he lifted up his shield, barreling through a goblin that stood in his way.
Tanus landed hard on his back, the wind knocked from his lungs, his helm dislodged from his head. Gasping for breath, he struggled to stand and find his sword just as he saw the spear wielding goblin jump on top of him screaming in bloodlust. The goblin kicked him in the face so hard that he saw stars as blood and a few teeth flew from his mouth. Tanus lay flat on his back, trying to shake off the dizziness. The goblin howled with glee and reversed its grip on the spear so that the point was angling towards him. Tanus looked up as the spear tip descended. Everything slowed as he looked upon his own death.
Suddenly a soldier rammed into the goblin, launching the beast into the air. Tanus didn’t waste any time getting up and grabbing his sword from the ground. He stumbled slightly as he shook off the fogginess and pain. After a few seconds he planted his legs firmly and stood up.
Fil stood next to him holding his blood smeared shield and sword.
“Nice timing,” Tanus said, looking about the battle field.
“Thanks.”
Blood ran freely from Tanus’s shoulder and mouth but the wounds did not seem to affect him. He nodded and then quickly engaged the nearest goblin with a defiant roar.
Fil fought next to Tanus for what seemed like an eternity. Goblins stacked up around them as they slashed, stabbed, and cut their way through the beasts.
Fil’s sword arm began to tire and his body was dripping sweat and blood. Suddenly another enemy horn sounded and Fil and Tanus looked around as they took advantage of the quick break from the fighting.
“What is that?” Fil gasped through deep breaths.
“The enemy is sending in their second line.” Tanus glanced around for his horse and saw his steed close by. The well trained animal didn’t leave his master’s side even in the heat of battle.
Tanus ran to his horse, stumbling slightly, the exhaustion and loss of blood from the wound now taking its toll. Fil rushed to Tanus and caught him before he fell.
“Let me help you,” he said as he guided Tanus to his horse and helped him into the saddle.
“My thanks,” Tanus muttered as he scanned the scene from his higher vantage point.
“What do you see, sir?” Fil asked anxiously.
“As I thought, they are sending in their second line.” Tanus pulled out a horn from the side of his horse’s saddle and blew it three times. It was the signal to reform their modrigs.
Quickly the soldiers reformed their fighting lines and tried to reestablish their shield wall. The remaining goblins had retreated and reformed with the advancing orcs and humans that were marching towards them. The enemy was beating huge war drums as the lumbering orcs marched down the hill. The menacing sound was deafening and the men around Fil looked about nervously. But most of them were veterans and they held their ground, their iron resolve strengthening the will of the younger inexperienced soldiers near them.
A horn blew behind them and Fil glanced back to see their reserve line move into position. Fil understood their role perfectly. The reserve line would fill any gaps that broke in their own line. Simultaneously the cavalry would be attacking from the flanks.
Fil could not see King Gavinsteal anywhere but he suspected he would be leading the Finarthian Knights into battle. Fil looked around for Calden and could not see him among the tired and bloody men nearby. He was exhausted and covered with the grime of battle.
“Drink from your water skins!” bellowed Tanus as he rode in front of his modrig. At his commander’s words Fil noticed how dry his mouth was. He took a long pull from his water skin, relishing the taste as the cold water took away the cottonmouth coating his tongue. The water brought new vigor back into his tired body.
Fil looked down and picked up another fallen spear. The thick shaft in his hand felt comforting as he looked upon the approaching horde of orcs and humans. The booming of the drums corresponded to the thumping of his heart as the adrenaline of battle coursed through his body.
Behind the orcs, Fil could make out the upper bodies of the massive ogres ambling towards them. The pace of the drums quickened and the orcs picked up their pace.
Fil set his feet into the ground, lifted up his shield with his sword brothers,