Chapter 54: Blue and Bronze

Chapter 54: Blue and Bronze

Blue and Bronze

With the battle situation unfolding before them, Lord Lansius finally made his decision. He pointed at the nearest column on the drawn map on the ground. “Sir Callahan, let’s hit this column.”

“The South Hill column? My Lord, may we learn the reason?” Callahan inquired. Even though the Lord had a victory against Lord Robert last year, his inexperience remained a concern among the knights.

Although, the Marshal, had assisted the Lord in proofing the plans and their variations, there were still lingering doubts. Thus, Callahan had made it his mission to guard against any potential problem.

“We don’t need to inflict a crippling blow, just enough to cause a rupture in their seams,” Lord Lansius explained.

“But even if we successfully charge this weak column, the Black Knights will arrive quickly,” warned Callahan, noting that despite the surprise factor, they were just eighty cavalry against two-thousand. Such a disparity meant it was unlikely for them to damage, break, or rout the column.

“If we do enough damage. When the time comes, they’ll break on their own,” Lord Lansius assured him.

Callahan looked at Lansius for a second or two before nodding in response. He wasn’t wholly buying what Lansius had said, but it was good enough of a reason. Back in his youth, he had charged a column for worse reasons.

The blond knight glanced at his fellow knights, his eyes brimming with determination. His brother in arms nodded and voiced no complaints. Their trust stemmed largely from the fact that Callahan vouched for this, and that the Lord was joining them in person.

More than thirty knights and dozens of horsemen were formerly Lord Robert’s vassals. Against such a large opponent, there were risk that they could become disheartened and flee. Thus, the reason why the Lord felt compelled to lead them personally.

Without any objections from the cavalry, Lord Lansius turned his attention to his trusted ally. "Calub," he called.

The alchemist, who had been waiting patiently in a corner, perked up.

“Yes, My Lord." Calub stepped forward. As a high-ranking but non-noble among the knights, Calub wisely downplayed his importance to avoid potential friction.

“Take command of the hundred men as planned. Spread them between the glade and the opening near the entrance. If things go as planned, we might bring a large prey, and you’ll be the snare. If not, then you’ll be our shield.”

“Understood, My Lord,” Calub responded firmly.

“Sir Callahan,” the Lord called.

The blond knight stood. Even nearing fifty, he retained a captivating presence.

“Let’s ride,” the Lord gave his command.

Subsequently, Sir Callahan rallied the cavalry with vigor, “The Lord is riding with us!” His declaration set things into motion. One man wiped the map from the ground, while the rest readily mounted their horses.

Sterling had Lord Lansius’ horse ready. He helped him mount and handed him the gauntlets.

“Sterling, last chance. Forget about courage and honor. This is war. You could be crippled for life,” the Lord warned from atop his destrier. Many knew that the Lord hadn’t asked Sterling to join, but the young squire insisted on coming.

The squire’s face remained adamant. “My Lord, I shall not be a burden.”

Lansius drew a deep breath and just rode after Sir Callahan.

Behind him, Sterling in half-armor dutifully carried their lances. Carrying a lance was burdensome and an unnecessary hazard within the forest, so they wouldn’t let a Lord to have it until they reached the open field.

Only knights were in plate armor, the rest were either in half-armor, brigandines, or ringmails. The horses were also protected by barding or horse armor. The head part and some of the horses’ bodies were covered by metal plates or hardened leather. There was no uniformity, each owner acquired and equipped their steed on their own. The result made them look like a circus with plenty of colors and unique designs.

Before long, the column of cavalry reached the forest outskirts and quickly fell into formation.

“My Lord, with your permission, Sir Harold and I will ride in front,” Callahan requested.

Lord Lansius looked at the tall man who saluted with an open visor. His polished plate armor was impeccable. Sir Harold and his small band of brothers were the unofficial Midlandian reinforcements. Despite the small number, they were highly enthusiastic warriors and war aficionados who volunteered for the sheer thrill of combat.

Lansius let out a grin, finding some similarities with Anci. “It would be an honor to ride with you, Sir Harold.”

“The pleasure is mutual, My Lord,” the tall knight replied with an honest smile.

Without time to lose and with the cavalry ready, the Lord gazed at Sir Callahan. In the direct sunlight, the blond knight’s armor displayed its intricate details. The black decorative gilding and ornaments gave it the appearance of ancient ceremonial armor. However, the buffed-out scrapes and dents betrayed its use in battles.

“Sir Callahan, lead the way,” Lansius instructed as he latched his own tried and tested helmet, and gazed upon the plains that would become their battlefield.

“Certainly, now that we know what Lansius’ intention really is, let’s not hesitate. The chance has presented itself. Let’s move out,” the young Lord commanded.

The staff readily relayed the order, and everyone mounted their horses. The squires strapped Jorge’s cuirass back on and helped him mount his horse. Spurred by the lord’s urgency, a hundred knights rode north at full gallop.

Daniella hastily rallied her Nicopolan cavalry and gave the command to follow. She still found it suspicious, but the Lord of Korelia had shown his hand, and now she could play hers.

***

Korelian’s Knights

Lansius clenched his right arm against his side, feeling the weight of the lance under his armpit. Even when kept at an angle, it remained heavy. The breastplate's lance rest helped reduce the burden on his right arm and hand, and stabilize the shaft while the horse trotted.

After almost two years of training, Lansius was still very much struggling not to kill himself by dropping and plunging the lance into the ground. His arm and muscles felt on fire as he wrestled against the rocking motion. Minuscule adjustments were made to keep the lance at an angle, far off the ground.

Meanwhile, his destrier continued to run like a charging buffalo. The rocking motion was anything but gentle. Weighted by the armor, on every up and down, the saddle’s hard leather punished Lansius’ loins and battered his breath.

He wanted to say he was used to this, that he was trained for this, but he couldn’t. This wasn’t something someone could get used to in a mere year and a half.

Suddenly, the horse leaped.

Oof!

They landed gracefully. It wasn’t a big jump, but the saddle smacked his butt and gut from beneath. In a trained reflex, Lansius exerted all his might to control the lance as it wobbled.

He realized that to survive this would be one of the crowning achievements of his life. Yet, he held no regrets. This was a necessity — he simply couldn't afford to sit this one out.

Understanding Lansius' inexperience, Sir Callahan and Harold, who rode in front, made small adjustments here and there to ease their Lord’s burden. Instead of having Lansius follow them, they centered the whole formation around him.

The rest of the eighty cavalry spread evenly on his left and right. Sterling and the experienced standard bearer rode beside Lansius. The banner depicted a blue shield with a single bronze chevron.

The banner was new. It was Lansius’ own. Felis had designed and sewn the coat of arms just a few days ago. She boasted it would bring good luck, and now Lansius prayed fervently that it would.

Sir Callahan and Harold picked up more speed. Lansius kept up with them and soon realized they were at full gallop. The wind screamed through every open vent in his visor. His sight was a blur.

“Close ranks!” Sir Callahan shouted from the front.

“Close ranks!” the standard bearer beside Lansius relayed the order.

They rushed the last stretch of land between them and the opponent’s formation, forming an arrow-like formation. The standard bearer moved in front of Lansius, while Sterling remained at his side.

Sir Callahan had told them that he was expecting crossbow attacks, but only a few materialized. At this range, Lansius saw that the Coalition line now looked jagged and uneven. More importantly, there was no wall of spears or pikes.

This column was supposedly two-thousand strong, but what Lansius saw was just a group of men, scarred and frightened.

By the Holy, I’m going to trample them...

His conscience screamed, but his trained instinct kept him going.

This is my plan, and I’m responsible for this. Go haunt me if you must, but judge me fairly against your lords who led you here in the first place!

He steadied his mind as the distance closed in at a frightening speed.

Sir Callahan in front lowered his lance and the rest followed. Lansius felt the numbness in his arms as he lowered his lance into position.

By now, the opposing men was in full view. Lansius saw their faces and reactions as Callahan and Harold, along with the front riders, dove into their ranks.

The screams and the horses’ beastly noises immediately filled his ears. There was no time to observe, gripping his lance tightly, Lansius made his charge.

***