An arrow narrowly missed his helm, and he glanced across the chaotic battlefield to find its source. He caught sight of a crossbowman, and scowled at him. He was a little too busy at present to deal with the Dark Elf though. He had about three others crowded around his horse now. He swung his elegant sword in a great arc, severing the head from one's shoulder, and impaling another. It died swiftly, and Eiselbahr pulled the blade from its chest, watching with grim satisfaction as it slumped to the ground. Just one left to deal with now.

           His Dragon Princes were fighting bravely, having charged defiantly into a unit of Dark Elf Corsairs.

           Eiselbahr found it satisfying to kill these elves… this unit in particular.

           As if by some odd coincidence, the one that was challenging him now appeared to be a Corsair champion. Memories flooded back to him in bright flashes, disorientating him briefly.

           He quickly deflected a swing aimed at his chest, and gave the Corsair a rather nasty blow to the head with his shield, hearing the Dark Elf grunt.

           Infuriated, the Corsair lunged, grabbing a tight, strong hold of Eiselbahr's leg, tearing him out of his saddle.

           He landed hard on the ground, narrowly avoiding the weapon that was plunged down towards him.

           He leaped off of the ground, and swung his sword at the Corsair, letting out the breath he hadn't realised he was holding in when the Dark Elf fell in two.

           With a sharp whistle, his black steed, with shocking white mane, tail and fetlocks, came running back to him, strong barding shining, and helm red in colour. Val'ran snorted and allowed Eiselbahr to remount then reared up, delivering a nasty kick to a Witch Elf's head. The hag had come too close for the horse's comfort. The body of the hag fell back in a bloodied heap to the mud, poison tipped weapons falling from her grasp.

           Using his knees for direction, Eiselbahr turned Val'ran sharply to the right, and set him off at a gallop to help the crew of a Repeater Bolt Thrower who seemed to be having trouble with a stray Cold One.

           Within seconds, his steed had carried them to his desired destination, and he plunged his sword into the reptillian monster's thick hide. It wailed in pain, and snapped at him clumsily, large jaws closing over nothing but smoky air.

           Eiselbahr withdrew his weapon, and as one, the two Bolt Thrower crew lunged with the Commander, gouging great wounds in the Cold One's body.

           It crashed to the ground, blood oozing from its stinking corpse.

           Eiselbahr turned back to the rest of the battle.

        My darling wife, Damaedria,

        I write to you now, recuperating from our long and arduous battle against the Dark Elves of Naggaroth. We were, again, victorious against our tainted brethren. The Witch King, Malekith, himself was absent however, and I find myself disappointed, having been deprived once again of the chance to end his pitiful existence.

        But, we suffered heavy casualties once again, and we laboured long to remove their fallen bodies from the battlefield.

        I faired well once again, suffering only minor wounds, such as cuts and bruises. The treemen of Loren saved my life more than once this day, and I am eternally grateful to the Wood Elves for their presence, and for bringing along the marvellous creatures. There is one watching me write at this very moment actually. It is a curious sensation, to be watched by a tree… a living, mobile tree.

        A message has been sent by hawk, by the Wood Elves, to Loren, telling their kindred to send more horses, as our supply is ever thinning. It is a shame, to look out over the bloodstained battlegrounds, and count the dead Elven steeds that lay motionless. That fact, on top of the number of men and Elves we are losing is enough to sink the lightest of hearts.

        One of the dragons turned mad after its rider was slain in battle, tearing at the Dark Elves without mercy, sending their bodies in all directions, carving a devastating hole in their defences. Perhaps it is because of this valiant creature that we were victorious overall.

        We will never know.

        I must end my writing now, for I have been told by Teclis himself that I need rest, as does Omadara, after miraculously surviving another day.

        I will write again soon.

       

        Forever loyal and loving,

                                          Eiselbahr