Battle of the Bridges 4

Sha Bridge

The Castonians pushed like a storm. Corpses had piled.

Henry had seen their prowess many times before but he was still being amazed by these people. It wasn't their strength. Castonians, like Tulosans and Vanadians, had small builds. The Wismarines were taller on average. It also wasn't their experience. Most of the Castonians were fresh recruits. They were not the tough eggs of the Rooster. As Henry watched the relentless push, he finally saw the answer- Castonians had transformed war into art.

"Our brothers are itching to join the battle Grand Master." One of his prefects said. "For the Omniscient."

"Lie." Henry cocked his head. "They are just impatient because the Castonians are taking all the glory."

"Well that too."

Henry turned his head backward. The knights and other Tulosans were propped in their horses, some more bitter-looking than others. The sun was blazing high. The wind was strong. It was a good day for a charge.

Unfortunately they cannot move yet. The Castonians were pushing the Wismarines to the bridge. The Sha bridge was wide enough to accommodate a hundred men abreast but there were so many people that the wide bridge was still crowded. A sudden charge would hit the Castonians.

"Page fifteen paragraph nine of the Book of Knights" Henry smiled. "Patience shall be rewarded with good things. A child of the Omniscient should learn how to wait."

"Patience is a tree. A tree wouldn't grow fruits just because one wishes it to. One must wait for the tree to grow and bear good things. So wait, oh child, wait and see. Wait for things of good." The prefect continued. He nodded. "I understand sire. But not all of our brothers are as understanding as I."

"Then if anyone complains, send him to me. I shall give him a gentle advise."

The prefect grinned to that.

The Wismarines were now pushed to the bridge. All of a sudden the Castonians stopped. The two sides severed as the Castonians retreated. The Wismarines didn't dare chase. They don't have any strength left in them. Most had broken faces smudged with the blood of comrades and foes. They were on the verge of defeat.

The Vanadian artillery sang a melodious tone. The sky was filled with Hellfire projectiles twirling and dancing. The devastation was horrible. Entire lines of Wismarines were wiped. People burned in the hundreds. Henry could only imagine their fear.

The artillery crews ceased their punishment. The bridge was starting to buckle and it would incur them difficulties if it crumbles. The Wismarines were close to breaking though. One more fearsome thing would shatter them- like the sight of the charge of twenty thousand cavalry Tulosan cavalry.

Henry smiled. He raised his arm, hand forming a fist. The horn was blared and the entire Tulosan column advanced as one.

Henry could feel his heart pounding to the rhythm of the hooves. The ground must be shaking. The Omniscient desires peace but it will come through war.

He pointed his lance forward, the tip sharp and cruel. He angled his body, waiting and watching his target. The Wismarine to his front had eyes wide open. He was already battered.

Rout, Henry thought. Rout now and save your lives.

The Wismarines did rout. They fled, all of them. Battered by Castonians, scorched by Hellfire and facing the wrath of the Tulosan charge- who wouldn't rout?

Henry then knew that the battle was over. Sha bridge was theirs.

***

Bank of Antibara River, Near the City of Hudi

The soft splashes of water against the wooden hull had a certain melody to it. The wind too was singing her a song. Perhaps Lucia was wrong. Perhaps she was just giving meaning to things that shouldn't have. But if she was right then wouldn't that be beautiful?

She leaned on the side of galley, arms on top of her chest. The moon was waning, the dark night reigned.

"Last year, around this time of the year, we were in Western Castonia, campaigning against your father."

"Are you saying that a lot had happened since then?"

"I'm saying that time flies fast" She smiled at Timothy "Before long we will be old."

"A year is but a fraction of our time together." Timothy went to her side. "We have decades ahead of us."

"You say that and yet you are about to lead a suicidal mission into the heart of the enemies."

"And for good reason. We could end the war."

"With you as bait?"

"Yes, with me as bait. We cannot have nice things without risks."

Lucia lowered her head. "Admiral Bisham is dead. In just a single blink, we have lost one of our oldest allies. He was careful Tim. And yet he fell. Arthur is injured. He was a bit cowardly and he was in the back and yet he got injured. Unexpected things happen. What if..."

"We cannot dwell on what ifs. We take risks and live."

Timothy leaned down to kiss her but Lucia evaded. She was still annoyed that Timothy had to do this and she would have to watch helplessly.

Surprise and disappointment were in Timothy's face. He nodded, smiled and turned away.

"I should get going."

Lucia nibbled on her lips. Her annoyance was still raging but she cannot part with him like this. She grabbed the sleeve of his coat and jumped on him. Her eyes closed and they kissed. A single tear fell from her left eye, skidding down her cheek.

She hated this. She doesn't want him to take risks. It would be a torment.

But she knew that he was Timothy Castonia and nobody could topple him. Timothy was an unstoppable force. That somehow abated her worry.

They parted lips gasping. Lucia's face flushed. All of the Rooster legion could see them from below. Lucia tried to ignore them. She looked at Timothy, the one she chose. His words were right- they still have decades ahead of them. Sarah was but a bump in the road.

"Be safe. Return to me. That is my command and plea."

"I will. I promise."

Lucia held his hand. Her heart still flutters to his warmth. "Go now. I will be waiting in this galley. I will wait for your triumphant return."

"Soon" Timothy smiled. "We will be victorious soon enough"

Timothy stepped down to the riverbank. Abraham escorted him to a white steed. He mounted and donned his helm- a full steel helm with the glinting crown of Castonia on top. Timothy turned his head to her. Behind the helm Lucia could feel his longing stare.

Timothy turned his head forward and soon he and all of the Rooster rode into the darkness.

***

'Second Day of Autumn, Year Five Hundred Eighty Three.

They took the Sha Bridge today. With this, the Union has taken all the three entrances to Malzan. Highness Sarah was subdued this morning, smiling her usual sweet smile but I could feel the tension. The head of General Crut was still mounted and rotting on a spike outside her tent. We are losing, I know that much. Wismar is losing. My nation would soon be subjected to the wrath of the Union. I could only hope that the...

My writing was interrupted by loud murmurs from outside my tent. When I went out to scold the loud bastards, they dragged me into knowing a rumor and I still couldn't believe it. They say that Timothy Castonia and the Rooster legion had disembarked near Hudi. This was somehow expected. Everybody was thinking that the Castonian King would disembark somewhere with the Rooster but Hudi was too far behind. What was he thinking!? We could just turn around and annihilate his meager force.

But then again, this is Timothy Castonia we are talking about. He must have a plan and I am afraid thinking about it. Mother, Father, if this journal reaches you somehow, know that I your son loves you but I'm too proud to write that in a letter. I shouldn't have left home. I should have just listened to you. Now I am trapped in this camp with the King of Castonia wanting to slaughter us all. Winds guide me. I am afraid. A final encounter looms. It would be the end of it all.'