281 Battle of the Bridges 4 (1/2)

Sha Bridge

The Castonians pushed like a storm. Corpses had piled.

Henry had seen their prowess many times before but he was still being amazed by these people. It wasn't their strength. Castonians, like Tulosans and Vanadians, had small builds. The Wismarines were taller on average. It also wasn't their experience. Most of the Castonians were fresh recruits. They were not the tough eggs of the Rooster. As Henry watched the relentless push, he finally saw the answer- Castonians had transformed war into art.

”Our brothers are itching to join the battle Grand Master.” One of his prefects said. ”For the Omniscient.”

”Lie.” Henry cocked his head. ”They are just impatient because the Castonians are taking all the glory.”

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”Well that too.”

Henry turned his head backward. The knights and other Tulosans were propped in their horses, some more bitter-looking than others. The sun was blazing high. The wind was strong. It was a good day for a charge.

Unfortunately they cannot move yet. The Castonians were pushing the Wismarines to the bridge. The Sha bridge was wide enough to accommodate a hundred men abreast but there were so many people that the wide bridge was still crowded. A sudden charge would hit the Castonians.

”Page fifteen paragraph nine of the Book of Knights” Henry smiled. ”Patience shall be rewarded with good things. A child of the Omniscient should learn how to wait.”

”Patience is a tree. A tree wouldn't grow fruits just because one wishes it to. One must wait for the tree to grow and bear good things. So wait, oh child, wait and see. Wait for things of good.” The prefect continued. He nodded. ”I understand sire. But not all of our brothers are as understanding as I.”

”Then if anyone complains, send him to me. I shall give him a gentle advise.”

The prefect grinned to that.

The Wismarines were now pushed to the bridge. All of a sudden the Castonians stopped. The two sides severed as the Castonians retreated. The Wismarines didn't dare chase. They don't have any strength left in them. Most had broken faces smudged with the blood of comrades and foes. They were on the verge of defeat.

The Vanadian artillery sang a melodious tone. The sky was filled with Hellfire projectiles twirling and dancing. The devastation was horrible. Entire lines of Wismarines were wiped. People burned in the hundreds. Henry could only imagine their fear.

The artillery crews ceased their punishment. The bridge was starting to buckle and it would incur them difficulties if it crumbles. The Wismarines were close to breaking though. One more fearsome thing would shatter them- like the sight of the charge of twenty thousand cavalry Tulosan cavalry.

Henry smiled. He raised his arm, hand forming a fist. The horn was blared and the entire Tulosan column advanced as one.

Henry could feel his heart pounding to the rhythm of the hooves. The ground must be shaking. The Omniscient desires peace but it will come through war.

He pointed his lance forward, the tip sharp and cruel. He angled his body, waiting and watching his target. The Wismarine to his front had eyes wide open. He was already battered.

Rout, Henry thought. Rout now and save your lives.

The Wismarines did rout. They fled, all of them. Battered by Castonians, scorched by Hellfire and facing the wrath of the Tulosan charge- who wouldn't rout?

Henry then knew that the battle was over. Sha bridge was theirs.

***

Bank of Antibara River, Near the City of Hudi

The soft splashes of water against the wooden hull had a certain melody to it. The wind too was singing her a song. Perhaps Lucia was wrong. Perhaps she was just giving meaning to things that shouldn't have. But if she was right then wouldn't that be beautiful?

She leaned on the side of galley, arms on top of her chest. The moon was waning, the dark night reigned.

”Last year, around this time of the year, we were in Western Castonia, campaigning against your father.”