[color=ed1c24][h2]Fleuri Jodeau[/h2][/color]

The orcs had been scattered, but the trolls- ten of them, from the look of it- had now turned their full attention to the attackers.  At this point it was doubtful that they could actually turn the tide, but they could no doubt  inflict considerable casualties among the knights if not swiftly dealt with.  Fleuri had never fought such creatures before, but he knew enough of them- they were immensely strong and durable, simple-minded and probably non-sapient yet intelligent enough to be trained as war beasts by orcs.  The orcs had probably drugged the trolls to remove the sensation of pain and any sense of self-preservation (not unlike the human bandits whom the Iron Roses had fought), meaning the beasts would fight until they were physically incapable of continuing.

[i]I suppose we'll see soon enough if this horse was trained correctly[/i], he thought as he eyed one of the beasts in the rapidly dimming lighting and formulated a plan of attack.  He had only obtained this horse today, but it was likely he had nothing to fear- the martial traditions of the kingdom and the threats it faced ensured that any properly trained war horse would have been trained to not shy away from the often vile scents of creatures such as trolls- but it was always a bit of a leap of faith to actually put the training to the test.

[i]Reon, guide my lance that I may strike true[/i], Fleuri silently prayed, before kicking his horse into a canter, and then a gallop as he drew closer to the troll, aiming his lance at the troll's head.  His horse's training proved sound, continuing along the path as it drew closer, providing a margin of relief to the knight.  As he finally closed the distance, he struck the troll squarely in the head, his lance outraging the troll's fists.  The considerable force of the collision caused the lance to break with a sharp audible crack, showering its wielder with fragments, but Fleuri had enough jousting experience to avoid being unhorsed by the impact.  Still gripping half of his shattered weapon, he looked back as he turned his horse around to see the result of his blow.  The troll was lying motionlessly on its back with the other half of Fleuri's lance, still bearing the knight's scarlet banner, jutting upward out of its head like a battle standard.

Relieved that he had prevailed in his charge, but a bit frustrated that his lance was of no use anymore, Fleuri scanned the battlefield as he trotted along, hoping to spot the captain, to no avail.  [i]What happened to her?  Was she unhorsed?[/i]  Upon reaching the walls of the town, he dismounted and drew his zweihander; he would have to continue the battle on foot.