Chapter 78: Battle of Aster Day 2 Pt. 3

Andrew Allister, Month 11, Day 20, Year A.F 652. City of Aster, Kingdom of Rosalia.

I hear shouts as metal clashed and explosion rocked the bed I slept in. I hold my head as a soldier enters the room I was in. I touch my side before wincing in pain, reminded of the wound I just received.

I turn my head, only to look at the soldier in alarm. Alarm on what his appearance could mean.

He looks dishevelled, wounded, as blood dripped from his head. He notices before shouting with a salute, "Sir! The enemies have breached our defenses and are being held back at the gates."

I stand up, disregarding the pain shooting up at my side. I salute back to him, "How long have I been out? How many died? And where's my personal messenger?"

He straightened his back as he replied, "Messenger Brian died from the explosion along with a hundred of our longbowmen. That was five hours ago."

His words make me look down in shame as I realize my mistake, now because of my arrogance, the lives of my men are in danger and the city stands on the precipice of destruction.

"Sir, they need you at the battlefield. The men are weary form your absence." The officer shouts as he salutes.

An explosion rocks the ground I sat in and I stand with conviction. There's no use waiting and wailing on myself. I have an army to lead.

"Then have a rest. I'll be leading the army from here on out." I spoke to him as I push through the door.

I rode up to the battle, arriving with my side bandaged up. A sudden sharp pain reminds me of my condition. I spur my horse forward as another explosion shakes the wall.

The sounds of steel clashing were apparent as the men shout through the battle, stuck in a deadlock as arrows flew by, decimating the men held back at the bridge.

Another barrage of explosions contacts the wall, ripping out chunks. The archers up the wall try to take down any more reinforcements as arrows are let loose to avoid overwhelming the shield bearers.

"Whats our current situation." I ask the head garrison Adrian.

Adrian salutes quickly, noticing my presence, "Sir! Is it alright for you to be here?"

I wave his question away, before asking him with a glare, "Answer the question, what's our situation."

He swallows dryly before nodding, "Our latest reports indicate they are concentrating their efforts in breaking through the bridge, leaving behind no attempt to take our other gate."

"How many do we have left?" A headache squeezes my thought as I bit out, "How many casualties do we have? How many men are left?"

He looks back to me in concern before replying, "A hundred longbowmen died in the gates destruction, a hundred more are injured."

"The shield bearers meanwhile were unscathed," He said to me as he showed me the documents.

That makes sense, I have them retreat from the walls, to avoid unnecessary casualties. Even if they were there, they would have just added to the casualties.

"How about all the crossbowmen? How many can fight?"

"Most of them. We had no problem with regards to their ability to fight. Though they have consumed half of our supply of arrows." He pointed to our ever decreasing supply.

"I see," I tap my chin in thought until a plan comes to fruition.

"Are we at a deadlock?" I ask him as the sounds of battle continue outside.

"Yes sir, the shield bearers can hold back their troops, while our longbowmen and crossbowmen wear them out through our arrows."

"That wouldn't be sustainable. If we continue to eat through our supplies at such a pace, there's no way we could last. Even if we decide to retreat to our last walls we'll just be sitting duck without arrows."

So the only thing we could do now is to force them with enough casualties that we'll be able to stall their advance long enough.

A plan forms in my mind as I shout to the messengers, "Send every available officer here!"

"We'll stop them at the gate."

Viller Dunsten

The once pesky crossbowmen, within the walls, are disappearing, bit by bit.

I rode up towards the tent, the inside of which was a table where uncle sat along with Ansen and Athan. "They are evacuating the walls."

Uncle looks to his officer, "Check if it's true."

The man salutes as he ran out of the tent. I look back at them as I ask, "Do we follow them?"

Uncle looks down at his map, the one laid out before him. One designed to be the closest representation of the battle.

Athan though replies to my question, "I think it would be best if we conserve our forces," He shrugs, his mantle of gold flowing behind him, "If we allow them to retreat, we might have time to shore up our defenses if the enemy army arrives."

Ansen merely leans back into his seat, holding no opinions over the matter. His eyes disinterested and seemingly despondent.

I try to ignore him as I reply back, "We can end the siege here and now, it would be best if we pursue this and take the chance they're giving us."

He locks eyes with me, his blue eyes filled with annoyance, "And lose more men? We've lost enough now, we practically hold this city. The only defense he has is a wall defending a castle, nothing else."

My temper flares, perhaps due to some mix of frustration and anger. I reply back with contempt, "Don't assume we'll fail the same way you did."

"What did you say!" He shouts as he stood up. I step closer, as both our eyes lock in anger and hands flare in light.

"Viller!" My uncle shouts, forcing both of us to back down.

He opens his mouth to berate us, but he coughs violently. I stood up in worry before he gestures me to sit back down.

He bows to Athan before speaking, "Apologies for my nephew's behaviour, we all seem to be suffering terribly from this war."

Athan only looks to him before nodding curtly as he sat back down.

Uncle then gestures to the table as he spoke, "But we simply cannot take the chance to end this siege here and now, especially if we could minimize the damage."

Athan sighs as he gestures at us to go forward with their plans, "Fine, but this failure are on both your shoulders."

Uncle bows his head, "Thank you, my prince."

The battle at the bridge increased in intensity as I and the men realized the lack of firepower. The once arrow dotted landscape has turned to nothing but men struggling for battle.

The shield bearers held firm, the men behind them, using their spear's range to their advantage. Taking out their attackers.

Though with the lack of additional firepower, the men seems to be pushing forward inching closely at the entrance.

And before we knew it, their line broke. And with it we came upon contingents of archers retreating, with their back facing against us, the men me ran.

I raise my sword up in excitement as I rode forward to the infantry charging. "All men charge! take down any retreating men and have them pay back for every death they caused."

The resounding roar was deafening as hundreds of soldier rushed in, their spears forward as they chased their retreating form.

I watch as they chased them down. Only then did I realize the wall of steel, standing on their path of retreat. Perhaps Athan was right, this couldve been another trap.

The longbowmen hid behind the shieldbearers as they let loose their arrows to the chasing men.

I try to restore order before another rush of troops comes behind me, ready to occupy the city. Before another storm of arrows rain upon them, this time followed by the sounds of marching, closing in.

I look to the left and right they filled the sides with shield bearers with crossbowmen following behind them, their arms at the ready.

Frustration bubbles within me, but I shake such thoughts off as I shout to the men, " Make way!"

Unfortunately, some have pushed too far to return. I grit my teeth as I spoke, "Clear a path for our men, take up your shield and hold our enemies back.

They do as they are ordered. They raise their shields up, deflecting with the brittle shields they had. The men in front meanwhile take this chance to back up, their shield raised as they inch closer back the gate.

The knights are too far to help and the troops marching from the bridge are too many for them to pass. The only we can do is hold off against their onslaught.

Another volley of arrows land and I shout, "Brace yourselves!"

A messenger runs, "Duke Dunsten has ordered you to retreat with haste."

I nod with hesitation as I shout to the men, "FULL RETREAT!"

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