Read Online Rise of the Dead Prince by Brian A. Hurd - Free Book Online

daring plan.
    “I’ll lead a raid against them with all the skirmishers,” he said. Assur just nodded. If Ian could whittle down their forces even a little with his mounted archers, it would be helpful. And no one was better at what he did than Ian.
    No sooner said than done, Ian rode out to meet the quickly approaching enemy. He knew the land like he knew his own reflection. They would take the fastest and most hidden paths to the enemy, and they would approach unseen. Altogether Ian took four thousand men, all seasoned archers, to harass the Gu nars.
    Just like the Karavunians had done, Ian set a trap at the edge of the woods. He saw the great Gunar army, and it nearly shook even his iron resolve. The Gunar soldiers were bronze-skinned and dark-haired, and their red and green flags dominated the horizon. The Gunars carried curved swords and cruel barbed spears. Theirs was a warlike disposition, but in truth, they were no more bellicose than the Valahians. They had row upon row of armored cavalry and infantry, and there appeared to be only a few thousand common conscripts. These men who were not among the conscripted were all career soldiers. The fight would be even more difficult than he had imag ined.
    Ian had his troops in a long line only three rows deep. When the bulk of the Gunar force had entered the rolling valley that led up to the woods, he sounded the charge. They had one big advantage. The Gunars kept no mounted archers. Skirmishers were the native specialty of the Valahians, and this was a skirmish. The Valahians tore across the open field. The Gunars were taken completely unaware, just as the Valahians had been by the Karavunians. The first hail of skirmisher arrows struck the massive force. Only one in twenty arrows hit home. There was nothing for it. Their armor was too formid able.
    There was only one thing for the skirmishers. They would have to get close … dangerously close. Ian shouted out his orders. They would use the “torrent” formation. Ian’s force sprinted straight forward as the Gunars were still turning their face them. When they came within range, Ian’s soldiers fired as one. It was a devastating attack. At least two hundred Gunars fell. Then came the torrent. The four thousand swooped to the right as one and then began to ride in a large circle, just out of reach of the charging infantry. Each man fired careful shots as his rotation came.
    It was then that the Gunars got organized. The enemy line of archers sent a vast volley into the skirmishers, inflicting many casualties along the line. Horses and riders fell by the dozens. Meanwhile, the Gunar heavy cavalry made their move. They mounted their own charge. It was time for Ian’s force to flee, and he knew it. The skirmishers made one last pass as they rode away from the Gunar cavalry. And then Ian and his men were gone, just as quickly as they had come. The Gunar horsemen gave chase but couldn’t match the skirmishers in speed. They were forced to give up as Ian’s force disappeared into the distance, firing backward into their pursuers as they rode.
    The raid had been a huge success. Ian returned to the castle that night with his men. He was tired, but he went straight to the great hall. Assur greeted him, as did Queen Mira. Ian smiled. They knew it was good news.
    “We got ten for every one we lost. They should be around two thousand men lighter now. I think they’ll be looking for us for a good long while. Their caution will slow them down.” Assur slapped Ian on the back. They were in such a fix that any good news was welcome. Still, they had twenty-eight thousand more problems on the way. With that, Ian promptly headed for his bed, as did all of his men. They took a long rest. They had earned it. It would be at least another day before the Gunar force arrived, and with any luck, it would be less than that before the Valahian infantry arrived. All they could do was wait and hope for the best. Despite Ian’s victory, the