Three Must Decide.

Part 41 everything for glory

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.

can you really know what you will have to do when you first make a decision.

Decisions.

No new decisiosn here for Ehmet he is already committed to this course.

Read on to see its end.

Olivia Henderson sat close to the fire out side the Crown Princes tent. There was no more need for preparations she was just waiting, staring at the flames. Waiting for Ehmet to come and then with him she would go back on to the field beyond the dry canal. Looking up the sky was clear, turning to look over her shoulder she could see clouds building by the wind was still coming from the same direction as it had been the afternoon before. At least it would be dry. She suspected that it would rain by the afternoon but doubted this days fighting would take them in to that part of the day. From what she had heard neither side had that much strength in numbers or physical will to do so. This campaign would be over in just a few hours and she was afraid.

Afraid to join the line, fight in the melee, she feared being injured rather than a quick death. The sweat ran down her back even though it was not a warm morning and she kept her hands busy fiddling with her gloves. She kept reminding herself of the training, of the battles before, she was young but a veteran even though there were countless with greater experience than her. Olivia Henderson was the Crown Princes Valet, a high position in deed. They knew what was to come and could prepare but the fear was there, it had been sometime since she had fought, had to do what was required of her this day. 

There was a sound behind her she took for Ehmet leaving his tent. She stood, the fear pushed away, ready to follow him. She took a step back and then two steps forward, brought on by a wave of joy and releaf. It was not Ehmet but Warden Reman Gold, she wrapped her arms around him as he took the emabrce dressed from top to toe in battle armour. Although out of fashion, the armour announced his presence with no words needed.

 Despite Reman immersing himself in keeping Ehmets house hold in order while on the move, as well as taking on a great part of organising the logistics of keeping the army moving for all these months and staying well away from any conflict or talk of fighting and strategy he had found that his old reputation went befroe him. Amungst so many old soldiers and those who had served under him during the siege he had become well known to a new generation although he did everything he could think of to distance himself from it. Regardless he had found that the further away from soldiering he kept himself the greater intrege developed around him.

Now, here he stood, ready to fight, embraced by a close friend and dragged back to his personal nightmare all because the largest army anyone had ever seen could not protect his Prince. They could not prevent what had to be done and now every last person was needed. Even so he had only come at the very last moment, such a battle had raged within him that tears had run down his face while he had prepared and even once ready he had stumbled before finding a slow steady pace to find Olivia. Olivia, such a friend that in those few moments, seeing them, holding them in freindship, understanding that they were ready to serve the Crown Prince drove away the will breaking hesitaion and doubts, for now at least. Warden Reman Gold would go with them, he knew that and hoped that at the very least if he could not bring him self to fight he would, without doubt, put his body between them and an enemy, the thought of that chance even came as a possible gift of releafe.

Moments later their Crown Prince came from his tent and paused as he saw Remon standing there with Olivia.

"Warden I am not expecting you to come with us today. You must have duties to attend to and I would not want any complications if they are neglected" Ehemt was formal although he would be honoured to have his Warden with him he also needed to know the endless tasks that kept his host as an army were always done, day and night, by trusted people and today there could be no errors. If the coming battle was lost those preparations would save lives.

Remon took a step forward noting Olivia tense as he did so.

"Everything is ready my Prince, good people will set camp again or know what is to be done should they need to leave in haste" he would not say lose "I can stand and wait with them or come and do what I can. I request to be by your Valet in the line"

He left the question hanging.

Ehmet thought for a moment. He doubted Remans ability was anything like it had been even wondered if his Warden would be able to fight. However he was also aware of the reputation that came with him and that alone would make those near him push themselves just that much harder. He also could not doubt what the Warden had said, these months on campaign could leave no room to question.

"Granted Warden but you will not be in the line" he saw the Wardens shoulders slump as he took the slight to his prowess. "It's been to long and I know of your struggels Warden. You were a giant of defence in your prime to have you at our backs will give us heart. Where Olivia goes you are to follow but no more than at their back"

Remon straighted nodding briskly, he was hurt but also released from part of the horror. That was mixed with shame for feeling that releafe, which he almost blamed Ehemt for. However he could not deny that it could well be the right decision. Olivia placed a steadying hand on his shoulder.

Ehmet could see that nothing more would be said and looking to Olivia he could see he had her support while it was plaine she felt for her friend.

The last command had been given. The day before had been full of continuous orders but this battle had become far simpler. Ehmet had remanid in the saddle and had felt sick with fear when the horse archers came again. He had pushed his line on and watched it thin. For a moment he saw the end and damed his folly, they would never reach the line of spears that waited for them held by the Iordans, instead they would all die one by one beneath the hail, but then the arrows stopped coming. Ehmet watched as the horse archers were replaced by lancers and in that realisation he unleashed his own riders to face them. There was nothing more there to be done. Now before him went his Bronze shields. Diminished but still in order and they would have to break through the Iordan wall.

He did not have to give an order, his commanders had no where else to send their soldiers and they knew well enough that the first to break on either side, riders or foot soldiers would mark the end. 

Ehmet knew more than those who fourt for him. His foot soldiers has done their first part well and suffered the arrows, keeping on pushing forward, taking the damage to push on and deny the mounted archers space, making their line the target and relying on the shields to be the defence. It had worked, his mounted warriers could at least face Terrill's lancers on even terms but the damage was done and as his Bronze shields neared the Iordans he knew his line was now to thin. There could be no long brutal hammering, he did not have enough. They must go through the Iordans quickly or not at all. Months of campaigning would be decided in minutes.

His line rawed as it went the last few feet to chatted in to the tips of the waiting spears and despite the clear uncompromising effort of his most loyal soldiers it seemed they would hardly be able to reach past the first spear heads. To reach the first Iordan the swards of the bronze shield had to get past 4 stabbing spear heads, 3 warriors deep, each stabbing their long spears forward. If he left this to go on for much longer there would be a wall of his dead laid before an untouched Iordan line. Break through somewhere and a wall of spears could collapse.

Ehmet dismounted calling for his shield