(A/N: Sorry for the late update. It was due to a little writers block. But Ill try to put updates to onea week.)

Chapter 2: Village Raid

Ever since I joined this group, I've gotten an icy chill from that axe-wielder, Groznyi. It all started when I killed his blood-brother back in the inn a few months ago.

The leader of the group, a man by the name of Jayson, which was the one with the scar down his arm, recruited me because, as he told me anyway, in his opinion, if this group had a planner when conducting raids on enemy clans, he figured he could get more gold out of the raid. I was content with that explanation for the moment. Plus, getting paid to plan these raids, well it was a pretty good bargain. Little did I know that these raids today, would eventually come back to haunt my memories in three years time.

I have been giving plans of attack and advice to this group so they can better battle their rivals, who were mainly the Ganelon bandits. It seems that this group I was with, had been bitter rivals with the Ganelons for a long time, even before my birth twenty years ago.

Our location was somewhat more to the East now, with our destination ultimately being Bern. However, we were to raid another village, against my objections though, as the mentality for this battle was that we needed supplies. Supplies were not that bad, as I've noticed that some of the men, just wanted to fight, or get a woman for his own sick pleasures. That was the only real reservation I had about this group. The men were savage and unruly beasts when it came to women.

This raid was slightly different though. Normally the battle that was about to take place, would usually be in a open field, or in the mountainous terrain. This time however, as we were trying to raid a village, our enemy, who we were not quite sure of who they were, had taken over the town, and instead of razing it to the ground, had started defending it instead. It seemed strange, but there might be someone who had some knowledge in tactics inside the village gates. Or there was one other possible explanation: they were Ganelon Bandits, and they wanted a piece of us.

'If they are Ganelons, this is going to be a tougher battle,' I thought. And the option of retreating wouldn't work either, as both sides hated each other so much, that they would fight to the last man.

I grimaced. 'What did I get myself into?'

Our camp was located on one hill, while the village was located on a hill to the opposite of our own, giving a commanding view of the rolling valley below us. Trees were scattered to the sides mainly, but there were also some in the valley. However there were too few in the valley to provide ample cover from the archers that were manning the walls. Plus there were look outs on the battlements as well, so any scouting party sent would be skewered by arrows, before they even got to within throwing distance.

I had already found out this the hard way. I sent out three men, running in zig-zag patterns to the main gate, but they got hit with arrows in various parts of their legs, and one had an arrow in his arm.

"So what do we do, O great tactician? Send out more men, to come back looking like they were used for target practice?"

"I've could have sent you in the first group, y'know."

I would have received a smack in the face, if Jayson, our leader hadn't stopped Groznyi's arm.

"For all our sakes, Groznyi, let the kid do his job, as we need a plan to get inside those walls."

I nodded thanks to him, and went to a spot so I could look out at the terrain. I found a position close enough to the village in the southern end of the valley, where I could see the whole battlefield, and stay hidden within a thick patch of grass and brush at the same time. Having a green cloak helped me to blend in even more.

'The defenders seem to have the front door throughly guarded. So any attack would be a waste of resources.'

I then looked at the tree line that were to the sides of the valley, and lead straight to the ... blind side of the north wall. Th - that's it!.

One lesson my instructor said back in tactics school, was, if possible, create a diversionary force to take the pressure off of the main force. That way, your chance of success goes up, as well as the chances of survival does as well.

I also remember that most of the injuries to the men were leg wounds, which led me to believe that the enemy archers were poor shots, and had only enough skill to shoot an arrow. It was asomething I hoped to be true, as I was just spotted.

'Shit...'

I franctically got up, and dove to the trees. I looked at where the arrows had landed though, and they were five feet from my original position.

'Its almost they just wanted to scare me away though. Hmm, that don't seem like bandits at all.'

I managed to get back to camp, but with an arrow sticking in the bottom of my cloak. 'Damn it,' as I bent down to pluck it out.

Something seemed strange. This arrow was finely made. Regular bandit arrows were made rough, with hardly enough glue to keep the flights together. These arrows were well kept. They even had a weird engraving near the arrowtip. I didn't know what it was, but I was damned sure I was going to remember it. I had a strange feeling that not all was what it seemed. But I had a battle plan to formulate.

Inside the village was a little commotion.

"There was no telling how long that guy was there before we noticed him."

"Still, it is your duty to keep a look out!"

"S-Sorry, S-Sir."

The commander turned to look out at the valley.

"No doubt only a scout. Stay vigilant though, I expect those Taliver dogs to charge us at any moment."

"Understood."

"And begin preparing the men for a silent withdrawal. Whatever Ganelons that we captured earlier, they can have a fight with that scum when they breach the walls. Our business is done here."

"Yes Sir."

The commander left, to gather his soldiers in the back of the village. By using the buildings in the back of the village and the forest as cover to conceal their movements, they began leaving the village that was now only occupied by a few bandits.

Our first attack had failed, only because I did not remember one of the fundamental rules that my tactics teacher adhered to.

...Try to find time to look atthe battlefield, before the actual battle. If you go into askirmish without knowing what you are up against, then more often than not, its going to have a rough time... 'He always gave sound advice.'

I then remembered how the trees shaped and lead towards the north wall. 'Thats some good cover, if someone were to sneak along to that blind spot. And when given a signal could take out those archers.'

"I need three volunteers who are good at keeping quiet." I ordered. I then turned to Groznyi, who was about to say something, but stopped short.

"Thats not you Groznyi, so don't bother to volunteer."

He turned red in the face with anger, but a little embarressment too, as most of the group heard me, and laughed.

More than a little angry, he shouted at me and said, "How many men must you sacrifice before we are forced to retreat!"

"If you shut up and listen, maybe you'll find out," as I snapped back at him. Some of the laughing continued, as Groznyi was not one for taking many orders. He only appeared to fume some more.

"You can retreat if you like, as it will just mean more gold for us." He calmed down a little bit, and folded his arms, but otherwise remained silent. At least for the moment.

Jayson came over, as he saw me turn towards the woods again. He finally figured out what I was planning.

"So you plan to have this team sneak to the side, so as to kill those whelps with the bows?"

"That's the idea. But while this team takes out their archers, we make a defensive line back here, just outside the range of their arrows. As for a signal for when you take out the archers, take a torch with you. When the archers are gone, we rush the gate, while you take out some more defenders, from the inside."

I looked to see that two brigands, one with a throwing axe, and one with a regular iron axe, had stepped up.

"I need a third volun-..." I was cut off, by a wave of Jayson's hand.

"I'm going. I'll be the third member of the stealth team."

I looked at his face, but Jayson had his mind made up. Jayson ordered the two axemen to follow him, and then they were off.

"Ok, archers, form a line here," as I was pointing to the crest of the hill. "You are to pick off anyone who tries to attack us. Meelee fighters are to defend the acrhers from close combat, until Jayson sends us the signal. When that moment comes, we rush the main gates. Do not let anything stop you. You archers will follow, providing cover fire. Does everyone understand?"

Everyone nodded, and started forming the lines. Everyone except Groznyi that is. I pulled out my dagger, and he unlatched his axe from its holster. He walked towards me, and I walked towards him. It was about twenty feet in distance between us, but given our walking speed, we quickly covered the distance and met in the middle. Our gaze was locked onto one another.

"Until we have recieved our leader's signal, Im going to be by your side, so when this plan of yours works, you will be able to see that I do not retreat. And the next time you say something like tha-." I cut him off...again.

I spoke softly for the first time today, so only Groznyi could hear me. "Look man, before this battle, I was still considered a outsider by everyone. Only Jayson liked me. I needed to find away to get accepted by the men. At the time, telling you off seemed to be the best way of doing it."

I spoke again, but only as a whisper, and a little closer so he could hear me. "And for that I apologize."

The look on the brute's face was priceless. The last thing he expected was an apology.

I had a hard time keeping my laughter in with his impression, but somehow I managed.

I grinned as I said, "just don't expectusto be drinking buddies anytime soon."

Groznyi let out a hearty laugh, and some of the men looked back at us, to make sure that their second in command hadn't done anything to me, and seeing that he didn't, turned back to their positions. After that I took up a position on the left side, near the rear of the group, and Groznyi took the right side. We waited for Jayson's signal.

(A/N: Still my first fanfic, so please Read & Review. Constructive critism is welcomed.)