A quick narritive I wrote.

Its like a nightmare etched into the back of my eyelids, those long frozen days in the Geuntel campaign. Insidious war drums shook the snow under our boots. The sun climbed up over the mountains spilling a blood red shade across the heavens, a sign from the Gods that death will end the day for many. That day, that battle was suppose to bring an end to a years long conflict. These barbarians were suppose to be squashed in a matter of weeks, but they had proven themselves to be diehards. My small unit consisted of one hundred spear men, two hundred infantry, one hundred archers and a mere fifty skirmishers. Footsteps sounded like thunder as the barbarian tribe appeared on the horizon. Those hills then turned into hell incarnate.



Leathered feet crushed the snow as those monstrosities marched forward. It was like a dike breaking, a flood of body’s rushing towards my line. A chilling roar of war cries that could have chilled even the toughest of mens bones echoed across the snowy tundra. I gave the signal to launch the first volley, but with their sporadic formation only a about a dozen fell. Painted faces showed no fear as they charged towards certain death. Loin cloths were the only protection they wore against the elements, long messy uncivilized hair trailing behind them like banners.Grotesque muscular body’s covered in scares and dirt. Uneasily I raised my sword signaling to brace for impact, glistening tipped spears were lowered and readied to find a home.

It sounded like a wave breaking on rocks. Spears punching through the monsters, ripping and tearing their flesh to shreds. This marked my next tactical move, with authority I screamed “MARCH!” Like clock work my infantry charged up the ranks crashing into center of the horde.My hopes were to were to push the initial charge back and allow us to go on the offensive, but the barbarians just shoved back with mass. They were so reckless with their life’s, I think that's what scared my men the most. Ranks were starting to falter and in that moment I knew momentum was shifting. With haste I charged to the front and shield bashed a tall blond knocking his great sword to the side. With a quick thrust I drove my short sword right through his neck dropping him easy enough. Turning to my men I screamed “PUSH!” only to see terror in their faces. Whirling around I deflected a blow with my sword and slammed my shield into his face knocking the beast to the ground. Catching a glimpse out of the corner of my eye, leaning back I heard a “whoosh” and an axe smashed into my helmet knocking me down to the snowy ground.

Rolling onto my back I raised my shield the next blow from the brute, the head of the
massive weapon caved in the steel shield. Reaching up with my right hand I grabbed the beard of my assailant, I tugged on it hard bringing his head down to meet the top of my helmet, knocking the beast unconscious. Slowly gaining my composure I rose to my feet to survey the battlefield. All I saw was horror. My brothers being torn to pieces, the savages pushing into the fleeing ranks. From behind me came a diabolical laugh, rage filled me as I turned to face the hellish figure. Large devil like horns protruded from the top of his armored head, heavy fur cloaks hung from the mantel of his shoulders. Leathery old features told me that this beast of a man has seen many of winters and wars. Cold eyes stared me down trying to break my will, but with a smile on my face I dropped my destroyed shield and waited for savage to make his move.

In every mans life their is a situation were they learn who they truly are, as my men fled
the battlefield and hope following suit I stood there defiant to the odds. Reaching down I plucked a spear from the grip of one of my fallen allies, with my newly secured weapon in hand I started to take long carefully placed strides toward the giant man. With out hesitation the savage unsheathed his sword preparing for my charge. All my strength went into a brutal thrust at the mans mid section, lightning quick hands brought that sharp blade down through the spears shaft severing the tip. Shifting my momentum I brought the spear shaft around to sweep out his legs from under him. On impact the shaft splintered not even phasing him, stunned I stood there staring up at the seemingly impervious man. Large digits wrapped around my neck, with ease the Goliath tossed me like a rag doll.

I must have laid there for a few minutes staring up at the crisp blue sky, my mind racing pondering death and the failure I had that day. Hearing thundering footsteps coming towards me snapped me back to reality, noticing then that gods must be in my favor. Under my right hand was the hilt to a sword that was buried under the snow. An explosion of pain filled my body as a cold piece of steel drove into my left bicep, pinning me to the ground. Letting out a cry I tried to hide the fact I was armed waiting for the right moment. A crooked grin appeared on the savages devilish face as he twisted the sword causing pain to shot through my already beaten body. In desperation I swung wildly, it connected slicing the barbarians stomach open. He stumbled back giving me an opening. That was one of those moments where you find out what your made of, with all my will I stood up making eye contact with the monster. Fear took over all his features as
I approached. Rage filled me , the thought of my men dead drove that sword up and through his lower jaw and out of the back of his head. It was as simple as that, he was slain.

Rocks began to rumble as a roar of hoofs sounded behind me. Dazed I didn’t completely comprehend the significance of this noise. Turning to face what would become a slaughter,Calvary tore through the field cutting down all resistance. Wincing in pain, I pulled the weapon from my arm, wondering if I would even have a chance against my new foes. One of the horseman approached me with caution, my vision blurred I took a defensive stance preparing for the worse. A calm voice emitted from the man “Commander, are you alright?” Stunned and short on breath all I could manage to do was manage a simple nod yes. “How many survived?” I asked with a blank expression on my face, the lack of response said it all. My hand went limp allowing my sword to slide out and stab into the bloodied snow. Hands griped my arms as I blacked out. Every man shows his worth in the most chaotic times, I prayed my actions and my mens life’s were not in vain that day against those brutal savages.