Love Of War

Chapter 1

I gripped Jurell's reigns and squinted over the unfamiliar territory. My brown horse pawed the ground nervously. I stroked his face gently to calm him down a bit.
A figure suddenly appeared in the distance, followed by more. I smiled slightly.
The skirmish was successful. We sent a small company to lure the enemy to a more tactical position for us and with some extra reinforcements on our sides. While they were tired, we were ready to fight. An easy triumph.
When they were close enough, I signalled for the charge to begin. I jumped onto Jurell and rode on, taking out my weapons.

-

I looked across the battlefield. All around me lay the bodies of those who had given up their lives to serve the cause they were fighting for. Still, the battle continued above their corpses and I wasn't about to give up because of a little blood spilt.
"Bring out the third wave!" I yelled Landge, signalling with my longsword.
He was just able to blow on his horn before he was attacked by an enemy footsoldier.
The calvary soon appeared over the hillside and charged on their horses towards the battle, swords drawn. I risked a quick satisfied smile before gathering up my horse's reigns and galloping back into the fight.
I was the leader of the squadron, but what good is a leader that only sits back and lets the troops battle?
I yelled as I charged past two enemies soldiers, lowering my sword to them. The first is hit by the tip of my blade across the chest, but the second dodged me just before my blade touched him.
"Dammit," I whispered under my breath as I pulled on Jurell's reigns to circle back. The soldier drew a crossbow as I charged back at him. He frantically loaded it and aimed it towards me.
If I could just get to him before he fires...
I heard the shot go off, but it didn't hit me. Jurell let out a whinny of pain and started to collapse. The arrow hit him right below the neck. I ground my teeth. No time to worry about my horse. I jumped and hit the ground rolling just before Jurell fell onto the dirt with a thud that was almost inaudible over the sound of the battle.
By the time I was up on my feat again, another soldier had taken the enemy out from behind. I nodded at him in thanks.
My shield was soon off my back and in my hand as I charged again, this time on foot. I preferred the classic sword and shield weaponry. Equal offense and defense.
I ran into the battlefield, slashing to my side before lifting my shield. The incoming sword hit it. I pushed back as to not fall over, bending backwards slightly, and swiped for the footsoldier's legs. He let out a sharp yell of pain and I felt the pressure lift from my shield. I quickly ended him before he had time to do anything.
I continued dicing my way through the enemy army. They were outnumbered by then and victory seemed immanent.
I noticed a group of men lying dead on the ground. My men. They were all killed by sword, but it seemed to be a very large one indeed. All died by the hand of one person.
"Fall back!" I shouted at the troops closest to me.
I wanted to take this person on myself and I wasn't about to risk my troops who were definitely not as experienced as I was.
But no one seemed to notice me. The calvary was standing atop a hill, slowly advancing onto something.
I ran over to where they were. Below me was a small group of enemy soldiers, surrounded by my troops. They were fighting desperately and seemed to be taking out a lot of men. Among them was a man with a greatsword who seemed to be killing the most out of the small group. Landge was trying to fight the man off, but his weapon was soon thrust out of his hand and Landge was to his knees, waiting for the killing blow.
"No!" I rushed in and blocked the greatsword, holding my shield over Landge and myself.
The weight of the blow pushed me towards the ground, but I planted my feet to keep from falling. When I felt the blade being lifted off, I lowered my shield slightly to get a hit in.
"Go, quickly!" I shouted at Landge. He scrambled away while I held off the swordsman.
I parried his oncoming blow and thrust my sword towards him, but he dodged.
He's good, I thought. Too good to keep fighting against me forever. He might get me at some point.
I blocked another blow, twisting around his sword and got a hit in at his shoulder.
He must have dodged again, since nothing happened. I was caught off guard because of his quick movement and he ceased the opportunity to knock my shield out of my hand. I regained my composure, gripping my sword. I was at a disadvantage that had to be fixed.
I slashed at him with my sword. The man parried and drove his greatsword into my chest. I gritted my teeth, waiting for the impact, but it didn't come.
The sword that killed so many of my men bounced off my chest harmlessly.