laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

Sunlight pierced the morning's sparse cloud cover as Markus walked quietly through the keep's front door. Armor gleamed as he descended the steps, pushing his longsword upward to keep it's sheath from being damaged on the stone as he then hit the dirt pathway and noticed Sir Guy and Kevin already discussing the day. They turned to him and he nodded, smiling.

"Before even the cock crows, I see," he chuckled but, noticed their serious gaze.

"One of the only ways to gain the advantage, sir," Kevin reminded. "How did you sleep?"

He nodded, uncombed brown hair cropped close to his head as he stopped near them. "Well. I hope you both slept."

"We did," Guy replied and turned to face him more directly. "I've been given some information that's been sent on to the duke, our enemy is amassing to the south of us. A large contingent of mounted cavalry supported by infantry." Both armed and armored, Markus' heart began to race and he nodded.

"Guess we need to get the men ready then," he strode towards the White Lady.

"I've already roused the men, sir," Kevin stated. "We were headed to the church if you'd like to join us." Brown eyes turned to them as he slowed.

"Alright." With purpose, he continued down the southern road as wives and mothers said a possible last goodbye to their husbands, sons and brothers and his mind steeled to what had to be done here.

"Sergeant," Kevin yelled over the voices around him in the street and in nearby doorways. "Get the men to the southern wall!" He soon passed into a tree covered yard and turned down the narrow stone path to the modest chapel to Arhus as more knights and soldiers prepared for the day, some eating as they strapped on their belts or shouldered quivers.

"Arhus will bless us this day, men. Take heart," he promised proudly, feeling his father's spirit burn within him. "The Jann will regret ever entering our lands and your bravery today will be that wall that they crash upon," his fervency was quickly noticed in their eyes as most stepped aside and eyed him quietly. As he kept moving through the opened double doors into the darker interior, knights nodded to him in respect as his own doubts began to wash away also. Brown eyes soon caught sight of the local priest and he cleared his throat as the remaining men headed towards the entryway. "Father, say a prayer for the men this morning."

Unshaven, the portly cleric nodded as pudgy hands smoothed out his vestment. "Worry not, my son. Arhus' champions have not been idle this morning."

Markus nodded, then moved towards the dais as his heart raced. Battle had been a thing practised for him, never realized and he pushed his sword hilt upwards as he knelt and closed his eyes. "Give me the strength to represent my father's name proudly and without fear," a beginning that sparked a shower of adrenaline down his spine. "Guide my hand to fell as many of these dogs as you will allow and if it is my day to be with my parents, help that I sell myself dearly. Protect my men as well as those I've called my friends and brothers since being a child. Place a protective shield around Michael, Anthony, Kevin, Guy, Lucian as well as those that serve them and burn a pathway through Zariva to the Oka Straits and drive these men back to the sea," he hesitated for a long moment. "And tell my father that I've tried my best to make him proud," words that broke the thin veneer that he had painted for his men this morning, washing clean his heart as he bowed his head a bit further.

'All of you will see victory,' the calming, female voice stated from behind and above him. 'Take heart and be brave, He's with you.'

A promise that welled his enthusiasm and confidence as he stood and turned to notice that all of his friends had joined him. On their knees he immediately recognized Michael, Anthony, Lucian and many other supporting knights from Purbeck, Zariva and Newcastle. Leaving them to their own requests, he quickly strode back out into the sunlight. He sighed, hands on hips as he glanced down the road to the gatehouse as their men streamed up the stone steps to take their positions along the parapet. Hooves loudly thundered from the cluster of nearby homes and he turned to notice a familiar knight whose black stag's head on yellow field proudly displayed the flag of Zariva. The older knight smiled as he reined in his horse and bowed his grey head.

"I've come as soon as I could," Sir Nicholas glanced to the wall. "And not a moment too soon, it seems."

Markus immediately recognized the squire of Sir Lericanin now a knight and veteran of the Great War. "It's good to see you, Sir Nicholas. I take it your delivery was successful."

The knight nodded, "I took Sir Lericanin's gift to Kailee to give to them and hurried back as soon as I could. I was almost afraid that you would've vanquished this invader without me."

Chuckling, Markus shook his head. "Couldn't leave you out of it, sir."

"What's our situation," Nicholas inquired as his brown eyes rose and he bowed his head in respect as Markus heard footsteps approach them.

"Jann army from the south on their way here," Michael informed. "I'd like to have you with me, Sir Nicholas."

"It would be my honor, sir," the deep voice replied.

Markus made his way towards the gatehouse as Michael cleared his throat. "Markus, remain with me also. It would be easier to command if all the knights are nearby."

He turned as the duke's escorting knights and sons of barons strapped on their helmets. "My place is with my men, sir. It's easier for me to command from their side." Michael's eyes softened a bit, then he nodded.

"Very well then," he turned to Sir Edward, the remaining son of the baron of Newcastle who died defending his town. "Gather our horses."

"My lord shouldn't be in the field, sir," the twenty year old knight reminded. "We can't lose you."

Michael was stunned by the comment. "My father taught me to lead by example, sir. Get our horses." A command that immediately prompted the advisor into action as Markus watched the knight motion for their squires to bring their mounts.

He glanced to Kevin and Sir Guy, "Can I borrow one of your horses, sirs?"

Kevin grinned as Guy's brow furrowed. "Our mounts were given to the duke's knights," the representative of Carbost stated as Guy eyed him quizzically.

"Then we'll have to get one from someone else."

Soon, he climbed into the saddle and directed his horse to the side of his friends as Michael commanded from horseback, then glanced to him. "I thought you were going to remain with your men."

"You reminded me of something. My men are in good hands at the direction of Sir Charles," he stated, referring to the local baron's son here in Purbeck. "Besides, I can't allow you to face them without me," he glanced to Anthony and Lucian who now sat astride their own horses as the unit of knights gathered.

Michael smiled as he glanced to Markus' right, prompting brown eyes to look back to notice Guy and Kevin join them also. Markus had mixed emotions about this scene that he had sponsored.

"If you honestly think that we're going to allow you to welcome these invaders without us," Kevin sneered. "You're out of your damned mind."

Grinning, Markus felt his adrenaline pump as Michael yelled for the western gate to be opened and they spurred their mounts into the nearby farmland, then turned southward. Now over two hundred, they fanned out into line and brown eyes soon noticed the distant trees belch another long, mounted line of colorful surcoats and shiny bits of armor and weapons.

"We'll draw them near to the walls and keep the support of the archers," Michael stated loudly enough for everyone to hear him. His tall, strong frame was reminiscent of his great father and Markus admired his friend, then glanced to the approaching enemy as he strapped on his helmet, then drew his sword.

As the daylight streamed onto the battlefield, long pennants flowed with the light breeze as the Jann infantry flanked the town to the far left. With their warcries, the enemy spurred their horses, bows drawn and fired the first salvo as horses kicked up mounds of dark earth in their charge.

"Charge," Michael yelled and Markus spurred his horse into action. Racing for the enemy, he noticed the first salvo of raining wood arc low over their heads, but amazingly the second preceded a third. He couldn't believe how fast these men could draw and fire, then rein their horses to the left and right in an attempt to escape. Fools, he thought until noticing the concealed line behind them of heavier mounted knights, charging them. Shield up, he directed with his knees to keep at Michael's right and remained easily to the duke's side.

Suddenly, the enemy's mounts lurched forward into the hidden ditch as Kevin howled in glory, laughing at the first line of their defense.

"Leap," Michael yelled as he batted down the visor on his father's white armor and Markus arched forward and swept with his sword, cleaving the falling soldier now below him who tried in vain to keep his mount from crashing into the trap. A stream of blood followed his stroke as they landed, then pressed on towards the retreating horse archers. Now hungry, the allied cavalry raced for the frustrating line of men who fired and turned their mounts ever to the left in support of their infantry that now assaulted the walls of Purbeck.

He knew their horses would tire of this cat-and-mouse game soon. "Michael, we have to slow this pursuit. Not all here ride a Stormfrost steed."

"Agreed," Kevin supported. "Allow half of us to keep harrassing the cavalry and the rest hit the infantry's rear."

Michael slowed his mount, prompting the rest to follow suit as he nodded. "Good idea." Sunlight gleamed from the magical suit of platemail as the duke turned to his brother. "Anthony, take the knights of Purbeck and Carbost and ride the infantry down. Keep from engaging directly, but continue to harrass their flanks. Let the men on the wall do the rest."

Markus could tell that the younger brother didn't want to leave them but, reluctantly nodded. "See you soon, then. Arhus go with you." The knight turned his mount back towards the town and gathered a large number to follow him. Their horses breathing heavily and well lathered, Markus patted his faithful mount on the neck, protected by leather barding that he had purchased before they left home; his mount returned to him once the duke was aware that Markus would accompany them.

"Now we'll see how they remedy this," Michael grinned as he looked southeast to the horse archers, now separated from their infantry and Markus was curious also as he glanced towards the enemy who had slowed as their commander surveyed the situation from a distance.

"Their horses are beautiful," Sir Nicholas mentioned. "Be nice to take one back to your brother, Markus."

He nodded knowing that his older brother enjoyed the continuation of their father's passion in breeding horses. Their ranch had been the envy of the duchy, most horses in this war being from Carbost. Soon, the enemy retreated to Zariva, leaving the infantry to fend for themselves.

"Sir Vincent," Michael grinned, satisfied at the outcome, take ten and ensure they're leaving. Return to us and let me know if they've truly quit the field." His own squire, now a knight bowed respectfully in the saddle, motioned for a few to follow him and thundered southward but kept out of range of their bowshot. Michael then reined left and eyed those remaining with him. "Zariva, Newcastle, let's revenge our brothers fallen in our hometown's." A suggestion which prompted a hearty cheer as Markus turned his horse also and followed the duke towards the walls. Fanning out, they slanted right to support Anthony's attack and charged. Nearing the enemy now engaged at the wall and gatehouse, Markus grinned with satisfaction as he noticed the Macau conscripts turn wide-eyed and start to run for their lives. Without the support of their famous cavalry, they were mowed down with impunity. Those who stayed to fight died where they stood as the defending men on the wall streamed out through the gate to help with the slaughter.
As the sun rose high in the blue sky, Markus soon reined in his steed beside Michael and enjoyed their first victory. Michael pushed up the visor and turned to him, smiling.

"Only the beginning, my friend," he proudly stated.