Struggle, But not Alone

Ch.5

Shock and Awe

Pov: Arthur Morgan

If things could escalate anymore, it wouldn't surprise me. I'd stand by those words.

And there we were, readying ourselves to face off against an entire force with just 57 people. 49 of them were too small for the outfits they wore. The exception being they're Sergeant, Rod. Guts would have been on my list of concerns, except he's had the most experience in this field. More like we were leaning on him in some odd way.

And when the fighting starts, we need to show our true hand. Killing is the only way we knew how.

"Why did you shave?"

I almost jumped at the voice of a little kid. It was close to sounding like Jack. Looked to my right to see one of the younger soldiers looking up to me.

I smiled, "Because I felt like it… Makes me feel younger."

"Why do you want to be younger?"

I snorted, "Because when you're my age, you can

only go back so many times."

I turned my attention back to looking at our destination to which we had yet walked to. Waiting around for the signal made minutes seem like hours.

"I hate being young. Everyone treats me like a screw up."

"Well don't think about it. And if anyone says anything to you after this, tell them to shove it."

"ARTHUR! Get up here!"

"General Williamson" was enjoying his title a little too much.

"Duty calls. Good luck, kid."

Pushing my way through the line as the infantry men gave me room, I saw the rest of the gang huddled around each other, plus Guts and Rod. Bill wasn't looking too good, sweat was clear on his forehead as he tried wiping it away with his cowboy hat.

"Gentlemen, this is in fact the worst case scenario we could have been given. And I wouldn't trust that noble even if he were my brother."

Rod spoke in a hushed voice, "Surely you don't mean that?!"

The man almost threw his hat at him,

"Oh, will you just listen to yourself?! He's obviously changed the plan. Clearly that nobleman isn't going to be sending reinforcements on our end. Right now, officially, our names are 'Cannon Fodder.'"

The last line was directed at Dutch, but he paid Bill no mind. Looks like he was serious about letting us plan by ourselves now. In this instance, Williamson. I respected Bill, he showed leadership in Guarma. That was him from twelve years ago, this was a new Bill to me. I could only hope he still knew his stuff.

"That being said, we are going to stick with the line formation. When the cavalry comes, we'll form up."

Javier spoke up, "You keep saying they'll send cavalry? Are you sure?"

"If Dutch is right, they may be faking it. If so, they will send Calvary for a quick attack. We are going to pretend we are helpless, and that's when we strike!"

A horn was sounded on the hill behind us, and a pit fell in my stomach. It was time. We went back to our spots in the lines trying to remain hidden.

"Get in positions! Remember, when we fire our weapons, you're gonna feel a little jolt! Don't stand near or next to the barrel of them!

"Now! Ready! March!"

Obeying his command, we made our way through the battlefield. Growing further and further away from any help. Fear was etched in everyone's heart as we came closer with each step. I was used to it, but for the company of soldiers it was devastating. One wrong move could break them down to a panicked mess. I tried my best to help them, but all I could do in the present was give them small words.

"Keep it up gentlemen, you're doing your families proud."

I wasn't too sure about them myself, but it was enough to mellow them out until it began at the halfway mark. The wooden drawbridge of the castle started lowering down, Bill called out,

"Hold your pace men!"

So far, no objections. All of us kept moving ahead. When the bridge finally lowered, a horn was blown from the entrance.

"Halt!"

Our force came to a halt on his command, watching to see what they had sent out. Sure enough, our 'General' was right. Heavily armored cavalry rushed out the gate and rushed towards us. All of them had armor from head to toe, and in their right hands were spears with Ax heads (Halberds). The steeds they rode had fabric and light armor covering themselves. I waited for them to stop pouring out of the wall to count them, fifty in total.

Javier anxiously aimed his sniper, "Want me to try picking them off from here?!"

"No! Not yet! Stick to the plan and let them come! Form up! Square formation!"

Just like they had practiced, we made ourselves boxed in, aiming in all directions. Williamson and Javier in front with Rod as a bowmen, Dutch and Uncle on the rear, and John and I took care of a side, each. Nobody would be exposed or under-powered as the lines changed from two to eight. Guts set up with the spear-men, and coincidentally found himself in front of me. With a sword drawn and a helmet now on his head, he was ready.

And as the Cavalry came near, they broke off from charging in and started circling. The riders started yipping and yapping through their helmets that had embossed wings on the sides. What stood out the most was their energetic attitude, neither were they sick or starving. Bragging to us how they had the advantage, and more.

"Look at them shaking!"

"Little worms! Ripe for the picking!"

"Think we can make good use of the younger ones tonight! Kill the waste of spaces!"

I held my revolvers at my side as I looked at the enemy closing in. A new hate growing in me…

Bill finally gave the call,

"Ready!"

The bowmen drew their arrows, and the spear-men changed their positions like Bill had demonstrated.

"Aim!"

They took aim along with our weapons, I took a particular target at the man in front of their charge. Right at his heart.

"FIRE!"

We gave pause for the bowmen to fire before we launched our volley of lead. While our small soldiers did good hitting a few of the men on all our sides, we put them to shame with the guns. The first shot I fired hit square on the mark on the leader's chest, plastering his back with blood. My other gun nicked his horse in the leg, causing it to trip suddenly. It started a chain reaction to the riders behind to trip at the sudden fallen mount. As it only toppled a few, I didn't hold back and kept firing as fast as I could at any of them.

Bill felt the same and shouted, "Fire at will!"

Unfortunately the boys hesitated due to the sounds of our guns and tried processing the destruction happening before them.

Guts was different, he had adapted to the fire and swung his sword at a horse that was free of a rider charging right at us. He cleaved it right up to its neck, taking its head off. Not being enough to stop its momentum, the dead creature landed in between our first line. Guts took a position on top of the animal carcass and moved in with another swing at more Cavalry, missing the rider's main body and cutting its leg. Still not satisfied, he aimed for another.

As incredible as the sight was, I refused to allow that to distract me from killing as many of the riders as I could. Currently half of them in front of my side remained on their rides and stopped encircling and pressed to move in without clear signs of leadership. A few on the ground did the same and attacked. The spear-men tried their best to keep them back, but the older men had better reach and pierced a few of the kids in the chest. One got stabbed in the eye and yelled in agony while cradling his head. That man's proud accomplishment was met with an equally powerful hole in his head, the last shot from my twelve round barrage.

I quickly reloaded my revolvers as more trouble started with Guts breaking formation. He left the line and charged straight at a few of them. This seemed to cause some of the other boys on my side to try to advance with him.

"DON'T!"

It was no use, they didn't hear me over all the noise that constantly surrounded us. Only the bowmen stayed, and they now ran the risk of hitting their own. I gave one final command to them before I did something stupid.

"Reinforce the other sides! I got this one!"

Could've sworn I heard Bill and a few others cussing me out, but I wasn't about to let these fools get slaughtered for nothing.

So with my reloaded guns, I charged in. A knight quickly gave a running start at me before I blasted his chest. Behind him was another that I took care of with a couple of rounds. And there was Guts, swinging away. Surrounded by five soldiers still on horseback. One of our spear-men was on the ground behind him, clutching his chest.

"Hey, 'Tin Cans!'"

I didn't wait for them to look, I fired away. Only one of the targets went down, rest scattered while another fell off when his horse got startled. The knight landed near Guts, and was met with a quick stab through his stomach.

I quickly ran up to the swordsman grabbing his shoulder. It would have been a mistake for me if he turned to face me with his sword, but it was still stuck in the body and he couldn't lift it up.

"Blasted Fool! If you wanna die, don't go dragging others with ya!"

He looked shocked for a moment before darkening his expression and he pulled his weapon out of the corpse and hurried back with the retreating spear-men saying nothing back.

I bent over to pick up the wounded child and carried him in one arm. But I heard a meek whisper from him.

"He saved me…"

It hit me like a Mule when I processed his cry, well more like I felt like an Ass right then. The kid must have gotten pulled from one of those pike weapons and Guts must have rushed on ahead with the rest to help…

"HYAH!"

My thoughts were pulled by a charging enemy, with little time to react, my free hand drew up on the overshadowing figure and popped the horsemen in the head. The steed freaked out and landed on it's back, crushing his dead master.

I started rushing to the formation when Bill called out, "Reform the lines!"

All of our enemies were on one side now, facing the castle. Looking as if they were prepared for a full retreat. We had lost some of our own, but we had strength over them.

"Ready!"

The horsemen were now running away and I placed the boy down.

"Aim!"

It didn't matter if the arrows landed. Our guns would hit them. I drew my other gun and aimed both of mine right at the riders. Probably wouldn't hit from this range.

"Fire-!"

An explosion happened to detonate right next to us, and another in front where the retreating cavalry was heading. A horse was split in two with its knight disintegrating. The remaining cavalry then broke up in a panic as terror shot through all of us.

"Cannons!"

Uncle yelled out, "I thought they were out!"

"Stupid scouts! Fine! We just need to-!"

Whatever Bill was gonna say, he was cut off when a shot hit right in the middle of us. I clutched my side a moment as I felt something pass through. All sound came to a halt as I looked. A gash was right across from my side, leaving a small stream of blood. Thoughts tumbled around in my head,

I hope we get good doctors…

In this world, this is probably a death sentence…

Instead of fear, I smiled a little,

Oh well, I can still fight!

I sat up as time caught up with me. It was a mess, everyone was trying to keep it together, and I could hear Javier and Uncle shouting,

"Bill!"

"GET UP, Viejo! (Old Man) Come on!"

We were still being fired up on, but they were off their mark for now. I rushed to the cries I was most familiar with.

There on the ground was Javier looking over a wounded Bill, crouched over with his right hand behind his head. Blood dripped from behind his ear. He was alive and awake, all while his breathing was ragged.

I came down to his level on one knee,

"Come on, Bill! We need you! What now?!"

I didn't know if Bill could hear, or much less process this. He was staring at the ground with a thousand yard stare. As some time passed I noticed it wasn't just the ground he was looking at, it was a broken head of one of our soldiers! It was smashed into pieces that were hidden in the grass, and the main body laid close by!

John came over and helped him up, "He's out of it! Come on, stay with us!"

"..."

I knew we only had one choice left,

"Dutch!"

The old gang leader looked at Bill with regret, but not for anything Bill had done. He was having a pity party in his head, and I wasn't going to let him go to that place now. I rushed to his side and shook him a little, "Come on Dutch! We can't do this alone! What's the plan?!"

"..."

"You always had one!"

My words seemed to spark something through him, cause he started looking around, and saw something and yelled with a ferocious temper, "Grab those Horses!"

Huh?

I looked around through the smoke surrounding us and sure enough, there were a couple of horses. Still wandering around in a panic because of the artillery coming in.

I couldn't help but smile as I called out among the chaos, "John! Time to show'em what us cowboys do best!"

I pulled out my rope, holding it in the air, and John looked and clearly got the message.

Without a second thought, I ran up close to the mad hollering beast. It still had a saddle on along with its bridle. And as much as it jumped around, it wasn't enough to escape the lasso I flung around its neck. But this wasn't a normal horse, it was a war horse. Nearly taking me off my feet as the rope tightened.

"Easy there!"

A blast landed close to us and made the creature rush my way. I grabbed a hold of the side of its neck trying to calm it down the best I could. Stroking my hand across its snout.

"It's alright…"

It calmed down enough that it snorted a moment before sniffing my hair.

I grinned, "Come on now."

A gamble was made as I moved to place myself on top of it. The steed accepted me as its rider, and I rushed back to the men trying to figure out what to do, John also returned with his own right then.

Dutch did what he's done before, and gave reason to whatever ruffly made plan he had cooked up.

"Gentlemen! We need to push the attack and take that Castle!"

A boy panicked and interrupted his speech!

"Impossible! We need to run away!"

And before anyone could answer, more blasts impacted close to where they were! Only this time, it wasn't from the enemy! It was their own! The impact was towards the way we were heading!

The words of Guts entered my mind,

…People will see it, want it. With or without your weapons for reference.

Now if it wasn't enough, we were now between a hard place and a hard place!

Van Der Linde shook his head in disappointment,

"There's your answer, Boy! The noble will not stand for failure! If he wants to change the Plan, so can we!"

Dutch started to walk to the middle of the whole group, "General Williamson is out of it right now! And I happen to know what we need to do! Serpentine! Zig and Zag through their line of fire! And if you can, run to the blasts!"

Another explosion happened close by, but he didn't bother with ducking as much,

"The guns on both sides seem to not be as accurate as the ones we are used to! So it's not as likely they can hit the same spot at this range twice! Meanwhile, some of us are going to take out those cannons. And by God, make an opening!"

He took one last look around, "This is your chance to prove everyone wrong about you! We can win this fight!"

Nobody cheered out audibly, but many felt the power from his words enough to give it a shot. I smiled as Van Der Linde walked up to John and got in the horse with him.

"Sergeant Rod! You're in charge of the men here! Follow the plan I laid out, and help Bill along! He may come back yet! Javier! When you get into range, start taking shots at the cannon teams! Uncle, help Bill along too! This is not over!"

While he was finishing up, I knew I needed to take one more with me. And it happened my gaze fell upon the pent up teen, I rode up to him and held out my hand grinning,

"Boy, now's your chance to do something crazy!"

Guts was unsure, hesitant to take my hand. He looked at me for a moment as if searching me out. Finally, he accepted my offer and climbed on back with his sword.

Dutch waited a moment before he called out to me ahead, "Are you with us, Arthur?"

"You know I got your back!"

"Then let's ride!"

He gave a "Hyah!" and rode off with speed.

I followed them through that open field the same way.

Where John turned, I turned. Then a minute into it, the shots started hitting closer to us, but not enough to throw us off the goal.

We weren't the only ones rushing to the castle, the remaining cavalry started to pursue us with fear and venom. One happened to wait behind a wreckage, charging straight for Guts and I with a stab of his staff. My passenger didn't waste any time in raising his sword to deflect the blow. In a swift motion, he used the same movement to break the weapon with a downward strike. Knocking the man off his ride and causing him to be self impaled by the head of his own spear.

Another cavalryman turned around to face us head on. I wasted no time drawing my shotgun from my back and blasted him ahead of me. He then held a hole bigger than the ones I had made so far on his plated armor, and his horse dropped him as dead weight.

Rushing past the body, I had caught up with John and Dutch. Following them a small distance away, looking for any more trouble. The only trouble I saw were the cannons that we were after. As we closed the gap, we made it easier for them to hit us. That was if they were good shots.

Our first attempt at entry was the drawbridge, and they had long raised it up. We ran along the side of the wall while keeping ourselves from their archers. Doesn't mean they didn't try.

Scaling the wall was out of the question. There was no ladder in our arsenal, and they'd just cut our rope. We really had one choice, and it was to lower that bridge.

We made our complete pass by the wall before turning back the other direction.

Dutch gave us a cry,

"Let's rattle them, Boys!"

And so, we moved into range. I holstered my double barrel to draw one of my pistols and started firing up at them. A couple of them went down every few seconds from our consistent shooting. Still it wasn't enough to make them run, they just replaced the man with another. Some arrows came close to hitting our horse, but Guts surprised me yet again. Using his sword to deflect a couple with little effort.

After our first pass, from the shouting, I could hear they were pissed. The leading people on the wall were screaming at their subordinates to hit us. Perfect for us because we knew who to hit on the next go around. For this pass, it was about the same. Though this time, I heard in the distance a small pop that added to the sounds of explosions. It matched with some bodies that fell over the side of the wall.

Javier and the others must have caught up, and we haven't so much as made a dent! Guess I got no choice but to use my "Ace!"

I called out to the pair in front of me.

"Dutch! I'm going to blow them up!"

He said nothing except for stopping his shooting to give me a nod for a "Go ahead."

I quickly holstered my cattleman and readied my bow while taking care of the reins. My hand bumped Guts on his leg and I quickly held out an arrow with a stick of dynamite attached to it for him to hold. He understood, and allowed me to light it with my lighter. After the fuse was lit, I swiftly grabbed the arrow, drew it back into the bow, and aimed at the first cannon. Satisfied, I let the explosive fly in the air, landing on the wooden wheel of the artillery piece.

Confusion of my partner was settled when the area around the arrow was destroyed a few seconds later by the explosive. Bits of flesh, smoke, and metal went every which way. More than I intended, but it must have been the black powder. Still, it was one down. One of many more to destroy, and I had only a few more sticks left. Made a mental note and hit every other cannon we rode past. A total of three cannons down, and only two more explosive arrows left.

I called out again, "This isn't good enough! We need to make a way in!"

John called back, "Try the bridge! Hit right above it!"

"My arrows won't stick on the chains! And we could end up destroying the wood!"

Up ahead was the ramp to the bridge. I looked for anything that we could use to lower that door. Then something above it caught my eye. A few men were bringing a huge cauldron of something and placed it right above the entry. If it was what I thought it was, it was hot tar or oil from what I could tell from the smoke or steam rising from it.

Back towards the field, I could see the small troop rushing to the fortified castle. If nothing was done now, they'll be sitting ducks. The bridge was the only way in…

Worth the risk!

When I took up the bow those months back, I practiced the best I could. With Charlies as my only point of reference, experimenting was the only way to learn. In that time I learned how to arc my shots, and I would be lying to say that I didn't hit myself doing it. Grazed my foot a few times, and had to get new boots every so often. Almost shot myself in the eye too. In time I pulled some crazy stunts, and eventually worked up the nerve to put some to practice on some unsuspecting bandits.

Only this time, I had a stick of TNT on the end of it.

Again I held the arrow for Guts to hold and ignited the end of it. I guessed the trajectory of the shot and prayed for the best.

"Don't know what this will do."

I said this to nobody in particular, and I let go of the bow string.

The stick soared through the air and the sparks flew with the little wick on the end of the cylinder. And as it reached its peak in the sky, just being enveloped by the light of the sun, it appeared again heading right into the giant pot… Nothing happened as it landed.

"Awww Shi-."

An eruption cut off my complaint as it started in an instant. It was an explosion of oil and light, and it went everywhere. In the air and on the ground. Along with that was the detonation of the metal encapsulating the fiery liquid. It tore through man and stone, as well as the mechanisms holding the bridge up. The chains loosed themselves and dropped the thick piece of wood. Screams of agony followed the destruction from above, welcoming us to enter.

"How'd you like that!"

Dutch called out, "Fine work! Let's move in!"

We turned back around to the entrance and crossed the bridge, smoke and fire was everywhere except for the doorway. But we still couldn't get in all the way, a wooden double door blocked our way. Still we were protected by the wall above us. I groaned at the blockage,

"Figures…"

John hopped off his horse wasting no time, "Come on! I got some sticks of my own!"

He held up a couple of them and rushed to the door. In the back of my mind, something felt off. I looked around the arch way and I noticed something in the shadows. Two smaller doorways on the side and a small hole right above the wooden gate…

NO!

"JOHN! GET OUT OF THERE!"

He stopped a few feet from the door and oil poured out of the ceiling. Missing Marston by inches. He jumped back in shock from the heat that radiated from it and fell to the ground. And just then the two side doors opened to a complement of soldiers with big rectangular shields and what looked like bows, except they were more like rifles in design.

"Corner them!"

"You're gonna die old fools!"

I jumped off my ride, followed by Guts and then Dutch. I holstered my bow, took out my double barrel, and blasted the closest one to John. Guts was just as swift and held his blade back for a swing at a couple of them aiming at us. Dutch let loose a hail of bullets from his semi auto, taking out more than us. With no time for me to reload, I took out one of my knives and threw it at an unprotected part of their ranks and hit one in his hand, making him drop his weapon. It misfired as it hit the ground and nearly hit my toes. My body moved with no hesitation and I charged forward with my hatchet now drawn to protect John. And nearly caught myself when more rushed through the doors. Dutch dropped a fresh magazine, and Guts was struggling against three of them to do anything.

Should have reloaded…

I felt a pit in my stomach as they took aim at us. I closed my eyes as I knew it was the end. But the voice of John entered my ears.

"Get down!"

I didn't bother looking around and trusted my friend, Sliding onto my back and keeping my head looking up.

"Fire!"

A stream of arrows and bullets flew across us and into the wooden shields and bodies of the soldiers. Each of them became minced meat across the ground, while some fell into the oil on the ground. The smell that followed was like that of bacon, yet not. Keeping my breakfast in, I sat up to see the rest of our forces that saved us.

Leading them was none other than Bill, back in action! Now with a bandage underneath that hat of his. The old gang members went to help us up, with Williamson holding out a hand for John.

"Blasted fools! Rushing in without us!"

I smiled, "So we've been told."

All of us were up and re arming ourselves, John answered him as well, "Didn't have much of a choice. You alright?"

"Hm, just a bump. As for our posse, we are almost down to half our number!"

Rod added to the conversation, "The rest of our army is moving in now too! What are your orders, General?"

Williamson rolled his eyes a little, then gazed over at Dutch, "What do you think, Dutch?"

If we weren't in a dire situation, I would have been in awe at Bill letting go of the reins like that. Dutch was the most experienced in leading, and all of us were well out of it at this point.

Dutch cleared his throat, "I think the last thing we're gonna do is let that 'Noble' steal this chance from us! John, set the TNT up! Rest of us! Let's check the side doors in case they try cutting us off!"

Guts, Uncle l, and I took the right side. The others checked the left. Creeping up to the door with my freshly reloaded shotgun. Before I could open it, Guts walked up and delivered a full kick to the side of the door. It broke clean open,

"Too slow."

I gritted my teeth with my lips hiding them, but inside was sighing. No tact whatsoever. Then again, nothing came out of it, as it revealed an empty room with no entryway. The pair of us were confused until Uncle pointed out the ceiling,

"A trap door! They probably pulled the ladder up!"

I scoffed as this was the second time we could have used one, "And we don't have any."

Dutch yelled out, "Anything?!"

"Nothing!"

"Perfect! We'll use these for cover! John! How's it going?!"

"... Done!"

"Everyone split up into the rooms! Light Em, John!"

I guided the kids inside and closed the door. Unfortunately, the door was broken by Guts entry,

"Back away from the door and cover your ears!"

Quickly, I followed my own advice and braced for the explosion. Being this close was different. Even the sound passed through the thick stone and reverberated in me. The door flew open and splintered across the floor, missing everyone along the wall. Smoke followed and I called out, "Move!"

We all left to see the damage. Sure enough, that gate was blown open with the people behind it in pieces. Some survivors further away into the keep looked at the scene in horror as their comrades were instantly turned into a mangled mess.

Gasps ran through our soldiers and Dutch grabbed our attention once more.

"The Time is ours, gentlemen! We can't waste it with hesitation, or that Noble will claim the glory! General Williamson?!"

He agreed and commanded the small force, "Form up men! Get ready to fight in all directions!"

I glanced at the teen beside me, Guts. He had his sword raised in a drawn back position, a face solely focused on the now. As sad as it was to see that kind of fire in one as young as him, I was glad to have that kind of power backing us up. The army men with us were ready as well. With their spears bare and bows prepared to draw.

All of us were together again, Bill with my rifle, Dutch with his pistol ready, Javier with his revolver, John with his 1911, and Uncle with his rifle. All of us checked our weapons before rushing in, with Bill giving signal,

"Charge!"

End Chapter

A/N: Shout out to guest reviewer Cheesenab for catching the grammar error for the Spanish part.