Grancourt Family/The Fall of Raven
The Fall of Raven
The Battle at Belegmon
The wind was blowing strong from the East, a fair breeze, but the Archers would have to be careful when aiming, especially in the later stages of the battle when the friendly troops might get in the way.
Laurie saw Silverowl Prowling through the ranks. Such a confident man. Laurie smiled as his men listened to the orders. His men had not seen a big battle before. Indeed, all they had fought before were the stinking monsters and undead that continue to spawn inside Carelian Lands despite everyone's best efforts to get rid of them.
He turned his head and saw Lady Yavanna marching towards the group of leaders holding her banner high on their standards. She was impressive in her full war outfit. He could see why Tharan felt himself lucky - although get on the wrong side...
Suddenly there was the sound of trumpets, and the King on the whitest horse he had EVER seen rode past his line of archers. Stright across the front line, past the 13 units stationed on the front line, and then back to the centre. Laurie glanced down the line of archers,bows in hand, arrows in quivers, ready to shoot as soon as commanded. What is Raven doing on the front line? His special forces forming on the flank of the front line. The King gave one of the finest speeches Laurie had heard him give. This WAS the first major battle Carelians had been in for a long time - i suppose he's had a while to practise...
As the sun rose higher in the sky, Silverowl and Yavanna took command of the troops and began to urge them forward. As soon as the light was bright enough the archers started to fire into the enemy palisade.
"Take note of the wind men." Laurie barked out as he shouldered his own bow and began picking off defenders peeking out from behind the wooden palisade.
Suddenly Laurie looks to his left and sees Raven's Uni - lead by the Banker himself charge straight out of the front line and up to the wooden walls.
"PROTECT THAT MAN...PROTECT HIM WITH EVERY ARROW YOU OWN. I WANT YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT MAN STILL LIVES WHEN THE REST OF OUR INFANTRY REACH THE WALLS" Laurie shouted, his own bow pointing towards the unit, waiting for the enemy to chargeat this lone unit. What is he doing?!?! Raven...
No matter how hard he tried, Laurie and his men could not fire quick enough. He looked around and saw the two nearest archer units also concentrating their forces on protecting Raven. Suddenly, a shout, a cry and the battle seemed to pause.
Raven had taken 2 arrows, one in his thigh bringing him to the ground and another in his shoulder. Laurie took and arrow from his quiver, searched for an enemy archer and with a calm precision penetrated the mans helmet. As he looked back to Raven, his entire unit defeated, none left surviving, he saw the man struggling to stay on his knees. Another arrow took him in the chest, and he slumped backwards.
Suddenly he felt the Infantry charge behind him. The sound of hundreds of footsteps bursting past him. In the masses were Yavanna, Silverowl and King Kronos himself. It came too late to save Raven...
And in that brief pause of the battle suddenly they were under fire. Their light armour easily penetrated by arrows. 6 of his men were immediately struck down, and with the next volley 10 more took arrows. Quickly Laurie and his men escaped to safety, for the Carelian Infantry could do the rest.
Today will not be a victory. Laurie thought.
As they sat in their tent. His loyal healer - well practised as he has served Laurie since he first arrived in Carelia - began immediately to treat the wounded. only 4 of his men and himself remained unscarred. The 10 wounded had a variety of injuries, but the worst of all were the injuries in their hearts. The mood in the camp was sombre. He had even seen the tears welling up in the King when Raven slumped to the ground.
He and his men felt like they had failed.
