The Top of the Mountain - Part 10

Phalem's eyebrow twitched. A sinking sensation passed through his heart. He found himself thinking how funny it was, how much there was to learn about a man from a single sword stroke. From Karstly's single sword stroke, he'd learned a single important thing – despite everything, all the efforts he'd gone to, he'd still underestimated this foe.

The Rogue Commandants rallied as Karstly broke through. They had planned for this. Whenever there was a man of high Boundaries leading the charge, it was for the stronger men of high Boundaries themselves to swarm him. Phalem had already prepared for that inevitability, and those men were at the centre waiting for him, with their red plumed helmets, having left their battalions in the trusty hands of their Violet Commanders.