Three Must Decide.

Part 45. Rollos Hand

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.

Now the storey has evolved. The Threes strategy, manoeuvres, traps and tricks forced the birthing of another faction. Another has taken control of the Rollos.

Hidden consequences.

The more you make changes the greater the chance that new opposition will rise up.

Decisions.

The Rollos dont have armies. All they needed to decide was if the chance arose do you take a prisoner for themselves, the Drathan Crown or let potential problems just die.

Read on to see its end.

Xalvedor had kept his company close to the Crown Prince, always present, always close but balanced so that they could react to claim any glory on offer while always ready to save themselves.

That balance had ment that when Ehemt moved suddenly to break Terrills line Xalvedor was not close enough to Join the thrust. He was not concerned they had no desire to give their life unnecessarily and instead they stayed close behind the Bronze Shields. After the Battle there may be questions but no one could claim they were not always near to the fighting. Those questions did not concern them they would bloody their weapons just enough. While those minutes passed, seeing the confused knot in the lines, not knowing if it would result in success or not, his mind was just as concerned with their lines of escape.

Then Terrills line of Iordans evaporated and what remained of Ehmets exhausted force focused to finish the grim job, making their battered bodies take the last steps needed to ensure Terrill was beaten, make the sacrifice worth while.

Xalvedors company was fresh. Now was the time for them to take up the chase. As the armies moved apart he saw immediately the tight group with Bronze Shields on all sides and a moment of sickening fear touched him. He went forward and was let through to the centre without question. Before him was Olivia, stripped to the waist, her exposed side held tightly. Sitting awkwardly, leaning away from the obvious pain, but still on duty. There in her lap she held Ehmets head, one side covered in gore. His leg cut so wide and deep you could see to the bone. A wickedly tight tourniquet had stop the flow of blood. A Wise Women knelt one side a Surgeon the other looking to move the High Prince who's deathly pale features showed just a little life still clinged to the world of the living.

Olivia caught Xalvedors eye and through clenched teeth she voiced her hatred and burning desire. "Terrill was close, he cannot leave this field, he must pay" the final words, broken in a sob of pain as she struggled to get to her feet, pushing off helping hands to go with Ehmets almost lifeless body.

Xalvedor needed no more encouragement. Requesting a group of the Awoken Sun Crossbow man to accompany him. He left a dozen of the Crown Swards to stay with the Crown Prince then ordered his remaining company into a fast march through the chaos that was drifting across the field.

Death, slaughter, revenge, mad rage took the field for their home and next to them hope, compassion, empathy and luck tried to hult the reaping of souls.

Xalvedor could not know where to find Terrill but with the Hold on his left, looming large, he knew that there was one place he could try to  reach. That was his best chance, the Bridge to the Holds west.

He took his company round groups and past the fighting, he let others flee that he could have caught. The ground changed from a soil churned by battle to grass trod flat. A rider came close.

"Terrill" he rawed the question.

"We broke them but they rallied" the rider replied " they came again in circles, not many but anyone who got close were taken from the saddle" . Xalvedor could see the fear in the riders eyes. Felt it himself, he would be horribly cut down if somehow Terrills riders were turning the tide.

"Are we broken".

"No the Awoken Sun had a company with us, I am to find a Bronze Shield Captain" the rider said pulling away.

There was nothing to do now but reach the Bridge and hope.

There was no resistance as they continued on and as they came within sight of the bridge they saw it was undefended. It appeared his company was well behind the first to run and well in front of the rest. He doubted those behind would reach the bridge if Terrill had not turned the day.

They clattered on to the bridge. In moments he had each end secured, and he gathered two groups at its centre. The Awoken Sun Crossbows covered both approaches. Climbing up on to its side he was able to see the soldiers in the Hold who watched safe behind its walls for now.

They waited and soon enough the last of Terrills foot soldiers came running. The first few made a desperate attempt to break through the position but soon left to run further east in the hope of finding another way across. Now the Bronze Shields could be seen. Coming slowly but together with no resistance stop them. Xalvedor could hear their commanders shouting encouragement, ensuring they trudged on. He began to wonder if Terrill had escaped by another route and was starting to pace the Bridge thinking quickly, trying to find inspiration, another place to take his company when a shout of alarm came. Sprinting to the bridges north end he immediately saw the coming riders.

They were under Terrills banner. Not a great number but they were unmolested and they were riding with confidence, no sign of desperate flight. Looking around Xalvedor saw that the group were gathering others to them and in a moment he recognised Terrill where he expected him to be, leading from the front.

 How did you finally destroy an army that could move like Terrills could. whose riders were so lethal even a company could threaten a regiment on foot and keep beyond only the best cavalry that could come against them.

It was obvious these riders were coming for the bridge, they gave no sign of hesitation. Xalvedor instantly knew they would break through his solid line with weight alone. He did not have pikes or long spears that may have slowed or stopped them.

"Front two lines hold, rear ranks line the walls" he started pushing the first few in to position and the rest followed. As he did so arrows began to land coming from Terrills mounted archers "shields up" the order went through the company. The Awoken Sun cross bows needed no instruction and replied. But their volleys would be out done.

Xalvedor stumbled as an arrow glanced off his shoulder. He recovered. Reaching the middle of the bridge he sent one of the reserve groups to the far end to strengthen that last stand then ordered the rest to the walls just in time to turn and see Terrill, flanked by his son and the renowned Cadar Guard Captain ride straight in to those who waited.

The Crown swards thin line shattered and the wedge of horse and riders spread to fill the bridge with Terrill at its head. There was no hesitation to pause, to engage and fight, they drove on and in just moments they hit the line of Crown Swards at the far end.

There the fight began. The charge had slowed over the bridge and the wedge was having to wade through the Crown Swards now on all sides. Finally Terrills riders began to take casualties but from Xalvedors position he could see with despite that, Terrill, his son and Captain would break through. The weight of horse and riders driving forward could not be stopped.

Xalvedor jumped back on to the bridge and sprinted to engage the riders at the rear. The Crown Swards still on the bridge went with him and the took those riders with ease. Bringing down the last of them Xalvedor found him self in the open, his men either side and before him just open ground. He looked around desperately only to find a single man on his knees. A sward at his neck.

Xalvedor walked to him looking questionably  at the Crown Sward soldier who had the man at her mercy.

The soldier answered his unspoken question.

"Awoken Sun bolts took their Captain and the young lord stopped to try and save him"

Xalvedor only then noticed the man next to the kneeling prisoner and a few others laying around. Beringer lay pierced and unmoving.

"They should have kept riding but the young one was brave and came back for him" the solider continued. "Lord Terrill followed, forced the young one away then fought like a crazy man on that broken leg.

Terrill looked up then, a face full of pain. He slumped to his side. A number of wounds were bleeding freely.

Xalvedor stepped forward. "Lord Terrill you are my prisoner and I take you on behalf of the Rollo family and the Crown."