Three Must Decide.

Part 43. Stem the tide.

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 decision here for Terrill he is already committed to this course.

Read on to see its end.

Terrill saw the gap open in the Iordan line at the same time that he heard the chant of 'Gold' rising up from that part of the battle line.

It was a chant he had only heard once before when he was still young and back then it ment only one thing, that the fortress of a soldier known as Remon Gold was claiming their part of a battle. A chant that dared others to fight them and try and take the treasure of honour and reputation that would come with killing a soldier of renown. Terrill had thought it would not be heard again, he knew Remon and the damage of commanding the siege had done to them but there he was Renom Gold holding open the gap. 

There was no time to think, to call commands, Terrill turned his horse, rode the short distance and dismounted careful to protect his damaged leg, now bound tight to protect it. It ached with the pressure put on it but it was not enough to stop him. Two strides and he placed himself in the gap as the last Iordan fell and Bronze Shields pushed forward. 

'gold, gold' rang out from every mouth and just before Terrills world narrowed to the few meters around him he saw what had brought Remon Gold to Battle. It was almost like a grand painting capturing a moment in time. There stood Remon Gold at the centre of the gap, just behind Remon and holding her side with one hand, sheild in the other, looking desperate, Olivia Henderson and blow them Ehmet, laying unmoving.

Regret in that moment, regret flooded Terrill. He saw Remon stumble, roaring in defiance and then Terrill knew it was his time, his moment, everything had lead to this. Somehow the line had been broken but if he could seal it then the battle was won.

The space created was too large to fill himself bodily but with sward in one hand and hammer in the other he knew anyone coming through would be well within his reach. A number of bronze shields had already come through the gap. They could not be his concern. He went forward, his leg slowing him but the strapping held it firm enough, the pain not enough to force hesitation, not for Terrill. Two strikes, his first opponent went down ankle broken and as Terrill intended falling in the gap. Forward again, hammer changed for his short sward, no hesitation no need for thought and inside a sheild, sward finding the gap under the arm, turning and dying woman to make another obstacle. Forward again, always towards the next, never staying still and in moments his dance forced the bronze shields to face him. 3 to 1 Terrill calculated, no more, and he knew he could continue to make this brutal space his.

Bronze shields came on, these soldiers new their business, and where careful but they could not get past and Terrill became aware of support building behind him, could see the eyes of the bronze shields looking beyond him. A moment later a sheild was pushed in front of him and a group a Cader Guards were around him, Terrill at their head. The grim relief was almost instantly replaced. A subconscious alarm and Terrill tore his focus away from the few meters around him and shoved himself back through the dozen or so Cader Guards, safe within them he stood tall, looking left to were the Iordans were turning and fleeing. Terrill had been just moments to late.

"Stay together back with me, we will finish them ourselves at the Hold" he said it with confidence as he could not image that what was left of Ehmets army could hope to take it and with a place to rally, his loyal soldiers would keep fighting.

Lines of fighting went rapidly in to a mass of running men and women in Iordan livery, throwing down weapons and taking off armour to gain speed. Groups here and there stayed together to defend themselves hoping that was the best way to survive, others surrendered where they stood. Terrill took his group between the groups that were staying together. Most of the Cader Guards had their horses close to hand, so they had speed to make their way. The Hold was on their left and they had to ride further east to cross the river and make it to the gate house on the south side.

Terrill turned, looking back to their pursuers. A few ran on chasing those who fled before them but the great majority came on together. He could see that it was discipline that controlled them but also fatigue. The bronze Shields, Ehmets finest, could only trudge forward, pausing when they faced any opposition, waiting for surrender or gathering themselves to overwhelm those who had chosen to fight to the last.

Terrills group were making good progress through the chaos when he saw from his right Berengar and following his Captain's gaze,  riding hard from the west, already across the canal, Alden, with him possibly 2 or 3 dozen riders in close formation. Terrills could not help but smile, it was surly now that the day could be turned again. Soon he could be joined by Alden and Berengar and between them they would not be stopped.

"Ride on to join Alden he ordered and drove his tired horse on" just a few hundred meters and they would be together.