Two Brothers Pt. 4

Eriven Relis Month 11, Day 22, Year A.F 652. Road to Ivrid, Kingdom of Rosalia.

The trees pass by quickly as we ride through the forest. I pat myself in the back at bringing these four horses carts capable of following us as we rode through the forest, bringing us the supplies necessary.

I raise my arm suddenly as I shout, "Halt!" A smoke rise from a faraway destination, a few kilometers away, oen which would could only mean two armies battling.

An excited grin crawls itself up in my expression as I shout to the Knight commander. "Lord Evans! Gather a few men to scout what's that all about."

Lord Evans immediately rides to my side, giving a respectful salute to his prince. He shouts for a few minutes as he gathers his men, riding through the trees, hoping to see what the smoke is about.

I look on for a few minutes as they disappear before I shout once more for my men. "Lord Andrews, Tell the men to rest up. We'll be entering battle in a few hourse."

I jump off of my horse as strain my neck to the side. The sun bearing down on me as I try to find a shade. A servant notices this and runs to my side, he holds both water and supplies as I sit down at the side of the road.

I look around as horses neighed and armor rang. I breathe a tired sigh as I look up the rising sky and the blue and serene sky.

The recent months have been truly hectic. The organization of the armies, the gathering of intelligence and even waving off my sister to her wedding.

I take a large gulp as the thought reminded me of the armor I am wearing. The difference in lifestyle in both the battlefield and the palace is simply too large to imagine yourself in.

After all, all my experience till now were concentrated in bandit hunting. It's fine though despite this change in scenery and lifestyle, the promised rewards will be something unimaginable.

With the north nearly ours, barring Aster. Since there was no possible way I could win against that monster. We could break the status quo the continent has been in centuries.

Then by then we could hope to try and compete with the demons of Eriva. With thoughts like this I fell asleep, my head resting upon my arms as I look up the sky.

"Sir, sir." A voice wakes me up with a shake.

I grunt as I open my eyes to see a red demon looking at me in urgency. His expression was panicking yet not distressed. A good sign.

"What is it?" I reply to him as I groggily sat back up, looking at him in question.

He straightened his back as he saluted, "Lord Evans reporting, SIR!" He gestured to the men behind him, "Our scouts determined the nature of the smoke."

"Oh? Then do tell." I stood up as I dusted off my clothes.

"They have determined it to be two armies battling. One seemingly twice the size of the other." He spoke to me as he supplied me with information.

That can't be right, there shouldn't be anyone here but me and that Prince. The only forces I don't know the location of are those of Duke Rivider and Prince Lenard.

Then it could only be Prince Lenard, my sisters's husband. One of the few reasons we could get this opportunity.

"Hmm, what to do, what to do." I mutter to myself as I tapped my chin in thought.

There's no reason to keep the Prince alive, but there's also a need for him to die. I wonder how I could have him killed. Though perhaps Prince Athan could do that for me.

I shake my head with a chuckle. There's no way he'll be able to, though I might need confirmation.

"Who was the one at a disadvantage?" I look at the scouts as I ask.

One of them stepped forward and replied, "The army under Prince Athan has decided to stay atop the hill. From there we believed the Forces are currently performing an encirclement as they bombard them using their knights."

I listen to their words and I give a nod, "Then we should get going then."

We could always watch and see what their next moves could be. If Athan could kill Lenard, I could just wipe both their forces out and end this war once and for all.

I then walked forward as I shout to the men, "Ready for battle. We'll be riding through a battlefield this time."

"Yes sir!" The resounding shout was all I needed before once more jumping unto my horse.

Athan Geldstein

The sounds of another barrage shakes the hill and I grit my teeth.

"Sir! The first line of defense has fallen! The men are retreating to the second line." A messenger runs in with a shout.

"Tell them to hold firm, this isn't the time for them to buckle." I reply as I grit my teeth in anger. Cant they hold on for a few more minutes?

Another barrage lands as the hill shakes again. An officer runs in as he shouts, "Sir! The northerern side of the second line is buckling."

"Have the third line reinforce them and remind them of their duty." I shout never looking back up as I try and visualize the necessary steps and situation before I fully commit and risk my life.

Another barrage rings through my ears as I look to the map as a messenger shouts, "Sir, their knights are reinforcing their north, we can't hold on much longer."

A grin crawled up my expression as I stood up, I point unto the map with a shout, "Good! Have every man retreat to the third line of defense, we take a stand here."

"Have all knights prepared, we just found our chance." I shout as the officers scramble to send the messages. I give a sigh of relief as I look down my armor, readying myself for the battle ahead.

I take my helmet and wearing it, hiding the face underneath.

We then exit the tent, heading to the horse. My sword on my side as I walk to my horse and with a flourish jumps atop it.

An officer runs beside me as he whispers, "Sir, the knights are awaiting your orders."

I give him a nod before I spur my horse forward, heading directly to my knights as another salvo makes contact to our north.

The concentration of horses there now apparent.

I arrive upon the knights, a bit battered from the battle but fresh and ready for battle. I ride to their center as I shout, "All knights to me! We shall cut our way to VICTORY!"

They shout back as I raise my sword forward, their shouts resonant as began my ride down the hill. "Clear the path!" My shout resounds through the fight as soldiers scramble out of my way.

We gallop down the hill, uninterrupted and thunderous, we reach the third line of defense as I raise my hands at the enemy advancing.

With raised hands, I give out the order, "All knights FIRE!!"

The following explosion removed any of the enemies that dared stand in our way. I could almost taste the smell of burning flesh. The utter dismemberment and terrifying sight before me was wiped away by the hope as we arrive at the grassy plains.

The gallop remained thunderous as I cut down any infantry that dares stand before me. Their blood splashing in my skin and their shouts ringing in my ears.

The small contingent notices us as they run back to their base. I know you're there brother, let's end this once and for all.

"Take down the enemy commanders!" I shout to them, our horses running faster than before as we try and follow the fleeing commander.

The wind was fierce as we spur our horse forward, wringing them for every energy they have left. And it worked, we grow closer inch by inch and once the range was right I give the orders.

"FIRE!!!"

The thousand of fireballs smashing in front of them scared their horses, halting them from their retreat and unhorsing some of them. We notice behind them, their reserves coming in full support.

Though one thing changes, the moment I saw him. His dishevelled golden hair was more than obvious. His weary golden eyes tired from all the battles made this all the more sweeter.

So with all my strength, I reach him and with a swing of my sword, I slam it down, hoping to take him once and for all.

Steels clashed as brother brings up his sword, clashing with mine. He runs away and I give a smile as another barrage makes contact behind me. I look where it came from to notice their knights arriving.

Ignoring such a fact, I only shout at my men as I point to my brother's retreating back,

"KILL THEM ALL!"