Warnings: Language and Violence; one of the longest chapters for this story. Part I of II


Three May Keep...

Two Years Ago: The Outskirts of Fort Nagvald

"All our planning has amounted to this! Why can't they understand that!?" Rainer winced as he heard Captain Chavdarov yell inside a tent he and his friends passed.

Beside the cavalier, Haddie nudged Gideon in the side, "Yikes! Giddy, what's up with your dad?"

"Sometimes I wonder if even the gods understand him." Gideon sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "One moment he has everything under control, but the next moment he loses it all. I think all this stress is getting to him."

The tallest of the trio hummed thoughtfully. "I don't blame him. It's been two years since Challenger Division Forty-Four reported these bandits' growing numbers. All this preparation is bound to set most people on edge."

Gideon nodded at Rainer's words, while Haddie pursed her lips. She murmured a few things to the side, which Rainer could barely discern even with his excellent hearing. The trio passed by multiple other tents on their way to their mounts. Honestly, I'm more surprised that Captain Dragomir agreed to waiting for all this time. Two years is an eternity for him when it comes to possible bloodshed. Once the familiar sight of their horses entered their line of vision, the trio separated from each other. As Rainer adjusted his steed's armor, he noted Gideon as he tightened Strider's saddle. Meanwhile, Haddie cooed at her mount and groomed his mane.

"Aw, poor Jigsy! His mane's all messed up." She ran her delicate fingers through Jigsy's thick mane.

Looking up from his work, Gideon sent his friend a smile. "That's why I made sure Strider was properly groomed the other night. No fuss right before battle for me or her."

Haddie rolled her eyes and looked to Rainer for assistance. "Rainy, Giddy's being a smart-ass again!"

"Honestly," Rainer sighed and shook his head. Sometimes, I love these guys and hate them at the same time.

"Hey, it's not my fault you can't seem to plan ahead." The redhead pretended to pout.

"Oh, don't you even start mister!"

Perhaps I should've tried to join the Warmaster Division after all. Adeline is far more calm compared to these two. Rainer rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Master Gideon, Miss Hadriana, please! Save your anger and direct it at the enemy, not at each other."

"Fine," Haddie stuck her tongue out at Gideon as she mounted her horse. "I'm going to get in formation."

Gideon mounted his horse as well and returned the gesture, "Fine. I should probably meet up with my father anyway."

"You two are incorrigible." As he too mounted his steed, Rainer rolled his eyes.

At least they have some form of coping with the upcoming battle. The cavalier patted his horse's neck. I wish it wasn't so childish though. Rainer straightened up at guided his steed towards the camp. They could say "Be careful out there," or "Stay safe." Anything instead of a petty argument. He sighed once more and focused on the task at hand. As he passed other cavaliers, Rainer looked at the back of his horse's head with a hum.

That reminds me...I've had this horse for years and I still haven't given him a name.


Rainer adjusted his helmet as he brought his horse to a stop. It's time to end this conflict! Up ahead, a loud battle cry erupted from Captain Chavdarov's lips as he raised his axe to the heavens. Rainer shouted along with his comrades in response to the captain's yell; together, the soldiers' voices boomed like thunder. Dozens of hooves clacked against the stone path in a rush.

"Press forward! Clear a way to the center!" Captain Chavdarov hurried forward with his son not too far behind. Tabdak-tabdak! Tabdak-tabdak!

As the two rode out of sight, Rainer heard the lieutenant barking out orders. "You heard the captain! Clear a way for him to get to the center! Balor, Ein, and Svendson, strengthen the charge to the west! Acerbi, Beryl, and Hainsworth, meet up with Ibani and aim your arrows at the bandits on the walls! The rest of you: pair up with Captain Dragomir's men and keep your weapons up!"

"Try not to die out there, Rainy!" Haddie called out as she and two others rode out to a hill which overlooked the battlefield.

Rainer nodded his head, "Same to you, Miss Hadriana." I don't want her or Gideon to die today. Their views may differ from mine, but they're still my friends.

Cl-clunk-clunk. "I heard we needed to partner up, Schermer. You up to backing me up?"

Turning his head to face the familiar voice, Rainer suppressed a friendly grin. "Miss Adeline, I believe you need to prepare to keep up with me."

"That a challenge?" The strawberry blonde smirked as she placed her helmet on her head.

"A challenge like any other," Rainer bowed his head before offering a hand to the woman. "Navigator and I can get you into the action as quickly as possible though, to make things fair."

Taking his hand, Adeline climbed on to Navigator's back. "Didn't think you'd name your horse, Schermer. I figured you hated stuff like that."

"It took me a while to get creative." Shrugging, Rainer waited for his companion to place her hands on his shoulders. "Hold tight. Hyah!"

Adeline cried out in surprise; her grip tightened on the cavalier's shoulders. Ack! I'm going to have bruises before the fighting even starts... Shaking his head, the man focused on his objective. Rainer's eye flicked from side-to-side, noting their enemies' locations. Large group of sword-wielders approaching from the fort. Axe-wielders sparse, spread out in the field, already engaged in battle. Rolling his shoulders back in attempt to regain some feeling in them, Rainer focused on the hole in their advance. Tjader and Vang are dead; we need to fill in the gap before the our enemies use it to their advantage!

Skidding to a stop by his comrades' corpses, Rainer felt Adeline let his shoulders go. Thud! "This is our stop, then? And here I was, thinking you could get us to the fort in one piece."

Ever the jester, hm? "I'm a cavalier not a miracle worker, Miss Adeline. Nor am I a suicidal fool. I know my limits."

The woman snorted in response as she speared an approaching bandit in the gut. Clang! Rainer knocked a nearby bandit down to the ground before she could attack his comrade. Then, he turned his head to assess the field again. Their forces are endless. In the distance, he spotted an Osladan knight in the distance as he struck down two bandits. Three more appeared in the fallen bandits' stead and with twice as much vigor as their fallen comrades. We possess strength, but these bandits will overcome us with numbers. Clank! A sword smacked Rainer's arm and brought him back to his situation. Focus! I'm a cavalier above all else.

Thwack! Twirling his lance over head, Rainer rammed the polearm into whoever approached him. Clang! Shhik! Rainer brought his weapon to a stop after two swordsmen fell dead beside his steed. Beside him, he heard Adeline eliminate her foes with ease. Clang! Schlick! Schlick! Clang! Clank-clank! Each and every single one of her opponents fell without so much as a whimper. I need to learn how to do that. At least, it'd make me feel better about all this... Rainer slammed the blade of his lance into a bandit's arm before he yanked it back. Another twirl of the lance overhead effectively brought the bandit down, along with two others. Shhhink! Shhhink!

"We're not going to clear a way for the captain at this rate!" Adeline yelled above the clashing of metal and spell slinging around them.

Rainer frowned, his eye flicking to assess the field once more. "The rest of the line is breaking. We need to find Lieutenant Graves or Lieutenant Kjorr!"

Grunting in effort as she struck down another bandit, Adeline spat at the ground. "Are you suggesting that we abandon our post?"

"I understand your hesitation, Miss Adeline." Train strong, fight strong, die strong. A motto most Osladan soldiers live up to. "However, we must approach this with our brains as well as our brawn. A tactical retreat is nothing to be ashamed of."

Adeline furrowed her brow and sighed. "You're sure about this, Schermer?"

"As sure as I can be," The man nodded and extended a hand to her.

Right as Adeline took a step towards Rainer, a fireball streaked through the air between them. Navigator reared at the sight. Whoa! Rainer tightened his grip on Navigator's reins while Adeline fell back into a battle stance. Fwoom! Fwoom! Fwoom! Ducking beneath another fireball, the cavalier's gaze trailed after the other two. We need to regroup, immediately. Gently patting his steed's neck, Rainer turned to face his companion. Adeline's gaze met his for a brief moment.

Rainer offered his hand again, "Let's move out!"

"Go, Schermer," Adeline pushed his hand away before she smacked an approaching bandit down with her shield. "We need to hold the line for as long as we can, no matter what!"

"...Stay alive, Miss Adeline. You're too strong to die here." Turning Navigator away from the line, Rainer adjusted his grip on the reins.

"Same to you, Rainer." The strawberry blonde's voice took on a sad hollow tone. "Same to you."

The sound of Adeline's hollow laughter echoed behind Rainer as he left. That's the first time she's said my name... Tabdak-tabdak! Fwoom! Jerking his head to the side, Rainer felt the heat of a fireball brush passed his shoulder. Focus, fool! Their mages are far too aggressive. I must remain cautious. The cavalier turned and then spurred his steed into a sprint across the battlefield. Twang! Clang-clank! All around him, the sounds of battle became a loud roar of sound. Steel clashed against steel, arrows soared through the air, and magic swirled around the field. Lieutenant Graves should be near!

Tugging on the reins to slow Navigator down, the cavalier struck down a nearby enemy swordsman. "Where is Lieutenant Graves?!"

"Schermer? What are you doing out of formation?! The line is weak enough as it is!" Another cavalier shouted back as he trampled over a mage. "Fall back in line!"

"We need to regroup, Ein!" Rainer sliced down two more bandits as Navigator reared away from the line. "At this rate, the bandits will have us overrun."

"Then so be it! We have our orders; we cannot disobey." Ein pulled a javelin off of his back and placed his lance in its holder on his steed's saddle.

Scowling, the amber-eyed cavalier jerked his steed further from the line, "Fool! Our sacrifice here will accomplish nothing. Where is the lieutenant?"

Ein hurled his javelin into an approaching group of bandits before he motioned to his right. "Lieutenant Graves went to reinforce our comrades covering our eastern flank."

Furrowing his brow, Rainer spurred Navigator on. You cannot serve if you are dead; Osladan "honor" be damned. As his steed galloped behind the line, the cavalier put his lance aside in its holder and unshouldered his bow. Here's hoping my training paid off. Rainer nocked an arrow in the bowstring; his eye focused on an enemy cavalier. Twang! The arrow cut through the air, only to strike the other cavalier's shoulder. Damn it! I missed my target. Twang! This time, the cavalier deflected the arrow. I'll need to practice my bow skills once again...

Rainer gripped Navigator's reins with one hand and turned his gaze toward the eastern end of the line. "Lieutenant Graves!"

"RRRRAH!" An bandit axeman suddenly appeared in front of the cavalier.

Navigator reared with a frightened whinny, knocking his rider off. Thud. Rainer scrambled back on his feet with a groan, slowly nocking an arrow. Dastard! He loosed the projectile into the axeman's throat. I'm always caught off-guard in the field... Another axeman appeared in his line of sight with a cavalier at his side. Twang! As the arrow buried itself into the axeman's thigh, the enemy cavalier charged forward. CLANG! Rainer landed hard on his back, the air forced out of his lungs.

Struggling on to his knees, the man gasped for breath. No, not here... He nocked yet another arrow as the cavalier prepared for another charge. Twang! CLANG! Right as Rainer's arrow embedded itself into the cavalier's throat, the enemy soldier's horse rammed into him. The force of the cavalier's attack sent Rainer rolling backwards. The soldier came to a stop face down in the snow. Damn... Somewhere to his right, he heard a horse whinny and something heavy fell into the snow. Gods' Blood... Rainer weakly pushed himself up in time to see the axeman from earlier running toward him. The bandit raised his axe overhead.

"Nighty night, Osladan scumbag!" A malicious grin threatened to split the bandit's face in two.

Rainer pulled an arrow out of his quiver, "Overconfident fool!"

The wounded man rushed forward with a bout of adrenaline. He drove the metal tip of the arrow into the bandit's exposed neck, while the axeman feebly attempted to drive his axe into Rainer's shoulder. Rainer shoved the dying man away with a sneer. Never underestimate an Osladan soldier. The man shakily straightened up before whistling for his steed. With a groan of effort, he remounted Navigator and shouldered his bow once more. Rainer unclasped the satchel resting on his saddle and pulled out a round bottle. He took a brief sip from the bottle's contents before putting it away.

"Lieutenant Graves!" Rainer gripped tightly on to Navigator's reins, "Lieutenant!"

"Schermer?!" A middle-aged man's voice called out from the line.

Once he became closer to the line, Rainer slowed Navigator down into a trot. An amber eye immediately focused on to the soldier who wore a helmet with three horns. The horned soldier approached the cavalier; his black plate armor now sported multiple dents and bloodstains. Tarnished gold accents barely glinted beneath all the grime that rested on the middle-aged man.

"Adjutant Goransson, where is Lieutenant Graves?"

The adjutant stabbed the ground with his sword and leaned against it. "Lieutenant Graves died thanks to one of those damned mages! What the hell are you doing out of the line?"

I suppose this makes Goransson the next lieutenant, by field rules. "Sir, we need to regroup our forces. We need find another way to handle the situation."

"Are you an idiot, Schermer?" Goransson hissed as he freed his sword from the ground. "Captain Chavdarov needs the line to clear a way to the fort!"

"We can't do that if we're all dead. The fight must be won with both our brains and our strength; our forces are rendered useless without a proper plan." The cavalier argued as he ducked beneath a stray arrow.

Frowning, the adjutant sighed. "You're a cavalier, Schermer, not a damned tactician; know your place, you idiot! We are Osladans! We shall live up to our ancestors' honor! Train strong! Fight strong! Die strong!"

Good thing I'm not Osladan by birth then. "You honor your ancestors by dying like pigs headed for slaughter?"

"Silence, worm! If you refuse to do your duty, then you are already dead." Goransson turned away and rejoined the line.

No honor can be gained this way! Fighting smart and winning the battle is far better. Narrowing his eye, the cavalier tugged on Navigator's reins and moved a few paces away from the line. Anger bubbled up within him; adrenaline thrummed through his veins. That idiot! This will accomplish nothing for our side! Rainer unshouldered his bow once again. Twang! A distant sword-wielder fell and clutched his bleeding thigh. Twang! Twang! An enemy cavalier's steed collapsed beneath her and sent her sprawling on to the ground. Twang! Rainer's next arrow found its way between the eyes of a bandit who ran toward the line.

"Press forward, my brothers and sisters! Today is the day we make our ancestors proud!" Gorannson bellowed above the sounds of battle.

A hundred of Osladan soldiers cheered at his cry. As one, the eastern part of the line began its advance. No! No, are my comrades so foolish?! Rainer felt his stern expression fall into one of despair. He guided Navigator farther away from the line. Rainer took a deep, steadying breath. As the Osladans charged toward Fort Nagvald, numerous archers and mages began firing at them. BOOM! BOOM! A large chunk of the line fell beneath the bandit mages' wrathful fire. I cannot sit idle!

"Fools, do not charge! Do not make the charge!" Rainer roared; a hint of desperation almost made itself known in his cry.

None of his comrades showed any signs of slowing down.

The cavalier felt his steed jerk away from a stray fireball. "We cannot win this way! You must turn back and regroup!"

Suddenly, the soldier with a three-horned helmet fell at the front of the charge. Upon seeing the officer fall, some of the soldiers began to slow down. Others continued to charge along; their weapons steadfast and aimed at the enemy. More fell to hundreds of arrows raining down on them. BOOM! A loud anguished cry erupted from those who were caught in the mages' blast. Why are these bandits so strong?!

"Regroup our forces, you imbeciles! There is no shame in a tactical retreat!" Rainer shouldered his bow and prepared to head back. "Regroup at the western hills!"

One of the soldiers who stopped turned to her comrades. "You heard Schermer! To the western hills!"


Tabdak-tabdak! Tabdak-tabdak! Coming to a stop near Tjader and Vang's corpses, Rainer searched the chaos for his comrade. "Miss Adeline!"

He freed his lance from its holster on Navigator's saddle. Clang! Shhik! Cl-clank! Shhik! Shhik! Rainer cut down multiple bandits as they approached him. Where is she?! He twirled his lance on his right side and then his left side; some bandits left him alone in exchange for other targets. These bandits will pay for this... The cavalier spurred his steed along and impaled his fleeing enemies. Tabdak-tabdak! Out of the corner of his eye, Rainer noted other cavaliers from the east pass him as they rushed for the hills. I need to find Adeline!

"Miss Adeline?!" He ducked beneath arrows aimed at his head. "Where are you?!"

Suddenly, Navigator whinnied and made a mad dash for the hills. His rider cried out in surprise and tightened his grip on the reins. Gods' Blood, what is wrong with my horse?! Tabdak-tabdak! Tabdak-tabdak! Another cavalier appeared beside him; this one wore dark grey armor with bloodred accents. Rainer's comrade gestured to the hills, as if telling the man to focus on them. His insides seemed to drop as he remembered Adeline. Forgive me, my friend...

Once the two met up with the others, Osladan archers who were stationed there picked off the bandits who followed. Rainer heard a familiar whoop as arrows launched into the air. Hadriana must be more than happy to kill them. Climbing off his steed, Rainer looked to his comrades. Very few of us chose to come here. Some collapsed into the snow on their knees. Others threw off their helmets in anger. A soldier or two sat in the snow and cried into their hands. Five, six... Ten, thirteen... Twenty five...

"Fifty of our brothers and sisters remain." Rainer sighed and looked to the other cavalier. "We need to fight smarter than ever before."

Nodding, the other cavalier dropped down from his steed. "I hope you can forgive me for spurring your horse on for you."

"No harm done." For the most part. "It's good to know someone's at my back. Rainer Schermer, Vanguard Division Twenty-Four."

"Brynjar Nystrom, Challenger Division Thirty-One." Brynjar removed his helmet to reveal a man younger than Rainer. "Captain Linaeus sent us in to assist. They should provide enough time for you and the others to regroup."

Challenger Division? Rainer eyed the other man. "Most of your fellows are knights, not cavaliers."

"I was to be transferred to Vanguard Division Three." Brynjar motioned for his comrade to follow. "Come on, let's find the man who told us to retreat here."

That would be me... "Right," Rainer crossed his arms behind his back.


"Our ancestors would be ashamed! We should've stayed in the charge!" A soldier grumpily muttered.

Another smacked him upside the head as she motioned to the hill behind them. "If we stayed, then we would've died for nothing."

"We would've died for the king's service! What better way is there?" A third soldier cried.

The first soldier scoffed at the woman. "Hell, even Lieutenant Kjorr died in battle! All we had left was Adjutant Rylo and no one knows where he went!"

"What of Captain Chavdarov or Captain Dragomir?" Beside him, the female soldier paid close attention.

Shrugging, the first soldier scratched the back of his neck, "Who knows? At least they're fighting."

Rainer observed the argument from far away. I need to speak carefully when I reveal myself. He noticed Brynjar pass by him. In the distance, Rainer saw Hadriana riding down towards the valley with three other archers. She waved at him. Rainer offered a single wave in return before he made his way to the soldiers. I am prepared to face whatever consequences arise. He took a deep breath and continued through the crowd. Rainer stopped halfway up the hill from where they came.

"Brothers-and-sisters-in-arms!" Rainer spoke loudly and gestured for his comrades to listen. "Honorable Osladans, and comrades, listen to me! I understand your anger and your confusion. These circumstances aren't ideal, especially as soldiers of Oslad."

"Damn right!" A woman cried out, causing others to react in a similar fashion. "We ought to be fighting!"

"Peace, my comrades, be peaceful." The cavalier put his arm up to gesture of silence. "You have every right to be angry. Retreating means to dishonor the warriors of the past. You have every right to want to keep on fighting. Our training brought us this far!"

People cheered at the statement as Brynjar came to stand at the front of the crowd. He crossed his arms and tilted his head in curiosity. I need to approach this like orators of the past. If I get move them with words, perhaps they will survive this. Rainer cleared his throat. He paced along the hillside before gesturing for silence once again. A few white lies shouldn't hurt; it'll get them to listen.

"Our ancestors fought and died for this land. They trained as strongly as we did! They fought as strong as we do now! They died strong so that their future stood stronger than they did! We ought to honor them as much as we can!"

A man yelled from the crowd. "My grandmother Bella stood strong and so will I!"

Pausing for the crowd to cheer, Rainer nodded. "Feel proud that you stand ready for battle as they once did! However, you must know that charging in without abandon is not our way!"

The crowd fell into silence.

"Our ancestors died on the field; yes, with the strength of thousands in each man and woman. Our ancestors fought as hard as they could; yes, until their muscles quivered and their bones shattered. Our ancestors trained for this; yes, they knew what would come at the end. However, they approached the battle with even more vigor than we do! They didn't fight to die for the king! They fought to win for him!"

Murmurs spread throughout the crowd of soldiers.

Rainer stepped closer to his comrades and raised his voice. "We ought to fight for victory! Push forward as though King Toborn himself were here with us! Our honor will come to us as we survive and honor our past with multiple victories!"

As his voice rang out throughout the hills, the others remained silent. Rainer felt his heart sink. They are going to kill me for this. The cavalier took a step away from his comrades. Rainer sighed and gestured to the hill behind him. His mouth opened and closed as he tried to find the right thing to say. I've done what I can; the rest is up to them. Shaking his head, the cavalier whistled for his steed. Tabdak-tabdak! Navigator whinnied before he stopped next to his rider.

"You all have a reason to be angry, so go ahead and be angry. Become angry at me for calling the retreat, for urging you all to abandon your posts. However, for now, you must direct your anger at the enemy. We must strike them while they cannot see us!" Rainer climbed on to his steed. "Proceed to the north and then cross over the hills once more. By using this valley, we can flank our enemy and pave a way to the fort once more."

Before he could leave, Rainer felt someone grab his shoulder. "Don't forget about me, Rainy!"

"Miss Hadriana!" He turned his head to see Haddie wearing a tight smile which didn't reach her eyes. "Are you...?"

"I'm fine." The mint-haired woman avoided his gaze. "I saw Giddy and Vasko break through the enemy line with some others. We need to move."

Gideon is always making this poor girl worry. "I understand; we'll move out soon."

Tabdak-tabdak! "Let's get on with it then!" Brynjar shouted as he climbed on to his steed.

Rainer whipped his head around to see his comrades preparing for battle once more. They actually listened to that poor excuse of a speech? He hid his surprise beneath a calm facade. Then, the man raised his lance high in the air and spurred his horse forward. My comrades are with me; we cannot afford to fail. Dozens of hooves stomped against the snow behind him.


Coming to a stop on top of the northern most hill, Rainer motioned for his comrades to pause. Beside him, Haddie prepared her bow and arrow. A dangerous glint appeared in her eyes. Tabdak-tabdak! Brynjar caught up to the duo at the front. He narrowed his eyes at the distant fort. Rainer spared a glance at the soldiers behind him. Many seemed to look at him differently than before. They're going to have me hanged for this once this is over. A handful of knights and Tigronians stood out from the crowd.

Rainer hummed thoughtfully and refocused on Fort Nagvald. "It seems our enemies have left this side unguarded."

"Isn't that what you were hoping for?" Haddie peered at him curiously.

Of course I did. "Yes, but considering what we faced on the other side of the fort... They could've been prepared."

"Let's strike then, before they wise up." Brynjar growled, unsheathing his sword.

Haddie nodded, "Let's do this!"

Rainer raised his arm and stopped the two from moving. "Approach this with caution. Just because the gates seem undefended doesn't mean we can charge in blindly."

"What do you suggest, Rainy?"

The cavalier turned his steed to face the fifty soldiers behind him. "We're going to need to pair up. Knights and Tigronians need to pair up with mounted units to cover more ground."

A young man closest to the trio scoffed. "Like hell I'll—"

"You will pair up with either a knight or a Tigronian, whether or not you like it!" Rainer snapped, his eye narrowed. "Once we're at a close enough distance, the knights and Tigronians will take the lead. The knights' defenses should be enough to shield most of us from archers. Meanwhile, Tigronians will use their strength and speed to maul the gates with support from our mages and archers."

Brynjar tilted his head from side-to-side. "You're sure this will work?"

Better than all of us charging in at once, sad to say. "It has to."

"Very well," The other cavalier guided his horse back towards the others. "Find a partner and stick together!"

Haddie's face contorted into a strange expression. This is the only way. Rainer briefly regarded her before he too went to partner up. Regardless of our prejudices, we need to be a unit. He guided Navigator in front of a Tigronian and helped him on to the saddle. The Tigronian latched his hands on to Rainer's shoulders; his sharp nails almost pierced through the plate armor. Every single time... If it isn't me falling off a horse, then it's someone else gripping too tightly on my shoulders. Rolling his shoulders back, the cavalier sent his comrade a glance.

"Rainer Schermer, at your service." Rainer smiled gently at his comrade. "Pleasure to meet you, Sir."

The Tigronian hesitantly smiled back. "Ry'Mano. Good to meet you."

"We're going to be fine," The cavalier tightened his grip on Navigator's reins. "Trust me."

An unsure expression found its way across Ry'Mano's features, "I'll try."


"We're almost at the gates!" Shouting to the rest of his company, Rainer moved his right hand to his lance. "Prepare to engage the enemy!"

Ry'Mano tensed behind him. "What enemies?"

Rainer shrugged, "Better to be alert than complacent. Get ready; you and the other Tigronians are the most important parts of our plan."

"Break down the gates," Ry'Mano murmured before he nodded. "It shall be done."

The Tigronian leaped off of Navigator's back in one seamless motion. He rolled his shoulders back and tilted his head back-and-forth. Ry'Mano took a deep breath before he brought his fists close to his chest. Rainer raised an eyebrow. He must be more nervous than I thought. RRROOOAAAR! Ah, my mistake. Ry'Mano swung his arms to his side in a swift motion as his body structure shifted into a massive tiger. Rainer noted the familiar Osladan styled shoulder plates remained on Ry'Mano, as well as other few pieces of his armor. Let's hope that will be enough to protect him.

Eight other roars erupted from the line behind Rainer.

"Knights, into formation!" Rainer guided his steed away from the gates as the Tigronians made their move.

Tabdak-tabdak! Clunk! Clunk! Clunk! As knights passed him, the cavalier fell into line with the others. Tabdak-tabdak! A glance to the side revealed Brynjar with his sword unsheathed. The other man nodded his head and raised his shield. Haddie must be with the other ranged units. Rainer turned to face the farthest line away from the gates. Haddie sat tall at the head of the final line; her bow nocked and ready. Meanwhile, other archers and the few mages in their ranks watched the woman intently.

"Rainer," Brynjar hissed from his position. "Do you think our units will make a dent?"

With a shrug, the other cavalier hummed. "With luck, the split in our enemies' focus will be an advantage."

Suddenly, Fort Nagvald's gates swung open. Gods' Blood, what is it now?! Furrowing his eyebrows, Rainer tightened the grip on his reins. The nine Tigronians leaped away from the opened gates with an almost collective roar. Did they plan for this to happen? He and his comrades sat with bated breath. Some of the knights shifted uncomfortably in their defensive position. Before anyone could move out of line, an odd sound came from within the fort. Fwa-fwa-voo! Fwa-fwa-voo! Why does that sound familiar?

"Wyvern riders are coming up out of the fort!" A cavalier to Rainer's left cried out.

A well-aimed arrow should deal with the problem effectively. "Hold your ground!"

To Rainer's right, Brynjar turned to glance at the unit's rear. "We've got bandits coming up behind us!"

"Archers!" Haddie's voice echoed behind him, followed by the sound of bowstrings being pulled back.

Rainer clenched his teeth. What have I gotten us into?


Thank you for reading! Questions, comments? Constructive criticism? All are welcome, should you decide to spare your free time to provide them.

NOTE: I edited chapter 2 so that Strider was mentioned to be a mare, so I did not make a mistake earlier in this passage. Also, the 'speech' Rainer gave was based on what I learned from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Funny how people in that reacted in almost the exact same way Antony described they would.

"Oh, if you knew what I knew, you would riot." And they did. (That's not a direct quote.)

Rainer's speech was my attempt to emulate that.