章 68: Clash at the Old Bridge
A few days later, General Maron dispatched Captain Huron's Shields to reinforce a critical bridge spanning a wide river. This crossing linked key farmlands to the Ember Circle's heartland, making it an ideal target for Serpent sabotage. If the Serpents seized or destroyed it, trade and support lines would suffer.
Huron's Shields arrived at dusk. They formed a stout defensive line—shields overlapping, spears at the ready. Behind them, a handful of Sparks and Flames prepared to respond to any breach. Torches flickered, illuminating the old wooden beams, while the river's current hummed beneath their feet.
As night deepened, a shrill whistle cut through the darkness. Serpent silhouettes emerged from the treeline, advancing in eerie silence. Their initial plan was likely to sprint across the bridge, surprise the defenders, and toss incendiaries into support beams. But they found a human wall waiting.
Huron's voice was low and steady: "Hold your ground." The Shields braced, absorbing the first rushed assault. Wooden clubs cracked against iron-banded shields. A Serpent tried to slip under a guard's defense, but a Spark skewered him before he could land a blow.
Frustrated, the Serpents unleashed knives and darts. Some found gaps, wounding Shield-bearers. Yet none cried out or broke formation. Huron calmly rotated injured fighters to the rear, replacing them with fresh defenders. This unwavering discipline threw the attackers off their rhythm.
Realizing brute force wouldn't work, a Serpent captain barked an order. Three cloaked figures rushed the side of the bridge, attempting to set it aflame. Captain Huron signaled the Flames, who sprang forward, drenching them with buckets of water stored in anticipation. Sparks advanced behind the Flames, snuffing out torches and driving the arsonists back.
With each thwarted tactic, the Serpents grew desperate. They retreated into the darkness, leaving several dead and wounded behind. The Ember defenders did not pursue—they had secured their objective. The old bridge still stood, and the farmland beyond remained safe.
At sunrise, Huron's Shields lowered their weapons, proud and weary. Maron's report to Lyrus and the council would confirm that even tested at vulnerable choke points, the Ember Circle's captains and units would not crumble. The Serpents had found no easy prey here.
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