Three Must Decide.

Part 38 The last

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.

Plans change in the morning light.

Decisions.

Terrill had to decide to attack again or defend.

Or something other from the mind of the real life faction leader.

Read on to see what they have decided.

Terrill had committed his soul to the field he had, without real thought, given his life to it. Despite the vast army Ehmet had brought to the Hold Terrill had covered the field in slaughter. vilant armour piercing, life taking death had walked the field and life had fled before it.

The day had been incredibly long but the leviathan of an army that had come for him had been surrounded. He felt then that surly it would break  that the end would be for him to wade through a broken army with yet more grim work but then the news had come that Alden had been beaten, his division broken by the Awoken Sun and thier cross bows that had joined the fight as the Grand Duchesses force had left the field. The messenger had no news of Alden themselves but there was no news of his death, and in those moments Terrill had known that he would likely die here or finally bring down the bear that still resisted blow after blow. The freedom to move that he had retained for his force brought the clear evidence that Ehmet could still fight despite the horrors put upon him but that now all Terrills efforts this day had finally ment that at least these last hours could be endured facing equal numbers. Out of the army that Ehmet had brought just a fraction could now be relied on to stand and fight, the rest like the greatest part of Terrills army were dead, injured or just exhausted and incapable of fighting, rider or horse alike.

The light of day was fading both still remained on the field unless Ehmet acted as a fall he could not be broken before night and Terrill knew no such defeat could come to him before the dark came.

Once the light had begun to fade the vale of night seemed to come in an instant even so Terrill had his remaining devision formed up tight against the Iordans long spears. Waiting, ready but Ehmet did not come, Terrill did not think less of him the night gave them both time to rest, even though it was for Ehmet to take the hold.

Finally Terrill left the line he had ordered his Captain's to gather behind the Hold. He rode with Berengar at his side and as they made there way back, the difference in the land scape which appeared out of the night was stark and has senses yearned for it. The grass long and not trampled to mud, the sounds of wounded and dying fading away, the gut wrenching stenches coming from the battle field replaced by fresh breeze. It was enough for his mind to clear.

Berengar interrupted his clearing mind.

"Perhaps time to enter the Hold my lord" there was little fatige in his voice but it was there and it could be seen as he adjusted himself in his saddle "a moment with the Duchess to see the defences" the suggestion was left.

Terrill was greatfull and considered it but he knew he had to be as close as he could be to the line and he preferred the thought of the Holds defences remaining sealed despite the risk being small. No, he would remain with his army.

"No need Captain the Duchess will be watching us and will have seen to it's defence, I could send you to inspect her preparations Berengar? I am sure they would be happy for you to comment!"

They laughed at the jest knowing neither would willingly put themselves in such a situation.

They were soon gathered by a large fire, the numbers were few after the heavy loses but looking around Terrill could see he had enough to rely on so he out lined his plan.

"Before dawn we will use our speed again, this night will Shield our movements, Berengar by the dawn's light you will come upon them from their rear and I will advance with the Iordans. Between us we will finally crush them" he looked around, all were engaged clearly ready, their leader had beaten the True Order and this day brought the largest army any had seen to heal. Each Captain took their own part of the plan from Terrill and left. Terrill would commit his all.

The plan lasted until just before first light. Berengar himself pushed through to find his lord.

"They have retreated back across the canal everyone of them they are standing and waiting not ready to come forward they are waiting for us"

It came to Terrill in a moment he barked a laugh "he wants me to attack, thinks I will, he knows me well" he turned looking around him "he has come to take my home, if he can't take it from me by force he can't have it at all, bring your horse back Berengar form up behind me, if Ehmet is so weakened that he can't attack or thinks he can't break us then we have already won".