The Reformation Wars: Countdown to Catastrophe

Chapter 11

Nathan and Kelly worked their way through the town overrun with savages and rogues, the number of which had steadily dwindled as the battle progressed. If the enemy weren't in range of Nathan's sword, then Kelly's arrows would hit them. And if any managed to rush in close enough to attack, his shield held them at bay.

Nathan leapt out onto the main street from behind a shabby building, only for his heart to drop. Innutuk's forces had arrived. Light-skinned, bearded warriors from the northwestern empire, donning thick plates of armor and heavy shields to cover any of the many deficiencies. The Innutukians wielded a variety of weapons, from heavy war hammers and axes to crossbows and spears. They marched down the main road in formation, a truly intimidating sight.

Nathan exchanged a glance with Kelly. Her icy blue eyes darted rapidly between his own before she gave a stiff nod. Nathan held up his shield and charged, while Kelly hung back in partial cover and shot arrows into the Innutukian lines.

Two crossbow bolts immediately riveted themselves in Nathan's shield, but he continued on. Another whizzed by his ear. And a fourth clattered to the ground at his feet. But Nathan would not be deterred.

He rushed up to the nearest axe-wielder and used his shield to smack aside his opponent's own. Nathan swiftly glanced over the openings in the unrefined armor before settling for a stab to the belly. Before the body could fall, Nathan snatched the axe and hurled it at the closest crossbowman. Even though his helmet protected him, the impact still dazed the Innutukian long enough for Nathan to bolt over and behead him.

As Nathan continued battling the Innutukians, more and more projectiles imbedded themselves in his wooden shield. Eventually, he discarded it entirely to take up one of their hefty shields. Holding their version of the defensive device up for long at all proved extremely wearing on the shoulder, but he had no other options. Soon, the front line, comprised mostly of wielders of ranged weapons, had fallen to Nathan's sword.

The second line boasted of a far greater number of the Empire's fierce melee warriors, swinging axes, hammers, and a club here and there. Bella Holt made an appearance to back Nathan up, lending her balanced Halotinian swordsmanship to the fight. She had become highly esteemed among the knights for her exemplary footwork especially, perfectly calculated to evade attacks and power her own sword strokes in turn. She had taken all the mastery of her uncle, added a few of her own techniques, and synthesized them to become the ultimate Halotinian warrior.

Nathan himself displayed exaggerated Raskan tendencies, pressing the attack so hard that the enemy hardly had time to think, let alone defend. Still, the Innutukian hordes were universally feared for a good reason, as Nathan many close calls well reminded him.

Despite Nathan and Bella's skills, and Kelly's much-needed archery, the massive gap in numbers couldn't be bridged until Captain Sloan and his battalion arrived. The best the knights could hope for was to hold the Innutukians off for the hour or so until then.

An intense volley of arrows forced Nathan and Bella to retreat. They dashed back to Kelly, who had entrenched herself behind a stack of crates.

"It's time to shift strategies here." Bella stated, emerald green eyes darting between the two, "I'll rally some of the others to attack from behind, if you two can keep their eyes up here."

Nathan nodded. "You've got it."

With that, Nathan and Kelly leapt out of hiding and conspicuously raced across the road to draw the Innutukians' attention that way. A group of warriors broke off from the main group and raced for them.

When axe blades and hammer heads flew at them, Nathan held up his shield to defend. He and Kelly hastily retreated under the onslaught of heavy weapons. Kelly sent a few arrows back, but with so much attention focused on her footwork, they were scarce and inaccurate.