Chapter 543: A Gentle Push
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Chapter 543: A Gentle Push
A Gentle Push
The cohort split up with the different centuriae surrounding the encampment, should the Khivans attempt to break through. A tree was felled and cut to shape, leaving some of the branches for the legionaries to hold, creating a simple ram.
The march had taken longer than expected; the sun would set within the hour, and the three mages of the expedition gathered for a final discussion. "I thought we would arrive sooner," Valerius said, pacing back and forth. They stood just inside the treeline. "It will be dark any moment now, and our assault may descend into chaos. Should we delay our attack until morning?"
"Once we're past that gate, it will be chaos regardless. And the darkness may hinder their aim. We should not give them time to make further preparations either," Eleanor argued.
"I agree," Martel added, as he had no thoughts of his own other than the desire to see this done now.
Valerius ceased his pacing. "Very well. Time to take up positions. We attack."
***
The sound of a horn filled the clearing, signalling to the Asterian legionaries. From one side, two centuriae and every archer sent with the cohort marched forward to draw fire and attention, shooting back as best they could.
"Forward!" Valerius bellowed. On the other side of the clearing, the remaining Asterians moved out. With heavy shields, they ran forward towards the gate, like an armoured fist holding Martel and the men carrying the ram in its grasp.
The sun had set by now; darkness overtook the clearing. Martel found it hard to judge the distance to the gate, and the responsibility of his task made his stomach turn. If he cast his spell too soon, too far from the gate, the magic would dissipate and be reduced in effect. But every step closer made it easier for the Khivan sharpshooters to find their aim.
"Martel!" His heart leapt hearing her voice. She swiftly reached him, pulling him aside. "You should not be out in the open!"
"I know," he mumbled. "I was afraid"
"I am fine," she told him, leading him outside the gate to hide in the shadow of the palisades. "We have won. One of the Khivans ignited their supply of powder in a last, desperate act."
"Right" Any further words were interrupted as he keeled over and emptied his stomach.
"Martel?"
"I shouldn't have run," he managed to say, wiping his mouth on his sleeve. "I shouldn't have run."
"No. You should have stayed outside as we agreed." Although her words were firm, she did not use an unkind voice. "Do so next time."
"I really don't want to think about there being a next time." He uncapped his flask to drink, only to find it empty.
"Here." She gave him hers. "Your tactical blunder at the end aside, your spellwork made all the difference. It could have taken us a long time to break through the gate, with every moment costing us lives. I will make sure the soldiers know this."
Placing his back against the palisade, he sank down to sit on the ground. "I thought we did not worry about what the common soldiery thinks."
She gave a shrug, looking in every direction like a sentinel on watch. "No harm in giving their opinions a little push."
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Chapter 543: A Gentle Push
A Gentle Push
The cohort split up with the different centuriae surrounding the encampment, should the Khivans attempt to break through. A tree was felled and cut to shape, leaving some of the branches for the legionaries to hold, creating a simple ram.
The march had taken longer than expected; the sun would set within the hour, and the three mages of the expedition gathered for a final discussion. "I thought we would arrive sooner," Valerius said, pacing back and forth. They stood just inside the treeline. "It will be dark any moment now, and our assault may descend into chaos. Should we delay our attack until morning?"
"Once we're past that gate, it will be chaos regardless. And the darkness may hinder their aim. We should not give them time to make further preparations either," Eleanor argued.
"I agree," Martel added, as he had no thoughts of his own other than the desire to see this done now.
Valerius ceased his pacing. "Very well. Time to take up positions. We attack."
***
The sound of a horn filled the clearing, signalling to the Asterian legionaries. From one side, two centuriae and every archer sent with the cohort marched forward to draw fire and attention, shooting back as best they could.
"Forward!" Valerius bellowed. On the other side of the clearing, the remaining Asterians moved out. With heavy shields, they ran forward towards the gate, like an armoured fist holding Martel and the men carrying the ram in its grasp.
The sun had set by now; darkness overtook the clearing. Martel found it hard to judge the distance to the gate, and the responsibility of his task made his stomach turn. If he cast his spell too soon, too far from the gate, the magic would dissipate and be reduced in effect. But every step closer made it easier for the Khivan sharpshooters to find their aim.
"Martel!" His heart leapt hearing her voice. She swiftly reached him, pulling him aside. "You should not be out in the open!"
"I know," he mumbled. "I was afraid"
"I am fine," she told him, leading him outside the gate to hide in the shadow of the palisades. "We have won. One of the Khivans ignited their supply of powder in a last, desperate act."
"Right" Any further words were interrupted as he keeled over and emptied his stomach.
"Martel?"
"I shouldn't have run," he managed to say, wiping his mouth on his sleeve. "I shouldn't have run."
"No. You should have stayed outside as we agreed." Although her words were firm, she did not use an unkind voice. "Do so next time."
"I really don't want to think about there being a next time." He uncapped his flask to drink, only to find it empty.
"Here." She gave him hers. "Your tactical blunder at the end aside, your spellwork made all the difference. It could have taken us a long time to break through the gate, with every moment costing us lives. I will make sure the soldiers know this."
Placing his back against the palisade, he sank down to sit on the ground. "I thought we did not worry about what the common soldiery thinks."
She gave a shrug, looking in every direction like a sentinel on watch. "No harm in giving their opinions a little push."
Chapter 543: A Gentle PushA Gentle PushThe cohort split up with the different centuriae surrounding the encampment, should the Khivans attempt to break through. A tree was felled and cut to shape, leaving some of the branches for the legionaries to hold, creating a simple ram.The march had taken longer than expected; the sun would set within the hour, and the three mages of the expedition gathered for a final discussion. "I thought we would arrive sooner," Valerius said, pacing back and forth. They stood just inside the treeline. "It will be dark any moment now, and our assault may descend into chaos. Should we delay our attack until morning?""Once we're past that gate, it will be chaos regardless. And the darkness may hinder their aim. We should not give them time to make further preparations either," Eleanor argued."I agree," Martel added, as he had no thoughts of his own other than the desire to see this done now.Valerius ceased his pacing. "Very well. Time to take up positions. We attack."***The sound of a horn filled the clearing, signalling to the Asterian legionaries. From one side, two centuriae and every archer sent with the cohort marched forward to draw fire and attention, shooting back as best they could."Forward!" Valerius bellowed. On the other side of the clearing, the remaining Asterians moved out. With heavy shields, they ran forward towards the gate, like an armoured fist holding Martel and the men carrying the ram in its grasp.The sun had set by now; darkness overtook the clearing. Martel found it hard to judge the distance to the gate, and the responsibility of his task made his stomach turn. If he cast his spell too soon, too far from the gate, the magic would dissipate and be reduced in effect. But every step closer made it easier for the Khivan sharpshooters to find their aim."Martel!" His heart leapt hearing her voice. She swiftly reached him, pulling him aside. "You should not be out in the open!""I know," he mumbled. "I was afraid""I am fine," she told him, leading him outside the gate to hide in the shadow of the palisades. "We have won. One of the Khivans ignited their supply of powder in a last, desperate act.""Right" Any further words were interrupted as he keeled over and emptied his stomach."Martel?""I shouldn't have run," he managed to say, wiping his mouth on his sleeve. "I shouldn't have run.""No. You should have stayed outside as we agreed." Although her words were firm, she did not use an unkind voice. "Do so next time.""I really don't want to think about there being a next time." He uncapped his flask to drink, only to find it empty."Here." She gave him hers. "Your tactical blunder at the end aside, your spellwork made all the difference. It could have taken us a long time to break through the gate, with every moment costing us lives. I will make sure the soldiers know this."Placing his back against the palisade, he sank down to sit on the ground. "I thought we did not worry about what the common soldiery thinks."She gave a shrug, looking in every direction like a sentinel on watch. "No harm in giving their opinions a little push."
