Atirianm slammed his spear against the side of his shield, looking about to those on either side and behind. “Center phalanx! Move out!” the caracanrei shouted to the heavens. Stepping over the tattered, half-buried bodies of their crushed foes, he took the front line of a phalanx column slowly marching from the gullet of the riverbed. To his immediate right marched the amazon Eagen Yoburn, and his fellow caracanrei Calól Unaldor covered his left flank. Their feline features and hair married the thick mass of bronze and spears.
The chorus of metal and wood rang in Tekar’s ears, the phalanx lines moving like a tongue stretching down the beachhead. The sides of the phalanx line sprouted spears angling forward, overlapping in preparation for any attempts to attack the weaker flanks. Over the high shriek of arrows, Tekar roared at the jumbled mass charging at him. With barely a thought, the spears overlapping his ears shot forward, his arm sawing back and forth into the charging army. Methodically, the phalanx line moved forward, stepping over the punctured bodies of their immediate foes as well as those trampled earlier.
Rangthor’s arm sawed forward, trying to hold off as long as possible. To his right fought Fas, the sheen of sweat on her face glinting in the sun. He gritted his teeth as the Thermotylus Crag spat warm rain down onto them, jabbing his sword in spite of the cuts on his arms. Vim fought at his left, her face awash in rage with every parry and jab.
Jedivo sent his short sword deep into a soldier’s gut, trying to hold his position to the back of their formation. Ategem had stopped trying to move forward along the Crag, his concentration focused on stabbing where he was. Ulathor batted spears away, trying to compensate as much as possible for the deep wounds of those who had been moving so well before.
To his right, Elaisegen ignored her bleeding to guard the upper portion of the huddled shields. They all heard her breathe, exasperated, “They are coming for us!”
Toris swung one spear away, crying out as his gut felt the piercing depths of another spear punch into him. Lifting his sword up, he struck the spear from its owner’s hand, stabbing at him in rage.
Fora’tine gasped, her arms holding her guts in painfully. Propped next to Sulour’s still form, she spat out blood enough to demand, “Let me charge out! I’ll make a path!”
“You’ll do no such thing!” Rangthor spat back, jabbing repeatedly.
Tekar pushed his shield forward, watching the threshold of Rygem’dor soldiers open up sharply. His flanks rushed toward the huddled wicker shields, enveloping and surrounding those within in their larger shields and driving the spears back. The caracanrei kept his concentration forward, jabbing relentlessly as he noted the wounded and dead being dragged into the phalanx length. Behind him, Rangthor shouted back, “Leave no soldier behind!” Slung over his shoulder, Elaisegen gasped, bleeding freely.
“Good to see you, Nelledotor,” Tekar stated with a smile.
“Pleasantries later,” Rangthor replied. Devoid of his horn, Rangthor hollered aloud as best his burning lungs could to mimic the signal to fall back. Pressing through the phalanx length, Rangthor dragged Elaisegen through the throngs. Slow and steady, the phalanx began marching backwards, their sawing spears never yielding.
Please visit https://www.wotps.com for cast, creature and location biographies, details and designs
About the Author
David Barentine is an author working out of Southern California whose obsession with writing has spanned seventeen years. The simple story that once began has sprouted a myriad of books only now being published. A deep love of history, ancient cultures and fantasy has woven itself into his writing, attempting to inspire curiosity into his readers to learn more about the past and cultures which have shaped our world.
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Other Books by the Author
If you enjoyed the story and the characters, their adventures continue in Warriors of the Purple Sun
And further information can be found of the characters, world and histories in Warriors of the Purple Sun Compendium
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