Brian Pratt - Warrior priest of Dmon-Li

“Recognize any of them?” James asks Fifer.

Shaking his head, he replies, “No, I don’t think so.”

Sighing, James says, “Let’s go meet them and hope they won’t immediately attack us.” He takes the lead, Fifer next to him as they move forward.

The leader of the approaching group comes close then raises a hand, indicating they should stop. “What’s your business here?” he asks.

“Busy?” asks James as the sound of the fighting by the river intensifies. The amount of arrows striking the attackers is beginning to decrease as the Empire’s crossbowmen continue taking out Madoc’s archers.

“Sort of,” the man replies. “Now, what’re you doing here?”

“We’re here to help,” Fifer explains, causing the man to gaze in his direction.

“Help?” the man laughs at them. “How can you possibly help?”

“If that bridge was gone,” Fifer asks as he points over to it, “would they be able to cross?”

Shaking his head, the man replies, “They’d not be able to ford the river for several more miles down stream.” He gives them a closer inspection and continues, “But I don’t see how that can happen.”

Fifer glances to James who resignedly nods his head and says, “You get us close and we’ll take it out.”

He points back to the bridge and says, “Look! They’re almost on this side. We would’ve pulled out long ago but we got word they’re evacuating Colton and need time to get everyone out.”

“Nevertheless,” James tells him. “You get me close and that bridge is history.”

“Do you even need to be close?” asks Jiron.

Looking surprised like the thought had never even occurred to him, he gives him a weary grin and replies, “I guess not, but the closer I am the easier it will be.”

“Then let’s move closer,” Jiron says as he starts to move forward past the squad of men.

James follows him and the squad joins them as they move toward the river. When they reach the rear guard of the defenders, a place where the bolts of the Empire can’t reach, he stops.

“Now what?” asks the squad leader.

“Just wait,” says Jiron with a smile, “and watch.”

The squad leader looks to James as he closes his eyes. A cry erupts back at the bridge, he turns his attention to the river and sees that the attackers have reached this side and more are pouring across the bridge.

The defenders are being mowed down by the bolts sailing through the air and the swords of the men. What’s left of the order and discipline the defenders had is now gone as they turn and begin to flee the battlefield.

Crumph!

Suddenly, the bridge explodes. A mass of men and stones sail through the air before landing among the soldiers on both sides.

The fighting halts momentarily as both sides stare in startled shock at what remains of the bridge. Then, the defenders who had been in a complete, panicked rout, erupt in a cheer as they see the enemy’s route cut off. The once routed defenders turn on the enemy who’d made it to this side of the river and begin attacking them with renewed determination.

Jiron looks to James and is glad to see him not slumping over or passing out as he usually does after such a display.

The squad next to them stares at James in awe and Jiron can hear “A mage!” being whispered among them.

Eyes still closed, James again concentrates…

Crumph! Crumph! Crumph!

…three consecutive explosions on the other side of the river rip through the ranks of crossbowmen as their deadly hail of bolts comes to a stop.

This time, he does begin to slump over. The past days of hard riding and little sleep is really taking its toll.

Calls to fall back can be heard from the other side of the river and the defending army begins to move back. An officer rides over to Jiron and the others, the squad leader salutes as he approaches. “What the hell happened?” the officer asks.

The squad leader points to James who’s sitting crooked in the saddle and replies, “He just showed up sir, and well, he blew up the bridge. He’s a mage!”

“A mage? And he just happened by when we needed one the most?” the officer asks.

“Yes sir,” the squad leader replies.

Another rider comes up and salutes the officer as he reports, “The enemy is falling back, sir. They’re regrouping west of the river and aren’t showing any signs of leaving.”

“Pull our men away from the river and have them rest,” he tells him. “With the bridge gone, there’s no reason for all the men to stay here. Have half go to Colton to aid in the evacuation, I’ll stay here with the rest and keep an eye on our friends over there.”

“Yes, sir,” the rider says as he salutes and turns back to the men as he carries out his commander’s orders.

“You might want to keep all your men here, sir,” Fifer says to him.

“Why?” replies the commander as he turns to him. “And just who are you?”

“Fifer sir, with Miller’s band,” he explains.

“Miller you say?” he says, thinking.

“Yes sir. We were with the alliance forces near Lythylla when Lord Pytherian had been taken,” he adds.

Understanding suddenly dawns on him and he states, “So, you are those guys.”

“Sir?” asks Fifer.

“Aren’t you the ones who helped Lord Pytherian to escape from the enemy?” he asks.

“Well, yes sir,” he replies.

“He said you might be coming through the lines,” he replies. “Also said to aid you in any way I could.” Breaking into a laugh, he says, “Though it seems it turned out the other way around.”

“Sir,” a man says from behind him.

Turning around, he says, “Yes?”

“All the wounded have been loaded onto wagons and are making for Colton,” the soldier explains.

“Good,” replies the commander. “Send an escort with them.”

Saluting, the man turns and begins to arrange for the escort.

“Now, why should I keep the men here?” he asks.

“To the south a force is coming around the forest, where Captain Alerin is defending,” Fifer explains. “He is currently harassing them, delaying their march. But they should be here soon.”

Nodding, he signals another soldier who comes over. “Send a rider to Captain Alerin, tell him the bridge has been taken out and the enemy will likely be coming his way. May be unable to send reinforcements, he’s to remain at his discretion.”

Saluting, the soldier says, “Yes, sir.”

As the soldier moves to carry out his order, the commander turns back to them and says, “The main battle will be for Lythylla. The men will be needed there, that’s our first priority.”

“Sir!” a soldier hollers over to him as he points across the river. “The enemy is pulling out and moving south!”

Looking over the river, they see the army beginning to move south, keeping just out of range of Madoc’s bowmen.

“Captain Alerin is soon going to have his hands full,” he comments.

“Looks like it,” James says as he watches the soldiers marching south. “What do you plan to do?” he asks the commander.

“Follow them as they go south,” he says. “At least until they reach the forest, then they’re Alerin’s problem.” He turns and signals another of his aides and says, “Get the rest ready to move, we got to keep them on that side of the river.”

The man salutes and then begins barking orders as he gets the men ready to march.

A soldier brings the commander’s horse over to him. Mounting, he turns to James and says, “When you see Lord Pytherian again, tell him Commander Eathan will hold the southern flank as long as possible. I’ll keep the bastards off them as they march to Lythylla.”

“Good luck, commander,” James says to him.