The Free Company- Book V: Bloody Retribution

[Valdemar]

The Heavy Cavalry

Johan fell back with the other men-at-arms while the Light cavalry took up station again at the front. As the group settled down a motley crew of appeared from the baggage train carrying an assortment of buckets and rolling big barrels of water on small carts.

Johan quickly dismounted and fetched a bucket and a small sack of grain, as Hannibal helped himself, Johan turned towards a large stack of what t first site appeared to be pikes. Up close however it turned out to be extra lances and he quickly grabbed one, the last having shattered in the first attack.

Back next to Hannibal he carefully inspected the shield to see if the flail had done any damage. A slight crack had appeared near on edge, but he decided not to replace it, hoping that his sturdy shield would prove a better protection than whatever the quartermaster could provide from the stores.

Moments later all is ready and Kent calls up his men into formation. Now that they no longer are a surprise they take up position right behind the light cavalry. As they sit there a majestic formation of steel and flesh they watch as the infantry performs their delicate dance of death.

The clash of steel seems to reverberate through the earth and Johan watches in a detached sort of way how the Mongols once again move into the fray at the flank.

Kent signalled for them to form up, sooner or later the enemy would have to deter the light cavalry, Johan lifted the bud of the lance of the ground and trotted forward and right with the rest, leaving a gap between them and the infantry for light horses to retreat through and space for the men coming up from the reserves.

 

[Judge]

August 12, Mid - Morning, Battle of Cremona

“Here they come”. A clear voice rang out before the two sides clashed.

A huge, strong Venetian fell violently upon O´Brien and tried to hit him. O´Brien having nothing else to fight with but his sword, fended off the blow but was unable to return it. “Damned, I have been a monk for too long” he shouted in anger to himself.

Immediately the Venetian prepared to strike another blow but suddenly a soldier from the Free Company split the Venetians head with a battle axe. “Thanks” shouted O´Brien and moved away from where the crowd was thickest.

“God I can´t be blessed all the time” he shouted and hit himself hard on his head with his hand to emphasize that. “Come on man, you can do a lot better than this”.

As O´Brien moved around he saw the same man from the company that had saved him earlier on the ground with a Venetian over him. The Venetian had lifted his sword and was about to strike when O´Brien transfixed the Venetian with the blade of his sword. The Venetian yelled when the blade transfixed him, rattled and fell dead to the ground.

“Thanks” said the man from the company and smiled. “That was really close you know”.

Two other Venetians approached and a vigorous fighting commenced. O´Brien´s new friend cut off the arm of one of the opponents and then the head. Blood spouted everywhere and coloured both the man from the company and O´Brien red. Meanwhile O´Brien struck a blow with his sword Galahad that knocked the other Venetian to the ground.

The Venetian gurgled and his intestines were clearly visible from the wound O´Brien had inflicted with his sword.

“Ah the skill is slowly returning” said O´Brien at the same time as he transfixed the Venetian with his sword and sent the bastard to hell or heaven.

 

[redwolf]

August 12, Mid - Morning, Battle of Cremona

Gao's Jaghun was in the middle of another raid into the enemy flanks when Shur'tu sounded recall. Glancing around, Chen bit back a curse. The enemy cavalry had finally regrouped and were finally advancing abeit more cautiously. However in front of them, a vanguard of about 300 cavalrymen had advanced forward at a rapid pace, their goal to eliminate the jaghun performing the charge.

"About turn!!Quickly!! Back to our lines!!" Gao cried out. Quickly the remaining 88 men of the jaghun turned around and started heading back to their lines. As they sped back to their lines, a quick glance back told Chen that it was going to be a close race. Ahead, Shur'tu and the rest of the light cavalry as well as the Heavy cavalry were preparing to advance to cover the jaghun if needed.

The venetian cavalry had tried to close in on the jaghun but the superior speed of the mongol steeds started to weigh in on their favour and the jaghun started to pull away from the chasing venetians.

The commander apparently finally realised that their prey had escaped from them and ordered recall of the 300 cavalrymen. As the cavalrymen pulled up and prepared to return, a volley of longbows landed into their ranks dropping men and horses alike. The venetian cavalrymen had been intent on their prey to the point to the extent that they did not noticed that the longbowmen had reformed on the FC right. While the venetians remained out of range of the mongol war bows, they had however entered the range of the longbows and that proved to be a costly mistake.

Chen Hui now saw that the Heavy Cavalry had now moved forward to engage the venetians but he realised they would not catch them unless someone delayed them for another minute or so. Gao thought the same thing and ordered," About turn! Draw arms and charge the venetians!"

In a moment, bows were kept and arms were drawn even as they about turned again and charged the venetians who were still trying to reform. The Longbowmen withheld their fire as Gao's jaghun crashed into the venetians with loud ringing sounds of steel on steel. Chen's first swing took off a venetian's sword arm and his second into his heart. The charge of the Ming Guards had taken the venetians by surprise and had allowed the Ming Guards to take down many venetians even before they realised anything. The orders of the Ming Guards were clear, hold the venetians here until the Heavy Cavalry could arrive and finish the job.

The Ming Guards had the element of surprise but the venetians had the superior numbers. As the venetians recovered from the initial shock, the venetians started to exert the weight of their superior numbers on the Ming Guards. Then the FC Heavy Cavalry arrived....


Over at the venetian lines, the cavalry commander watched in anguish as the longbowmen followed by those blasted Orientals took down his vanguard. Much as he wanted to send the rest of the cavalry over to aid them, to do so would mean entering the range of the longbowmen and the mongol war bows of the rest of the remaining light cavalry. If the cavalry was lost, then the left flank will be totally open to the enemy cavalry to exploit. He cursed in disgust as he realised his 300 cavalrymen were almost certainly lost. As the Heavy Cavalry crashed into them, he turned his head away, unable to watch the carnage....

 

[Valdemar]

Heavy Cavalry

Johan leaned forward as the troop moved to the ridge again, prepared to aid the small groups of light cavalry should they get into trouble, he was so intent on looking for an opportunity to exploit the flank that the Mongols opened that he almost missed the chance when the enemy tried to rid it self of the annoying ponies.

Kent however had kept the grand picture and quickly formed up his men.

“We will charge once, if they get close enough,” he pointed to the vanguard of the enemy, “Then carry straight through, split and return on each flank.” He lifted his gauntlet covered fist and smashed it into his saddle horn, “I do NOT want to be caught out there when the remainder of their forces arrive.

The men nodded, it had been a close call last time and had the second half arrived, they would have been overwhelmed. He looked downhill and saw that the light cavalry detachment had already seen the danger and was pulling back. The Italians tried to catch them but Johan estimated they would be safe, especially as the longbows started dropping long pointy sticks into their midst.

Kent moved his men closer nonetheless, should the enemy decide not to break off. Then something strange happened, the entire detachment of light cavalry turned on the spot and charged back into the enemy, a force three times their own and far more heavily armoured. Johan heard Kent swear and then the lieutenant ordered the charge.

Johan immediately felled his lance and was once again close to the point of the wedge, what he could see horrified him. The chin had not tried to goad the enemy with another hit and run, they had charged the Venetians head on.

Johan could see how they were getting the bad end of the bargain. Their weapons so well suited against lightly armoured opponents struck ineffectually against the heavy shields of the Italians. He swore out loud, they needed to disengage now or risk being trampled by the charge. He dropped one strap for his shield and reached back for his horn and blew a loud but scratching hunting note to get their attention.

The chin heard and moved out of the way, with a resounding crash the cavalry struck the once again immobilized enemy. The power carried them straight through and remembering Kent’s orders Johan immediately turned right and curved back towards safety. Turning as narrowly as possibly he dropped the lance and raised his axe. Bearing down on the outside flank he managed to strike at, at least two unguarded backs before retreating completely.

In war and survival all things go, Frederik had used to say.

 

[redwolf]

August 12, Mid - Morning, Battle of Cremona

As Chen ducked another sword aimed at him, he thought, the heavies better get here fast or we are finished. As if on cue, the shrill sound of horns sounded the impending arrival of the Heavy Cavalry.

"Disengage now!" shouted both Gao and Chen as the survivors fall back. Just as Chen got clear, he could see the Heavy Cavalry cut through the inmobilized venetians like knife through butter. Their one charge took out nearly a full two thirds of the enemy. As the heavies completed the charge through the venetians, they quickly made a quick turn to return to their lines.

The few surviving venetians now tried to make their run back to their lines but now Shur'tu and the light cavalry released a volley of arrows at them, sending even more venetians tumbling out of their saddles. Very few men made it back to their lines.

As Gao's jaghun returned to their lines, Chen made a quick count of the jaghun. About 50 men are still combat effective, with 20 wounded and the rest dead. Of his Ming Guards, he had lost 5, and another 15 wounded, leaving him with 30 combat effective Chin.

Reaching his lines, Chen grabbed a bottle and took a long drink from it. Finishing, he grabbed a bucket of water for his horse. As his horse drank, he kept an eye out on how the rest of the battle is unfolding....

 

[Storey]

August 12, Mid - Morning, Battle of Cremona

Geoffrey felt the solid crunch of bone and meat as the Venetian either stumbled or was pushed onto Geoffrey’s pike. As the man slowly fell he took Geoffrey’s pike down with him. It took a few seconds of twisting before Geoffrey was able to free it from the dead man’s grasp. He looked up just in time to dodge a pike aimed at his face. The roar around him was so loud he could feel the shouts and screams of the men as they struggled against each other.

Just when he didn’t think it could get any louder he heard Amric directly behind him bellow an order. He was able to focus long enough to realize that the Lieutenant was yelling orders and the Sergeants were relaying them to the men. Somehow his brain processed the sound into coherent commands and his body obeyed. He felt embarrassed to feel proud that he still remembered his right from his left. He had time to notice that Cyril was now in the rank behind him. He also noticed that Brian and Franks were no longer standing to his right. If they were dead or wounded he didn’t remember. In fact he didn’t remember much of the battle. Just blurs that stopped and spurted with no regard to reason. Still the occasional crossbow bolt or arrow would buzz by but they were few and far in between. The infantry were too close together for the use of anything but what havoc a weapon wielded by a hand could create.

 

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August 12 - Mid-Morning - Forward Cavalry Lines

The Ming Guards had done an ill-fated charge. There seemed to be great motivation. Perhaps some of their men had been slain and they were hot with wrath, perhaps they were trying to hold the enemy just long enough for the heavy cavarly to arrive. Kent seemed to hesitate, knowing the danger of puting his men down there. Finally, he resolved to charge the Venetians. One of them blew a horn, alerting the Eastern warriors to clear aside. Spearing through the disorganized enemy cavalry, the great beasts of the heavy cavalry raced back toward friendly lines, having gotten the Chinese out of their immediate peril and doing a bit of damage to the enemy. O'Floinn pushed his horse forward a bit with a few other light cavalrymen and joined in firing off a few arrows. The ranger was still great however, and many of the arrows fell short or went wide, though the added confusion amongst the enemy still helped. The heavy cavalry came roaring back soon after, with the Ming close by, a bit shaken at having to leave behind the bodies of their fallen countrymen. Sounds of the infantry clashes as the Free Company and it's allies struggled to hold their positions drifted over to the light cavalry's position. O'Floinn drew a small red glass bottle from his saddle and drank about half it's contents. The Celt pushed his horse over toward where Chen was giving his horse a drink and sizing up the rest of the battle. He slid off the side of his horse and took a few steps toward the Asian horseman, deciding to see how things had gone.

"Mornin' Chen, 'owed things go fer casaulties out there?

 

[redwolf]

August 12 - Mid-Morning - Forward Cavalry Lines

"Mornin' Chen, 'owed things go fer casaulties out there? Asked O'Floinn. Chen looked up from where he was observing the infantry battle. " Not too good. We lost half the jaghun so far. Of my Chin, I lost 5 men and 15 wounded thought most of them should be alright. This leaves me with 30 combat fit Chin, in total 50 fit men in this jaghun. Not sure if Shur'tu will split the jaghun up to the other jaghuns to make up their numbers."

O'Floinn asked the question he had been wondering for some time," What made you decide to charge the heavy cavalry? It's sucidal." Now Chen had a pained look in his eye," First off, it's not my decision but Gao's. But as second in command, i fully agree. Our cavalry is still outnumbered by theirs. This was a good chance to eliminate 300 of their men with minimal casulties to ours. All we had to do was to hold the venetians there for a minute to allow the heavies to arrive and finish the job. Though i know some of my men will die holding the venetians, we took the charge, figuring exchanging 20 plus lives for a chance to take down 250 plus of them would be worth it. It was a hard decision but it had to be done to reduce their advantage of numbers. I only hope now my men's sacrifice will be worth it in the end."

Finishing, he sighed as he took another long sip of drink from his bottle. As Chen turned back to observe the battle, he asked aloud," Was it a correct decision to turn back to charge or should we have just continued back to our lines?" O'Floinn was not sure if the question by Chen was directed to him was Chen just mumbling to himself....

 

[Amric]

August 12--Midmorning Infantry Lines

The Venetians continued to try to push forward out of the pits and more men on both sides fell in the melee. Amric had no choice but to step forward as the men before him fell to pikes thrust into their bodies. He stood next to Geoffrey, who had already drawn blood and continued to hold his ground. Cyril was on the other side of Geoffrey already working hard to stay alive and kill Venetians.

"Hold the line!" Amric roared," Push 'em back into the pit!"

He twisted away from a pike thrust while using his right hand sword to push a pike thrusting at Geoffrey upwards, allowing the man to skewer the Venetian, who fell back into the pit, disrupting things there. He also managed with his left hand sword to deflect the pike heading for the pikeman to his left. That man stepped on the shaft of it, wrenching it out of the startled Venetian's hands. His startlement lasted all of a second as a pike to the face dropped him in his tracks.

Amric leaped forward and cut into the belly of his own foeman, who dropped his pike to try and stuff his spilling entrails back into his gut, with little success. A swift kick pushed him back into the pit and Amric began slicing hands and heads that kept poking up over the trench. He began to back away as more pikes menaced his body.

As the Venetians continued to boil out of the pit the front lines began to get into a rythum of slaying that began to stack the bodies of the Venetians into a ragged wall that began to build higher, causing yet more trouble for the Venetians in their attempts to advance.

"Good job, men! Keep them back behind our new wall!"

 

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August 12 - Mid-Morning - Foward Cavalry Lines

As Chen turned back to observe the battle, he asked aloud," Was it a correct decision to turn back to charge or should we have just continued back to our lines?" O'Floinn was not sure if the question by Chen was directed to him was Chen just mumbling to himself. The Celt stood a moment, then decided to give his opinion to Chen, who was understandably a bit troubled about wether his decision was right.

"I wouldn' o' done it if it were my group, but tha's my group. My men are archers for the mos' part, yer men were better equipped to do tha' then mine. Ye pulled 'em back when it counted though Chen, and I'd 'ave o' followed you proudly, 'ad I been amongst yer command."

 

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12 August, Morning: Cavalry lines

Jean saw Danny and one of the Mongols (or Chinese, he couldn't tell them apart) resting and talking together on a hilltop. Jean swung his horse over to join in.

"Ah, I think my horse needs a bit of rest." Jean dismounted and tied the horse to a nearby branch. "Poor thing hasn't been in a battle for a while." Jean took a drink of water. "I've been looking for you, Danny. How many of your ten are left?"

"All o' them."

"Good. We've lost only three so far. Two from arrows, one broke his neck when his horse was killed. A couple injuries, but I'd say they would be able to fight if needed." Jean turned to Chen--he remembered who it was now. "That was a valiant charge. I know an artist in Milan who could have made a beautiful painting of it. It is too bad he could not be here, but I imagine I could have him try anyway. Then again, I'm wondering who would pay for it--he doesn't work cheap. Oh, I forget his name. Guido?"

Suddenly, Jean smiled. "I'm sorry if I rambled a bit there. Just need to get my mind off the battle. I knew the three of my men who died." Just as suddenly as he had smiled, he turned melancholy and retreated to the shade of the nearby tree. I've forgotten what it's like to have a companion die, he thought. I've been too long away from battle. Ah, I'll get used to it again.

 

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August 12th, Battle of Cremona

It was the moment of pureness that Wilhelm always loved about battle. He would be in the thick of the fighting, with the beautiful rhythem of weapons clanking, and the sound of blood spiting out of the arturies of dieing soldiers. It would happen when he lost himself in the fray, he could control himself if he wanted but he allowed the silence of the pureness to overcome him.

"Watch out Wilhelm!" yelled a fellow comrade

Wilhelm dodged the Venician soldier's swing and threw his knee into his stomach. He then forced his sword threw the soldier's spinal cord so that the soldier was not able to feel his own body as his nervous system failed. Another Venician came at him with a polearm but Wilhelm caught it and with his hand axe broke off the pole's tip. He ran up to the Venician and thrusted the hand axe into the stomach and with his sword in his left hand stabed him throughthe ribs and into the heart.

Wilhelm like usual began to search for his Rotting Corpse comrades but this time he found none. The killing had died down a little and with his skill held off any attacks but after a few minutes searching, Wilhelm, made his way toward the Free Company banner. He knew he would find hospitality there and since the Rotting Corpse banner was no where to be found he had no other choice.

 

[The_Hawk]

August 12th, 1440 -- Midmorning, the Battle of Cremona

From his position at the center of the ridge, Francesco Sforza had a commanding view of the battlefield. He watched as the southernmost forces of the enemy line were chewed up and spit out by the bold deeds of the Free Company. If only my men showed such initiative. And capability, he thought enviously.

Which was not to suggest they were doing poorly. His troops were holding the line with aplomb. It didn't hurt that the forces that opposed him seemed less well-led than those that fought the Free Company. Too, the halves of the army were largely uncoordinated. He had had to restrain his men from exploiting the gap between the enemy wings when the two sides first clashed; anyone who crossed the entrenchment line would surely be crushed from two sides.

What caused him some concern was the enemy cavalry. While the southern half's cavalry had been eaten away by the Company's hit and run attacks, the northern had been unharmed. Now, the enemy men-at-arms were arrayed on a low rise opposite Sforza's horsemen and the Hospitaller's knights. It was a standoff.

Sforza blinked. Perhaps not. He could see the first rank of enemy cavalry beginning down the hill at a leisurely trot. The condotterie blinked again. The attack didn't make sense; the enemy could only hope to attack the flanks of Sforza's infantry, which would bring the Hospitaller's knights and Sforza's cavalry charging down on them. Unless...

A clamor bounced across the valley as a horde of knights jangled into view. Their tabards and their pennants were emblazoned with the colors of the Knights Hospitaller.

"Damn!" cried Sforza. Blood and honor, Sir Francis, but surely you can see this is a ruse? Apparently the former knight was relying on Sforza's men -- or his relationship with God -- to protect his back. He roared down into the valley, intent on meeting the enemy cavalry at its base at a full charge.

Sforza wished he was surprised when the enemy force split in two and turned away from one another, moving laterally along the ridge. Now, if du Pont hoped to attack either group, he would have to charge up the hillside to do it -- and he would allow the unengaged group to outflank him.

To his credit, du Pont took the unexpected third option. Turning south, he sent the momentum of his charge into the enemy infantry's flank, scattering bodies and collapsing much of the enemy's northern edge. In response, the southern cavalry group charged down to engage the Hospitaller's knights, while the northern moved to encircle them.

Sforza grimaced. Good thing I knew he'd slip his leash eventually. "Lieutenant Macchi, go and save our..." he began, before realizing that the lieutenant was already riding toward his cavalry. Good men, he thought, before catching sight of the considerable form of Filippo Visconti approaching on horseback.

The Duke of Milan had the matted hair and bloodshot eyes of a drunkard who had just awakened. Nevertheless, he seemed totally unaware of the din of battle, the cries of the wounded, or the dim gray sky that was the last sight of the dying. Instead, he grinned broadly at the sight of Sforza.

"Ah, my dear Francesco! A good morning to you."

"And to you, m'lord," murmured the mercenary, turning back to the battlefield.

Visconti drew up beside him. "Having a good day?"

"It's hard to say, m'lord." He pointed toward the growing cavalry battle.

"Ah yes," said Visconti sagely, as trumpets rang out and Sforza's cavalry started down the hill. "It's a good thing I've come; I thought you could use more men." He waved back toward the ridge's reverse slope.

Sforza turned. Approaching him from behind, in a perfect wedge, were the Bloody Half Hundred, their black banner snapping in the breeze. "Use them as you see fit, Francesco," Visconti said. He sniffed the air, frowned, and looked at the gathering clouds. "Miserable weather today. Can hardly see the sun. What time would you wager it is?"

Sforza frowned at the intrusion on his thoughts and shot a distracted glance at the sky. "Late morning, m'lord."

"Hmm. Time for lunch, I would wager." He turned his horse, the beast visibly straining under his girth. "Good day, Francesco. Hurry along, and I'll save you a turkey leg!"

 

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August 12th, Battle of Cremona

Wilhelm had been walking toward the Free Company banner for almost 20 minutes. He had escaped the chaos of the battle and as he came closer to the banner he saw what looked liked an Irishmen and a Mongol.

When Wilhelm finally arrived at his desired destination he saw the few men who had survived the blows of swords, axes, arrows, and other weapons of war. He looked over the men and found in a group of unknowns a face that looked familar.

"Ack Ack Ackkk", is...is...that you, Wilhelm?

Wilhelm came closer and wiped the blood and dirt off the man's face, it was the leader of the Rotting Corpses.

"Yes it's me, Sir" replied Wilhelm

"In..In..my pocket is the key to unlock my chest"

Wilhelm took the key out of his commander's pocket.

"In the chest there are documents and records of the Rotting Corpse Mercenaries, I ask that you bury them in a safe place, the Rotting Corpses are done for" the Rotting Corpse leader said in a hoarse and forced voice

With that said the leader died and Wilhelm buried him.

Wilhelm gathered his things and went toward the Irishmen and Mongol.

"Are you the leader of the Free Company?" asked Wilhelm to the Irishmen

 

[redwolf]

12 August, Morning: Cavalry lines

Chen had been ready to throw a punch to Jean when he started to ramble about making a painting of the Ming Guard's Charge. Suddenly, Jean smiled. "I'm sorry if I rambled a bit there. Just need to get my mind off the battle. I knew the three of my men who died." Just as suddenly as he had smiled, he turned melancholy and retreated to the shade of the nearby tree.

Chen felt his anger melting away. He knew what Jean was feeling right now. He was feeling the same thing. Those of his men who had fallen, they had stood on many a battlefields together and they were as close as brothers. It was always very sad to lose a brother, especially when he knew he had a part to do with their deaths.

Huang walked over to Chen and reported," Lim and Zhang are out for the rest of the battle. They both suffered injuries. Not too serious but I told them to sit out the rest of the battle unless things gets desperate. Gao also took a slight wound. He did not want to have it checked out but i had 2 men dragged him off though knowing him, he will likely be back sometime later."

Chen nodded and reply," Very well, if and until Gao returns, I will assume temporary command of the jaghun. Huang, you will be second in command. Go and let the men know." Huang nodded and went off.

As Chen and O'Floinn continued to observe the battle, a stranger whose uniform is bloodied, walked over to them. Not sure who he was, O'Floinn and Chen were instantly alert to the possibility of an infiltrator. The stranger asked O'Floinn,"Are you the leader of the Free Company?"

Before O'Floinn could reply, Chen spoke up," He may or may not be. Who are you and why do you seek the Captain of the Free Company?

 

[Amric]

August 12- Late Morning Infantry Lines

With the brief respite given him by the new "wall" Amric shouted out orders to dress the line and bring up pikemen so that those swordsmen who were at the front lines could retire back behind as they should be.

Just in time too, as the Venetians began to pull apart the "wall" from behind to get back at the Free Company Pikemen. The battle was back in full force and men began dying again, mostly on the side of the Venetians as the Pike line did a far better job now that it was seasoned from the first wave of attacks.

Amric surveyed his command and was pleased with the effort that they had done so far, and expected that such fine work would continue for the foreseeable future...

 

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August 12th, Battle of Cremona


Wilhelm was of average height and his body was a mixture of skinny and muscular build. His face was handsome dispite his profession, his hair was a dirty blond, and his eyes were blue which would give off an innocence if his eyes did not show the hardship of his life.

"I am Wilhelm von Eisenberg and my mercenary band the Rotting Corpses are no where to be found, I heard of the hospitality of the Free Company and I need some food and supplies." replied Wilhelm

"I usually would see the Rotting Corpse banner and go to it for food and water but I fear the worse."

Wilhelm spoke with a deep voice and his German accent was slight and did not make him sound annoying but pleasing to the ears to hear.

 

[redwolf]

August 12th, Battle of Cremona

"I am Wilhelm von Eisenberg and my mercenary band the Rotting Corpses are no where to be found, I heard of the hospitality of the Free Company and I need some food and supplies." replied Wilhelm

"I usually would see the Rotting Corpse banner and go to it for food and water but I fear the worse."

The German accent made it hard for Chen to understand what Wihelm was saying but he got the gist. Beside him, O'Floinn said in a thoughtful voice," I don't recall there is a Rotting Corpse Company within the allied army." In a flash, Chen's sword was out and pointed at Wihelm's chest. Behind Chen, a couple more Ming Guards had arrows drawn and pointed at his chest.

In a stern voice, Chen told Wihelm," Alright now lad, no funny movements now or you will have several inches of steel in your body. O'Floinn, will you please remove all his weapons from his body please?"

Wihelm looked as though he was going to protest but a glance at the array of weapons pointed at him silenced whatever he was going to say. Once O'Floinn removed any items of threats from his body, Chen said," Alright, if you will just have a seat over there. I will have someone inform the officers and they will decide what to do with you. In the meantime, I will have someone pass you some food and water. You look like you need it."

 

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August 12 - Mid-Morning - Cavalry Lines

" Alright, if you will just have a seat over there. I will have someone inform the officers and they will decide what to do with you. In the meantime, I will have someone pass you some food and water. You look like you need it."

O'Floinn sighed and spoke up"I'll bring the message to captain straightaway" Then turning to Chen, said quietly "Ye'd best be keepin' an eye on the lad, Chen. If there's an attack, try no' to le' 'im die before we fin' ou' who 'e is. I'll be back a' soon as I can"

Chen nodded and turned back to the stranger Wilhelm. O'Floinn re-mounted his horse and darted off to find Captain.

 

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August 12th, Battle of Cremona

Wilhelm was slightly annoyed at the Mongol but understood his reasons. He had not eaten for days for the Rotting Corpses had been low on food and supplies. So he ate the bread and beans at a quick pace only stoping to breath in a large gasp of air. He then took his fill of water and thanked O Floinn.

Wilhelm was accepted by the Free Company soldiers and he told his stories from his childhood, of battles he had been in, and the fine women he had been with. He braged that the men of the Rotting Corpses were the best fighters in Europe and their adventures. He also read letters that some of the soldiers that could not read had.

After awhile of waiting he began to wonder where the leader was.....