears picked up Felon's words, his head did not. It was as if the world had slowed down, and Yan realized he was not freezing anymore, nor did he feel anything in particular about the charging soldiers, and their own as good as imminent death. Then everything happened very fast. Yan pulled Vin's reins hard, and the surprised mare rose on her back legs, before setting off in a gallop northward. Yan, being an experienced rider, adrenaline now pumping, managed to remain in his saddle.

He hoped Felon knew what he was doing, and a large part of Yan wanted to stay and fight with him, or even more, alone, while Felon alerted the others. There would be no time to argue now, however, and Yan realized what had to be done. He prayed to the gods that it would merely be a scouting party, and that the main force would be somewhere far, far away, oblivious to their existance.

As he finally caught up with the caravan, he rode up next to Rinus' horse. "Soldiers on horses... To the South... Don't know how many." Exhausted from the fast ride, Yan still managed to get most of the intended message through. "Felon stayed and fought.." He added as he after catching his breath during a few seconds.

 

[Yorgmiester]

The words had scarcely left Yan's mouth before Rinus was moving. "We are under attack!" he yelled as he spun his horse around to face the villagers. "Soldiers, prepare for battle!"

Spurring his horse into a gallop, Rinus tore through the snow towards the back end of the caravan, barking orders as he went. Panic grabbed hold of the villagers and they screamed, suddenly aware of their plight, doubling their pace and scrambling up the western hill and out of the camp. The soldiers all sped in the opposite direction, making for the rear of the crowd.

"Form up!" the captain yelled as he reached the others. "Defense, now!" His steed reared and snorted at the air, shuffling into position with the grim anticipation of a wizened warhorse. Steam flew from it's nostrils, and it's hooves beat at the frozen ground.

"You two!" Rinus yelled, pointing at Buyir and Seiben, "Stay with the villagers, catch any of these bastards that break through!" He whirled in the saddle and stared south, his eyes fixed on the crest of the hill, as the unit formed quickly and fluently into a wide defensive formation, with archers behind the main line and towards the edges, and heavy armor near the center.

~~​

To the south, on the other side of the hill, the enemy continued their charge. Up the slope and towards the lone Felon they ran, their horses foaming and churning the snow. His arrows felled several in their advance, sending the steeds crashing into the ground and their rider's crushed; yet they still came.

As they neared thirty yards some arrows began to come from the enemy ranks, stabbing the frozen dirt all around Felon as the cavalry sped towards him, closing the distance.

~~​

Dalder Morris shouted loudly and gestured wildly, trying to keep the villagers around him in some sort of organized group as they fled. He admirably maintained his cool and his leadership attitude, despite the fear and panic rising from deep within his chest.

"Calm, calm! Just keep running, stay quiet! You, stop screaming! Stay calm!" He stopped yelling as he noticed the carts, moving at a painfully slow pace amongst the running villagers, who passed them by without a second thought. The animals felt the urgency and strained against their harnesses, struggling to pull the weight of their loads. Not only food and supplies were laden on the wagon, but also the elderly, the sick and the wounded; they were also going uphill.

"Get those things moving, damnit!" Morris yelled, racing to the side of the wagons. Several men nearby halted their hurried flight and came to his aid.

"Start pulling stuff off!" he barked as he grabbed hold of a pack of meat and flung it to the ground. "Lighten the load!" The others got the idea and started tossing supplies off the cart, yelling to their brothers and sons to do the same with the other wagons. The contraptions slowly but surely began to move faster.

 

[Lost In The Void]

Felon felt the wind of the deadly missles fly past him as he returned fire. They were closing the gap, he had been sucessful in bringing down a few of the soldiers, a message they wouldn't go down without a fight. He began to make his retreat, praying that he hadn't delayed too long that he would be struck down. Mounting his house in a graceful sweep, he was off in a gallop before he had even secured himself in the saddle. He moved towards his group, gripping his horse with his knees and trusting it would guide him safely, as he looked back to fire more arrows. Some scattered into the snow and blew in the wind, but many safely found their marks, bringing down more steeds and their masters who were trampled by the incoming force.

Soon he found the camp in view, if it were possible he spurred his horse even faster.

 

[Yorgmiester]

The soldiers gathered into position, their horses forming a line against the enemy they knew would appear. A wall of heavy mounted plate armor to fend off the coming doom. Behind them were the archers, bows at the ready, and words of calm drifting from their mouths to calm their steeds into stillness. They prayed, they growled, they steadied their hands, preparing themselves for the conflict upon them. In the forefront of their minds were the enemy and the blood; in the back of their minds were the innocent villagers who fled behind them. The snow fell all around, and the wind buffeted their bodies, wailing in lament from the battle sky above.

Rinus' eyes sparked as he spotted Felon, riding like the wind itself over the crest of the hill and down into the barren camp, flying across the white field towards his allies and safety. That was the signal; the fight had begun.

"Ready, men!" he bellowed, and then drew his word.

Frost fell, like a curtain of rain, from the blade as it slid from within it's scabbard and arched through the air. The sound of metal against leather, the tug of strap and buckle, as his right arm lowered and steadied into it's accustomed position, the weight of the weapon familiar and firm in his grasp. Plate against plate as his armor bristled, the damp moisture of breath against the inside of his helm, and the freezing frost of his exhalation without. The earthy abrasion of leather as his gauntleted fist tightened around the pommel.

The beast beneath him rumbled, it's breath like thunder, it's smallest movement like the turning over of a great mountain. It stamped it's mighty hooves, snorted it's excitement and apprehension into the winds. Air hissed through it's mane, and through the cracks in the knight's armor, wailing at him of the carnage to come.

Beside him were the wills of others, the treading of feet and the breathing of labored minds. To his right and left the line gathered, the horses laughed, and the soldiers readied. Letting loose the reigns of his steed, he reached behind and grasped his shield, bringing it over his shoulder and into place upon his arm, his eyes piercing the knoll and snow before him.

This is it.

The first one appeared over the edge of the hill, atop a horse, wielding a long and deadly blade. Another followed, and another, their mounts galloping with all the speed they could muster. Rabid warcries lit their throats as they crested the hill and descended, charging across the camp at the waiting soldiers.

"Charge!" Rinus yelled to the heavens, suddenly spurring his horse into action. He held his sword high as the animal lurched forwards, the deadly song of bowstring sounding behind him as his archers fired, their arrows whizzing close overhead and into the approaching Easterners. The line surged into a charge as one, their steed's hooves smote the earth and snow as they traversed the plain and plunged into the ranks of the oncoming enemy.

Battle!

We have engaged in our first battle. As you can see, those with melee weapons have led a cavalry charge into the oncoming enemy, who are also mounted. Those with ranged weapons have stayed back to fire the first volley, and are now free to remain ranged or switch to close combat as they choose.

A little about the enemy. The main advantage you will have over them (besides being a main character) is their lower technology. They do not posses much heavy armor, having armor made mostly of leather and other assorted materials like wood and cloth. They carry a variety of weapons; clubs, spears, axes, swords (most of their swords are single-edged, rather than double-edged like ours), but are probably not as well-trained with them as you. They also defer to a more warrior-like mentality, elevating the single fighter rather than the group, and so will be unlikely to act together in organized unison. There will be a lot of them, however, and they won't have any inhibitions about double-teaming you.

As for appearance, they are tall and generally dark-skinned, although ranging in color anywhere from Native African to Spanish. Their hair is usually either very dark or very light. They have very fierce eyes and expressions. Their equipment and gear is obviously not native to this climate, yet they have clearly adapted to it well, by wrapping their bodies in many many layers of cloth.

 

[Yorgmiester]

The enemy line rushed towards him like a wave, like a crushing wall of water speeding inland to destroy the beach; and he was diving into it. The horses and warriors, full of hate, screaming like devils, crashing down upon him, closing the distance...

His vision funneled, and all he saw was that single enemy, coming at him head on; time seemed to slow as the strange man drew nearer. The beating of hooves and the pulling of massive lungs beneath him reverberating through his body, and the cold steel of his enemies' eyes coming into focus as the horse and rider rushed straight at him. The cruel chill of a kill rose within his chest; he did not know this man, this stranger. He could not guess the intricacies and trials of this warrior's life, the things he had endured and the ways he had triumphed. He would never recognize nor hail this person, save for the single split second that combat allowed, and he would never be able to fathom what deep facets of experience he would destroy by ending this man's life.

Rinus' horse stepped the slightest bit to the left, and he threw up his shield, plowing it into the man's face.

A familiar shock wave reverberated through his arm as the shield struck, blocking his enemies' blow and throwing the rider off balance at the same time. Then he was gone, left somewhere behind Rinus as the captain sped onwards, lifting his blade to parry an incoming blow. His shield came down for a brief moment as he swung the blade to his left, slicing down the back of a passing rider, and in the same motion swinging back to his right to block another sword. His shield came up again, protecting him from a flying javelin, and as the impact shook his left arm, his right was busy slicing upwards to sever the arm of an enemy to his right.

The enemies passed like wheat before the sprinting reaper as the captain sped onward into the heart of the fight; the tip of his soldier's deadly arrow. His horse charged on, swerving and dancing to the beat of the battle, kicking and biting and dodging blows. To his right and left were his comrades, purging their way through the sea of blood and leather and steel.

~~​

Directly to Rinus' left and a little back rode Io, mauling over those that were flug aside by her captain's charge. The first one came at her, tilting in the saddle and struggling to regain his balance; she swung her hammer and cracked his skull. Another came at them, attempting to swerve to their left and do her in with a club; her horse swerved right into them, and Io raised her massive shield, knocking the rider clean off.

Regaining from the impact, she tilted to her right, reaching out and striking another rider who tried to slip past them, then dodged back to the left to avoid an enemy plunging straight for them. Her hammer met his face as they passed, and then it was on to the next one. Her shield trembled as it caught an arrow.

~~​

Farther down the line, Jutani's blades were singing. His face was alive with adrenaline as his duel swords spun through the air, cleaving to his left and right, parrying and slicing and flinging blood. Next to him rode Krin, the big man's flail hooking enemy riders and lifting them off of their saddles, down into the hell of hooves and blood.

~~​

As the enemy galloped towards them and the two lines closed to meet, Otlina rose in her saddle, spear firm in her grip. She breathed deeply, rising and falling in rhythm with the horse, steadying her arm, spotting her target...

At twenty yards she hurled the spear. It cut through the air straight and true, finding it's mark with ease; the enemy horse collapsed as the weapon pierced it's chest, hitting the ground hard and sending it's rider flying. The rider's behind it panicked and tried to swerve, or simply ran into it and toppled themselves. One was quick enough to leap the barrier, but he was too late. Otlina was already upon him, her sword drawn to slice his head from his shoulders.

Over the bodies leaped her horse, along with the comrades alongside her, and into the fray, teeth bared and splattered with blood.

~~​

The volley was successful, whatever that meant. It killed a lot of people, so yea, I guess you could say that.

Lera lowered her bow and jumped up onto her horse, spurring it down the slope and towards the battle. The animal's gait was smooth and slow, as it had been trained, to allow it's rider uninterrupted aim.

Knocking an arrow, Lera scanned the combat line for enemies who ecaped her comrade's wrath. Spotting one, she sighted down the shaft, tracking her target for a few seconds before letting the weapon loose. The arrow met it's target and sent the enemy sprawling to the snow; but more came. Knocking another arrow, she fired again, and again, as more enemies leaked through and came galloping up the hill.

 

[Shapsters]

Aryana ran along the archers, ducking her head so she did not obscure their view, prior to the battle she had lent her horse to an elderly couple to ride on, being much more comfortable in battle on her feet, even in the thick snow. She reached the end of the line of archers and quickly advanced toward the enemies to the west of the actual battle, much like a lynx would stalk its prey she almost seemed to float above the snow yet she was low enough to be not easily seen. Aryana planned to be the component these soldiers wouldn't think to factor in. Judging by their attacking strategy of running forward with killing on their minds, they would be looking strictly ahead of them, this is where Aryana would become effective. Swiftly yet silently she bounded over the snow, her eyes set strictly on the few lonely trees ahead of her.

Running past the first few trees and getting a bit closer to the battle, her plan was quickly put into action, swiftly climbing the tree she hid amongst the thickets and tight knit branches that the old tree was made of. With the combination of the thick, interwoven tree and the already poor visibility, Aryana would be almost invisible. She pulled out her specially made bow, an arrow and prepared to fire against the first few enemies soldiers who broke through the crowd, knowing that a side attack would be a huge advantage she needed to be quick on the draw.

The first soldier broke though, he had thundered past the friendly forces and was now racing toward the archers, the thundering of the hooves were deafened by his barbaric battle cry. A twang was heard from a small gathering of trees and the soldier dropped, clutching the side of his throat he fell amongst the snow, staining the crisp, white ground cover into a dark, rich red. The powerful black horse he rode upon blindly rode forward, no longer having any instruction.

Aryana nodded and pulled out another arrow.

 

[The Hairminator]

By the time the battle had become too chaotic for Yan to use his bow, without risking the lives of his comrades, he had already sent three arrows flying, each of them hitting their individual targets, except the one arrow that struck the easterner's horse, making both rider and horse fall to the ground, where he was trampled to death by both friends as well as foes.

Yan tossed his family bow down in the snow, without hesitation, yet not in a completely careless fashion. He detached the round shield from his back, and drew his sword. As he charged into the battle, he spurred Vin to go faster.

It all happened very fast. The easterner was exchanging sword blows with someone, Yan couldn't quite see who it was, and before Yan even realized it his sword was buried to the shaft in the man's back. Both by shock, and by the ever speeding horse, Yan lost grip of his sword, but hardly had time to miss it until he was sent flying through the air. Vin, apparently loosing concept of her speed, had kept running into the battle, and had inevitably collided with another rider. The easterner's horse simply fell over, as did Yan's horse, effectively trapping the man's right leg under two horses. Yan himself landed in the snow a few yards away. As he hit the ground, he listened after the sound of cracking bones, and to his relief he heard none.

Ignoring the pain from his fall, Yan got up, looking for his shield, but it was nowhere to be found. He felt the weight of the dagger, resting on his hip, and he quickly drew it, now approaching the trapped soldier. The man looked up with horror in his eyes, just as Yan with a decisive stab through the throat ended his life. Yan ignored the blood staining up in his face, if he even noticed it at all, and retrieved his dagger from the quickly dying man. The soldier's horse was seemingly unconscious, but Vin was on her way to rise up, in a futile attempt, he right front leg clearly being broken.

Yan felt a stab of pain in his chest. Vin had been with him every since he had joined the military, and it was next to a miracle that both rider and horse had survived together this long, considering all the unit had been through. Yan knew what happened to wounded horses, they were put out of their misery, and he knew that Vin would suffer the same fate, not even being able to stand. He would deal with it alter, but right now he had a battle to survive, now fueled by hate and the lust for revenge.

 

[Lost In The Void]

Felon was with the rest of the longbowmen. He hated close combat, it was not his specialty, so he hung back. He saw a small group break free from the rest and charge to the camp, "Fire!" he called over the sounds of battle and the whistle and twangs of bowstrings surrounded him as the pale sky was temporary stained with the black colour of their arrows. Most arrows struck true, bringing down many a man.

The enemy returned fire and the black missles were returned to them striking the ground with hisses as they entered the snow, or followed by a strangled cry as one of his own were struck down. Felon whispered prayers for their families as he avenged them by firing at the other archers. He looked at his feet to see the stain of red from many fallen soldiers. Arrows were cruel deaths, they sliced viciously through sinew, flesh and muscles, slowly killing or maiming their victims. A horrible way to die.

"Bring the fire!" Felon bellowed as the small reserves of oil the camp kept were burned to set the arrows afire. The sky was soon filled with smoke and screams as the arrows burned a path through the sky setting those unfortunate to be in the path of the missles to fire.

 

[Yorgmiester]

Cossan was spared the glories of close cavalry combat, for his mount was taken by a spear thrust just as the two forces collided. He felt a sudden halt and a deep lurch beneath him as the long weapon plunged into his horse's chest, and then the animal fell, collapsing forwards and down with a horrible scream and the cracking of bones. Cossan was thrown from the saddle, into the oncoming cavalry.

The body of the fallen horse flipped to it's right in a brilliant somersault, slamming hard into Samuel's steed. Despite the old veteran's best attempt at guiding his horse around the obstruction, there was nothing that could be done; the animal caught it's legs on it's comrade's body and went down, it's rider with it.

~~​

"Damn!" Ravius cursed as he watched a gap open up in the line. Cossan and Samuel had been dismounted and possibly killed; the riders to both sides of them had been slowed considerably. Enemies were slipping through the breach and barreling up the hill, or turning around and attacking the cavalry from behind. What's worse; Lera was pretty much right in front of the spot, firing from close range.

"Fire on the breach!" he yelled to Felon and the other archers, as he mounted his horse and spurred it into a quick trot down the hill.

~~​

Lera's eyes were not on the front line. She had just noticed a group of enemy soldiers heading off in a strange direction; a stand of conifers to the west of the battlefield; and was about to go after them, when her ears caught a great deal of noise to her left. She turned, and beheld a swarm of hostile cavalry making straight for her through a gap in the line.

With lightning-fast movements which could only be fueled by extreme adrenaline, she raised her bow and began to fire rapidly, loosing arrow after arrow into the oncoming enemy, standing her ground. She knew that riding away from them would only spell disaster for the archers on the hill; she was stuck now.

~~​

Cossan rose from the ground, coughing and cursing like a drowned sailor. He was instantly struck by a galloping horse, it's heavy shoulder plowing into his own. A blade of some sort glanced off of his helmet at the same time. The old soldier snarled and dug his axe into the animal's ribs as it passed, the tearing of bone and sinew reverberating through his arm, then whirled around and raised his shield, blocking the blow of a club that was meant for his head.

Lowering the shield, Cossan peered over the rim and saw nothing but more horses, all charging towards him. One in particular stood out, one that seemed to be aiming straight at him without stopping or swerving. Raising his axe high overhead, he hurled the weapon with all his might, striking the beast in the head. The horse screamed and crumpled to the ground just inches away from his feet. But even before the beast had touched the ground Cossan was already on top of it, plowing the edge of his shield into the rider's skull. The sickening crack of breaking teeth filled Cossan's ears, and hot blood splattered against his face.

 

[Lost In The Void]

"Fire at the breach!" Felon screamed repeating the words of his commander. Fewer arrows were flying but many still stood and fought, firing at the breach that had been formed in the line. Felon knew the line was not going to protect them much longer, "Fall back and continue to fire," a slow retreat was their only hope of keeping some of the archers alive. They were the support and without support the army would fall. He would not let that happen. Arrows were becoming scarce and soon pulling the quivers off the dead became the only way of sustaining the volleys of arrows to keep the enemy on their toes.

Emma continued moving with the rest of the civilians. There wasn't a whole lot she could do to help with the battle. She saw men clash against men, arrows were blotting the sky peppering into the mass of bodies of beast and man. It was horrible. No glory, no heroics like in the ballads, but death, misery and pain. She looked away and continued to walk with the remains of the village, they would not yet the soldier's sacrifices be in vain.

Felon stood, one of the small group of archers that remained. Their numbers had been few enough already and now they were in danger of being overwhelmed. Enemies were no longer a hundred or even fifty yards away, now it was about shooting before a sword finished its swing. To Felon everything was slowing down, he could hear his heart pounding, his breath gasping for enough air to allow his muscles to draw the bow once again. His fingers felt in his empty quiver, only one more arrow to use. He drew it in one smooth motion and nocked it into his bow. He pulled back slowly seeing a soldier running at him, his barbaric yell loud enough to strike fear. But Felon felt no fear and released the string, the frost singing off his bowstring as the arrow flew and connected with his target. The arrow embedded itself into the exposed neck of his assailent and the man fell to the ground, gasping for air as blood filled his air pipe.

Felon dropped his bow into the snow and picked up the man's sword, when they came, he would be ready.