II - Battle of Red Valley

As we walk closer, nervousness starts to grow. This is not our first battle, but this feelings will never cease to exist, because in split second, the breath you just took may be your last.

Bodies of wounded and dead are all starting to be visible, and eventually around us. Smells of blood and steel is getting thicker and thicker, and our steps are getting heavier. I pick up a nearby shield, and give it to Fort. We took a separate direction, Fort closer to the battle and I go a little bit farther, a slightly uphill terrain, a great spot for me to took some enemy down with my bow.

Valk is in front of me, fighting against two people with his huge axe. He is outnumbered, but it's like his enemy are the one who are at a disadvantage. I don't want to disturb his fight, he might get angry at me after.

I grab couple of quiver, with at least fifty arrows inside them. I made sure my surrounding are safe and then I decided to pick my target.

Two ally soldiers are fighting back to back while raising their shileds, against five enemies, three foot-soldier and two archer. They tried to fight back but the two archer will hurt them the moment they let their guard down. Few arrows are embedded to their hands and legs. I have to take down the archers first.

The archers are next to each other, they wear helmets but like all the enemies, their clothes are all unarmored, just leather or fabrics.

I shot one of them and hit his neck. Startled, the second one saw me and immediately change his aim to me. We let our arrow loose almost at the same time, but I'm slightly faster. I roll to the side to evade the coming arrow, and then look as the enemy fall down upon the arrow struck his chest. Realizing this the two ally soldiers immediately counter attack, I shot the enemies wherever whenever possible to create advantage and we took three of them down after some time. My ally, battered and exhausted, give me a nod and then continue to attack any enemies possible.

They are either crazy or courageous.

To the direction they go, Fort is fighting alongside Ope, they currently have the advantage as they outnumbered their enemy 20 to 15, and that with their superior prowess, especially Ope who cut down enemies like cutting wild grass with his two handed swords, they don't look like they need any assistance.

Waly along with few people on the other hand looks like they need help. They are completely surrounded, seven of them against enemies numbered at least thirty. They formed a circle shield formation, with our client Mr. Fiaz in the centre. The enemies on the other hand, surrounding Waly and the others, and their outer side formed a reverse circle formation so that they won't be attacked from behind. They really are determined to either capture or kill our client.

They need assistance immediately, and me alone will be sufficient. They cover themselves with shield to the point i can't find any opening to shot at. I look around, there are few dozens of soldiers available, either are at places they are not needed or just taking a break. I have to do something.

"Jorop, Turagan!", I shouted, they are quite far apart but they heard me, they look around at the same time until they find me. I do some gestures to signal them to gather around and come to me, and they did just that.

"What is it Rex?", Turagan ask, he is slightly wounded, and his soldier is too. Jorop and his unit on the other hand look slightly better.

"Waly need our help.", I say as i point to them.

"Waly is in there? That is bad", Jorop replied, and then ask, "So, what should we do?".

I look at the enemy formation, it's almost round but there are one part where they almost form a corner, a weakpoint that we can exploit. I point to that direction, and all my ally look at where i point.

"Jorop, Turagan, you guys attack that place, Jorop, you attack the side that faces front, Turagan, side. Jorop, you guys hit first and Turagan to follow soon after".

"What about you?", asks Turagan, with slight hint of unhappiness. "I will provide overwatch and cover", I lift my bow as gesture to show him.

They nodded, and walk, and then started to sprint. The closer they get the faster they run. The enemy saw this, and lift their shields in fear, lower their stance and prepare for impact.

As planned, Jorop with his unit hit them first, pushing and hurting both enemies and themselves. After colliding, the other members of Jorop unit push their own ally so the enemies are slight pushed backward. And then, Turagan and his unit hit the other side, and make the already distracted enemy formation into complete dissaray. One trip another, and a third of enemy soldier either fall to the ground or pushed sideward.

I let loose one arrow and it immediately hit one soldier in his abdomen. I draw another arrow but I hesitate as both Jorop unit and Turagan unit storm and attack all enemy around them, and just like that half of the enemies are dead.

Few minutes later, most of the enemy are dead, and the rest of them deserted.

Waly and his unit release his formation, they look very exhausted. Both Jorop and Turagan escort Waly and his unit alongside Mr. Fiaz to somewhere safe, to let them rest until this battle.

We begin to sweep the battlefield, we take down one by one until there are none who fight back. The one who surrender are either released with some terms (which is money and valuable to be given to us), or to be sold later to ransom broker.

After an exhausting 5 hours, the battle end.

I count my kill, I killed 6 peopl in this battle. Thinking about it, my stomach turns. This is not the first time I killed but I will never not feeling guilty to take away the live of the other. But it is our way of life, and I have to get use to it.

From 158, we lost 16 people, with 36 badly wounded. The enemy are estimated around 180, with 97 dead, the rest escape or surrender. We continue to escort Mr. Fiaz until we arrive at his destination, the city of Maple, part of Aclea Kingdom.

He paid with gold and money, which will be given to us by Waly.

"Before I begin, Pritj, our vice-captain, died heroically while protecting our client and allies. I think he deserves to be honored, and thus I suggest we give his family some compensation. The same goes with any and every of our fallen comrade. Any objection?", nobody disagree as usual, the family of any fallen soldier will be given compensation equal to how long and how good their contribution is.

"As usual, Ope.", Ope then approach Waly, "You contributed a lot in this battle, with countless wound inflicted and 17 kill, I give you 3 pieces of gold and 4.000 MOP. Few people gasps after hearing that, surprised by the hefty amount of pay he got. Everyone's expectation rise.

"Thankyou.", Ope reply shyly. His personality is completely opposite from his ferociousness and cruelty in battlefield. People then make a path as he walked away.

One by one people are called and they are given rewards based on their contribution. Most are given 1.000 to 2.000 MOP, while those who did better got 4.000 MOP to 1 piece of gold. Currently, a piece of gold is worth 8.000 to 10.000 MOP.

"Jorop unit, Turagan unit", Two groups totalled 23 approach Waly, with their respective captain Jorop and Turagan on the lead.

"You guys did great, especially when both of you save our arses back then.", few chuckle can be heard, "Now, I will reward both of you 2 pieces of gold each, and a piece of gold for the rest of your unit".

"Yeaaahhhhh", their roar are really loud, I close my ear in reflex.

Fort got a piece of gold and 5.000 MOP, he cheered and keep saying he can afford to buy a real steak now, not some cheap piece of rat meat.

Almost all member have been called, while waiting I'm thinking how to spend my pay, and unknowingly, I'm the last to be called.

"Rex, I've been told about what you did today, and for that you deserve to be rewarded 3 piece of gold and 5.000 MOP.", as surprised as I don't know how to react, I just stand there without moving. Whispering begin to be heard, but it soon cease when Waly lift his hand and then he start talking again.

"Rex helped couple of members, and then proceed to initiate helping us and the client. It's true that Jorop, Turagan and their units are the one who push forward, but without Rex's idea, we might lose more people.", said Waly to everyone, he know some will be unhappy with his decision.

3 piece of gold and 5.000 MOP, with this much money, i can buy 5 horse and still have some changes. I put them inside my purse, it feel double as heavy as it before.

"Rex Byzan?", a man called. I look at him, but can't see his face, he wear a black robe that hide his face.

He get closer until almost face to face with me.

"Rex Byzan from Midan, we need to talk.", he show a glimpse of his face. I know this man.

Pram.

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