best General, I believe it prudent if I leave you to sort this one out" he finally said. The General nodded, "yes highness" he replied, before heading off shouting orders as he went. Luken was not sure the answer he gave was the one he was supposed to have given, but it did seem to do the trick.
Within fifteen minutes, the other riders had returned and the General kept those men mounted, as well as adding to their number, making twenty-five cavalry made up from both elements of the guard. Utilising both the elite and general guard, mixing them with the infantry they had armed from the public, they started positioning small shielded groups at the gaps between the wagons. Archers were placed behind them and lined along behind their makeshift barriers. The remaining horses were securely tethered and kept at the back, if there were to be any fighting, the creatures not being utilised by the cavalry would be out of harm's way. The women, children and elderly and any other unable to aid the defence were ushered together, and positioned near the horses. Much to his annoyance Luken was allocated two of the elite guards, and despite him ordering them otherwise, they remained at his side. Luken, although he knew himself, was not overly efficient at fighting, did offer his services, but was politely declined and gently ushered as far from danger as he was willing to stand.
Adding to the princes annoyance, were the orders his guards had been given. Should the unthinkable happen and it should appear they were getting over run; they were to mount horses and escort Luken as swiftly as possible away from danger. They were to leave everyone else behind, and 'to take him kicking and screaming if need be' had been the exact words of General Skalton. Despite numerous complaints, his wishes had been ignored and as such, he was shadowed by two guardsmen, though he made certain Taylor was at his side. Not under any circumstances would he leave him behind, dragging and screaming he may have to go, but he would make sure his son was not left behind.
Having been excused his guarding duties, for now; Levin knew he should feel nervous, though strangely he did not. If anything, the waiting with his short bow in hand and set with an arrow, positioned behind a row of shielded infantry, somehow made him finally think he was getting some revenge. It had been during his slow ride west, after escaping from Lanber, this very need, which had kept him going. As he stood, he visualised what and how he would approach the impending fight. Lifting his bow, moving it left and right at different heights, picturing in his mind another Darekian succumbing to one of his arrows.
Although people grouped up chatting, it was obvious to all there was some nervousness amongst them. Only the professional soldiers looked relatively at ease, and those with them could be seen twiddling fingers and thumbs. The General had utilised his professional men well, situating them amongst the lesser experienced, they did appear to bring some essence of calmness. There was still a little daylight left, and with the sun setting behind them, General Skalton hoped it would give his own men some small advantage, of causing nuisance, shining in the eyes of his opponents. However, if they did not show themselves soon, darkness would come, and he knew very well that fighting then would be a major problem for his less experienced troops.
A line of riders spread out some four hundred yards in front of them, "Keep st eady, calm yourselves" the loud shout came from the General. The dark red flags of Darekia could still be clearly seen in the fading light of the day, fluttering in the gentle evening breeze. Once lined up, a number of horns blew, and the line of enemy riders charged headlong straight at the makeshift barrier made by the defending Corlan civilians and small number of soldiers. Screaming and shouting, the thundering of hooves on the firm dusty ground, quickly closed the gap between
Within fifteen minutes, the other riders had returned and the General kept those men mounted, as well as adding to their number, making twenty-five cavalry made up from both elements of the guard. Utilising both the elite and general guard, mixing them with the infantry they had armed from the public, they started positioning small shielded groups at the gaps between the wagons. Archers were placed behind them and lined along behind their makeshift barriers. The remaining horses were securely tethered and kept at the back, if there were to be any fighting, the creatures not being utilised by the cavalry would be out of harm's way. The women, children and elderly and any other unable to aid the defence were ushered together, and positioned near the horses. Much to his annoyance Luken was allocated two of the elite guards, and despite him ordering them otherwise, they remained at his side. Luken, although he knew himself, was not overly efficient at fighting, did offer his services, but was politely declined and gently ushered as far from danger as he was willing to stand.
Adding to the princes annoyance, were the orders his guards had been given. Should the unthinkable happen and it should appear they were getting over run; they were to mount horses and escort Luken as swiftly as possible away from danger. They were to leave everyone else behind, and 'to take him kicking and screaming if need be' had been the exact words of General Skalton. Despite numerous complaints, his wishes had been ignored and as such, he was shadowed by two guardsmen, though he made certain Taylor was at his side. Not under any circumstances would he leave him behind, dragging and screaming he may have to go, but he would make sure his son was not left behind.
Having been excused his guarding duties, for now; Levin knew he should feel nervous, though strangely he did not. If anything, the waiting with his short bow in hand and set with an arrow, positioned behind a row of shielded infantry, somehow made him finally think he was getting some revenge. It had been during his slow ride west, after escaping from Lanber, this very need, which had kept him going. As he stood, he visualised what and how he would approach the impending fight. Lifting his bow, moving it left and right at different heights, picturing in his mind another Darekian succumbing to one of his arrows.
Although people grouped up chatting, it was obvious to all there was some nervousness amongst them. Only the professional soldiers looked relatively at ease, and those with them could be seen twiddling fingers and thumbs. The General had utilised his professional men well, situating them amongst the lesser experienced, they did appear to bring some essence of calmness. There was still a little daylight left, and with the sun setting behind them, General Skalton hoped it would give his own men some small advantage, of causing nuisance, shining in the eyes of his opponents. However, if they did not show themselves soon, darkness would come, and he knew very well that fighting then would be a major problem for his less experienced troops.
A line of riders spread out some four hundred yards in front of them, "Keep st eady, calm yourselves" the loud shout came from the General. The dark red flags of Darekia could still be clearly seen in the fading light of the day, fluttering in the gentle evening breeze. Once lined up, a number of horns blew, and the line of enemy riders charged headlong straight at the makeshift barrier made by the defending Corlan civilians and small number of soldiers. Screaming and shouting, the thundering of hooves on the firm dusty ground, quickly closed the gap between
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