Chapter 163 Luther's side (I)

Chapter 163 Luther's side (I)

Two days away from Mirante, a platoon of a hundred cavalrymen opened their way through the dense trees blocking the White Merchant Road, which ran across the kingdom of Luak. They had been moving for two days, until they came to a halt.

Luther sat on his horse, looking at the village in the distance. The small wooden walls around the village looked like they were built to keep out wild animals, not to defend against military attacks. This was the place he had chosen to put his plan into action and lure Luak's forces, away from major cities in the border.

"Remember, keep the casualties as low as possible. We are not here to exterminate them" - Luther instructed. His voice was calm but firm as he addressed the hundred cavalrymen at his side - "The king has plans for these people in the future. We're here to scare them, so don't slow down."

The cavalrymen nodded, tightening their grips on their weapons. The horses seemed to sense the tension. They snorted and pawed at the ground, eager to charge and drown into the chaos of battle. These horses were born in the Frozen Forest, a place where their existence itself was always at risk. Staying still in the stables all year long wasn't something they were born to do.

Luther's gaze swept over his men. With a swift motion, he raised his arm, signaling them to advance - "Charge!" - he screamed.

At the command, the horses stormed forward, their hooves kicking up the vestiges of winter, sending snow flying upwards. As they advanced, Luther kept his eyes on the walls, watching for any sign of soldiers, but there were none. Nobody seemed to be guarding the gates as if the village had never faced an attack before. -x-

"It stopped!" - the elder's son said, peering cautiously out from his temporary cover, not hearing the sound of arrows whistling through the air or hitting the roof of the house. There was only silence.

Those who had armed themselves to fight slowly emerged from their shelters, their eyes scanning the area for attackers. Yet, no enemies were in sight - "L-Let's check the gate..."- the elder's son stammered, his steps careful as he led the group towards the gate. Each of them gripped their weapons tightly, whether they were knives, swords, hatchets or simple scythes.

They approached the gates nervously, exchanging glances as they tried to decide who would push it open. The elder's son looked around, already knowing the responsibility would fall on him due to his father's position - "I will do it!" - he said, gritting his teeth and stepping forward, his fingers and knees trembling.

Without wasting his courage, he began pushing the wooden gates slowly. His heart was pounding in his chest. He was able to instinctively hear it. It wasn't just him, those behind him were also terrified and could only clutch their weapons tightly.

"Do you see anyone...anything?" - one of them nervously asked, tapping the man's back.

"Don't push me! I still can't see anything!"- the elder's son snapped as he stretched his neck to peer through the cracks of the opening door. Then he saw something that would be forever imprinted in his mind. A white-haired old man sat comfortably on a deep-red horse, which snorted powerfully and pawed the ground, ready to charge at the gates. Luther's presence was like that of a legendary warrior from the myths they told their children, someone who could face thousands of bears alone. Behind this figure, an army could be seen through the morning mist. He couldn't count them all.

The elder's son immediately closed the gates in fright, hoping those figures hadn't seen him - "We are doomed. I hope they didn't see me."