THE BATTLE
"Gentlemen. Today is the day," Walter said. Before him in his command tent were gathered his brother Logan, Alistair and Kristen, Saydor Vinn, and all of the landowning Banick bannermen pledged to his cause.
"The cavalry will start a skirmish across the stream in the basin, as we have for the past several days. But this time we will commit. We will fight and we will allow Garron's infantry to approach and it is then we will sound a retreat, making it with all appearances look hasty and panicked."
Walter jabbed a finger down at the map on the table.
"Our light infantry will be ordered ahead, across the stream, ostensibly to cover the retreat of the cavalry with their javelins and arrows, but, if all goes to plan, they should make for irresistible bait, for our heavy infantry will be intentionally left behind and ordered at a slow march. If indeed Garron is baited, he will try to catch our light infantry out with the full-force of his own to crush them, seeing that our heavy infantry is still far from engaging. Again, the appearance of flight and cowardice must be displayed, and ground given. More and more ground given to all of Garron's forces by our own light infantry until they retreat back the stream. The light infantry
must stand their ground in the stream, where the rocky and uneven bed makes any manner of speed from cavalry treacherous, therefore robbing Garron of his advantage. With proper timing, our heavy infantry, formed in two units, left and right, will arrive in the stream not long after. Our light infantry center, tired and embattled, will give some final ground as the wings of the heavy infantry close in; our formation will purposely bow inward, Garron's forces will soon find themselves surrounded on three sides, and their cavalry will be unable to save them even if they dismount. When their men lose heart and a rout begins, it will no longer be a battle, but a killing field."
Walter, after reviewing his battle plan, then began assigning each of the bannermen command of specific units of men. Logan and Saydor approached Kristen and Alistair, seeking to speak with them as an aside.
Logan said to them, "My brother and I will be riding with the cavalry to give the men heart. Saydor will be among the light infantry, since they will be hard-pressed by this plan as well."
Saydor nodded and said, "It is your discretion,
Dreadlords, where you think your talents will be best suited and most opportune to counter the magics of the enemy: with the cavalry, with the light infantry, or with one of the wings of the heavy."
Alistair Krixus