Chapter 17
May 2nd, 770; The Waterfront Battle
William shifted his position in an attempt to get a better view. Moments earlier, the focus of the Northerns had been the fire, but now he watched as chaos reigned. The firemen were running in every direction possible. The group of footmen, who were conversing before, ran off with swords drawn.
"What's going on?"
William looked back at Stephen. "I don't know. I can't see that far." William focused his attention on the firemen. A large group was running down the docks. William could only imagine what was making them do that. When the group made it halfway down the pier, a number of arrows cut them down. "Somebody's attacking them."
Stephen nodded and headed back to relay the message to Trall. "Someone's attacking the Northerns."
"Who? Is it Caswel and the unit?" Trall motioned for the other swordsmen to start moving forward.
"We don't know for sure. William hasn't been able to see them. Personally, I think it's a safe bet."
"Okay. Let's do our duty and join the battle."
The whole group stood up and drew swords. They walked over to William who was still crouched behind some junk.
"Ready to earn your pay, William?"
William jumped at hearing his name said so loud. "Are you crazy, Stephen. They are going to hear you?" William looked behind to see the other swordsmen standing up. "Whoops. I assume we are going in?"
"Good assumption. Ready?"
William stood up. "After you, old man."
Trall smiled. "Let's go." Trall led them out onto the waterfront. "For Heartfelt."
The rest of the swordsmen echoed behind him. The entire group came out from the protection of the warehouse and into complete chaos. There were people everywhere. The sun was dipping in the sky and it was starting to get dark out. In the distance, the tower was still burning and leaving a fog of smoke throughout the waterfront battlefield. Northern footmen surrounded guardsmen on horseback by at least three for every Heartfelt horse. In the distance, the archer’s arrows had been silenced as they were being harassed by a group of footmen and firemen. The odds were clearly with the North.
William called out. "Looks like we showed up in the nick of time." He let out a battle cry and ran headlong into the closest group of footmen. The rest of team followed. The battle was on.
Talon’s Turn
Talon was starting to get bored. No one had come across the bridge since the first group of footmen Talon had seen. He could feel the anticipation the rest of the rangers were feeling. Suddenly, a group of men came running towards the bridge. They were dirty and looked to be in a major hurry. Talon assumed something must have changed on the front lines. The group started up the bridge and was met halfway by four horsemen. The group huddled together. A frantic conversation followed.
Talon raised his hand and whispered a command to Elizabeth. "Take aim." He watched her pass the same to Anthony. Talon turned and passed the same to Alexandra. Comfortable that everyone was ready; Talon let his arrow fly. Moments later, five arrows flew behind his. Talon swelled with pride as he saw why the men and women with him earned the title ranger. Each of the arrows found its mark. Three of the firemen fell to the ground. Two of the horsemen were struck and fell off their horses. The horses, without riders, bolted and ran down the bridge killing one of the firemen in the process. Talon's arrow struck the middle horsemen in the shoulder, but he was able to hold on. Moments later, he lost control of the horse. His horse bucked him off and sent him flying into the bridges railing. The railing didn't support his weight and he fell with debris into the Teal River. The rangers didn't give the remaining survivors any time to react. Another volley of arrows struck them down. One lucky firemen didn't receive a killing blow. He jumped up and bolted across the bridge. So much for surprising them. Talon made his bow ready. The battle was on.
Trall’s Turn
Trall picked a footmen who was intent on slicing into Ron Champagne. Trall, having a sense of honor, wasn't about to kill the man by stabbing him in the back. Instead he cracked him over the skull with the butt of his sword. The footmen fell to the ground. Trall's actions earned him the undivided attention of numerous footmen. Trall stepped back to give himself some working room. Two of the footmen made threatening steps towards him. Trall balanced his sword between his two hands waiting to see who would make the first move. The footmen on his left charged ahead with the sword in his outstretched hand. Trall timed himself and stepped back as soon as the point of the sword was threatening to pierce his chest. The footmen's momentum carried him right passed Trall. He welcomed the break, since the second footmen followed right behind him, except he swung right at him. Trall blocked the blow with his sword. He could see the other footmen recovering and he needed some distance. Trall unloaded with a flurry of blows on the footmen in front of him. The footmen, who was less skilled than Trall, started to walk backwards, until he was starting to stumble from the pressure. Trall wasn't ready to give up the attack, but the footmen, who was walking backwards, fell over a body lying on the ground.
"Trall, behind you."
Trall heard the yell and turned to face the incoming footmen while instinctively throwing his sword up. The footmen slashed at him, but his sword deflected the blow. Trall backed off to find himself in the same situation he was in before, both footmen standing in front of him. Trall breathed deeply and stepped closer to the attackers. As he took another step towards them, he was surprised as William, coming from the side, punched the left footmen in the side of the head. The footmen fell to the ground unconscious.
"You owe me, Trall."
Trall was about to answer when the other footmen charged towards him. He readied himself as the footmen swung straight on. He deflected the sword off to his right side and in one motion brought his knee up into the footmen's stomach. The footmen folded over and dropped to one knee. Trall closed his hands together and hammered the footmen's back. The footmen dropped to both knees. Trall finished the footmen's fall by cracking him over the skull with the butt of his sword.
"Having troubles?"
Trall looked up to see William engaged in a sword fight very close to his left. "They don't make footmen like they used to. I do owe you one, don't I?"
"Don't worry, I'll collect."
Trall left William to his sword fight and headed over to another horsemen who was surrounded by footmen. As he drew closer, he recognized Ron Champagne.
Trall yelled to him, "These guys really seem to like the ones on horseback."
Ron was sweating profusely, but remained civil. "Not a fact I am really enjoying." Ron went back to slashing at the footmen.
Trall stood on the outside of the circle of footmen. They started to close in on Ron. Trall decided he wasn't happy with being ignored. He put his beliefs in honor aside for a second and went up to the closet footmen and kicked him behind the knee. The footmen tumbled forward and much to Trall's horror he was crushed under Ron's horse. Trall wasn't given much time to reflect. Another footmen ran directly at him with a sword in his outstretched hand. Trall wondered if that was the only move that they were taught. He let the man get as close to his chest with the point of the sword as was possible and then quickly stepped back. Once again, the footmen went right by him. Trall kicked the man in the shin and, as the man keeled over, he kneed him hard in his stomach. The footmen fell to the ground in pain. Trall, having a strange feeling of déjà vu, cracked him over the skull with the butt of his sword. The man lay unconscious at his feet.
Trall heard a muttered thanks as he took a moment to take in the battle. Trall's victories felt shallow as he looked up to the overwhelming odds they were facing. The archer squad was still fighting a large group of footmen. Their arrows still silenced. Each of the horsemen was surrounded by at least two footmen and, in some cases, even more. Trall was horrified as he watched a footmen p
ull Jackie Kirby from her horse. Trall took off in a mad dash to reach her side.
There were three footmen, one of which had already started to mount Jackie's horse. The other two were dragging Jackie away. To her credit, Jackie was putting up a valiant fight. Trall ran straight for her and as he passed the footmen mounting her horse, he slashed the man across the back of his thighs. He felt his sword cut deep gashes into the man, who immediately fell to the ground in pain. Trall hardly noticed for his attention was on Jackie. The closest footmen met with a blow from Trall's sword. He aimed for the footmen's exposed forearm and was rewarded as he sliced deep. The footmen immediately released Jackie's leg and dropped his sword to grab the new wound. Moments later, the man reached down to grab his sword from the ground and Trall kicked him in the face. Without missing a beat, he continued onto the last one holding Jackie. This one wasn't armed, so the firemen threw Jackie into Trall's arms and took off after the horse.
"Are you okay?"
Without waiting for an answer, Trall dove at the firemen. Both men fell to the ground. Trall palmed his dagger and rolled until he was on top. He quickly stabbed the man in his side. Before getting up, he backhanded the firemen, knocking him out. Trall stood up and retrieved his sword. He quickly wiped the dagger and set it back into his belt.
Trall turned around to rejoin the battle as he watched as a footmen unleashed a flurry of blows on Jackie. He watched as she was pushed further and further back. Trall ran forward to stop the assault. He knew he was going to be too late and was horrified to watch her fall backwards over a dead footmen. She fell to the ground with such a terrible force that her sword was thrown free from her hands. As she lay there with the wind knocked out of her, the footmen took full advantage of her condition. He saw an opening in her armor and swung his sword. The sword found its mark; it cut through the leather between the armor plates and it slashed a deep cut in her side. Jackie screamed out. She buckled over into a fetal position and grabbed her side.
Trall was there a moment too late, but that didn't stop him from exacting revenge. He attacked the footmen before he could continue attacking Jackie. His sword struck the footmen's and sent his arms into the air. Trall swung again and again with more and more intensity and kept pushing the footmen further and further backwards. He pushed the footmen to the riverbanks and swung with all his frustrations and anger channeling into his sword. His sword connected with the footmen's and caused the footmen's sword to crack off from the handle. The footmen, now weaponless, stood tall. Trall faked a swing and then followed through with an unusual move. He head butted the footmen. He didn't give the man a moment to recover; instead he stabbed the man through the side of his chest. The blade went deep inside the footmen's chest cavity. Trall lowered the dead man to the ground and attempted to retrieve his sword. It was stuck. Trall didn't have the patience for this. He brutally put his foot on the man's side and yanked hard on his sword. Trall's sword came out of the man with a sickening sound. Trall wasn't overly concerned and gave the man a little push that sent him rolling into the river. He turned and went back to check on Jackie.
Jackie was still curled in a fetal position next to the dead footmen she fell over. Trall dropped to her side and was relieved to see she was still breathing. He ripped the sleeve of his shirt until he had a large piece. He inspected the wound and pushed the piece of his shirt onto the wound to stop the flow of blood. When he put pressure on the wound Jackie stirred.
"Trall." Jackie painfully rolled to her side. "Trall, is that you?"
"Yes. It's me Jackie." Trall started to rip a long piece off his other sleeve. "You're going to be okay. Just hang in there." He wiped her forehead and brushed her hair out of her eyes.
Jackie started to respond, but fell unconscious. Trall took the long strip he had and tied her plate armor to the top of the wound. He hoped that would keep the loss of blood to a minimum until this was over. Trall worked on positioning her body, when a voice interrupted him.
"Trall! Trall!"
Trall turned and looked in the direction of the voice. It was Ron Champagne. Trall stood up. Ron was busy fighting with two footmen.
"Trall, get your swordsmen over to the archers. Free the damn archers!"
Trall yelled back his reply, but Ron was engaged at the moment. Trall knelt down and kissed Jackie on the forehand. "I will be back for you. Please hang in there." Trall stood back up and looked for the rest of the swordsmen. William and Stephen were closest to him.
"William, Stephen." He waited, and even though they didn't respond, he knew he had their attention. "We need to free up the archers. Head to the back line."
Satisfied, Trall took off towards the back. On his way, he found Kenneth, Carole, and Peter fighting side by side against a shrinking number of footmen.
"Kenneth!" He barely looked his way. "We need to free up the archers. Head to the back line!" Trall kept running. "Make sure you bring Carole and Peter."
Trall dodged between footmen and watched two more Guardsmen fall from their horses. Trall couldn't bear to hear the footmen celebrate. He pushed himself further along and saw a group of unarmed men fighting with the archers. There were three groups of archers, which totaled fifteen men on horseback. The group was surrounded by what Trall estimated to be thirty men. Trall arrived just in time to watch a group pull a Guardsmen off his horse. The Guardsmen disappeared into the fog of men. Trall picked the first group of men and headed for them. He knew old tricks die hard, so he kneed the first footmen from behind. The footmen buckled over and crashed into the other footmen. Trall didn't give them a chance to breathe. He swung at the next closest one and caused a deep gash across the man's chest. Trall didn't realize these men weren't wearing any protective armor, until he had swung. Trall held back on the force of his swings, but still plowed through the firemen. A number of firemen started to notice Trall. More and more of them started to run away. Trall was so engrossed, he didn't notice the other swordsmen moving in around him. Slowly, one archer at a time was released from defensive positions and started to fire again into the battlefront. Trall was pleased to watch the first arrow fly over his head. The archers were the only hope they had in surviving this conflict. The swordsmen continued to push the firemen away and were relieved to find less of them were hanging around.
"Trall. Look out!"
Trall heard the pounding of hoofs. Before he could react, William shoved him to the side. A firemen, who had won a horse, came barreling by. Since he was weaponless, he used the horse as his battling ram. After missing his first run, the horsemen returned for another run. So far, everyone evaded his second pass, but the horsemen didn't turn around this time, rather, he headed right into the main battle. Trall seized the opportunity.
"Archers." Trall saw two acknowledge him. "Take aim. Bring down the man on the horse."
The same two archers nodded their replies and then took aim. Trall looked back and watched the first arrow penetrate the man's back and then the second found his shoulder. The firemen tumbled from the horse. The horse continued on through the melee, trampling two footmen on the way.
Trall was amazed to find the battle moving north. Trall ordered the archers to keep a safe distance from the main battle, but to still take as many safe shots as possible. Trall kept his swordsmen in front of the archers and followed the progression of the battle. The horsemen finally had the upper hand and they had formed a circle. All of them were keeping the footmen on the outside of the circle. This tactic was working as the archers continued to pick off the footmen on the outside of the circle without the danger of hitting a horsemen. The group of footmen, knowing their time was limited, started to bring the fight further north. Trall could make out the bridge in the distance as they continued moving. Trall allowed himself to relax a little, knowing they were gaining some ground. Since the battle was changing hands, Trall released William and Stephen from their gua
rd duties with the archers and sent them into melee. Both men took off into the thick of things. The fighting continued to move at a fast pace. They were even closer to the bridge now. Trall started to wonder about reinforcements and hoped Talon had been successful.
The walking battle continued, until Trall watched as the unarmed firemen started to run up the bridge. The footmen provided cover by increasing the attack. Trall released Carol, Kenneth, and Peter to the battle and followed them shortly after ordering the archers to focus all arrows on the bridge.
Trall picked up the pace and went in swinging.
Onto Talon
Talon kept a watchful eye on the bridge. It had been quiet since the firemen got up and ran across the bridge. He had the feeling that it was only a matter of time before the reinforcements came running across the bridge.
"Talon, do you see that?" Elizabeth moved closer to Talon.
"Huh, where?" Talon looked all around.
"No. On the bridge. Is that a person or am I imagining things." Elizabeth pointed towards the center.
Talon followed her arm. He looked intently at the bridge. He followed along the bridge, taking note to stop at each figure laid across the center. The sun had almost set and it was playing havoc on his eyes. Talon shook his head to clear the sunspots and resumed looking.
Elizabeth moved closer to the embankment and assumed a stance. She brought her bow out and loaded. Talon wasn't sure what she was seeing, but he waited. Elizabeth pulled her arm back and aimed. Talon continued to look at the bridge, but had yet to see any movement. Elizabeth fired.
Talon watched the arrow for a brief moment, until he lost it in the sky. Moments later it struck through the arm of a Northern who was crawling across the bridge. The arrow went through his arm and embedded itself in the bridge. The Northern cried out and struggled to remove his arm from the arrow.
Talon was having a hard time understanding why the Northern footmen was attempting to cross the bridge in that manner. It didn't make any sense, until a volley of arrows flooded the trees. One landed directly in front of Talon. Elizabeth came crashing back to her old position.
"Guess we know what that guy was doing."
Talon looked over at the bridge and was surprised to see the man still struggling with the arrow. "Alexandra, can you hit him?"
Without an answer Alexandra aimed, fired, and struck the Northern in the chest. He fell to the bridge dead.
Talon smiled to himself. "Thanks." He knew she was the quiet type, but he was glad actions spoke louder than words.
"Talon. We should really move."
"I think you're right, Elizabeth." Talon started to pick up his things, when another volley of arrows flooded the spot Elizabeth first fired from. "Guess they know we're here?"
Elizabeth smiled, "Good guess." She turned and moved closer to Yara and Bryant.
Talon moved in the opposite direction and filled in between Alexandra and Kenneth. After settling into that spot, another volley of arrows penetrated the woods.
"They are getting closer with the shots." Talon scanned the waterfront. "Does anybody see them?"
Alexandra leaned over and said. "Follow the river's line until it meets the bridge. There."
Talon followed the river's line until he started to make out shapes looming against the side of the bridge. "Think we can reach all of them?"
"On this side, sure, but I thought I saw some arrows come from the other side."
"How many are on this side? I can make out six."
"I see seven."
"Yes. Seven."
Talon reached into his quiver and loaded. "Everybody ready?"
"Yes."
"On your mark."
Talon aimed and fired. Two more arrows flew behind his. They couldn't have timed it any better. The group was in the process of standing up and sending another volley into the woods. As the group started to aim, three arrows slammed into them. Two of the Northern archers fell into the water. The other arrow struck a Northern in the arm. The remaining archers took off to the other side of the bridge.
“Keep me covered." Talon got up and walked through the forest until he was behind the other archers. "We just sent some archers your way."
"We see them, but we can't see enough of them to do anything about it, besides that's not our biggest problem. Look." Elizabeth pointed down the waterfront.
Talon looked in that direction and was surprised to see the battle moving towards the bridge.
"Oh, boy."
The slow moving battle changed. A large group of firemen broke off and started on a dead run for the bridge. The horsemen, still fighting some of the footmen, were powerless to act. Arrows were haphazardly picking off the outer rim of footmen, but as the firemen ran the arrows followed in their trail. Talon knew that the closer the fighting came to the bridge the easier a target the horsemen were going to make.
"We need to do something about those archers!" Talon racked his brain trying to figure out a way to occupy those archers or Talon knew the horsemen were going to be the next set of casualties.
The battle raged until it reached the bridge. The footmen intensified their strike, clashing against the horsemen, causing the battle to reach a crescendo. The unarmed firemen, under the cover of the footmen, were running blindly towards the bridge in hopes of stepping foot on the other side. The other side being the only part of Markham that was safe.
The entire group of Northern archers sent a volley into the battle. Talon knew he was out of time as he watched an arrow strike one of the closest horsemen. The horsemen fell to the ground and sent his helmet tumbling into the river. A nearby footmen hoped onto the unoccupied horse and galloped towards the nearest Guardsmen.
"Dammit." Talon stood up and almost started pacing. He snapped off a command. "Fire at that group of archers on the other side of the bridge." Talon heeded his own advice and fired in the area he thought they were hiding at. Talon paused, waiting to see if any damage was done.
The silence that followed from the area gave Talon some relief, until another volley of arrows flew into the battle. Talon, still partially hidden in the forest, could only see a few horsemen, but he watched too many fall from their horses. One arrow missed its mark and a footmen dropped to the ground.
"Dammit." Talon needed action. "Keep firing." Talon ran into the battle. He threw his bow to the other rangers and in the same motion drew his sword. He hoped he wasn't going to need his sword since he was more interested in warning the horsemen than he was in sword fighting with some footmen. He recognized Ron Champagne as he approached the battle.
"Ron!" Ron didn't look in his direction. Talon kept running closer. "Ron!" Talon needed to get closer, but he had to make some room first. Talon came up behind a footmen and kicked him in the back of his knees. The footmen fell onto his knees and before he could move, Talon boxed him in the ears. The footmen fell face first to the ground.
"Ron!" This time he noticed.
"Talon."
Talon didn't let him finish. "You need to get the horsemen away from the bridge. Get away from the waterfront. Send everybody to the warehouses." Ron looked perplexed, but Talon continued. "There is a group of archers at the water's edge on the other side of the Teal." Talon pointed in that direction and if to emphasize his point another volley of arrows rained down. "You have to get everyone clear of them."
Ron nodded his head and started hacking his way across the fighting. Talon wasn't done yet. He spotted the Heartfelt archers in the distance. He started for them, but didn't get far. Two footmen took an interest in him.
"Gentlemen." Talon had been waiting for this all day. "I, aw, forget it." Talon charged at them. He swung at the first one and their swords connected. Talon stepped back and swung again. Talon watched as the second footmen started to move around. It wasn't long before Talon couldn't see him. Talon didn't like the feeling of the other foo
tmen behind him, so he sidestepped and swung to keep the footmen in front of him busy. Talon could just barely make out the other footmen, when Ron came behind him and knocked the footmen on the skull. The footmen fell to the ground. Talon swung again at his footmen and, having his concentration back, they locked swords together. Talon tried one of his favorite tricks. He twisted his wrists and yanked. The footmen's sword went flying. Before Talon could react the footmen pulled a dagger and charged at him. Talon swung and hit the arm holding the dagger and then stabbed the footmen in the chest. The footmen fell to the ground dead.
"Nice, Talon."
"Thanks, Ron. Did you pass the word?"
"Yes. I am going to make sure the rest of the horsemen are moving closer to the warehouses. Not much longer before the footmen are going to cross the bridge. What do we do then?"
Talon hadn't thought that far ahead, but he looked around and more of the footmen were crossing the bridge. "Break the men off, when and if that happens. We need to regroup. Let's meet further up the trail by the last warehouse."
"Okay. I will bring the horsemen. I suppose we should consult his majesty, Royal Man Holloway."
Talon cringed at the thought, but knew it would be proper. "I will leave the decision up to you. Where is he anyway?"
"I asked him nicely to remain with the civilians. He is probably cowering in fear behind the cook." Ron smiled in spite of his company.
Talon chuckled. "Just don't lose the cook. I consider him far more valuable than Caswel, but you didn't hear that from me."
"Yes, sir. I will see you shortly." Ron took off through the melee.
Talon jogged towards the back ranks. More and more of the footmen were running from the battle. The archers had come from behind their hiding places and were providing cover for the footmen. The waterfront was clearing out. Talon reached the Heartfelt archers and was surprised to see Trall leading them.
"Thought you wanted to be a swordsmen?"
Trall looked up, happy to hear a familiar voice. "I thought the same thing, but I guess that's how the guard tower tumbles."
Talon chuckled. "Gather everyone up that you see. Let's meet between the last warehouse and the forest. I think we are going to have to change plans now that the river is going to separate us."
Trall threw him a mock salute. "I'll be there and I might even bring a few friends."
Talon nodded his head and took off towards the forest. He passed the word as he went. The fighting had all but finished. The remaining footmen were heading over the bridge. Talon jogged around the corner of the warehouse and started to stake out a claim for the meeting.