Reckless Abandon - The Secrets of Avelina Chronicles 2

27: Archer

While Ellis and his men retreated to their caves in agreement with Walter's army, to rest and collect their dead, Archer's ships were arriving into port behind the castle. They were careful not to alert anyone to their position and sent a scout to check on the enemy army. They rationalized from their camp and their treatment of their wounded men, that an overnight truce had been given. And it was just as well. Archer's men had never liked the Island. It was too mysterious and meddled with people's lives, giving them magical powers. It was unnatural and more than a few had wanted to retreat from the sailing across from Seafarer's Landing. Thankfully, none would refuse a good battle. It was in their blood.

"We will rest at night and attack from behind enemy lines at the first sign of dawn." Archer informed his men, allowing them to rest during the most feared time on the Island. For the most part, the plan went well. His men showed strength and resilience through adversity. They had always believed that evil demons and spirits walked the Island at night and were relieved to find that this wasn't the case. At least not at their camp.

As soon as sunlight crept over the trees, Archer readied his men for battle. They were so used to fighting for what they wanted, with sword and shield, having trained since little boys, that they had the art almost perfected. They knew that the Islanders had always trained their young as well. But having witnessed the number of wounded in their camp, Archer didn't put much stock into their skill. There was no noise around them as they made their way forth to the enemy camp site, finding everyone awake and getting their armor ready. It was there that Archer got the answer for why their skill was less than their training demanded.

Their armor was made from metal, while Archer's army were fitted out with metal swords and shields, but wooden and cloth armor. There he could see the enemy having an advantage, but hoped that his men's skill would overpower even fancy metal suits.

"Men! Recall, we are to take prisoners and kill as few as possible. We do not yet know who our enemies are or what they can do. Guard yourselves as you can, accept aid from soldiers if they offer it and kill only those you cannot defeat any other way." He gave the call to arms shortly after his speech. He had already informed his men that the King, Edward was not to be harmed, but no-one expected to see a King on the battlefield if his body had been taken over by an evil spirit. Their superstitions were too deeply seated to believe that any could survive being possessed by another spirit and function.

In that they were right. But they had nothing to fear because Edward had been saved and taken back to his mother, in Avelina. The fighting didn't begin until Archer's men reached the very wall of the castle. A soldier spotted their advance from a high window and shot an arrow into Archer's arm. In fury, he retaliated by skilfully throwing a small dagger at the soldier, that landed deep in his shoulder, not far from his heart. The shock of the retaliation, sent the soldier stumbling back from the window, clutching at his chest.

The secrecy was over.

Archer gave the call to charge on any who opposed them, sending his men running into any door of the castle they could find, around the outer walls and into the enemy camp. There was such a noise of battle, shouting and clanging of metal on metal, metal on wood and the ripping of the fabric clothes of the men in Archer's army. It was difficult to hear whether they were gaining victory or not. A lot of Archer's men were competitive peasants, who had worked their way into the army through fantastic swordsmanship. He could hear them, now and then, gloating to one another.

"This is folly, my King, is there another army we may fight?"

"Nay, I believed they had magic in them, my King. It is not so. They are but rich boys who love their mother and cannot differ a sword from a silver spoon." They jested with one another, enjoying the fact that there was some fight in the enemy army, but not enough to truly challenge their skills.