>15 years post konvergence
>Be Me
>human
>Yet another war breaks out with our neighbors
>just turned military age
>end up as a Cavalry Conscript
>conscripted into the 4th Hussars Regiment
>Mixed unit
>were made up of Humans, a few Elves, Even a clan of Centaur
>flash forward to now
>about 3 months into the war
>i got my orders this morning
>my first orders
>looking at them i can feel my stomach doing somersaults
>"Charge the Artillery battery, Spike the guns at all costs"
>I can hear the shelling in the distance
>the regiment is innawood ahead of the front
>i brush my horses Champagne coat
>one of its big ears rotate toward me
>it's looking at me
>i smile and hum as i brush out its mane
>it was my small pleasures
>reminding me of farm work
>reminding me of my elderly father
>if he could see me now
>i laughed a little and patted the horses flank
>sitting down on the stump outside my tent
>my camp mate ralph pipes up
>an elven man about a foot taller than me with deep green eyes
>"you had a chance to talk to them centaurs? i went over and they just stared at me"
>i shrugged
>"They are intense, i hear the 13th is purely Centaurs..and you've heard the stories"
>we both shared an half worried look
>he muttered something before crawling into his tent
>i called a goodnight after him but got no response
>left alone to tend the small dying fire
>i drew the revolver from my hip
>the shining metal danced with the firelight
>the black cylinder capped at one end with Yellow brass percussion caps
>they had given us all these at the beginning of training, along with the rifles on our saddles
>they called it a Griswold
>one of the fancy guns that are being made from the other side
>we got them to thank for that artillery murdering us back on the front too
>i turned the weight over in my hand
>it felt right
>leveling it at where my mate had been sitting before i imagined a faceless man
>i took a deep breath and pulled the trigger
>nothing
>i didn't pull back the hammer
>letting out a long breath i replaced it in its oiled holster
>settling in for the night i watched the dying fire cast shadows on the white canvas
>eventually my eyes lulling into darkness
 
>the next morning
>i was awoken by the horses
>or maybe the centaurs getting ready
>i scooted out of my tent and woke my camp mate up
>we were mobilizing
>id been right
>the Centaurs were all gathered around in a tight circle
>Chanting
>maybe a prayer
>but it sounded more like singing
>they seemed to get restless
>the early morning dew rising off of their bodys in wisps of steam
>the rest of the regiment was getting dressed and prepared
>I pulled my riding pants on
>the leather butt piece tight around my ass
>next came my cartouche belt
>a black hilted Saber hanging from it
>the belts length adorned with pouches of Metal cartridges
>i slipped from my linen work shirt and into the almost blousy silk shirt
>adjusting it and tucking it into the belted pants neatly
>calling my mate over to help me with my breast plate
>i slipped it on and he latched it
>i did the same for him
>finally i donned the large slate grey wool coat
>it felt like a a large weight had been sat in my chest now
>the air felt thin
>the icy cold biting at my brain
>yet the sound of the centaurs rhythmic, tribal chanting was calming
>i listened closely
>forgetting the sound of artillery
>an Elven commander wearing a bearskin hat called us all to attention
>he rambled on about strength and what not
>it was all bluster
>he would be safe here with the observation corps
>i cinched the saddle tight,my horse giving an slight puff as it did
>i gave it a gentle pat
>"i'll get it off you soon boy, i just need you to carry me for a little"
>it seemed to acknowledge
>i drew the rifle from its scabbard
>the amalgamation of metal and wood felt familiar in my hands now
>half a year of training ensured that
>i worked the action open and pressed a clip of rounds into the rifle
>closing it and then opening it slightly to ensure a round was picked up
>i sighed and engaged teh safety
>the long knife like bayonet hung from its scabbard next to it
>i replaced the rifle back into its scabbard
>my spurs jingling as i mounted my horse and ran my hand against its his strong neck
>placing my hat onto my head and tightening its leather thong
>i patted my horses neck
>"One good charge boy, that's all i ask"
>the whistle sounded and everyone began to move
>Carts
>Horses
>centaur
>we all began to move in unison as we prepared to charge the artillery position
>i stared across the down hill slope that hid us the night before
>the thunder of distant guns deeper  within the valley began to fill my ears again
>a rumbling in my stomach forcing me to sit heavy in the saddle
>the sound of my instructors voice rang in my ear
>"If you want to live, fight like hell"
>it was an small reassurance
>the fire in my chest rising as we began to form our lines
>the swishing to horse tails sounding like hundreds of house women sweeping wooden floors
>i was in the second line
>beside me was my camp mate
>his green eyes aglow with eagerness, a hand already clenching his Griswold
>to my left was an unexpected sight
>a Centaur
>a female one
>dressed in their traditional armor
>a giant longsword strapped along her side
>out of the way of her legs
>i must have ogeled for too long
>she shot a dagger right through me with her eyes
>i snapped my attention to the rolling green fields
>the Captain began to make a pass along the front line
>a human like me
>his hat marked with a white Captains plume
>unlike our uniform black plumes
>he reached the halfway of the line before wheeling his horse wordlessly
>with a kick of his heels his horse began to move
>and we all followed
>a company of horse 200 strong
>i watched the white plumage though the dust
>the pace seemingly beginning to pick up speed gradually
>my horse falling into cadence with the others
>i lowered my body some in the saddle
>my body leaning almost against the horses neck as we began to gallop over the rolling hills
>the sound of artillery grew louder
>i could see the flashes of the guns in the early morning
>like lightning strikes that split the sky in exact intervals
>then i saw the forest of tents
>rows upon rows of tents
>the early morning fires of cooks ablaze undoubtedly making morning meals
>then the captain raised in his saddle
>raising one arm and bellowing at the top of his lungs
>my first instincts telling me to draw steel from scabbard before his words could reach me
>"CHARGEEEEEE"
>and then the world became drowned out by the thunder of hoof beats
>i spurred my horse and he seemed to lurch into an mad pelting gallop
>adrenaline coursing through my blood making the world turn to a crawl
>as i crested the final hill before the open plain i saw it
>trenches
>emplacements
>the angry belch of smaller cannons spewing death towards us
>the pop flashes of smaller rifles
>and the streams of light of a sole machine gun nest
>the earth kicked up
>tore open and swallowed entire man and horse whole
>and i kept putting spur to horse
>pulling ahead of the centaur and my friend who'd kept neck and neck with me
>i could almost see the first line had hit the trenches
>passing over them and continuing on ahead into the encampment
>now it was my time to decide
>and i set my eyes for the gun nest
>a group of men rushed around feeding a new belt into the infernal machine
>i gritted teeth and jumped the trench
>a searing sting shooting across my calf as an bayonet scored a lucky strike
>landing on the other side the charge went unhalted
>taking reign in one hand and saber in the other i leaned in the saddle
>a man running for the rear lines
>he looked back to me as i brought the heavy saber down across his back
>his eyes rolling back in his head as blood shot from the wound and i rode on
>making my mad dash for the occupied gun
>joined by my mate and several others we cut though line after line of defending man
>a soldier grabbing hold of the saber as it slashed him ripped it from my hand
>i let out a curse and drew the Griswold
>cocking the hammer back as i did
>jumping the final barricade i was within reach of the gun
>its angry belching stopped and the scurrying of movement to load it began again
>my horse closed the distance quickly
>one of the loaders took note of this
>the man stood and raise a steel piece his own
>in a moment i matched his motion
>i pulled the trigger and a cloud of white smoke belched from the barrel
>two loud bangs sounded and the man fell
>a searing pain from the side of my hat along my temple stung me for a moment as i carried on my adrenaline fueled charge
>seeing their friend lay dead the gunners panicked
>now aware of my presence
>i rode harder cocking the hammer again as one man produced a grey orb in hand
>another boom and cloud of smoke passed around me and the man crumpled in the pit
>a clear expression of fear washed over the group of gunners as he did
>they attempted to claw out of the pit as i wheeled around it cocking the hammer once more
>ligning the revolvers sights on the gunner himself i was blinded by an monstrous flash
>the gun nest erupting into a pit of fire and slagged metal
>my horse wheeling away and carrying on as i watched
>Dragon fire orbs
>i smiled as they screamed
>the guns ammunition then went up
>the brap of the belts sounding like an deadlier versions of the children's festival fireworks
>my eyes were now set down the main avenu
>the main force had charged thought the tents now
>leaving a clear path up the hill
>the gates wide atop it leading to the artillery pavilion
>i stuck sup to my horse one final time
>taking a tightened grip on my reigns as i cut into formation beside a man id never met
>i charged into the pavilion and into an absolute melee
>rifles fired
>bayonets jabbed
>horses neighed
>and men elf and centaur alike screamed
>i gave no second though now
>diving headlong into it
>drawing the sharpened bayonet, an almost short sword by all rights
>hacking and shooting as my horse bucked at anyone who got near
>one man lunged with his bayonet
>it bit hard into my breastplate and skid off
>a sharp sting as the tip cut me from chin to cheek
>i returned the favor by delivering the final round of my griswold in his eye
>he fell limp
>dead
>a scream echoed above all as a man was thrown from the artillery battlements
>soon more came screaming onto the stones below
>the unarmed artillery crew was slaughtered
>a group of centaurs having made their way through the melee
>the battle became quickly one sided
>i took the rifle from its scabbard
>flicking its safety off i leveled it on an trembling man
>no more a year my senior
>i put a round right though his heart
>cycling the next round a whistle pierced the air
>and then another
>and then another
>it was over
>the General of the defending force stood their in shock
>his face bloodied and hair undone
>bleeding from multiple places he kneeled his hands up before the dismounted captain
>i smiled as the captain simply drew his revolver and shot the man
>the rest was a slaughter
>most did not fight back
>and id run out of ammo before it was done
>we wasted no time repurposing the camps
>eating their food
>i enjoyed bowl after bowl of the thick beef stew they had cooked in the pots
>i fed my horse on their grain
>dried him off with a dead man's blanket
>and i sat at the edge of the now burned out gun nest
>among the charred corpses of the men id killed
>a shine caught my eye
>under one of the corpses
>a Revolver
>a metric larger than my own griswold
>it had a cylinder of brass shells within
>all 11mm in diameter
>a worn inscription on the side told me its name
>Gasser
>i put it into one of my saddlebags
>perhaps it would bake a good thing to show my children one day
>after retrieving my saber from the battlefield i began to settle down
>the command staff had arrived and medical wagons had began to scour through the battlefield
>a medic saw to my injuries
>they had begun to sting as he had arrived
>resting a hand on my shoulder and speaking
>"you look like you ate a knife son you alright"
>i couldn't help but smile
>and i pointed to the dead soldier next to me
>his olive green tunic showing him as one of the enemy
>"Better than him Doc"
>he laughed and placed his hands on my calf
>his hands glowing slightly as the cut began to knit together and form scar tissue
>he then removed my hat
>sending a stream of blood over my right eye
>blinding me
>he gave an old chuckle and washed out my eye with a canteen that never seemed to empty
>he then proceeded to do the same to my head and face as he'd done to my leg
>he left me with an small anecdote
>"if you were pretty before id feel bad for you, but if you weren't you got some character now kid"
>he then left me to sit there
>my horse not far from where i sat
>happily crunching on the grass
 
>the midday melted into a late afternoon
>all remaining 160 of us, even the centaurs gathered in the pavilion
>the captain held a small ceremony
>he handed out field promotions
>and gave out last rites to those who had died
>i felt a moment of worry not finding my camp mate among the dead or living
>only to be turned around by him
>a wide grin on his face
>"wow" he said as he saw my face
>i simply nodded and he gave me a hug
>"you crazy bastard i saw what you did" he spoke and clapped me on the back
>followed by another and another
>the few faces i recognized from the machine gun charge stood around me
>as the groups dispersed to their own cliques i went with them
>we were ten in all
>i sat with them and exchanged names
>my camp mates name was Henry
>the captain had awarded all of us with the enemies alcohol stores
>we drank like fishes
>even the captain and general drank
>and then the captain sidled up to our fire
>the group seemingly wandering way as i sat looking into the fire with a  dumb smile
>"You did good Anon, took the initiative, and did not back down..you keep going like that and i'll put you up for an poper enlisted rank, something deserving of a man if action"
>he clapped my shoulder and tossed a medel into my hands
>it looked like an commendations ribbon
>i looked up at him and he simply smiled
>i tucked it away into my saddle bag i was leaning on
>making sure to keep the gun hidden
>after sharing a drink the captain moved off
>and i found myself alone again
>the mixture of a warm night,a warm beer, and a won battle blurring my inhibitions
>i looked about for that centair id seen beside me at the beginning of battle
>i'm not sure why
>but it's not like there was much to be picky of
>the rest of us were men
>theni spotted her
>sitting among a group of other females
>they were much larger than her
>definitely a different build
>i found myself unable to move
>simply watching her as i sipped the beer
>her coat was the same color as my horses
>a well groomed champagne sable
>her hair on her head and tail were braided and a deep black
>she was for lack of better words
>beautiful
>then i shook my head
>looking at the drink i laughed
>maybe id drunk to much now
>thinking of a centaur like that
>oh what mother would think
>i let my eyes wander over to her again
>this time she was staring back
>if the look shed given me before were daggers
>these were greatswords
>id decided then that it would be a good time to go to sleep
>getting up to make my way to where i could rest my head in peace
>the darkening sky gave way to beautiful stars
>innumerable and infinite
>it was nice to look up at as i rested my head in the grass
>the warm breeze lulling me to close my eyes
>the first time in nearly a month i did so without fear of artillery
>the only noise now was the grass
>the soft rustle as wind passed through it
>lulling me off to a warm hazy drunken sleep
 
 
>the night passed without interruption
>the sound of one of the groups further in the pavillion waking me
>they were singing
>singing?
>a group of humans and elves were gathered around a roiling coffee pot
>a couple centaurs offering their voices as the bass
>the humans strumming along on an assortment of banjos and fiddles
>Henry being the lead of a quartet of elves as they sang Jine the Cavalry (https://youtu.be/vqlQiBi9RNU)
>a bit of artistic licence taken and replacing events with those of the days passed
>i sat and poured myself a mug of the black gold
>humming and tapping my foot along to their trad session
>soon the voices of other camps joined in
>i enjoyed the moment, the coffee warming my hands as i sipped it carefully
>the heat filling my stomach and chest thoroughly
>chasing off the growing cold of late february
>i finished the coffee and inspected myself for a moment
>my combat uniform had quite a few bloodstains
>a few of them my own
>my neck and hair sticky with dried blood
>i gave my arms a tentative sniff
>i reeked of several days of unwashed riding
>mixed with copious amounts of sweat from the day before
>no wonder that centaur had given me that look
>i must smell like a pig pen
>i wandered the camp looking for the washers wagon
>only finding the old medic from the day before
>"heh good to see ye there boy, looking for the wash?"
>he seemed to read the subtle disgust on my face
>he pointed past me and across the field a short way
>a wooded stream running parallel to where our charge came from
>"ye'll find that will be alright, and ere yell need it to get the stains outta yer clothes, and does wonder to get that stank off"
>he pressed a bar of rough soap into my hand and a rectangular flask that sloshed slightly
>"Keep it it's a gift"
>i nodded a thanks and wheeled around on my heel
>the walk took longer than i'd thought
>the uneven terrain and hills making me break a sweat as i went
>the breese was nice though
>and the trees formed a rather shady canopy
>wasn't all that bad when i finally got there
>the stream was strong
>about as wide as two wagons and deep enough id probably sink to my hip at the middle
>the water was clear as glass
>i stripped from my battle wear quietly as i set everything down
>i had left my breastplate back with the saddle and horse
>i started first by cleaning myself
>pushing my head up to the shoulders in the water
>a shocking cold overtaking me for a moment as i breathed out the air in my lungs
>pulling back the world seemed to be in much brighter colors now
>the shock seeming to have woken my still half asleep nerves
>i then worked the bar of soap though my hair and face
>following then my arms and body
>using my coffee cup to scoop water over myself as i did
>the water peeling away streaks of dull grime and unburnt powder
>id noticed my hands growing a shade whiter as i washed them
>the griswold was a messy gun
>then came my legs
>dipping them into the stream i looked over the now pink scar on my leg
>stretching from where the boot ended to just below my knee
>it was sensitive to touch but the cold water did wonders for that
> after cleaning myself i looked to my equipment
>starting first with the silk undergarment
>stained several different shades of dried blood everywhere but where the breastplate covered
>uncapping the flask i could hear the dull fizzing of the liquid inside
>pouring a small amount onto the large splotch of blood and it begins to fizz and foam white
>a bit of scrubbing with a rag and a section of the stain washes away
>i repeated this again and again for the rest of the clothes
>except for the grey wool coat
>the blood stain seemed aesthetically pleasing and how the collar lined up just right with the scar on my jaw
>it seemed right
>told a story
>i hung the clothes out to dry and sat on a fallen log in my linens
>a set of camp wear really
>a work shirt dyed blue with a  pair of grey denim pants held up by suspenders
>it was comfy
>one of the elves back at camp had mended my hat
>presently it took a few other bullets that i didn't even notice
>passed right over my head
>i enjoyed the quiet sound of the woods and listened intently
>the sounds of bird song filling the air
>but there was something else
>a splashing sound
>i opened my eyes and turned to the sound
>further up stream
>maybe something fell into the river trying to cross?
>i left my things drying loosened the cover on my holster
>you can't be too careful
>i walked about 10 meters upstream before seeing it
>that centaur girl again
>standing belly deep in the middle of the stream
>i watched as she went about cleaning her own kit
>wearing the usual centaur casual attire of a heavy leather jerkin over her upper half
>her large ears twitched for a moment
>and i ducked behind a bush holding my breath
>something i knew about horses
>they see with their ears
>at least in most cases
>she shifted to face my direction
>looking directly at my bush
>i held my breath
>a sinking feeling that this would be my last mistake
>and then she turned back around
>returning to her things, scrubbing furiously getting one of the stains out
>i breathed again and slowly crept back the way i came
>gathering my things quickly and makings ure to leave no sign i was there
>then my eyes fell on the flask
>and i thought of the hard time she was having with the stains
>"is being nice with getting kicked to death?" i said to myself
>and with a sigh i turned on my heel again
>this time taking an far more wooded path in her direction
>coming to the patch where she was still scrubbing
>silently i placed a flask on a stone and backed away
>putting the bole of a thick oak between me and her before putting my fingers to my lips
>whistling loud enough to startle her and the birds around i listened to the sudden thrashing of water and stood stalk still
>trying to fuse to the oak as she searched for the noise
>i heard the clatter of the flask being picked up and her shake it curiously
>then i heard a spitting sound as i guessed she tried to taste it
>followed by more spitting as it foamed
>i watched as she scanned the area and then slowly turned back to her things
> pouring the flask unceremoniously over them all
>causing a giant ball of reddish foam to form
>as she got to washing i took my chance to leave
>a little louder than i'd intended but i felt as if maybe id gotten away
>i made it back to my camp to find henry there with  shit eating grin on his face
>two scraps of paper in his hands
>"Anon we got commendations from the general"
>he seemed far to happy about this
>everyone else held a similar piece of paper in their hands with varying degrees of disgust for the centaurs to happiness for the rest of us
>i took mine and read it over
>or tied too
>there was a lot of flowery wordage and i already couldn't read well as is
>"this is good henry, sheit maybe next time they won't make us charge a firing line" i joked
>he laughed and we sat around the camp
>the entire camp seemed to be in an state of hurry up and wait
>the infantry should link up any day now
>we were visited by the group to offer a few beers and harder clear liquors
>but they eventually stayed in favor of a card game
>henry repurposing an unbroken crate as a table
>we used the cigarette rations as the buy in and coinage
>i wasn't much of a smoker
>but i did know how to play poker
>and as a great man once said
>"you gotta know when to fold em"
>and so when the centaur woman strolled by our camp and tossed the flask into the middle of our game i tried to hold my best poker face
>holding back an nervous smile as i tipped my hat to her and tucked it away
>an softer look growing on her face as she walked off with her clothes in hand
>looking at the rest of my dumbfounded group i took one of the rations and folded out of the game
>"Im sorry gentlemen, seems i have business to attend to"
>i kept my legs from shaking as i stood, walking after the centaur woman casually
"Hey.. I never got your name miss?"
>her head simply turned to look at me as she walked, two cold eyes seemingly turning a mite warmer as she spoke
>"Adialla"
>and in the same stride moved off to the centaur section of camp
>leaving me with the dumbest smile on my face
>oh lords mother would kill me if she saw me now
 
>another day passed before the first battalion arrived
>four hundred men on the march
>it was impressive to see as a new city of tents was raised
>i even spied their logistics wagons
>they were in the hundreds as well
>everything they needed to keep a regiment or more moving for weeks
>we were re supplied from them and the general and captain met with the battalions Lieutenant Colonel
>i tended to my horse
>brushing down his champagne coat
>"traveler, thats what ill call you" i spoke softly to the horse
>a moment past as the horse looked back at me
>it seemed to snort in agreement with the name
>this battalion that arrived was ragged and near feral
>they tore into anything they were fed
>and i watched as they seemed to huddle together to eat
>one always watching as if peeking over a trench as the others ate
>that could have been me
>i shook my head and simply returned to my duties
>wed gotten a resupply on ammunition for our rifles and were instructed to tend to our rifles and other weapons
>so i spent the next hours ensuring the immaculate condition of the griswold
>its brass frame polished to a sheen, the black steel near reflective
>the same went for the rifle as i polished the action and oiled it thoroughly
>id grown curious about the revolver in my saddle bag though
>sliding it out from the bottom of the bag i sat within my tent
>hefting the massive gun in my hand and aiming down the sights
>it was monstrous
>the black metal it was constructed of not like that of my griswold
>the grips had been made of some kind of wood and carved and inlaid with what felt like bone
>after fiddling with it i finally figured how to unload it
>the rod being used to eject the shell from an opening loading gate
>ejecting one i looked it over in my hands
>it was self contained like the rifle cartridges
>seemingly cut down to form a  seat for the lead wad that stuck from it
>unloading the rest of the rounds i found one bullet had already been fired
>i loaded the live rounds back into the revolver and tucked it back into my bag
>taking a couple cigarette rations and a food ration i made by way to the Battalions logistics wagons
>a bored but hungry looking half elf manning the munitions wagon looking me up and down
>eyes locking on my offer of food and cigarettes
>i cracked a smile and lifted the empty cartridge in my hand
>placing the ration on the wagon at the same time
>"can you look and see if you got any of these laying around?"
>the man took the food ration and inspected the casing
>grumbling something in mun speak as he darted into the large wagon
>i waited around looking at the passing infantry
>many of them were unwashed
>some with open wounds scattered around their bodys
>one of them wandering a bloodied bandage wrapped over his right eye and head
>the screams from the overflowing medical tent reminded me the miracle it was we had a healer among our medics
>not that it was rare
>but a spell can only do so much
>the non magical methods were.. brutal
>the sound of the half elf clearing his throat snapping me back to reality
>in his hands he carried 2 cardboard boxes
>like the one that held my rifle rounds
>i placed the cigarettes on his wagon and he slid the boxes to me wordlessly and wandered off into the cart once more
>i got back to my tent to find henry pacing around the fire
>tossing the boxes into my saddle bag i turned to look at him
>looking closer now he was smiling as always
>though a dangerous look in his eye
>his eyes shot up to me in an instant
>"Were marching to Retake Cannith"
>his eyes were alight with excitement and i could almost see him swinging the sword in his mind
>"Were breaking camp tomorrow where to ride ahead and clear the path, were leading the way" he nearly jumped out of his skin as eh clapped my shoulder
>his excitement was infectious
>and it got to me quickly
>the idea of retaking the lost City of Cannith was shocking
>it had been... 15 years or more since Cannith had belonged to the Kingdom
>the Qemore Dynasty dynasty had taken it during one of the lightning wars when i was a child
>a vague sense of pride raising in my chest knowing we'd be leading the way
>and now Henry's excitement was mirrored in mine
>i thought to the stories i'd heard of the ancient Capital
>of a massive stone and steel bridge that passed over a raging river
>walls so high and so thick that even the newest cannons could not shake them
>my mind wondering how it had been taken in the first place
>id only seen the newest capital one
>it was beautiful
>but the stories i'd heard from my mother and father of Cannith made the new capital dull in comparison
>sleep did not come easily that night
>i ended up practicing loading and unloading the black metal Gasser
>a tad bit of polishing and oiling seemingly loosening it into compliance
>the metal seemingly intentionally marked with odd symbols
>it gave the gun an interesting appearance in the fire light
>placing it into the holster where the griswold should sit comfortably the leather stretched and held securely
>the heavy weight of it unusual then an idea came to my mind
>i tucked the griswold into the heavy gun belt
>its handle easily reached with swift motion in a cross draw
>6 bullets were now 12
>i laughed as i looked down at it
>maybe this was something the people on the other side developed as well?
>eventually the order to break down the camps came
>we were all given an coffee spiked with a  hard shot of whiskey
>the first warming comforts to a long march
>looking back now i could see the Fortress we took
>looking ahead i saw what looked like a rolling sea of green and craggally black of stone
>but beside me rode Henry his eager smile and half cocked hat bouncing along side me
>as our last battle fell out of sight i looked to the rising sun
>the beginning of the hard part of our march came now
>in the same way that the captain had done the first time he stood in his stirrups, raising a hand and bellowing
>his deep baritone reaching out over even the thunder of hooves
>"FORWARD GALLOP"
>the line of horses 10 wide and 16 deep entered a break neck gallop making us disappear into a cloud or kicked up dirt and dust
>before the sun would reach midday we would make 30 miles of travel
>nothing but outcroppings of rock and rolling hills to meet us
>ancient Cairns lined the road we took offering momentary scenery as we shot past
>at the end of the hard march we gathered underneath a row of these stone obelisks
>they formed an incomplete wall that seemed to stretch onto the horizon
>the captain had informed us to stay clear of them and not to touch them
>"Bad luck" he said
>i heeded his advice and kept camp far from them
>though the growing hills and cliffs that turned into snow capped mountains captivated my interest
>id started to sketch them down as i was approached by the Captain and Henry
>"you two have been volunteered for forward scouting" he said as he tossed me a steel framed binocular
>i was tempted who it was that volunteered us was
>but judging by Henry's face
>i knew very well already just who it was that volunteered us for the mission
>without another word we stripped our horses of unnecessary gear and readied ourselves
>neither of us bothered for the breastplate
>not like we'd actually find anything
>henry jabbing at me as my face showed a sour expression
>"come on farm boy, if we find anything it will impress that Centaur you've been ogling like a lost pup" he then put spur to horse and shot off into the growing dusk
>leaving me coughing dust, red faced
>in a flash i was after him
>eventually setting into a slow pace as the camp fell out of sight
>and the night grew dark
>and very very lonely
 
>a few hours of riding in the dark passed
>the moonlight casting the rocky ever shifting plains in a ethereal blue white
>i kept the griswold in hand the entire time
>my mind going schizophrenic hearing sounds where there were none
>Henry being the first to speak up as the "Road" began to narrow and turn at the base of two growing hills
>"we should pull off, stache the horses and go on foot"
>he said as he pointed to what looked like a small defilade off to the side of the road
>nodding in agreement we pulled the horses off and dismounted
>i took the rifle and cartouche bandoleer from my saddle and snuck a handful of Gasser rounds into the utility pouch on the belt
>tucking the griswold into my belt like id done before i checked the rifle
>the polished brass of the casing shining back at me as i pull back the bolt slightly
>henry doing the same as we prepared to move
>i tightened my belt and looked for henry to lead the way
>my soft soled boots making nearly no sound as we made our way through the rocky terrain
>moving first to a hunched posture then to crawling using a hand and feet
>eventually reaching just the lip of the hill that formed one of the sides of the "Valley"
>crawling onto my stomach i took the binoculars the captain had handed me
>peering off the top of the hill i scanned the plains beyond
>the terrain becoming rolling hills leading into the base of a large mountain
>The GeistUnterbrecher, or Spirit Breakers
>its said when Cannith fell, the enemy chased us over them, men on both sides fell to its imposing will
>so much so that the dynasty pulled off, offering a peace treaty in exchange for a promise of no further war
>we accepted.. though they broke it a few years later after marching a raiding foray into the towns after it, burning them to the ground
>my eyes seemed to catch ona dull glitter
>coming from the point between two of the hills
>the dull glow of light and shadows being cast by it
>we moved from our hill
>taking care not to sky line ourselves on the cloudless night
>i moved ahead of henry now, my huan eyes having now grown accustomed to the night
>henry's eyes, like a dogs glowed somewhat in the light
>his elven blood letting him see near perfectly
>i made it halfway before henry grabbed my collar
>a strong yank sending me falling back onto my ass
>i looked at him for a moment confused before he pointed down to the ground
>what id though was a stone grew to appear more metallic
>half a dozen more shown fully in the moonlight
>my face feeling rather cold as it was almost over
>an second later and i'd be a mangled mess
>nodding in silene i stood again
>drawing my knife from Camp knife from its sheath i looked to henry a moment
>he was already ahead of me
>his own bowie shaked knife in hand and digging out the first of the mines
>we worked in silence for what felt like an hour up earthing the 100 or so mines that scattered the remaining distance
>i breathed calmly as we made it to the base of the hill
>a moment of reprieve as the moon was now high in the sky
>i dragged one of the mines along gently
>the plate sized contraption holding a crystal in the center
>what looked like two adamantine bits presed tightly against it
>if any pressure were put on it it would probably crack the crystal
>releasing the energy inside
>violently
>making it just to the top we peered over to see just what it had been we had seen
>what looked like a platoon sized force camped between the two hills
>the navy blue uniforms of Dynasty soldiers adorning the 50 or so heads
>they seemed split over the two sides of the road
>during the day something like this would be invisible
>until it wa too late
>a pair of Machine guns sat at the mouth of both camps
>angled and entrenched perfectly to fire onto the road
>two sleepy looking men manning both
>henry looked at me disbelief in his eye
>disbelief and fear
>but i felt odd
>a mix of the exhaustion from the days and urge to be rid of the ambush
>i set the mind between us
>i pointed at him and spoke, pointing to the other side of the road
>"go to the other side, take one of the mines and wait my signal"
>he seemed confused but watched as i gently slid the mine down the grassy hill
>its weight carrying it down the slope and right underneath what looked like a supply or sleeping wagon
>following him back down i took and dragged another two mines up the hill
>i watched henry do the same and look over at me
>his rifle at the ready
>i took aim and held my rifle on the slight glow of the wagon
>and just as i was going to take the shot i saw it
>a tall hat
>the dynasties icon of status
>a colorful orange plume giving him away as some kind of Captain or lieutenant
>he seemed to joke with one of the men before making his way past the wagon and past the outer perimeter of the camp
>"Off to relieve yourself eh?" i said to myself before signing to henry to hold
>creeping down the hill i slid another mine behind what looked like the communications tent
>an grey antenna giving it away
>the elvish man stumbled a bit as he was clearly somewhat drunk
>he stopped suddenly and looked around for a moment
>i fell to my belly with my head down
>after a moment i heard what sounded like water splashing against  rock and a satisfied sigh
>standing again i drew the Bowie from its sheath and approached him
>my free hand drawing teh large gasser pistol as well
>with a sickening click of the hammer the man froze
>he seemed about to scream before i put the edge of the blade against his throat
>"say a word and you'll lose a lot more before you lose your life"
>i quickly shifted the blade under his shrinking balls
>"Now, answer my questions and you'll live, don't and ill start cutting of your personality"
>he began to tremble slightly and i began
>"how many men are in your camp" i asked a simple question first
>"f-f-fourty" the man was able to crack out  between trembling lips
>the man seems more a boy by elven standards
>definitely not as old as henry
>"ok good, now" i tightened the position of the blade
>"are there any more positions like this, if so where"  
>the boy seemed to stiffen and shake
>his eyes locked straight ahead of him
>"i-i can't tell you that"
>i groaned and dragged the blade about an centimeter sharply
>He hissed and i cracked him over the back of the head with the heavy gun
> his body falling forward into his own piss
>i was on him before he could turn over
>spinning teh now piss stained boy over and giving him another good crack with the revolver
>"you want to die boy?" i asked in the most menacing tone i could
>copying an facial expression our trainer hd made many a time to frighten us into cooperation
>he shuddered and cried softly though a swelling eye
>"i-i-they'll kill me"
>i cracked him again this time over the bridge of his nose
>a spray of blood staining the white of his undershirt
>his once pretty porcelain nose now twisted and red
>he cried out and i scrambled to cover his mouth as he shuddered and writhed
>"i'll ask one more time, the next time i use the knife to cut off one of your ears"
>i let not a hint of empathy show in my voice
>his eyes grew wide
>and then they grew into realization
>he was dead if he did
>dead if he didnt
>"t-there a border defence force maybe 200 men, we haven't gotten reports of any force being this far ahead of the front"
>my mind puzzled for a moment
>were we that far ahead?
>i looked at the boy
>eyes downcast his nose dripping blood
>"What's your rank boy?"
>he looked up at me and seemed puzzled
>"l-l-Lieutenant.. this was my first command, father made me enter the academy"
>i pursed my lips
>and then i brought the guns heavy grip down on his temple
>his eyes rolling back and his body falling limp
>the Captain would be mad if we didn't bring back at least some information
>i dragged him back to my position henry still watching the opposite camp
>i took aim once more now
>and with a deep breath i let my first round fly
>the hot lead catching the unaware gunner in the neck his body slumping over his gun
>there was a bright explosion from the other side as Henry detonated his mine with a round
>my next shot erupted teh communications tent
>several men falling out of the front and sides as it erupted in a ball of fire 20 feet high
>i then picked off another man
>this one trying to get his rifle from under him
>the round caught him in the rips and he curled as the life left him
>the opposite side erupted into another explosion
>the MG entrenchment bursting into flames
>i followed suit by igniting the mine underneath the wagon
>its hulk shooting up and somersaulting in the air as the mine detonated it and its components
>what must have been teh ammo wagon began to cook off igniting the wagon next to it as well
>the enemy's horses
>which were tired off to some stakes took flight now
>trampling a few men who tried to stop them
>by the time the enemy force had mustered there were about 10 left in total
>i was surrounded by expended stripper clips
>the last one being pushed into the rifle as i stood and bellowed
>"Surrender and well keep you as prisoners"
>i was answered by a single crack of a fire
>a poof of smoke from where a man with an familiar looking revolver stood
>i cracked him with a round in the chest
>trying to ignore the fire in my upper arm from where the round had grazed me
>the rest appeared unarmed
>henry and i taking opposite ends of the camp to approach
>taking in one hand the Gasser and the other the Bowie
>henry wielding his rifle more like a club
>the 9 remaining men all had an assortment of bayonets and their fists
>maybe they lost their rifles in the hurry?
>i pointed the Gasser at the nearest man
>and pulled the trigger
>as the hammer fell teh gun kicked up and the man fell a hole blown through him
>two seemed to have the bight idea to charge me
>it seemed another pair had the same to do to henry
>i dropped one with another shot but the one with the bayonet was too fast
>he delivered a shallow cut right down my forearm as i tried to block it
>my coat taking the brunt of it
>swinging the revolver like a giant club i basked him behind the ear
>the man stumbling before i plunged the bowies blade into his ribs
>the man letting out a groan as he fell dead
>henry seemed to fare well
>he had bashed his way though the ones assaulting him
>my eyes catching as he based the final one repeatedly
>the last three seemed to look at each other
>fear strewn over their faces
>something common
>the look they make when they aren't winning
>that they make when they aren't mulching waves after waves of our men with their fancy machine guns
>or blasting them apart with canon or artillery
>my vision went red as they raised their eyes in surrender
>and in that instant i knew why the captain had executed that artillery general
>i shot two of them before they could react
>the one survivor falling to his face begging and pleading for his life
>i brought the gun to his head and cocked back the hammer
>he grabbed ahold of my boot and begged in his language
>i pulled the trigger
>**CLICK**
>i looked at the gun and saw it had not fired
>the man seemed to let out a breath of relief before i took a  handful of his hair
>wrenching him up i looked into his green eyes though my dirty brown eyes
>"For Cannith"
>i said as i dragged the blade into his scalp
>staring at the widow's peak of his hair and ripping and wrenching until i reached the back of his neck
>the man was shuddering in pain
>eyes rolling back from the shock
>ripping the scalp away i slit the man's throat and looked up to henry
>he seemed non too worried
>a smile on his face
>"Your a fucking savage" being his only comment as he went about checking the dead
>as we finished checking the bodies i claimed my second gasser
>tossing the griswold to henry as i peeled the gun belt off the dead dynasty soldier
>"here now we can make our own identity aye, get us a name somewhere" i joked as i fitted the second gasser to its holster
>henry seemed to smile and took my spare holster
>wearing them in cross draw much like myself
>i dragged the still unconscious lieutenant into the camp and sat on his back
>"henry, bring up the horses.. we should camp here till day, force could ride up to us then"
>he nodded and walked off
>leaving me among the dead
>i eyed the single remaining machine gun
>its blackened steel stained crimson from the dead gunner and loader
>when henry returned we went about stripping every last soldier
>39 in total
>the lieutenant making 40
>we also found a good stache of cigarettes left in one of the unburned wagons
>and the platoons pay box
>teh metal case locked under the carts seat
>we took a couple rifle smashes at it before it opened
>the dull glint of gold coins lighting up our faces as we looked over it
>400 gold pieces in all
>ten to a man
>or
>200 to a man now as me and henry split it
>weighing our saddlebags carefully
>i took to tying down the prisoner as henry laid in for sleep at the foot of the hill
>henry and i were both injured
>though we managed to staunch the bleeding
>it would hold till the medical arrived tomorrow
>and the next day it did
>i was raised by the sound of horses stirring through the camp
>looking down at me were the incredulous look of the captain to my right
>to my left was the salty old medic working over my wounds
>and just at my feet was Adialla the centaur, her face in a sort of half impressed smirk
>the regiment was looking about the nights battle
>a few prodding the bodies for life
>the captain breaking the silence as he stared down at me
>a smile crossing his face
>"Son, that part where i told you about keeping up the good work wasn't to be taken so literally" he joked and patted my shoulder
>"damn i'll be putting you and that friend of yours up for enlisted ranks.. hell's i might even be needing some officers if you keep it up boy"
>the captain wheeled away and shouted at some men playing about the Machine gun nest
>as the healer finished he too left leaving me alone with the centaur woman
>her hooves clacking against a stray stone as she came closer
>"You just couldn't save any fun for us eh, the tribe is quite mad.. dont worry ill advocate for you"
>she said with a wink and strolled off leaving me to stare at the cloudless blue sky
>what the fuck
>i felt a sudden urge to eat something come over me
>my stomach rumbling loudly as i sat up
>a bowl of traveling chowder sitting beside me
>i dug in as i stared at the discarded scalp of the man i killed the night before
>maybe this was changing me
>all i knew was i was really fucking hungry
>and this chowder had some good bits of meat in it
 
>i slept for another hour or so before Henry woke me up
>my horse had been saddled and watered
>henry had an hand out to help me up
>i took it and he pulled me up off my ass
>we shared a shit eating grin for a moment before mounting up
>traveler gave a whinny and toss of the head as i shifted my weight
>the two captured gassers adding an odd weight to my hips
>but it was comfortable
>i put my heels to belly and the horse moved on
>slowly easing into a trot i pulled up beside Adialla
>beside her was a black haired, black coated centaur
>i saw several scars that looked deep enough to kill a man on him
>i decided against saying anything smart and merely tipped my hat to the female centaur and larger male
>riding further forward i came alongside the captain
>tied wrist and ankle to the saddle hung the boy i had captured the night before
>still very much alive
>now sporting a rather ugly broken nose and black eye
>i met the captains grey eyes and he gave me a smile
>"ah anon.. good ride with me"
>the captain spoke shortly and clicked his heels to his horse
>the dapple coated horse veering off from the collum some
>i followed close behind before the captain spoke again
>"i'm gonna put it to you simple son" he started
>i looked at him and half expected some sort of war ending news
>wait.. was that what he was telling me?
>he cleared his throat and handed me a piece of paper
>i unrolled it to see a rather well drawn map
>a sketching of what appeared to be an form of staging area or checkpoint was laid out
>what appeared to be a river ran about a hundred yards before the "Gate"
>"that river is part of the Dnieper rapids.. fast and strong, basically impossible to cross without a bridge"
>he pointed onto the paper a solid black line across the shading
>i gathered what he meant as he spoke
>"that is an enemy controlled point, a bridge wide enough for 6 men across but also a choke point and a funnel"
>then pointed further up to show a haphazard placement of black splotches
>"they have gun emplacements, were not sure they're all their machine guns but i'll be damned if i'll let them chew up any more of our boys"
>i looked at him for a moment my eyebrow raised as i looked over the map for a moment
>"Umm.. sir why are you telling me all this?"
>my obvious confusion showing through
>"well.. i did say i was going to need officers.. consider yourself unofficially promoted, i lost a good sergeant in the last charge, your his replacement"
>i felt my jaw hang open for a moment
>he returned the look with a smug toothy grin
>"now consider these your first orders, your to take a Squad of your choosing and head down river.. find a place to ford the rapids and wrench control of the choke point from them.. and if you can melt any emplacements, you seem to be good at that"
>with a click of heels he left me staring at the map slack jawed
>whatthefuck
>i look at the map and fold it up
>the captain shouts one last thing as we ride back
>"make sure you grab a new cover from the quartermaster, he already knows"
>i rode back in silence
>a command position
>a few days ago i was a conscript
>a nobody
>guess we are getting desperate...
>i decided to gather henry first
>every sergeant needs his second in command
>his smile was sickening
>he let out a whoop of celebration before i could quiet him
>in a way id also just promoted him..
>i then stopped at the quartermasters wagon
>not much was exchanged
>besides a new hat
>the grey feather now being replaced with a golden one
>much like the captains
>i was also handed a handkerchief of the same color
>the quartermaster leaning oddly from the cart as he tied it around my neck
>i was now tasked with choosing 25 men
>what the fuck
>who am i supposed to choose
>i only really know henry
>we were from the same village
>i lock eyes with Adialle
>oh fuck
>here she comes
>breaking rank she rides right up to me and henry
>"i've seen that look before.. whatever you two are planning your taking me"
>i gave her the quick rundown and a sinister grin grew across her face
>"oh you are definitely not leaving without me"
>she rode off for a moment and returned in tow with 4 other centaurs
>each of them as heavily armed and armored as adi
>"uhhhh" i said as i looked at adialla
>"they volunteered for the mission, they will follow your orders.. unless its to retreat"
>i shook my head for a moment and sighed
>no use in fighting with a centaur
>for being part horse
>they were quite pig headed
>at least i had the heavy cavalry aspect out of the way
>henry and i rode through the ranks for what felt like the next three hours
>the guys who had charged teh gun with me in our first charge all fell in as obvious choices
>most of them being country boys like myself and henry
>and then henry got a brilliant idea
>"rough riders..only farm boys were faster in the saddle anyways"
>i was dumb enough.. or maybe smart enough to heed his advice
>we combed through the rest of the troop and filled out the remaining 10
>a decent mix of humans and elves among us
>a few different villages but all sharing the calloused hands and wiry smile
>then there were the centaurs
>they were the odd man out.. well except for adi
>as we split away from the main contingent she rode right up beside henry and i
>a big old grin on her face as she spoke
>"Well you're in charge now sarge... what are our orders"
>i then proceeded to choke on some prairie dust as i opened my mouth to speak
>cough up my lungs as we eased into a  hard gallop
>the main column falling further and further from sight as we rolled over one hill after another
>eventually they were gone
>and now i was in charge
>i looked to henry first
>his face was alight with excitement as he rode bouncing in his saddle
>turning to see adi all i saw was an odd focus
>a determination to prove a point almost
>then there was me
>i guess i was excited
>id always seen myself as growing old as a farmer
>i guess i'm a technically sergeant now
>i better not fuck it up now
>Copying the captains motion i stood from my stirrups
>raising one hand and drawing  deep breath i bellowed
>"FOWARDDDDDDD FULL SPEED"
 
>i kept my eyes along the river as we rode
>scanning the opposite shore for somewhere to ford across
>the white water separating both shores seemed to roil and swirl over hidden rocks
>i cursed this entire plan
>we'd be to late
>then henry called out
>a break in the white water
>a dam
>a dam?
>i swung my eyes up river and saw it
>several large beavers working away as they seemed to tame the White water into a more calm river
>standing in my stirrups i bellowed out 
>"group settle"
>the squad of riders and Centaur slowed to a trot as we rode past and back around to the dam
>i got off traveler with a grunt and walked to the edge
>the water seemed... calm enough
>the fish thats swam by jetted off as the first of us began to cross
>the stream was about as wide across as a soccer pitch
>it was slow going
>centaurs taking point as the rest of us tied up our saddles and waterproofed our boots
>getting across was still rather.. hap hazard
>one of the centaurs having a slip on a rock and getting floated downstream about 40 feet
>i cursed under my breath as the water rose just beneath the top of my boots
>i'd rather catch a bullet than have to ride with water in my boots
>eventually we got to the other side
>the one centaur who'd fallen in joining us after a few moments
>he was soaked through and he'd lost a "Saddle bag" in the tumble
>we all took a moment to dry off the horses and selves and re adjust the saddles
>i checked my guns
>the revolvers were fine
>i took a moment to dry off the rifle and run a patch down the bore
>mounting up again i looked to henry
>he was smiling as always
>the hat cocked crookedly on his head
>"oi friend" i spoke up 
>he cocked his head toward me
>"if one of these bastards gets me, tell my Ma it was quick alright" i said in a moment of seriousness
>"what makes you think if you die i'll make it out of this too you dickhead" he said in an cheerful tone
>he shook his head and gripped his reigns 
>i couldn't help it
>His smile was infectious
>i let the smile spread across my face and the fire of determination grew in my stomach some what
>we were what had to be a few hours hard ride from the checkpoint now
>i let the men finish their drying off before i ordered the move
>digging my heels into travelers side once more i settled one hand on the hilt of my saber
>it gave me.. some confidence in this
 
>we rode hard
>the sun beginning to fall behind the towering peaks of the mountain tops
>and the lights of fires beginning to dance in the distance
>we were close now
>and everyone felt it
>a excitement running though each of us
>i felt a smile creep wide cross my face
>adrenaline pumping into my bloodstream with every beat of my heart
>my horses hoofbeats pulling me closer and closer 
>our formation began to shift
>the armored centaurs shifting ahead of me
>bannerless lances readied at the very front was Adi
>then there was myself
>the saber grasped firmly in my right hand
>my left guiding the reigns
>henry and the others followed suit
>as we grew closer i could see shapes
>men
>moving about the camp lazily
>the checkpoint that spanned the bridge seemingly unmanned
>then i saw it
>one of them looked in our direction
>a bundle of firewood in hand
>the color visibly draining from his face as i stood in my stirrups
>voice booming across the field
>"CHARGEEE"
>what was once the slow drum beat of hooves became a symphony of thundering hooves
> centaurs gaining the forward as they lowered lance and went into a full pelt
>my blood boiled as i crossed the outskirts of the camp
>the yelps, crys and hollers of henry and the rest of our squad came like a pack of rabid dogs
>caught unprepared as they began to settle for the night many of them were unprepared
>the centaurs charging, hacking and slashing through the tentlines
>heavy metal chaos as they bucked with hoof and slashed with steel
>and i charged the guns
>the clear line of unmanned emplacements lay before us
>a herd of rushing men running for them in desperate attempt to man them
>i shifted in my saddle
>bringing down the saber on the collar of one man as we rode over them
>the blade sending a spray of blood up along the blade
>i wheeled teh horse around again and again
>a wild grin spread wide across my face as the chaos ensued
>men rushed for weapons as they were beset apon by wailing rider
>from further within the camp more men came running
>only to be met by shot and steel
>i steered Traveler head long into a group 
>flashing my blade from one side to the other i stuck in with the rest of the men
>one of the bastards using his rifle like a staff managed to wrench teh saber from my grasp
>instinctually i reached for my revolver
>a flash  and a plume of powder cracked the air
>and pain shot up from my side
>drawing iron i put a hole in the man's chest as thanks
>the battle at the mouth of the camp seemed to heighten as more and more soldiers began to pour from all sides
>the human and elven cavalry pulling back, charging from one end to the other  before wheeling back around
>i brought travelers full weight to bear on the unprepared infantry
>one man wearing a wrinkled commanders hat like that of the lieutenant from before fell beneath my horses hooves
>a audible crunch as we got stuck in once more
>over the sounds of gunfire and screaming there was something else
>a rumbling
>as i swung down now using my rifle and bayonet like a shortened lance it reached my ears
>a bloodied smile spreading across my face
>digging spur into tired horse i broke from the group
>riding along the gun line i tossed cylinder after cylinder into their nests
>one after another the emplacements erupting into a slagged pit
>illuminating the darkening battle
>with a final charge the infantry broke
>cresting the hills before the bridge was the main force
>133 men and centaurs at full pelt
>my force let out another rebel yell and gave chase
>the entire battle devolving into a slaughter
>the now force of 160 cavalry assaulting the remaining of the garrison
>id spotted the general first
>the look of fear painted across his elven features as he fled for the horse paddock
>i rode him down
>the look on his face as he heard hooves thundering past him almost matching the look on his face as i crashed down atop of him
>i seized him by his throat and smiled down at him
>hands squeezing the thin neck of the man as his grey eyes turned dull
>the sound of gurgling and then crunching as something gave way under my hands assured me of his fate
>the battle lasted a few moments more after that
>another bloody victory
 
 
>Henry was the first to find me after it
>his face having been cut up in the battle he looked a pale white
>i held a hand tightly to my side where a bullet had entered and not passed though
>it won't be long until the medic arrived
>"you going to live Sarg?" he asked sarcastically and took a seat atop the general's corps with me
>"i might.. but you wont be looking so pretty yourself" i joked back
>henry chuckled and looked out to the rest of the forces as they went about killing wounded and scavenging
>"we only got injured.. was a good attack" he said as he looked at his blood stained hands
>"think you'll keep that sergeant position? cuz ill be honest with ya Anon.. i kinda like the energy" 
>we shared a laugh for a moment before the captain rode up accompanied by the medic 
>the older medic raising an eyebrow at the both of us
>"i swear..why is it always you too who i got to come around and patch up" he grunted as he hopped off his own horse and strode up to me
>he handed me a leather strap
>"yer gonna want to bite that sonny"
>before i had a moment to ask he dug his fat fingers into the wound in my side
>i let out a scream and henry had to hold my arms down as he worked
>eventually he fished out a rounded lead bullet
>the head deformed from when it punched the breastplate
>i felt the world spinning at that point
>his words blurring with the adrenaline
>the warm feeling of his healing magic calming me some
>Henry was next
>he was mainly consisted of grazes and bayonet wounds
>the cut that opened his face knitting closed into a rather ugly scar
>"fuck doc..." was all he said as he looked at himself in a small shaving mirror that hung from the medics neck
>the medic said something in a language neither of us spoke and rode off
>probably to fuck up the healing on other soldiers faces
>the captain took a moment to look me over for a moment
>his eye then shifting to what i was siting on
>"Good job anon..good to see i didn't make a mistake in choosing you, now gather your men, we will camp til daybreak and then head up the path... this is the final push before Cannith" he said with a grin at the last part
>in an off handed motion he tossed a rounded flask into my lap
>"consider that a mark of Official Promotion"
>henry looked at me with a grin
>and i took a moment to sniff the contents
>it was one of those "New World" alcohols
>Kentucky Whiskey
>as the captain rode off me an henry shared some
>it burned like fire going down but filled my body with heat
>i hadn't realized i'd been cold before
>the wind coming down from the white peaked mountains chilling me some
>sharing the flask between us we sat in silence
>at least until Adialla strode up
>a all too nonplussed look on her face
>"so there you two are getting drunk while the rest of us are looking for you"
>we shared a slightly drunken look and chuckle
>she did not take too kindly to that
>in a flash my world being turned on its side
>blood rushing to my head as i watched the grass shift under me
>in what felt like a slow blink of the eye i was being carried
>under one of adis strong arms
>face flushed red from the whiskey
>it wasn't all that bad
>at least until i felt like i was going to throw up
>and then adi dropped me on my face
>that... did hurt quite a bit
 
>the cold brought me back to the land of the living
>it had been a giant blur
>leaving the checkpoint and beginning our accent
>my squad was sent ahead of the main cavalry force
>i looked down at my freezing hands on the reigns
>they flexed almost instinctively
>but delayed
>it felt like it took seconds for the order to travel the distance of head to fingers
>"They should have given us cold weather gear"
>henry rode beside me, grumbling as ever
>"could be worse.. there could be Dynasty up here" 
>Adi chided from behind us
>i bit down hard, grinding the warm weed between my teeth
>"We just need to break the peak.. then it will be a easy ride down into the valley"
>I could feel the minute warmth of the weed leave me as i spoke
>the cold sank to the marrow
>and even further
>i sat tight in my saddle and urged the horse faster
>the wind whipping my face like a slave driver
>i could feel something worse
>An almost animalistic feeling deep in my stomach
>despair
>as i looked back to henry i could see it in his eyes too
>every other one around us had the same feeling
>i remembered the stories i'd heard of this place as a boy
>a deep magic tainted this place
>a gods curse
>An angry warlord who bombarded a temple long ago
>angered whatever god lay within
>but those were all folk tales
>lack of oxygen was all it was
>digging spur to horse i looked to henry
>"We need to break for the summit.. the path is wide enough so far, but get us moving in a column"
>he gave an affirming nod and began to ride to the rear
>Adi sidled up behind me and tugged on my collar
>"if you die on this mountain, ill kill you" she joked and gave me a rather warming slap on the back"
>my past days drunkenness seems to be a blank spot in my memory
>but whatever happened
>adi is much nicer
>and some of my squad are giving me odd looks
>gods i made an ass of myself
>shaking my head i stared ahead
>the corners of my vision blurring and fuzzing as the temperature continued to drop and air to thin
>i thought of the stories of Cannith
>of thoes captured in its seige and sacking
>and it gave me some warmth
>hatred
>it burned in me, like i'm sure it burned every one of us
>but in a single moment of doubt
>as the wind whipped hard
>and a voice whispered in my ear
>"What comes after.. will you burn away?"
>what does come after this
>i yanked the reigns hard
>my horse rearing up as it wheeled away
>looking behind me
>alone
>i saw nothing but whirling snow around me
>and voices
>voices of doubt
>the voices of past bullies
>of lost loves
>of dead men
>i could hear the whisper of the captain in my ear now
>just barely over the scream of whirling snow
>"You failed, give up Private... just die like the rest of us"
>i heard the screams
>the ones id learned to drown out
>of dying men, of dying horses
>i could hear that medical tent filling my ears
>and then
>i fell
>pushed from the saddle by some unseen force
>and the snow welcomed me
>like a sadistic stepmother with a wire coat hanger
>stinging as the snow powdered me
>thankfully it numbed what came next
>blow after blow
>like some savage animal striking on the back of my breast piece
>"DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE"
>a voice thundered in my ears as i felt the sledgehammer blows take the precious thin air from my lungs
>then it stopped 
>and it grew.. warm
>dark
>"Why won't you fucking die" came the voice again
>much smaller now
>"again and again you come up my mountain year after year and you never die... more and more of you"
>i lifted my freezing eyes
>blinking the melting slow to see i was.. cocooned from the outside
>a woman was hunched over me
>ever shifting ice blue eyes stared at my grey ones
>"You... you don't die"
>it seemed confused, staring at my hat  and then at my eyes and down to my armor
>"hundreds of you come and come and disturb my home, shoot and explode and kill.."
>"and you don't fucking die"
>i didn't dare breath as i looked at the woman over me
>her muscles coiled like steel cable under her pale skin
>pert breasts rose and fell, firm.. yet almost matronly
>the smell of a Forge seemed to engulf whatever we were under as she stared at me
>i simply just stared back
>at whatever she was
>"you.. your just like them, you will come you will die here.. fail like all the others"
>she went on
>every time those words left her mouth i seemed to feel a twitch in my stomach
>a fire
>failure
>it burned me how she spat the word with such vitriol 
>and then it all started to blur
>The red heat began to fill my body
>i saw her blue eyes shift to my face
>and an almost pleased grin stretch across her sharpened teeth
>long fangs seemingly meant for killing
>i wont die here
>i CAN'T die here
>i felt my fingers twitch
>and i watched as my body lurched
>a hand curling at the womans throat and the other sweeping her arm down
>bridging my body to roll
>and roll we did
>she was strong
>unnaturally strong
>claws, teeth, punches
>with ever roll blow after bow was delivered
>for a moment, a split moment i thought wed roll off the edge of the damn mountain
>and then we came to a stop
>against whatever the damn thing that enveloped us was
>i was on top
>i wouldn't let her win
>i wouldn't fail
>i rained down blow after blow
>but she did not let out a sound
>she almost.. enjoyed it
>the marks of contact seemingly healing before i could strike again
>the hand clamped around her throat serving only to excite her
>the look in her eyes shifted
>and the warmth in my body.. shifted
>her strong hands snatching mine as if they were toys
>"mmm maybe i was wrong about... you" it seemed to almost sing
>"Strong.. hardy..." she spoke almost appraisingly
>the blood in my face ran cold,and then it flowed.. elsewhere
>her body raising further over me as she looked down at me 
>"I will make you... a deal" it whispered
>"You will pass.. and all your men"
>she licked her lips and suddenly felt spaghetti producing in my pockets
>"You will stop these.. animals from disturbing my mountain.. cese their trespasses and false offerings.. and give me.. something more"
>i sat here
>an miniature version of myself betraying my mind
>i sat there
>wordlessly for a moment
>and then closed my abyss of a mouth
>and nodde
>"Fine....ill take your deal" i responded
>she laughed a husky warm laugh, a growl resounding from her throat
>a primordial fear rising in my stomach
>pressing an hand against my face 
>"and in return, your victory will be certain.. your fate intertwined"
>she snaked her fingers into mine as she pressed up against my body
>"these peaks grow empty.. many years has it been since my kind have been plentiful
>my brain flew into sparks as i tried to stop the locomotion of my mind
>but this was like a train wreck
>i couldn't look away
>my lips locking to hers as the warmth enveloped me
>the world fading to black as i felt her hands slip down below
>"just relax... i'll take you slow"
 
>the sensation of my horse nudging me with its head woke me
>rousing me from my warm sleep
>quickly replacing the warmth with a chilling cold
>but there was no snow
>my breath like a fog as i looked out over a sea of clouds below
>i was sitting at the peak
>down the path i saw the figures of my squad
>Henry leading from the front as his face lit up seeing me
>the next few moments devolving into a mess of questions and excitement
>we had reached the peak
>in the distance we could see the spires of Cannith jutting from the clouds
>as if awaiting us on a field of white snow
>we were close now, closer than ever before
>"so how the fuck did you make it up here anyways sarg?" one of the men asked
>i tried to hide my reaction with a laugh
>thinking on the spot as i mounted my horse i spat out
>"Gods on our side... i just kept going straight ahead and i found my way"
>they seemed to have bought it well enough
>but did I
>every time i closed my eyes id see flashes of.. her
>a hand falling on my shoulder rousing me from the thought as we traveled down the mountain
>henry's hand
>"Anon, you ok there... we lost you for a few hours there, thought maybe you'd fallen off the edge"
>i nodded and gave him a half hearted smile
>"we got a mission.. maybe ill tell you what happened when we take cannith alright.. i promise"
>that earned a smile from the second in command
 
>the day dragged on slowly
>The clouds rolling past as we rode on
>Every hour New cannith came closer
>Every hour we grew closer and closer to our destiny
>We were unexpected
>We were mobile
>this was a to be a great attack
>a lightning attack directly into their surrogate heart
>confidence filled my body, but doubt filled my stomach
>the sewing machine like sound of machine guns  thrumming in my ears  as i thought of what could await us
>dying horses and men
>The memories of the previous battles flashed through my head
>hatred and fear began to boil within me
>Hatred for the enemy
>and fear for my men.. for my friends
>lost in my thoughts the captain rode beside me
>silent as a ghost and serious as a heart attack
>"your not quitting on me now Anon.. now that were so close?"
>his raspy low voice shook me from my trance
>his green eyes scanning me up and down seriously
>"if you wish to back down now... i wouldn't hold it against you.. this is a war for men not boys"
>His tone caught me off guard
>Condescending
>Degrading
>"im... im not going anywhere cap.. just thinking is all...im with ya, i want to kill these Dynasty Bastards as much as you do"
>He gave me a firm nod and patted my shoulder 
>"good.. i need someone to ride beside me i can trust"
>I looked at him incredulously
>He just returned a simple smile and rode ahead
>it took me a while to recover
>But i did
>My mind focused on the moment
>we rode for a few hours
>Our wagon catching up with us and pulling into the camp wed set
>we all ate like kings that night
>Corned beef hash, Gravy, mashed potatoes, grits, and enough coffee to power a small country
>It would be the last of our good meals
>we were still well a few days away but it would be better to eat our fill now
>I also attended to my armor
>The bulky plate had been.. damaged.. by the last few battles
>Some of it mangled even
>Nothing i could do
>We were also issued out Jackets
>they were odd
>but once worn they fit perfectly
>almost adapting to my size as it was worn
>Covering my thigh on once side and allowing easy access to my holster and sabre 
>i took to cleaning my rifle before bed
>Carefully manipulating it and ensuring it ran as smooth as glass
>in the moment of it all my mind drifted to what would happen after this war
>Perhaps id go home and start a family? Travel? stay in the cavalry?
>it all wandered though my head until henry sat beside me
>a warm smile on his features 
>"your over thinking"
>i nodded and shook my head
>"Say, what are you doing after all this henry.. when were done here?"
>he raised an eyebrow at me and cracked a smile
>"Going back to valenwood.. gonna relax in my estate and grow fat on wine money"
>He laughed and patted my back "your welcome to join me.. hell we could start our own little vineyard im sure mother would give me the funds, well set up on this side of the mountain"
>"that sounds like a plan henry... lets make it through all this and its a deal"
>he gave me a smile and nodded in his weird elven way 
>"Lets stick close.. you keep me alive, i keep you alive alright brother?"
>i give him a nod and take his arm in mine in a handshake
>After that my night was uneventful
>tossed and turned til exhaustion took me
>when the sun rose we began to move
>The sky was grey and the air bit of cold
>Everyone was in their armors
>we rode out from our grassy alcove and onto open plain
>myself beside henry
>Wed make it out of this war
>Dead or alive we will see the end of it
>we rode for days
>small raids
>we blew through dynasty controlled towns like locusts, any who were still loyal to the empire were spared, given food and told to go to the mountain foot
>we burned any loyalists and POWs in their homes
>plain and simple
>we started massive grassland fires that stretched for miles around the City of Cannith
>at first there was some resistance
>an entire legion of infantry marched its way out of canniths walls
>and entire legion was torn asunder in the rolling hills
>I’d taken to the new Jacket and Armor
>and I’d long since decided to save the Sabre for getting stuck in
>charging in with Gasser in hand
>I’d gotten rather good at it
>we had identified their legions command company first
>hell they were the ones with the armored steeds
>each of them adorned themselves with heraldry and bright garments
>a peasant uprising, one of them admitted to us later was what they thought they came to deal with
>we attacked at all times of the day
>we shattered their supplies and command in the first night
>scattered them
>cut off their route back to the city
>and the next few days.. we hunted them
>made a game of it
>notable a game that the Centaur had suggested
>we hunted them down to the last man
>all that managed to scurry back was a single squad
>after that the city was shut tighter than a Church Sisters Thighs
>we patrolled the city’s outskirts
>out of range of their Mortar battery’s
>and traveling faster than their Howitzers could bead in
>nothing entered or exited the city for two weeks
>two weeks is what it took for the rest of the Army to catch up with us
>the infantry battalion we had left behind at the first fortress weeks ago seemed much better
>men’s uniforms and Armors looked repaired cleaned
>the stresses of prolonged trench warfare scant and possibly forgotten
>before long even our main supply lines were pushing though the Spirit breakers
>artillery emplacements thundered
>the Stormy days turned into Thunderous nights
>I watched as the walls were pounded by round after round of our artillery, weapons we once captured firm the dynasty turned against them now
>I could feel the thunder rise though the earth into my bones
>the outlined shadows of the towers of cannith like twisted shadow puppets revealed by the muzzle flashes of their artillery and the cascading light of our own guns, and the death they delivered
>day and night the pounding of guns went on
>for 6 days we watched as the brass shells began to pile before the artillery
>a hill of metal
>the adamant one barrels worn down to smooth bore cannons lobbing munition with nary the same accuracy of a virgin barrel
>men within the camps had taken to making art of them
>gutting shaping and warping the brass into effigies of the empires gods
>or insignia of their unit
>but us
>our jobs were never over
>the cavalry rode the perimeter from sun rise to mid day
>then... we tested their defenses
>rode though the hail of death, bullets shrapnel Mortar rounds fell all around us yet as if nature intended none fell
>and on the 7th day
>the guns fell silent
>and the orders came
>and from the rear of the supply line came “The Madrid”
>pulled by a team of 12 horses
>steel wheels and Adamantine axles on an iron wood cart held the beast of a “gun”
>a Breech Gun as it had effectively been named by the man who sold its design
>a over sized petard, a one way sentence for the igniter, and a sure death for anyone with 20 meters
>the zenith of Canniths walls was only 15... possibly 12 after the pounding that the artillery had given it
>after the Madrid had blown apart the fortress city’s main gate... and assuredly any guard within twenty meters
>we would be the ones to charge the breech
>no matter the cost the cavalry would push the foothold, bode and beast once more into the breech
>as I read the orders my eyes scanned to my two friends
>Henry, the same bright smile on his face as he polished his armor
>and Amelia... she seemed rearing to go
>my eyes eventually returned to the captain he rested a hand on my shoulder 
>”you’ll be in the rank behind me, if I die your in command you got me, whatever you do. You clear a way for the infantry, once that’s done, we’re to charge the royal “palace””
>I blink a few times
>the story goes that the palace is the fortress within the fortress
>while it’s gates never close, the royal guard keep it locked down
>”aye sir... open the path, then to the palace.. what are we to do.. if... we get inside”
>his cold blue eyes met mine and he chuckled
>”WHEN you get inside, your gonna take one of those Dynasty pistols you’ve been trying so hard to hide from me, and you put a bullet in each of the royal Dynasty, starting with their Harpy of a matriarch if she’s still in the city. Then you burn down the palace”
>I nod simply
>the captains Memento Mori, a small black steel empire coin gun openly on his chest
>he was ready for death to take him
>but his service must complete first
>I sat with my horse after that
>we were but a few hours away now
>once more, once more into the breach would ride this cursed Brigade... 
>”carry me through the fire one last time traveler.. and I swear I’ll buy you an open field with all the Mares you can ask for”
>it seemed to understand with a head nod
>after that... the moments blurred together
>4 Revolvers hung at my hip
>the rifle sat firmly in its saddle sheath
>and the Sabre stared at me from the opposite side
>the imperial crest embellished in the pommel
>staring back at me
>and then I heard it
>the shrill whistle
>the sun creeping its way to the mid day position
>nearly noon
>we all fell into formation
>200 remained within this Cursed Cavalry Brigade
>once, looking around... I would have been disgusted
>riding among Elf and Centaur... but now
>each I hold dear as brother or sister
>I lowered my visor as we watched The Madrid make its approach
>there was a moment of silence
>the 50 or so men who’d pushed it the final distance began their madsprint
>in the seconds before it had begun to rain
>the man stood atop the Madrid parking the fuse again and again
>even frim this distance I could sense it
>the adrenaline pumping its way
>excitement crawling up though my stirrups into my thighs up though my core
>it felt like my eyeballs were vibrating within the helmet I wore
>all of us shifted
>the rain fell and fell
>and then.... the world ignited
>the man was gone in a atomized mist
>the rain was shot yo back into the heavens rejected by a force un natural
>what was told to us to be 20 meters was more like 50
>the earth tore
>stone works atomized or crumbled and flung apart
>a cloud plumed up into the air
>A searing heat enveloped everything
>flash drying everything down to the skin
>and just as the light faded and hearing slowly returned
>I heard it
>I saw it
>the flash of a Sabre drawing from Hilt
>the raising of the captain in his stirrups
>and his iconic battle cry
>”CHARRRRRRRRRRGEEEEEE”
 
>it was a good charge
>the air vibrated with energy
>I was right behind the captain
>the plume of dust and debris had only just started to clear as we hit the edge of the gate path
>the captain had begun to pull ahead of us
>charging the breech
>faster and Faster he rode
>on into the breech
>then I saw it
>what he had seen
>it seems they were faster
>prepared
>Shield and Rifle began to be outlined by the fading dust cover
>a phalanx has filled the breech
>then it came
>a near unisoned crack
>two dozen flash points blasted through the dust
>twelve horses and men fell
>and yet... onward rode the captain
>his olive cloak slipping
>slipping away in the wind
>his horse unphased by the hell it charged
>the captains arms went wide
>and for a moment
>his eyes met mine
>a wide smile on his face
>and two Steel strings of Grenade pins in each closed hand
>the breach erupted For a second time that day
>much smaller
>this one much more... fleshy
>two ranks turned to chunky Salas by the captains last gift
>the charge did not falter
>or well, if it did I did not notice
>I felt fragments of flesh and steel bounce from my helm
>gauntleted hand tight on the reigns keeping me true
>I belted out a roar
>my lungs burned
>my nose burned, the scent of powder and death made heavy by the humidity
>the keen sound of my Saber leaving its sheath bringing me to brace
>the Barded chest of my horse flattening the man ahead of me
>our wave crashed into their staggered phalanx
>like an Arrow into an unprotected chink in a knights armor
>we dug in deep
>my Sabre rose
>a still stunned riflemen looked up at it
>instinctively he raised his rifle 
>not nearly fast enough
>the heavy blade caught him at the ear first
>then carved its way down into his neck
>pulling free as my horses powerful legs drove me deeper into the formation
>they shattered like weak steel u dear a tempered hammer
>the rear faltered seeing what was to come
>unable to stifle their retreating comrades
>three more fell to the Blade
>the breech in the gate too small to wield a firearm on horseback
>as we spilled out past it
>our options opened
>the Centaurs showed their skill pushing ahead of the rest of us
>their armored torsos glancing off both bayonet and shot alike
>wielding Massive great swords of their own they cut a bloody swathe through the retreating “defenders”
>I’d all but released my reins now
>traveler knew now we were stuck in
>I could feel his body buck under me
>pitching and yawing to avoid the oncoming bayonet or lance
>delivering a kick to an unaware footman as he engaged Henry
>I’d transferred my Sabre to my off hand
>drawing the un adorned gasser from its holster
>like a sleeping dragon it Billowed smoke and belched fire as men fell before us
>we charged right down the main boulevard
>the infantry sweeping behind us as we could see over head artillery shelling the far end of the city
>we met the “fall back” force in the city Square
>both cavalry and I can try we’re stuck in
>the mud streets now tan ankle deep with blood 
>the mud churning into a frothy muck by the fighting, near shoulder to shoulder
>the horsemen stuck in deep
>I watched a few of MY men be pulled from their horses
>this was every mans fear
>my eyes shifted between the nearest enemy and the mass of my men
>we were but nearly a hundred now
>casting a glance behind my own counter among the dead in this hell
>with gritted teeth I raised my voice and my Sabre
>”CHARGE THROUGH REGROUP”
>the surge was met with equal resistance
>but with the help of the few centaur, we hacked our way though
>one boy
>no older than 15 perhaps
>barely fitting in his uniform charged me
>the gun seemed to hoist itself as I cocked the hammer back and let the final bullet fly
>blowing a hole clean though him as we trampled our way though onto one of the side streets
>circling around though alley and street
>fighting though straggling forces
>what remained scattered
>our objective was clear
>take the palace
>it wasn’t twenty minutes before we were regrouped once more
>the winding streets found us at the foot of the hull the palace was built atop
>it was clear several stray shells had caught the different ends of the palace
>most of it looked charred
>others were nothing but rubble 
>but the main section stayed strong
>a un exploded shell sticking from the roof
>I motioned for us to make haste
>Henry, his face covered in blood and a slight wound leaking from his side pulled alongside me
>no words were shared
>simply the affirmation of having a friend beside oneself
>it was a slog
>the defenders, while few in numbers, took accurate fire at us
>most shots ricocheting off of our armor or striking mounts
>and just as we breached the edge of the hill
>we heard it
>the dreaded Thunk Thunk Thunk of Machinegun Fire
>emplaced right in the fractured gate
>we had no means of easily charging it
>nor way around
>most looked to me for an order
>as if with my permission they could die
>and fir a moment... I thought who would I send
>but alas it was one of the centaur who spoke up
>drenched in a mixture of his and others blood
>limping lightly as he stepped forward saluting me
>I gave him an understanding nod
>and with the grace of a trained centaur... he charged
>massive blade in one hand
>bag full of Explosive timer charges in the other
>we all ducked as he flung the bag just as the machine gun cut him to thick ribbons
>a split second later
>the earth shook
>dirt rained from the sky with the ash colored rain
>and as we created the hill now
>there was no more massive gate
>only a pile of rubble where it o de stood
>after that... it was easy
>too easy
>the “praetorian guard to the Empress” were cut down as they charged us with Halberds and long swords
>when we dismounted we found only 4 of the 8 Blue bloods
>all male
>the “emperor” the Empresses Cum slave who gets recycled every year
>two princes, disposable heirs to marry off to minor nobles
>and the sister to the empress
>fodder, shit
>we had found what they had left to die
>what we managed to get out of them was fuck all
>even as we cut the two princelings Johns off and fed them to each other
>they didn’t share a word
>they died Dickless and eyeless
>the emperor did too
>except he got the along drop with a short rope out the tower window
>the sister to the empress
>otherwise know as the “cast off” well she sat there
>silently
>a cruel smile on her face
>her eyes never left me for some reason
>maybe because I was doing the cutting?
>because I was giving orders?
>all I know is when her full attention shifted to me
>I could feel it
>like spiders crawling under my skin
>she didn’t even flinch when I cut her cheek open
>and it began to heal as soon as my blade left her flesh
>”you will have to try harder than that.... Lieutenant” she chided
>my cruelty tank was mainly in empty
>the adrenaline high plateauing uncomfortably by the lip in the action
>we could hear even the battle below the hill raging in as our forces cut down theirs
>and in my moment do stupor
>her snarky voice cut in
>like an annoying step mother
>”i'm not boring you am I? Oh do please run off and go play with the other boys, I was doing just fine by myself”
>she was talking down to us
>I’m surprised of all people it was Henry who snapped first
>I wasn’t far behind as my hand had fallen to my Other Gasser
>but Henry was faster by far
>snap shotting the woman from across the room
>the plume of smoke left by His Griswold clouding him
>a clean round hole perfectly in the center of the woman’s skull
>the back of it though
>looked like someone had forcefully ejected a Canon ball out of it
>”well... that’s over with... let’s go find the real cunt now please Anon”
>we rode down from the hill
>the main force had taken the courtyard and was pushing out from there
>the city was a stalemate
>for every block we took they shifted and took another
>as we stride in the man who dressed like a knight and wore the emblem of a General approached me
>”ARE YOU THE ONE IN CHARGE OF THESE MEN,PLEASE TELL ME YOU GOT THE EMPRESS”
>he half shouted clearly deafened by the fighting 
>I gave him a resounding, Yes, then a resounding No
>he seemed only mildly disappointed
>raising his visor to show the bushiest Cop mustache I’d ever seen
>”I NEED YOU AND YOUR MEN TO TAKE BACK AND JOIN THE 5th INFANTRY COMPANY THEY GOT CUT OFF IN A SKIRMISH YOU THINK YOU CAN HANDLE THAT”
>before he could finish we’re already making our way
>splitting in too each separating a block
>Amelia leading the Centaurs an Henry taking charge of the second group
>what could go wrong
>we had everything going for us
>and then... it didn’t
>we blew past them
>a momentary gap in their lines
>a fault in our judgement
>and we were cut off
>a volley from the rear told us we’d been caught
>ahead of us, a barricade
>atop it a row of infantrymen
>I felt hot lead rip through my unarmored shoulder as I wheeled the horse around
>several of us falling to shot and braced bayonet before we managed to make it out
>we were down to 25
>gods knows how many are left do the other group
>lost now
>it seemed with every street corner we blew past was another patrol
>another emplacement
>then, we crashed together at an Intersection
>for a moment.. relief
>we regrouped in that moment and tried to figure out next move
>then... the third party showed up
>not as in a named group
>that was their name “The Third Party”
>mercenary’s
>in our moment of distraction they cut into our flank
>pike and shot cut though us like a final shot to a dying horse
>in the commotion I’d been de horsed by a lucky swipe of a bill hook
>I’d taken my Sabre with me in the way down and managed to raise it just in time to save my neck
>what erupted was Chaos
>dedicated anti Cavalry vs Cavalry
>as I tried to fight to my feet a shot caught the Pike man in the chest
>sending him to the gods above
>Henry quickly rode to my side offering a hand out to get me into his mount
>my hand just touched his as I heard it
>clearer
>louder than everything else in the moment
>I felt the warm droplets cover my face perfectly though the visor of my helmet
>an coppery taste filling my mouth with familiarity
>a split second later, my mid. Registered the hole blown through Henry’s chest
>his weakened grasp as he fell from his horse
>falling in a heap
>dead
>staring up at the sky with... that cocky Elven smile
>”g-get up” I said almost shocked
>I was thrown to the ground again
>tripping over Henry’s corpse as a horse baffled into me
>trampled for a moment as our force shattered
>Amelia
>she was the first thing I saw as my eyes lifted from the thick mud
>whirling her blade like a Demon
>dead mercenary’s to all sides
>but then... she took one lance to the flank
>then another
>like a bull in the arena
>she bristled like a porcupine
>her movements getting more and more sluggish by the second
>I fought to get to my feet
>buried beneath what I now knew was my Dead horse
>it’s head hanging by a sheer few muscles as some jackass I’d taken a great sword to the beast
>I drew my gasser from its holster
>but I was too damn late
>and ass the hammer fell... an audible click was heard
>”you forgot to reload” the voice of my instructor resounded in my mind
>I watched as the final blow struck Amelia in the neck... for a moment her head blinked
>the last muscles in her body constructed and flailed
>then fell limp
>with a twist of the spear
>the head was gone
>flicked away
>all around me the battle still raged
>we were being cut down
>of two hundred...16 stood perhaps
>one pinned beneath his damn horse
>I could feel it
>whatever was beneath my Left knee was gone
>a sack of uniform and flesh
>my father's small pearl of wisdom echoing through my mind
>”A wolf, when trapped will chew off its own leg to survive..”
>in that moment, I brought the heavy blade of the Sabre down on the are just below my knee
>whatever was left gave way like cheap steak
>with a final rip of uniform I was free
>a wave of pain waking me from the sleep that dared to take me
>everything... sank in
>everything is seen
>my hands rushed to load my emptied revolvers
>I reached into Henry’s belt
>the two griswolds there becoming mine as a over zealous swordsman encroached
>as he screamed and raised his sword a lazily aimed shot caught him in his chest
>I dropped the smoking gun and co tinted to load
>dropping them at my sides I pulled the rifle from its saddle sheath
>the bayonet broken at the hilt from the fall
>I cycled the bolt and chambers a round and began to work
>any red I saw
>I fired
>often using my dead horse for cover
>from the position I fired, trying to assist those still alive
>before long they were rallied around me
>the centaurs... were all dead
>cut down
>all that remained were... my riders
>from the first assault
>each one of them.. I knew
>each one stared at me as I laid back against the dead horse a empty rifle over my lap and a revolver in each hand
>piping shots at anything that wasn’t them
>the youngest of us saw to tiring off my bloody stump
>I wouldnt be able to mount a horse if I wanted too
>but I could walk... somewhat... if I used the sword as a cane
>who was I kidding
>they strung me up between the horses as we fought our way back
>all the way back to the courtyard
>I was dropped at the foot of the medical cart
>then the world went white, within the instant I saw the medic
>I felt it
>the rapid closure of a wound
>the ugly scar tissue forming
>the loss of sensation to a leg that was no longer there
>then I “awoke”
>I would live... if barely
>the next hours faded to a blur
>the replay of what had happened had not... sank in
>the battle still raged
>nothing stopped
>the only things I had.. were gone and the world continued on shooting itself apart
>the general entered the medical tent as I was more lucid than asleep
>I tried to stand
>one of my men caught me
>propping me up as a crutch
>the general was too the point
>his eyes barely scanned my loss of a leg
>”can you still ride... Captain? One final mission.. “
>I had no other answer in me
>drilled to always say yes
>what followed was half an hour of hoisting my drugged body into a saddle and tieing my Gasser to my hand
>I could keep balance... but if I was hit or the horse miss stepped I would eat the mud
>I sat in the saddle and tied the reigns to my other hand
>”very well... let’s ride one last raid aye boys?”
>the near deafened hoots and hollers seemed... different... without the voices of Henry and Amelia
>one last ride... oh to what end
>”charge the emplacement.. break though for our infantry”
>with sixteen half dead men very well
>that worked out... well enough
>we’d come in a bit further ahead
>Bu the time the guns had swung onto us we were on their lines Rossi g satchels full of grenades and assorted explosives
>not far behind was the ever present infantry
>as my armored arm reached out to toss the final bag a crack rang out once more
>and all sensation was cut
>my horse rode on and I felt... rushing wind
>then I saw the sky
>the grey clouds now long gone to show a beautiful rainbow
>vapor trails left by artillery scarring the sky
>as I looked to my arm... I could nothing
>jagged metal and a cauterized stump
>the scent of burned flesh filled my nose
>then the pain filled my body
>i writhed in the mud for a moment
>I tried to sit up only to fall into my side
>it came in aesir g waves as whatever munitions took my arm left behind a Sizzling white powder
>I saw it
>in my fits of pain
>the massive rifle sticking up top over a sand bag
>the man wrestling the bolt  closed
>our eyes met for a moment
>and he froze
>in the time That had passed... I’d done away with the helm
>I wish he had t missed my head
>but in that instant our eyes met
>and I raised my Gasser
>hope beyond hope
>whatever gods were above... they guided that round
>as the hammer fell the world slowed and I swear I could almost see as it traveled the battlefield
>finding the man's upper jaw
>splitting his head clean off right below the nose
>leaving just two jaws clamped shut  and a gaping hole between his scalp
>then the world went black
>only searing pain kept me “awake”
>I prayed that the gods take me
>but alas... I was awoken by a sound that I’d never heard before
>and as my eyes opened... I saw it
>a silver Behemoth
>blotting out the sun
>slowly belching fire and flame from small engines
>it’s silver body lifting f into the air
>a Zeppelin
>I didn’t know it then
>but it was the first of its kind... the Empress of the sky
>the app crack of several thousand guns taking pop shots at it was what kept me frim fading back to sleep
>my eyes met the rifle at the far end of the street
>then I looked at the silver skinned beast
>and a single theory popped into my mind
>I clawed my way though the mud
>a dozen or more yards to the massive gun
>TankGewehr M1918 was stamped into the massive receiver
>it’s bolt was already locked closed... courtesy of the faceless man
>I caught my breath struggling to angle the gun with one hand
>propping the damn thing atop a steep enough pile of sandbags
>properly angled, I took a deep breath
>letting the massive guns weight sink into the pocket of my shoulder
>I inhaled a deep breath
>watched as the silver beast rise higher belching flame and smoke
>I could almost make out a cold gaze frim one of the trusses below it
>then... exhaling I pulled the massive trigger
>and the sound went out
>ringing replaced everything
>my eyes tracked it though
>the single glowing laser
>orange and bright
>it blasted into the silver hide
>just as it’s engine belched fire
>and the world went fiery orange
>I could feel the mustache and beard I’d been cultivating curl  and sizzle as it went ablaze and rocked the world
>Then sound returned in the form of a boom crash that shattered ever window in the city
>but I wouldn’t know... 
>I’d slipped into a coma by the time everyone realized what had happened
>the last I remember was the old medic
>his gruff voice
>”Aye... he’ll make it.. he’ll be Uglier than my Ma, but he will live”