Chapter 20
When it came Fezariu leapt over the barrels and was flanked by Arshea and Vintaro with the other mercenaries holding a disciplined line on either side of him. They ran through the smoke rising from the flames and clouds of dust from the debris and soon found themselves in the pandemonium of the conflict raging throughout the square.
Across the expanse were hundreds of valkayan rebels engaged in an epic tussle with the colonists. Fezariu’s charge of Merelax Mercenaries smashed into the side of the closely packed valkayans who were already in disarray from the showers of arrows raining down on them from General Bayard’s archers. When the last of the bow strings came to rest the fate of Redemption was left to be decided by those fighting in the central square.
Fezariu’s line of mercenaries remained unbroken but many had fallen to the stubborn valkayan rebels whose determination was not swayed by the wilting of their numbers. Gradually the valkayans began to seize the advantage and when Fezariu’s line was broken carnage reigned throughout the central square with victory and defeat very much in the balance for all concerned.
The failing of Fezariu’s line bred indiscipline amongst the mercenaries who broke formation and engaged in their own personal struggles. Fezariu remained close to Arshea and Vintaro with the trio repelling attacks with ease and providing cover for each other from any surprise ambush. The rebels’ resolve continued though and at the next explosion it appeared all hope of defending the city would be lost.
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Comments
ruby95660[at]yahoo[dot]com
Thanks for posting this excerpt!
This was one of my favourite chapters to work on. I love history, particularly medieval history, and was able to draw on many years of studying. I'll confess that I write more easily about battles than romances but I'm getting better!
Good news: the eBook of Fezariu's Epiphany is now just $0.99. I love eBooks - it's never been so easy to access so much fiction. Of course, a good paperback, a mug of hot chocolate and a comfortable chair is still the best way to spend an afternoon.
Dave