The legend of the three
chapter 2 First blood
A month has passed since asger and takeda had joined the crimson mercenaries and much had changed for them they had been taken away from there solitary lives and brought into the lives of many people in the crimson mercenaries. They where not the only ones who would be changed by this but there arrival would change Catherine as well only time would time if this would be for good or not.
"come on" Catherine shouted and she stood in a clearing of grass clothed in a light tunic and breeches as she watched asger and takeda rush towards her with there weapons drawn.
Asger stuck first swinging his short axe downwards only for Catherine to step to the side dodging the attack only to move her sword to her left to block Takeda's dual katanas before jumping back to avoid asger's sword thrust.
"tsss" Asger thought as he watched Catherine jump back avoiding his attack.
"there getting better even if only by a small margin" Catherine thought as the two continued there attack this time Takeda attacking first swinging his katanas upwards in an x shape but Catherine would not allow this she stepped towards him instead of away while she changed the way she held her sword to a reverse grip and thrusted the flat of the blade forward catching Takeda's katanas with the guard of her sword as he was in mid swing pinning his sword down preventing him from moving them.
"arrr" Asger roared as he took advantage of Catherine's sword being unusable swinging his sword and axe down on her.
"to slow" Catherine thought as she removed her sword from the ground pulling it up catching Takeda in the chin sending him stumbling back as she spun round to asger and swung her blade at his feet catching Asger's foot causing him to trip and eat the dirt.
"come on use your heads" Catherine shouted as she waited for them to get up off the ground.
"dam she right" Takeda said as he looked at Asger as they both stood up and rushed forward towards Catherine.
"lets do this" Catherine said as she blocked takeda's first swing only jump sideways to dodge anger's axe that he had thrown from behind takeda.
"yes this what you two need" Catherine thought as she began to move her sword between the two as she continued to block there attacks only to feel a sword cut leave a shallow cut across the side of her face from Asger's sword "he threw it" she thought as he changed to he two handed axe.
"this is the teamwork they need" Catherine thought as the aura around her changed causing Asger and Takeda to freeze for a spilt second and in that second it was over as Catherine tensed her arm and swung her sword towards her right catching Takeda in the side with the flat of her sword sending him flying into Asger knocking him over.
"what the" Asger thought as he looked up to see Catherine's sword in his face "and with that it over" she said as she moved her sword away from them as they stood up.
"that strength the sword" Asger thought as her looked at her blade to see a large crack going through it.
"its still not enough" Catherine thought as she held her arm as he looked at them "some things can only be learned in battle" she thought as she attempted to think of ways for them to learn the true of battle.
"my lady" a voice shouted from behind her as she turned round to see on of the company running towards her from the tree line.
"whats the news" Catherine said as as the mercenary reached her and stopped to take a breath before delivering his message.
"the french have brought forth coin and called us to battle" he said as Catherine stopped and thought for a second before responding "where do they want us and when".
"crecy my lady in two days" the massager said as he waited for Catherine's "okay head back to the camp and tell every body to get ready to move were moving out to battle" Catherine said as she turned to takeda and asger "yes my lady"and with that he departed for the camp.
"alright you two come on….." Catherine said only to stop as she turned to see them engaged in a shouting match.
"as usually you end up in the dirt are you even a warrior meat head" Takeda shouted and got in Asger face only for him to do the same while shouting back "you can't say any thing you got sent flying by a woman".
"that dosent count" Takeda shouted as he and Asger both grower there teeth in anger "er you two" Catherine said only for both of them to turn to her and shout "shut up" before turning back to each other.
"ooow" Catherine said as both Asger and Takeda released what they had done "erm er we didn't we" they both stuttered out as Catherine walked up to them and place her hands on there shoulders only to slam there head together.
"oww shit" they both said as they both rubbed there heads in pain as they both looked up giving Catherine there attention "we have a contract" those four words shook them both it had been a mouth since they last stepped on the battlefield.
Catherine looked at them both for there reaction only to see there faces split apart with grins "they looking forward to this battle" Catherine thought as she looked at there smiling faces.
"come we must prepare for the march get back to camp and get ready" Catherine said as she started walking back to camp.
"finally some battle" Asger exclaimed as he and Takeda began to follow after Catherine into the forest with the camp on the over side being there goal.
"while the time spent round this camp could be better with women i will agree with your enthusiasm about going back into battle" Takeda said looking at Asger
"we did learn something in this time away from the war" Takeda continued as he thought back to what had happen in the past month.
(3 weeks ago)
"now you've had a week to settle into life with the company now time for you first lesson" Catherine said as she approached Takeda only to see him with his hand on his chin in a thinking pose as he stared at her.
"mmmmmmmmmm" Takeda mumbled out as he continued to stare at Catherine in deep concentration as she tried to get his attention.
"er Takeda" Catherine said as she waved her hand infant of his face as she leaned towards him only to hear him say "hmm good size they would fit well in a mans hands".
Catherine stepped back confused only to clench er fist in feminine fury when she realised he was talking about her breasts.
ohh chance of plans" she said as she cracked her knuckles as she grabbed a spear off a nearby training mercenary this was when takeda released he what he had said as he began to wave his arms in surrender at the murderous look on Catherine's face.
"I'm sorr don't mean well i do but er" Takeda stampeder out only for Catherine to interrupt him.
"lesson one dodging" Catherine said as she raised her spear and level it in preparation of throwing it at Takeda.
"look Catherine i didn't mean to say that that should have stayed in my head" he continued to stamper out as he began to back away from her.
"ohh so your still thinking it" Catherine said as she stepped towards him as he stepped away from her in fear of the feminine fury she was about to unleash on him.
"now your going to dodge these spears if on hits you ill get another person to throw them at you and another and another until the whole company is out here throwing things at you until you learn to avoid them do you get me" Catherine said as Takeda gulped as he got ready to run all he could say was.
"help me"
(end flash back)
"yeah i know what you mean" Asger said as he rubbed his arms as he thought back to his so called lesson.
(2 and half weeks ago)
"now you should be a fresh break from that perv" Catherine said as she picked up a thick piece of wood as she walked towards an irritated Asger.
"woman why am i out here what could you teach me" he said with a tone that clearly showed his irritation.
"well on thing I'm going to teach you is to control that temper of yours" Catherine sad as she stop a step in-front of him.
"what do you mean by my temper what would you know of my anger" Asger said as his anger began to rise.
"well i know it come from betrayal and the loss of something important" Catherine said only for her to hit the nail on the head causing Asger to let out a roar of anger as he charged at her only for her to duck and trip him.
"arrr" Asger growled out only for Catherine to slam the piece of wood on his head "what the hell" asger thought as he looked up at Catherine
"lesson one I'm going to hit you with this piece of wood and if you lash out ill get a bigger piece of wood …" she said only for Asger to to charge her again with the same results of him landing on the ground as she dodged and used his own weight against him.
"to hit you with and then an even bigger piece until i have to get another person to hell me carry a log to hit you with and if need be considering how strong you are we might just have to get the whole company to rip a tree out the ground and use that" Catherine said as she looked at the anger in Asger's eyes.
"this may take a while" she thought as they began.
(end flash back)
"well it wasn't all bad remember when we first met the company quarter masters that went well" Takeda said as Asger laughed
"you think that meeting went well" Asger said as he rubbed his jaw as he remembered the meeting with the crimson mercenaries quarter master.
(a month ago)
"welcome to the crimson mercenaries most of you new comers are people who took place in the skirmish for roland" Catherine said as she stood infant of the remaining fighter from the battle and some others that had joined up recently.
"we will be shedding blood together in the future but first look upon what you will be become" she said as she gestured to the member of the crimson mercenaries that stood around them.
"you will be come like these brave men each integral parts of the crimson mercenaries but first i have one thing to say" Catherine said as she stopped to make a breath before continuing.
"you may have all been dragged into this war for one reason or another to feed your families to feed yourself, greed but know one thing we here in the crimson mercenaries are on unit one company we will never sell out our comrades or let one die in vain we shall become one giant red mass that will crave are way through this war to glory" Catherine shouted out as they group that had stood there enraptured let loses there voices in cheers.
"we have a small respite from the battle use this time grow stronger form bonds know the man who will stand at side when we march to battle trust him to have your back and for you to have his now go" Catherine fished as she walked away toward her tent as the group began to disperse into the camp to better themselves and become stronger.
"man she does know how to inspire people to fight" Takeda said as he and Asger both dispersed into the camp.
"this is another thing i will unfortunately have to agree with you on" Asger said as he began to look around to get a feel for the camp.
"why are you walking with me little man you presence is hard to stand" Asger said as he turned his head away from takeda.
"what you say i was trying to be nice to because you would get lost even in this small camp" Takeda fired back.
"normally i would rearrange your face but if found something thats more interesting" asger said as moved takeda out of the way as he walked towards a cart with several barrels with swords and spears in them.
"hey quarter master where are you" Asger said as he bashed his hand onto one of the closed barrels as takeda walked up behind him.
"weapon keeper when are you don't ignore me" Asger continued to shout as Takeda looked around to see some of older crimson mercenaries starting to laugh.
"come on out before i" Asger said only to be interrupted by Takeda tapping him on the shoulder.
"WHAT" Asger shouted as he spun round to Takeda only to see him signalling him to look down in-front of him.
"what are you pointing to" Asger said as he look down only to see a woman of small stature clothed in typical blacksmithing clothes in front of him.
"what do want" the woman said as she raised her head to look Asger in the eye.
"whats a small child doing here" Asger said as he reached down and picked up the woman and held her in the air.
"hey put me down you big oaf" she said as Asger stood there a bit confused before he complying with with her request.
"for some reason i don't think that was a good idea" Takeda said causing Asger to turn to him and this is when he realised the small crowed watching him "the hell" he thought when he heard something behind him.
"hey big one I've got something to say to you" the woman said this made Asger turn back to her only for her to grab the collar of his furs and pull him down to her level only to punch him in the nose causing to throw his head back as he held his nose all he could was the laughter of the nearby crimson members.
"let me handle this" Takeda said as he loosened his kimono top to show more of his chest as he approached the woman.
"whey lady forget the big lug and focus on he I'm sure we can reach an agreement" Takeda said as he leaned towards her only to be met with a punch like Asger.
"get going you haven't got anything i want" she said as she finally went back to her work arranging things.
"ahh Asger Takeda you both met the quarter master" a voice called out from behind them which reviled to be Catherine.
"WHAT!" they both shouted in shock as they turned back to the woman to she her laughing at them.
(flash black end)
"fine it didn't go as well as it could of" Takeda said as he Asger began to exit the forest and enter the camp.
"so the little man knows when he is wrong" Asger said taking delight in the fact Takeda was admitting he was wrong.
"shut up we don't have time for this" Takeda shouted as he walked away towards his tent to prepare for the march.
"ha finally ill be going back to battle watch me ill never allow my self to die" Asger thought as he clenched his hand around a neckless under his furs as he walked back to his tent.
(two days later crecy)
it had be a long two days march Catherine had made them keep a constant pace so that they would arrive before the battle line were formed.
"my lady we have arrived i can see the french army forming battle lines" Richard said as he and Catherine rode at the front of there column of mercenaries.
"there seems to be a lot missing" Catherine said as she looked at the battle lines deployed by the french.
"its mostly knights in the middle and infantry on the sides" she continued as they got closer to the french centre.
"Richard were going to report in" Catherine said as she began to ride towards there employer who had seen them arriving and was coming to meet them.
"yes my lady" Richard said before turning round to the company "HOLD MEN AND GET READY" he shouted as the company stopped and made there final preparations.
"crimson mercenaries eighty strong are here to fulfil the contract" Catherine said as she approached there employer a young french noble.
"finally you've arrived we of his majesties great knights are taking the centre for this battle go deploy yourself on the left and try to flank to english a job like this suits a mercenary group commandeered by a woman like you" he said as he turned his horse and rode off followed by his guards"
"tss fucking french nobles they think themselves better than everyone" Catherine thought as she turned and rode back to Richard and the company.
"so where are we to deploy" Richard said as she began to ride past the company and check to preparations.
"we'er being sent to the left of the french army to try and flank to english" Catherine said as she turned back to before continuing "so what have you found out"
"the english have deployed a large number of long bows behind line of spearmen on the hill side" Richard said as he looked at Catherine waiting for her response.
"theres going so heavy losses on the french side if there going to be advancing with knights as there centre what the numbers on both sides" Catherine said as her mind began to work making plans to counter the long bows.
"the english are fielding around twelve thousand in total while the french should number around thirty thousand" Richard said as Catherine turned to him "thirty thousand that not thirty thousand out there" Catherine said in disbelief as turned back to look at the french.
"i know more than half the french army has not arrived yet but the french nobility have pushed the king to take the field now and destroy the english" Richard said making Catherine turn back to him.
"so how may are the french actually fielding" she said as she saw that the company had finished preparations and were ready to move.
"the french have taken the field with fourteen thousand men" Richard said as he watched Catherine ride in-font of the company.
"right men were taking the field now we will be forming up to the left flank of the french army and moving with the left to flank the english long bows" Catherine said hearing a few murmurs about the long bows from the english members of the company.
"now move out" she said as he began to lead the company to the left side of the french army passing the already formed french battle lines.
(ontop of the hill in the middle of the english army)
"another battle today why must we fight why must men die for nothing" a man said as he looked over the two armies forming up from the hill. this man was clothed in heavy black plate with a long flowing red cape that reached the back of his knees with the face of nobility with a chilled jaw and long black hair that reached his shoulders this man was Edward the black prince.
"be mindful those are cowards words my prince" a voice from behind him said.
"john you know me better than any and you know while i don't enjoy war and death i will always do my duty to England" Edward said as he turned to his second in command who was clothed in standard knights armour with a cloak over it with a mace in his hand. his features show that of a man who had lived a long life with shoulder length grey hair with a short beard and an eye patch that went over his left eye.
"so what are the french positions" Edward said as he turned back to the field below were the armies had formed.
"the french have formed up with there knights in the centre with infantry men at arms at the flanks of the army tho there are more on the right flank of the french" john said as he stood next to his king as they looked at the french army.
"we pick this battle so there numbers will make no difference there knights will come and we will repeal them with the long bows "Edward said with confidence in his voice.
"what of the right flank" Edward said as he looked to the right side of his army to his vision blocked by dense woodland.
"i have prepare adequate numbers to the right to make sure i docent fall" john said as he looked at his prince
"good the battle will be won or lost on that field detached from both armies" Edward said as he looked over the field. he had chosen to fight the french here because he knew this field would give him victory with his army set up on the hill to strip knights of there advantage the only problem would his right flank as it was cut off from both armies by dense woods.
(with the crimson mercenaries)
"okay men line up behind the french lines" Catherine shouted as the crimson mercenaries on foot moved forwards lining up behind the french battle line of men at arms.
"why are we lining up at the back a man fights at the front" Asger said as he went to push himself to the front only to be stopped by Takeda grabbing hold of his arm.
"what do you think your doing" Takeda said as Asger turned to to pulling his arm off him "I'm heading to the front I'm not hiding behind these french men" asger said as Takeda continued to stop him from moving from where the were told to form up at.
"move" Asger said as he went to push Takeda only to stop when he heard what Takeda said next "no mercenary will ever stand at the front in a battle between country never have we, never will we".
this froze Asger and made him stop as he looked at the other crimson mercenaries and seeing none of them moving from where they stood. hr then turned to Catherine behind them with there horsemen only to see her looking at him and mouthing something to him "remember what to were taught" he thought as he understood Catherine's message to him.
"hnnn" Asger thought as he turned back round and fell in line with the rest of the crimson mercenaries.
"good he can listen" Catherine thought as she looked at the english across from them through the slit in her helmet.
"Richard what are the numbers here" Catherine said as she looked at the smaller english line of men at arms.
"including us the french have around three hundred while the english appear to have barley half are number" Richard said as Catherine pointed to the english and said "there has to be more of them they wouldn't leave so few to defend there right flank".
"the english are spread thin by the french so its aspected that the english would be weak in some parts on there line" Richard said as he looked at the english men at arms.
"lets hope your right" Catherine said as she watched the french commander shouting orders at the french men at arms.
"the battles starting" Catherine said as she looked towards where the main french army would be before turning back to whats in-font of her.
only seconds later the deafening sound of horns and roars of men rang out over Crecy as the battle of Crecy began.
"forward for France for the king" the french commander shouted as his men at arms surged forwards towards the english followed not behind by the crimson mercenaries on foot with Asger and Takeda at the front.
"lets go my lady" Richard said as he spurred his horse to move only stop when Catherine called out for him to stop.
"what why my lady w…." Richard said only to stop when he looked to the english to she english long bowmen appearing on the hill bows drawn.
"oh no we have to warn them" Richard said as he looked at the the charging men in front of them including there comrades who would not see the longbows in time.
"its to late" Catherine said as the sound of arrows being loosened seemed to roar in her ear as she watched as the arrows came down upon the advancing french piercing and killing tens of men in there volley.
"my lady give the word and we shall ride all forty of the crimson mercenaries and rescue them" Richard said as he and the horsemen and knights began to form up.
"we can't the longbows have us pinned if we advance we will suffer the same fate as them and we will do more harm then go" Catherine said as she gripped her arm to prevent herself from riding forth to save her comrades an action that wasn't missed by Richard.
"we will hold are position and wait for an opening" Catherine shouted out causing the knights to stand down and the other horsemen to curse and reform.
Catherine could only think one thing as she watch the charging men bit struck by arrows as theft closer to the english men at arms.
"live"
(with Asger and Takeda before the arrows hit)
"your falling behind little man" Asger shouted as he looked behind him at Takeda as he ran along with the rest of the companies infantry.
"I'm saving me strength for battle unlike you who will arrive tired" Takeda shot back as they ran only for him to throw his head up as his ears picked up a quiet sound.
"ARROWS" Takeda shouted out as the the older crimson mercenaries without hesitation threw there arms up that held here shields this act itself saved many of the crimson members due to the older members acting first and the newer mercs copying them trusting in them like they had been told.
As soon as there arrows hit the men screams cold be heard as men who had been running fell to the ground dead causing some to panic and turn and run only to receive arrows in the back.
"NO RETREAT FORWARD" the commander shouted out as they grew closer to the english forcing them to stop firing at them.
"SEE THEY CANT FIRE NOW ATTACK RIP THE ENGLISH DOGS APART" the commander continued as the french began to cover the ground between them and the english in no time it was such a change that it had appear as if they had doubled in speed.
as they grew closer to the english they began to let out roars of anger as they looked upon who they would be fighting to the death in close combat soon.
as they drew close to the english line the english let out there own roars of rage as they readied to receive the french charge.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" both the french and english let out as the two masses of men crashed into each other with a deafaing crash as with that the most crucial part of the battle of Crecy began with or with out the combatants knowing it.
"my lady they have engaged the english men at arms its only a matter of time now" Richard said as they watched they watched the melee.
"there something wrong the english don't seemed that worried by the larger number of attack men at arms" Catherine said as Richard looked again and said "i see what you mean they should be falling back at the least".
"wait look to the trees" Catherine said in horror as they watched two group of english men at arms came bursting out of the trees and smashing into the melee.
"what the" Richard said as they watched the english join the melee and begin to turn the tide of the battle. "they only number around sixty of them thirty each side even with losses on the french side they still have more" he continued.
"its not the numbers making the difference its the fear factor the french are spooked by the men appearing from nowhere and attacking them even with bigger numbers if there spooked it means nothing" Catherine said as she watched the melee.
"we have to turn this battle around" Richard said as he turned to Catherine as he awaited an order from her.
"Willum" Catherine called out only to hear a "yes my lady" from one of her horsemen.
" ride to the french centre find out whats happening" she said only for him to nod and spur his horse and ride off back towards the french centre "Richard take the horsemen and ride round the english take out the long bowmen ill take five of my knights and ride into the melee and rally them" Catherine said as she gave Richard a look that made him sigh.
"don't worry ill fall back and reform as soon as you take out their long bowmen" Catherine said as she drew her sword as she turned back and shouted "GO" as she spurred her horse and rode off with five knights following after her.
"right lets follow are ladies orders" Richard said as he rode off with the mounted members of the crimson mercenaries following closely behind.
(with Asger and Takeda in the melee)
"where did these english reinforcement come from" asger growled out as he slammed his axe down one the closest english before turning round splitting the Englishman's belly open as he tried to attack his back.
"where is every body" Asger thought as he blocked two mens swords with his sword before pushing forward knocking them to the ground before he stabbed his sword into one of them while he crushed the theres head beneath his boot.
"whats that" Asger thought as he spotted a smaller group of riders heading towards them.
"thats Catherine what is she doing where are the others" he thought as he looked around looked around to try to get his bearing only to receive a dagger to the side "AHHHH" Asger roared out as he separated the mans head from his body.
"wheres Catherine" Asger thought as he pulled the dagger from his side and looked back to where he had last seen Catherine.
"the arrows got her NO i will not think that arrows can't kill her" Asger thought as he threw himself back into the fighting for something to hit the top of his head causing him to turn to face his attacker only to see Catherine on her horse.
"Catherine" Asger exclaimed as he looked up at her only for her to respond with "don't worry ill turn this battle around she said as she stormed through the melee cutting apart english as she rode past them before shouting out "MEN OF FRANCE TO ME RALLY REFORM"
as she shouted that the sounds of men screaming and running in fear from the hill that the long bowmen rand across the battle this caused the english to drop there weapons and run in fear.
"YEAAAAAAAAAAAAH" the french roared in victory as the english ran other the hill in a bid to escape as some of the french began to give chase.
"HOLD" Catherine shouted causing them to stop and turn to her in confusion as she rode to them as the crimson mercenaries bag to gather up behind her.
"WE NEED TO REFORM LINES GET INTO FORMATION" she shouted out only to hear a voice shout back at her "who do you think you are I'm the commander of these men and you some random knight bearing a crest with cursed red on it think to command us" the commander of the french detachment said only to Catherine to turn to him and say.
"you man who led these men into a hail of arrows and a trap thinks to belittle me" Catherine said back as she looked at him.
"why would any respectable french man follow you a vagabond leading mercenaries" the man said as he took note of the mercenaries lining up behind her.
"i don't have time to deal with you the english with have warned the rest of them er have won on this flank if you want to make it through this follow me and reform" Catherine said as she rode off to reform the line with the mercenaries following her.
"ha as if any would follow i…" the commander said only for the words to die in his throat as his men began to follow after her.
"hey HEY YOU GOOD FOR NOTHING BASTARDS WHERE ARE YOU GOING" the man said only for more of his men to leave him to form up with Catherine.
"that little bastared who do he think he is" the commander thought as he stared at Catherine's back only jump out of the way of a horse that thundered past him before coming to a stop as it rider long dead fell from the saddle.
"what the fuck he thought as he look behind to see the mercenary horsemen he had seen before with a few missing.
he then heard something about some english leader being on his way "hen that will show them" he thought as he looked and the horse with now rider.
"MY LADY" Richard shouted out as he stopped next to to Catherine in a panic with his riders stopping behind him.
"Richard whats wrong" Catherine said as she saw the panic on Richard face as she looked round noticing the missing men before turning back to Richard.
"what happen why ha….." Catherine started only for Richard to interrupt her "ITS THE BLACK PRINCE HE'S HERE" Richard shouted causing Catherine to take a sharp intake of breath.
"PREPARE TO FALL BACK" Catherine shouted out causing every body to began to move only for them to stop as a lone rider rode towards them at full gallop.
"its Willum my lady" one of the knights said as two of them rode to his side taking hold of them preventing him from falling from his horse as they brought him to Catherine.
"Willum what happen" Catherine said only for Willum to wheeze out
"the french army has collapsed and are on the run after sixteen charges by the knights english counter attack cutting apart the weakened french we have to leave the english are about to surround us pppppplea please grant me mercy" Willum said only to cough out blood.
"okay Willum now rest" Catherine said as she took a deep breath and then drove her dagger into his throat ending his life in and instant as she let men lay his body on the ground before placing her hand on her breastplate over her heart and said "MAY THE DEAD LIVE ON WITHIN US" she shouted as the the older members of the crimson mercenaries repeated her "MAY THE DEAD LIVE ON WITHIN US" they shouted before turning to her.
"what now" Richard said as he looked at the men around him and then Catherine "come on you can find a solution you always have" Richard thought as he awaited her command.
"my lady english they are behind us" and true to Willums dieing words the english had encircled them.
"RIGHT ASGER TAKEDA YOU GO WITH THE MEN ON FOOT BREAK THROUGH THE ENGLISH AT ARE BACK CLEAR US A ESCAPE ROUTE" Catherine shouted out as Asger and Takeda both shouted back "consider it done" as they began to run to the english line behind them followed by the men of foot.
"so my lady whats the plan" Richard said as he and the horse men turned to Catherine waiting for a order only for her to hold out her hand as if asking for something only for the knights to laugh as one of them handed her his lance as he drew his sword.
"WERE GOING TO HOLD OFF THE BLACK PRINCE UNTIL WE CAN ESCAPE" Catherine shouted as she picked up a shield from the side of her horse and adjusted it on her arm as the horse men lined up behind her waiting for the black prince to arrive they didn't wait long as not long after they lined up the black price came thundering over the hill with his royal knights in tow.
"i knew it was the right decision to ride to the right" Edward thought as he looked at the horsemen opposite him as they thunder over the hill.
"his majesties instinct was right again he may not like war but its what he best at"john thought.
(twenty minutes ago)
"john come we must ride gather the knights"Edward said as he rushed past john and mounted his horse as his knights fell in behind him.
"whats wrong my prince" john said as the price turned to one the his commander and said "advance now this last french change has taken it out of them go forth and rout them bust once you do send some men to the right to cut off any escaping french" only to receive a "yes your highness" in return before the black prince rode off.
(back in the present)
"ill take you head english dog" a voice called out shacking Edward from his thought only to see a french rider charging at him "I'm sorry" Edward thought as he thrust his lance forward piercing the man and sending from his horse he was dead before he hit the ground.
"shit" Catherine thought as she watched the black prince despatch the man with ease.
"my lady there getting closer" Richard said as Catherine turned to look behind them to err there men fighting the english before turning back to the approaching enemy before giving one command that needed no explanation.
"CHARGE" she shouted as she spurred her horse and surged forth with her horsemen at her back as they changed towards the english royal knights.
the horse took no time to reach each other as the two groups of horse men each hitting each other some falling from there horse there getting locked in close combat.
"haaaa" Catherine said as she thrust her lance forwards catching on of the knights in the throat before riding at another and catching him in the side saving one of her riders from his sword.
"thanks" he said before riding off as Catherine looked around at the battle her horse men while skilled were struggling against the more armoured royal knights "i have to take out the head" Catherine thought as she spotted the black and rode towards him.
"ill get him" she thought as she rode closer ass she watched him be attack by two of her riders only for him to take them both both in an instant piercing one in the throat the other in the stomach before he took notice of her and rode towards her.
they rode at each other all Catherine tensed as she galloped towards him "i have to end this quickly if i try to draw this out he'll kill me me" she thought as they drew into each others striking distance and thrusted there lances at each other.
'another who must die"Edward thought as he waited for the sound of a body hitting the ground only to feel pain in his shield arm as he looked dot his shield arms to find it had been dented "how" he thought as he turned his horse before galloping towards her.
as the black prince galloped towards Catherine john rode to interfere after being her hit him only to be blocked by Richard and his axe "not so fast" Richard said as he swing his axe forcing john to raise his filed to block.
"an english knight bearing the crest of an in the style of english nobility that fight for the french a traitor that can't let go of the past" john said only for Richard to continue to rain axe strikes upon his shield
"dam i can get to his highnesses side"john thought as he looked on at the two combatants who.
"i have to focus i can't go easy on this knight he's not the same as others Edward thought as they got in striking distance and as she thrust her lance forwards he leaned and avoided it while striking back at her hitting her side causing her to drop her lance as they both rode pat each other and turned.
"shit" Catherine said as she touched her side only to feel blood "this will be the last pass" she thought as she drew her sword and on an unspoken signal they set off towards each other time seemed to slow all sounds seemed so deafening her horses breathing, her amour moving and her own breath and they drew into striking distance he thrust his lance forwards at her head only for her tome her head to the right by a couple of inches causing the lance to scrape along the side of the helm.
"wa wa ahat" Edward thought as he's eyes widened as everything seemed to be moving in slow-motion as Catherine swung her sword cutting across his side and turned to hit his back only for her to miss due to the hit he had made to her side causing her to miss his back an hit his horses leg sending the horse and Edward to the ground with a bang.
"your highness" john shouted out as he pushed past Richard to ride to the black princes side along with most of the knight who had been fighting.
Richard took this time to get to Catherine "my lady are you okay" he said only for her to raise he arm telling him to stop.
"we have to leave now it the best chance were going to get" Catherine said as she galloped away with her remaining riders following behind her as they rode with all there might the the men on foot who had long since secured there escape and made moved far enough away not to be in danger.
"were going to see a lot more of him" Catherine thought as they rode to meet up with the rest of the company.
(back with the black prince)
"your highness are you okay"john said as he looked over the prince as his men picked the prince up. "I'm okay nothing fatal who was that knight i fought he was a lot stronger that he looked" Edward said as he looked to where he had seen them ride away.
"i will see that knight again i just know it"
(end chapter)