[table][row][i][b][color=a0410d]Trace Retloth[/color][/b]
Inside the Fort[/i][/row][cell]

The other lancer was not taught in the same style of combat but did seem to read the situation well enough to take the correct position.  The ladies and their mounts were also prepared and beginning to move.  It was time.

Trace gave a single nod of his head to the other lancer before swinging around the corner of the gate and spotting the locations of the enemy.  Sure enough, there were enemies positioned on each flank.  Trace also noticed the heavily armored lancer and two other bandits flanking him.  However, those three were too far away to immediately be a threat.  That is, they wouldn't be able to stop the flanking bandits from being killed.

Trace had been holding back before, not a lot... but enough.  This was the time to stop doing that.  He lead with a well executed Heartstopper.  With the number of enemies around and his existing injury, he wasn't in a position to allow unnecessary enemy attacks.  After his strike, he kept his feet light.  He might need to dodge sooner than planned and wanted to be ready.

Unless he was exceptionally lucky, this attack wouldn't kill a bandit.  But, it would hurt and distract him enough that the archer coming through the gate behind Trace would have an easy time finishing him off.  It might be reckless, but Trace was counting on that.  He planned on shifting his target to the bandit that was to the left of the heavy lancer immediately, rather than waiting till the first enemy was dead.  Archers frequently filled one of two roles in battles.  They could weaken the enemy before the close combat started, or they could finish off the wounded enemies after the initial clash had tired them.  Either route was an effective use of their range and a good way to give them combat experience that they might be lacking.

[/cell]
[cell][img]https://i.imgur.com/QzyCrZx.jpg[/img]
[center]_________________________
Status: [color=lawngreen]Lightly Injured[/color]
[/center][u]Class[/u]: Recruit
[u]Inventory[/u]:[list][*]Iron Lance 2/3
[*]Vulnerary 3/3
[/list]

Exp:85
[/cell][/table]