Chapter 18
Persians POV
the horses were on top of them, vast and high, lances reaching, the noise of the hooves and the rattle of mail overwhelming. Greeks were shouting victory as they leaned into the lunge …
… the lances struck the shields and a Persian was hurled back and a hoof thumped his shoulder, but a man behind pushed him upright so he was forced hard against the enemy horse. He had no room to use the sword and the shield was crushed against his side. There was the stench of horse sweat and blood in his nostrils. Something struck his helmet, making his skull ring and vision darken, then miraculously the pressure was gone and he glimpsed a patch of daylight and staggered into it, swinging the sword to where he thought the enemy was.
The Other Side of The Battlefield——
Random Greek POV——
The two shield walls collided with a crack of iron and wood, and Cletus held his shield high and felt the impact of a spear point snap against the wooden frame, and he felt the weight of men pushing in from the front as well as at his back, curses and screams and metal raking against wood and the crunching of flesh, and he saw the feet of his enemies digging into the earth, and overhead, he heard the whooshing of spears being thrown into the deeper ranks of the lines. He felt the enemy wall falter as the fighting shifted to the left, and he saw a break in the line and lunged forward with his shield, the impact sending a burst of pain up his left arm, but the pain disappeared quickly, and he stabbed to his left with the point of his short sword, and the steel tip ripped into flesh and bone, and a soldier fell to the ground at his feet.
He stepped over the fallen body and attacked the next man who tried to fill the gap, and stabbing over his shield, his blade caught the man in the throat, spraying blood, a fine mist, warm and bright red, and the man grabbed at the steel edge stuck in his neck. Cletus ripped the sword free, another gush of blood, the man's face pale and eyes wide, hands grasping at the wound as he fell to his knees choking and gurgling on his own blood.
—-
3rd POV———
Only a few hours ago did Alexander's attack seem reckless. Ignoring his advisers advice to wait until dawn to cross the river, he ordered an immediate assault. He sent a squadron of Companion to ford the river, followed by a regiment of Hypastpist and the Paeonian light cavalry. Alexander, then calling on his men to show their courage, then led his right wing across the river. As they reached the middle of the river, the Greeks came under a hail of javelins, darts and arrows from the Persian line.
Those that made it to the far bank were immediately charged by the Persian cavalry. Alexander was in the thick of the fighting. Dodging, blocking, countering, swinging, thrusting just like he was brought brought many enemies to their ends. Then suddenly Alexander is fighting for his life, charged by two Persian nobles. Rhoesaces rode up to Alexander and swung his sword at him, hitting his helmet with his sword and breaking off a piece his helmet, but the helmet broke the force and Alexander countered with striking Rhoesaces down with his spear, piercing his heart.
However, from behind, Spithridates raised his sword against the king, but Philotas, anticipated his blow, struck his arm and cut it off, sword and all.
Since Alexander attacked were the whole mass of the Persian cavalry and leaders were stationed around him a desperate conflict raged…horses were jammed against horses and men against men. The Macedonians striving to drive the Persians away from the river bank, the Persians determined to prevent them crossing and to push them back into the river.
The whole plan Altair and Alexander came up with was so Alexander could buy time for the rest of his army to cross the river, including the irresistible Macedonian Phalangites.
Now that the greek army has FINALLY crossed the river, the Persian cavalry was faced with a wall of Macedonian spears. Up until that point Persians were most favored, then the entire Macedonian army crossed and massacred thousands of the Persians, while most turned and fled.
The speed and shock of Alexander's attack meant Persia's Greek mercenaries hadn't even had time to join the battle. Since the Alexander attacked the mass where the leaders were, they couldn't control their army or call for reinforcements.
"The day is won!" Alexander exclaims to his soldiers.
Altair comes up to Alexander placing his hand upon his shoulder. Alexander looking back, recognizes the person who helped him win the day. He hold his hand up towards the crowd. "AL-TA-IR!"
"AL-TA-IR!"
"AL-TA-IR!"
"AL-TA-IR!"
Screams of the men who survived because of him echo around the bloody battlefield, Generals, Advisers and Soldiers alike all screaming his name. Why wouldn't they, he informed them of the enemies plans, he informed them of the enemies most likely moves and strategies, and informed them of a plan that worked.
Alexander AND Altair won the day and this legendary duo would go on to win even more days.
(For the universe this is in, DC with a few Rick Riordan Percy Jackson things mixed in.)