[i]Revaz[/i]

Watching from the cover of a small stand of trees she saw Henry and his companion ride as if hell was on their heels; as it was for over two score enemy cavalry wearing bright blue uniforms with golden tassles were barely fifteen foot behind them with sabres drawn and howling war cries and jeers at the pair. Tempted to just watch, Revaz waited until the last possible moment before ordering her cavalrymen forwards. They were all handpicked from experienced horsemen from Helgland; she did not trust the skills of foreigners for her plan to succeed.

They burst from the woodland at once, drawing bows and noching an arrows before loosing as one in between strides so that their shots flew straight and true. Cries of pain sounded from men and beast alike as the first rank of enemy horsemen fell in a tumble causing those behind them to trip and fall or else rein sharply in to avoid the tumult of jittering bodies. Signalling quickly Revaz ordered her small party back as the larger part of the enemy horsemen, not far behind the vangard who had been chasing Henry and Caroline, turned towards her group and kicked their heels back. They retreated, releasing a bombardment of arrows behind them at their pursuers to maintain the gap between them before they entered the woodland proper. Stacks of kindling were laid next to some of the trees and the few mages in her group set about lighting them while wind mages fanned the flames.

Their group scattered into preset groups, out of the wood while the enemy cavalry charged in to soon be surrounded by flames. Few paths were still safe and many were trapped in the inferno. Those who escaped were shot down by the waiting horse archers surrounding the woodland. With grim satisfaction Revaz cut the enemy down with ease; why did the Elianst cowards fear these enemies so? All men died so easily.

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[i]Henry[/i]

Arriving at the barricade safely, Henry helped Caroline down. It was only then he noticed her injury and yelled for a healer.

"Stay away from the fighting until you've recovered." He told her before joining the others at the barricade. Gwen was there and he patted her on the shoulder as he passed, giving reassurances to those who looked nervous standing with bows at the ready. Before long the sound of marching feet on the ground had all their attention riveted on the road as a dark blue line marched towards them. As it approached individual men could be made out, all wearing the same uniform of dark blue leggings and coat with black boots and a cream shirt. All of the men had their hair tied back tightly and held a strange weapon cupped in their right hand so that its other end was balanced against their shoulder.

"What the hell are those?" Someone muttered nearby. Before long the enemy were within bow range and a hail of arrows cut into their front ranks. The enemy died but then walked over their dead, dragging new men into formation without missing a beat; their discipline awe inspiring. Despite the constant barrage, however, they came closer and closer to the barricade until they were under fifty feet away and stopped. With a sinking feeling Henry grabbed the nearest person and pushed them down behind one of the barrels making up the barricade before ducking himself. The front line of enemies shifted their weapons down and then the end previously cupped in their hand came up their shoulders in one smooth motion. The other end pointed at the barricade. Unclear orders were yelled and a ripple of cracks followed by a hail of metal on the barricade and its defenders came.

Unfortunates too slow to take cover were struck and fell back clutching at wounds and the first screams of pain sounded. Henry risked a look over the barricade but ducked as he saw that the first rank of enemies had knelt down letting the second rank raise their weapons. A second barrage caught more of the young nobles unaware but the greatest effect was morale. Few carried on rising above the cover of the barricade to loose an arrow at the enemy. Seeing the shift in the battle Henry closed his eyes.

[i]Looks like we need you, Granthar.[/i]

There was no answer except for the sound of something giant approaching at pace and then an earth-shattering roar. Finally the enemy's discipline wavered as the giant white tiger smashed into the enemy's rear ranks with all the force of a hurricane. At the same time the sound of hooves could be heard and Henry looked over the barricade and saw Revaz' cavalry crashing into the enemy's disrupted flank. Their column broke and the men scattered in all directions.

"Hold!" Henry yelled to those at the barricade; the last thing they needed was a stray arrow taking out someone on their side or one of the cavalry running down one of their own in the confusion. Climbing up to the top of the barricade so that he could see more of what was going on, Henry caught sight of a figure on horseback who had retreated beyond the melee to watch the chaos unfold. He saw Henry and lifted a sword unlike the sabres the other enemy cavalry had wielded; it was a longsword. A longsword Henry knew as well as the face of the one who held it.

"Sam?" He whispered, watching as the man wheeled his horse away and escaped from the chaos.