Chapter 35: The harmony of swords, spears, blood and grasses(3)

Inside the ravine, the Fortunian men have been pushed to the corner and being attacked by Grasslands riders. Kruger, the commander of the cavalries, moves back to confront his enemies, which raises the morale of the Fortunians. Every swing of his spear brings destruction to his enemies, his companions soon recover their morale and get back into the fight.

Turmerk, who is watching the fighting, goes deep in thought. Many questions ring in his head. Why are they still fighting? Why do they run to this no-way-out road? If he was his enemy, he would certainly lay down his arms and beg for mercy now.

The sound of war drums appears and spread the area, which makes the Grasslanders frozen. They look at the way out of the ravine, all they see there are lines after lines of men under blue banners. From high on the mountains, many figures appear with bows in their hands, the Fortunian riders dismount their horses and create an infantry line, separate themselves from their opponents. Barrels of oil are thrown down, with fire arrows follow them.

Turmerk, who realizes that they've fallen into a trap, immediately orders:

- CHARGE THE ENEMIES, TO THE WAY OUT.

10000 Grasslanders charge toward the door of the ravine. However, they are dealing with disciplined, heavy armored soldiers. Not many horses make it through the first Fortunian line, and even if they make it, the legionaries behind won't let them pass through easily. While struggling to get out of the dead alley, they are also being killed by throwing pikes from the legionaries, arrows from above and oil barrels ignite.

Turmerk personally leads his troops to open a blood way out of the alley, but he is repelled over and over again. An arrow hits his horse, which sends him to fall to the ground. Crawl back on his feet, he sees his tribesmen being massacred by the Fortunians, he sighs deeply, thinks of his women and children at home. He roars:

- SABERTOOTH TRIBESMEN, TODAY COULD BE OUR LAST DAY. AND NOW, AS HONORABLE MEN, WE WILL FIGHT TO DEATH, AND TOMORROW WE'LL BE WITH OUR LOVED ONES IN THE HEAVEN. FOLLOW ME.

Impetus, who is observing the battlefield realizes that the enemies have to get rid of the fear of death and now charging recklessly toward them. He orders:

- Open a way out for them, but kill everyone who goes that way.

- As you wish, milord.

A small hole is opened among the Fortunian legionaries' ranks. In dead or fight situations, humans often choose to fight recklessly, not care about their lives, but if there is hope that they could survive without risking their lives, they will take it. Many Grasslanders get in the way made by Fortunian soldiers and killed valiantly by being attacked from two sides.

After 30 minutes of fighting, there is only Turmerk left on the battlefield. Breathe heavily, he looks at the shield wall formed around him, and hundreds of bows aiming at him. He shouts:

- ARE ALL OF YOU COWARDS? HIDING BEHIND SHIELDS LIKE A WOMAN HIDING HERSELF IN HER DRESS.

A legionary officer gets out off his ranks an move to a 1 to 1 combat with Turmerk, he deals a fast blow which nearly cut Turmerk's head. However, the Grasslands Khal doge it and grabs the officer's shield and thrusts his sword. Turmerk's sword penetrates the shield and goes through his opponent's stomach. Kick his opponent, Turmerk recovers his balance and swings his sword. This time, the Fortunian officer's head is sent flying.

The Fortunian legionaries are enraged by his action, they roar and intend to kill Turmerk. Impetus hesitates for a second before he shouts:

- STOP!!

The soldiers stop charging immediately, although they are angry, discipline is what they are trained before going to war and they know that not follow their commanders' command will be executed. Impetus continues:

- HE HAS WON THE FIGHT, LET HIM GO.

Not willingly, the soldiers withdraw and open a way for Turmerk. Turmerk slowly cover his wound with his hands and walk out of the circle, when his eyes meet Impetus's gaze, he says:

- You'll regret that you let me go today.

- You don't have to worry about that. I've beaten you once, I can do that again.

After Turmerk has gone away, Kruger rides to beside Impetus:

- What is the meaning of this? He is our enemy, and e should have no mercy.

- Winning a battle is easy, but winning people's hearts is hard.

- If you continue to do this, I'll take back my men and fight alone.

Impetus looks at Kruger' eyes, calmly says:

- You can do that if you want, but Arondight, the symbol of the king is with me. Disobeying me means you disobey the king and will be charged for treason.

- YOU DARE?

- Yes, I do. Now I want to have these Grasslanders' heads on the pikes in front of their camps in 1 hour. Moreover, set up the catapults, send words to the enemies, after 2 hours they don't surrender, we should have their heads on pikes too.

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Neverwinter

I'm in my office again, but this time, I have companies. Christina is playing with my wolves in my room, they are making noises, which is disturbing while I'm trying to have my kingdom functioned properly. There are many times I want to hail the guards to kick them out of my room; however, I don't want to be viewed as a harsh man by my future wife. Charles opens the door and enters the room:

- Your majesty, I bring news from the west.

I ask Christina:

- My princess, please leave us for a while.

- Are they news from my father and brothers? Why can't you talk in front of me?

- Please leave, Christina. If there is news from them, I will inform you.

- Do you promise?

- Yes, I do.

- Alright.

Christina gets out of the room while Charles gives a weird gaze. What? Don't look at me like that, I'm not a simp. Cough, I ask him:

- What is the news?

- Lord Impetus has defeated the Sabertooth tribe, kill all their warriors. He is asking the rest of the Grasslands in Greenears Road to surrender. Khal Kjartan has defeated an army with 70000 men strong. However, prince Ain of the Heathen Kingdom has been defeated and being held, hostage. The enemies are now marching toward Carrasona.

- Impetus or Khal Kjartan will catch up before they reach the city. But the prince is captured is a big problem. Send the Shadow Rangers, if we succeed to set the prince free, he'll own us, which'll be very useful in the long term.

- As you wish, my king.

Charles intends to move out but I call him back, I continue:

- Tell my uncle to prepare for war, the truce with the Alleinstein Kingdom will be over in no more than 2 years. I should not delay revenging my father this time. Our budget is abundant now, train more men.

- My wish is your command, your majesty.