Three Must Decide.

Part 16 Guardian.

Chapter note. the first 3 chapters have introduced you to the Three. Each faction is controlled, to a degree, by a real life person so decisions have to be made.

Hidden consequences. 

Terrills point of attack ended up being one of the strongest points in the Grand Duchesses line and he failed but Alden broke through with the Grand Duchess reserve too far away. Pure chance as neither knew each others plans.

Decisions.

The Grand duchess had to decide to regroup and counter attack or defend.

Terrill had to decide to continue the assault on 3 different fronts or mount up and form one huge wave of mounted soldiers now the wall was breached by Alden.

Read on to see what they have decided.

Caroline was exhausted, covered in filth, sweat and blood almost none of the blood was hers. Once the fighting had started she soon saw soldiers making their unsteady way towards the camp closest to Peregrine Runs Gate. Some managed to reach the camp on their own but most were being helped back by the youngest soldiers whose main job was to run messages, play the company marching drum and carry water, and any other task their commanders put upon them.

It was soon clear to her that many of the wounded were not making it back to the camp were the healers and anyone who also had some knowledge to help them did what they could while priests walked among them. It was then that she saw the true purpose of her role. She Commanded the troop of cavalry who remained with her to ride the field and carry those who were too weak or harmed to reach the camp and she rode with them. They had not stopped in their task and Caroline only stopped riding out when the infirmary overflowed with wounded and the rest simply left as close to it as possible. When Caroline and Lady Jane found themselves surrounded and almost tripping over the wounded they turned their attention to them, bringing water and trying to find words of comfort. Holding hands of those closest to death until they passed. There they remained until a message was received from Lord Godbolts.

Upon reading it Caroline walked to the wall of the camp followed by Lady Jane and a number of Troopers. As she walked up to the low rampart she was aware that a Trooper had left and was already leading horses to where she stood.

"My Lady" Lady Jane asked questioningly.

"we are regrouping, abandoning the wall, he plans to hold them at the wall facing Peregrine Run." Replied Caroline immediately adopting her voice of authority forcing in steady confidence, but she could not completely disguise the tension in her body.

"but those walls face the wrong way" Lady Jane questioned.

"We must trust Lord Godbolts" was the reply although she felt the same doubts but did not voice them.

She looked back across the battle field. Lord Godbolts standard still flew atop the wall still and now her own which had been taken forward with the reserve which was now steadily retreating having been unable to reach Aldens line.

"send the troop out to help them with their wounded, and order anyone who can still move to make their way to the wall facing Peregrine Run".

The commander of her troop who had followed her all the day and seen the immeasurable good she had achieved through her efforts and orders now stepped forward.

"you should ride there yourself My Lady, it will not be safe here much longer" he had taken the reigns of her horse and placed them with some force in to her hands "My Lady" he urged.

For a moment she hesitated not wanting to leave those they had been caring for, she was also not used to being spoken so firmly by a solider of any rank but she could see the concern in his eyes. She had learnt during her exile that there were times to stand and others to stay safe and able, ready for other moments of trial