Chapter 2: The Eleventh Day
I smiled slightly as I sat on my horse, overlooking the battlefield. As I ran my hand through my blonde hair.
I had blonde hair, its colour and strength being a duplicate to Duke Hyou. But instead of making it long, I had it short. And I formed it into a slick back, not too tight. But not too loose. It worked quite well, ensuring no hair got in my eyes, hampering my aim. Additionally, at the age of 16, I stood at 181 centimetres tall, and still growing, I wore the standard Qin army. Silver, but mine was decorated with dragons. 2 riding down my arms, and another 2 riding up my chest, to the shoulders.
"Today is the day, eh?" I asked Roku, who stood on the horse beside me.
"Aye, the tower was finished last night." He said, and I smiled at that.
The Siege had continued for 10 days, the first day being a copy of the second, charging the wall. Getting overrun by arrows and pushed down ladders, and retreat. And we had done nothing of note, and the General just continued the siege happily.
It was the standard way of sieging, utilising your advantage in troops and supplies to starve and slowly defeat the enemy, unluckily for us. They had a lot of skilled archers, making the siege difficult.
And worse, we had almost no archers of our own. And those we had, rarely ever fought. Perhaps to save resources.
However, I was brought out of my thoughts by the rumble of horses, as the Yu Feng cavalry rushed towards the wall, carrying carts. Filled with branches.
"Prepare to charge," I said, and with that. The Officers, who often stood beside me at all times. Rushed to their respective troops, or more specifically. The Sergeants and lower-officers.
Hoku, Ishiro, Kael and Roku remained by my side.
"I need you 4 to climb the wall first, Ishiro, then Hoku and Kael. Followed by Roku. We need to soften up their defences, for our troops and eventually the rest." I said, and I got no replies, but I knew each of them would never resist, for they wanted Battle.
"Choose those amongst us most skilled to go first, I´ll trust you with their selection." I said, and all 4 of them nodded. Before they rushed out to find their best troops, except Ishiro, for he had no unit to command.
"I´ll join the Battle as well." I said, and his eyes widened.
"S-sir, that will not be needed. Your weakness is combat." He said, clearly reluctant. He served me loyally, and my father before me. He had an almost cult-like ideology towards my father, and in reflection, me.
"I´ll remain in the back, using my archery to pick off fighters. I´ll be safe from harm." I told him, and he reluctantly nodded.
"I´ll be fine, I'm not a slouch in close combat. Unlike a thousand man commander or above approaches, I´ll be fine." I said, calming him slightly.
"Understood, I´ll make sure anyone strong enough, dies." He said seriously, and I sighed.
Well, who am I to complain about a loyal and strong companion/bodyguard.
Again, we were interrupted as a large rumble ran through our forces. And out of the forest, came a large siege tower. And I couldn't help but smile.
I turned to a soldier on horse behind me, as I spoke to him.
"Inform my Lieutenants of the following: They are to form turtles behind the siege tower. Use it as cover, but keep the formation. I want zero casualties until we reach the walls." I said, and the messenger nodded. Riding off.
Now, I just had to wait for my lieutenants to finish their job. And luckily, the siege tower was slower than us.
It took an additional 2 minutes for them to reach me, and we began marching at that.
The Hi Shin Force and the Le Hua Force were still standing in the reserves, perhaps shocked at the revelation of a siege tower. Or awaiting, to see its purpose and effect.
But I had no desire to do so, and we rushed forth. Running to the siege tower.
As we entered the range of their archers, a few of whom were shooting into the dark, due to the smoke coming from the burned carriages, apparently Ou Hon, the spear guy, had set them on fire, creating a wall of black smoke. Hiding the siege tower and our troops from the archers.
We quickly reached the siege tower. Whereas we formed the turtle behind the siege tower, covering our top, front, and sides. Leaving the back open.
However, I stepped out as I walked onto the Siege Tower, whereas Ou Hon stood. His eyes narrowed at my appearance.
"What are you doing?" He asked me, his arms crossed.
"Backing you up," I said with a smile, one which he didn´t return.
"I do not require your assistance." Was his simple response, but we both knew the truth.
"Sure, you'll just take a wall with 300 men. Either way, we´re here to help. Whether you like it or not, and if you allow it. I´d like to take my 15 best men to the frontlines, they are elites from Duke Hyou´s army." I said, Hon´s eyes widened slightly, but he quickly regained himself.
"Fine." He simply said. Furiously enough.
"That we do."
And with that, I turned around. And I couldn´t help but smile slightly. As much as I´d want to fight on the walls with my entire might, I knew that was not Ou Hon's goal, he was after the walls.
I had watched the Kingdom show in my previous life, and though I didn´t have a perfect memory, I was sort of aware of the events. And luckily, that would come to help me out today.
I jumped down, and into the turtle formation, walking up to my 4 lieutenants.
"Alright, so we´ll be switching up our strategy slightly." I said, as all 4 of them turned to me.
"I doubt Ou Hon desires to take the commander's head, nor the wall. So he has another plan, most likely to use ropes to climb down from the wall, and open the gate. Which means, we won't be caught up there without any glory." I said, the eyes of the 4 of them widened.
"Ishiro, Kaen and Hozu. You will take 15 men and join me in the siege tower. Meanwhile, Rozu. You'll remain down here with the remaining 285 men. I´ll give you a signal, and when I do. Charge towards the gates." I said, and they all nodded.
"Alright, good. Let's move." I said, and with that. We began moving, taking 15 men with us as we began climbing the tower, and I kept my bow at the ready.
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