THE BATTLE FOR BASTROP FIELD
The enemy forces look huge as they approach, and there is a brightly armored nobleman out in front of them waving his sword and encouraging them on. The orders from the leaders of the Bjornsburg army are to stand fast, and as the enemy shield wall marches closer, the small group of archers moves out in front of the Skull a little ways, along with our new bowman-friend. The nerves of the warriors along our lines are drawn tighter than our friend's bow-string, especially for those of us who expect weapons at our backs as well as from the Namron army in front of us. As the Namron shield wall advances closer, the long awaited treachery rears it's head like an enraged cobra. Our own Bjornsburg archers spin and fire right into the Skull, all except for the one who befriended us earlier. With a horrified cry of "What are you DOING???" he spins and runs a javelin through the nearest archer. From the Skull is heard nothing that could come from human throats, but the roar of enraged beasts who want only to slay their tormenters. Before the bowmen can turn and escape they are butchered in a heartbeat, all except for the one. Miraculously, none of the arrows finds it's mark, and our new friend quickly chooses another bolt and takes his place beside us.
There is no time for talk of what has just happened as the enemy line is almost upon us. Jerek is trying to hold Germanicus back from charging too soon. As the enemy ranks close with our own, a long brown banner is seen flying above the soldiers immediately facing us, dancing in the sparkling morning sun. Jerek suddenly loses control of his shield brother, and with a growl Germanicus explodes from the line to smash down the enemy in front of him twenty feet away, a warrior carrying an enormous red-diamond shield. There is no time to try to help the berserker then, as the two armies crash into each other. The roar of the voices of men in battle and shattering rattle of mighty weapons striking shields shakes the very ground they battle over. The noise is deafening in the steel helmets, and seems as though a mighty thunderstorm has come down to the very ground. In a heartbeat, there is no more opposing shield wall looming across a battlefield, only the man in front of you trying to steal your life with his sword.
All of the generals' plans vanish in an instant, and the entire world becomes two or three men killing each other in bloodthirsty rage. Simonn, Yagsavoke, Scythe, Guy and the others from Bordermarch match their opponents stroke for stroke, and win, their enemies crashing to the ground. The one remaining bowman, loyal to his word, fires his barbs when he can into the swirling turmoil, and more of the warriors from Namron fall. The sworder in the scaled leather is better than hoped for, and hacks another enemy to the ground.
The four remaining Skull on the end of the line are badly outnumbered, the Namron plan being to shred the mercenary Bjornsburg left flank with their strengthened right but the northerners receive a terrible shock. Their masses rebound off the deadly four like an ocean wave smashing against a towering stone cliff. Again and again they hurl themselves against the Bordermarch'ers, each time staggering back to leave their dead underfoot, and still the Skull stand. Then an amazing sight appears, thundering through the enemy line. Germanicus is alive!, and scatters the chivalry of Namron like bowling pins as he roars through and spins to face his opponents. Seconds later one of them cuts his leg from under him and he stumbles to the ground. The battle moves away to leave him howling his frustration at the sun.
The Barbarian provides a brief moment of comedy as, outnumbered, he rapidly backs up and then trips, landing directly on a cactus. Before his two opponents can enjoy the humor of the situation, he leaps back on his feet much faster than a man normally could and crushes both their skulls with his awesome mace. Suddenly, the army of Namron disintegrates. Their center and left have begun to collapse, too many men having fallen. Their mighty right flank has vaporized, only one man still standing and fighting desperately for his life as the four Skull close in. As he turns to escape through the only opening, Germanicus appears, having drug himself over to the conflict. The final enemy turns, takes one step forward to break for freedom and is knocked completely off his feet as he runs headlong into Germanicus' murderous broadsword stroke. The last of the enemy soldiers try to escape, but most are hunted down and captured or killed.
The Battle of Bastrop field is over, and the dead litter the ground everywhere. The colorful coats of arms of so many warriors lie in the dust alongside their precious banners. Cries for "water" are heard everywhere, and women appear to tend the needy. The Bordermarchers' gather to count the dead and recount the events of the morning. And whispers are passed about the five men with the skulls on their chests and helmets.
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