Free Rise of the Dead Prince by Brian A. Hurd

ridiculous ‘boost.’ You took a chance, and you know it,” Meier said. He was perturbed. He thought about the sheer nastiness of the potion and shuddered. Did he really have to make it so revol ting?
    “Everything we do is a chance, my boy. Now is as good a time as any for you to learn that. Besides, I’m a wizard. I know things,” Crocus said with a wink. Meier yawned wi dely.
    “Anything I should know for tomorrow?” he a sked.
    “Not really, no. Just do your best,” replied Crocus. Meier scoffed. Did the old man not understand the gravity of the situa tion?
    “How can you be so calm at a time like this? Don’t you know what we’re facing out there?” Meier asked angrily. He realized suddenly that he was almost yelling. He took a step back and calmed down.
    “Panicking solves nothing, my boy. I’m just as concerned as you are. It’s you, young Meier. You are the one that needs to be cool. More than anyone else, you have the power to make a difference. So like I said … do your best! ” Crocus said, grabbing Meier shoulders. With furrowed brow, Meier excused himself from the old man’s room. Do his best? Some help he had been.
    The morning came quickly. Tensions were high in every corner of the city. An hour past dawn, the men were assembled and ready for the fight. The generals agreed the battle should take place in the large expanse of field just west of town. And there they were! The Gunar force loomed on the western horizon. Even from the city, their approach shook the ground and rumbled in the distance like an earthquake. The sunlight from the east reflected off their armor, as bright as the rising sun. It was enough to make anyone lose their courage. Luckily, the three princes and their mother were there to hearten them.
    Within another hour, the Valahians had taken their place on the field. This time, they took a strange formation. The infantry would be the middle as always, but they were gathered together like an unorganized rabble. Besides this, they were grouped up right at the front, vulnerable and exposed! Assur’s heavy riders made the wings that were on either side, and Ian’s skirmishers and the other archers were far in the back. They couldn’t do very much good from back there! The whole setup looked crazy and hastily put together. It was against everything that generals on either side had been taught. The Gunars took one look and knew they had won. They adjusted their attack to match what they saw.
    The Gunar cavalry lined up to match the Valahian cavalry. They would clash near the middle, as was the usual way. No, it was the Gunar infantry who would have to adjust. Rather than attacking in a long line, they tightened into a reverse wedge, much like a claw. They would charge straight in and surround the rabble then slaughter row after row until they were annihilated. Besides this, the Valahians had left themselves wide open to archers in back. What easier target could there be than a huge mass of men? The Gunar generals convened quickly. The one danger was that a large force of Valahians would escape the field by running away in droves. These would have to be run down without mercy. They gave the order to follow the Valahians no matter where they ran, just as Meier knew they would. It was all coming toge ther.
    The horns sounded! The charge mounted, and both cavalries shot across the field. But Assur and his men were slow to start, as if by some crucial accident. The Gunars closed the distance yard by yard, while Assur finally made his start. It was when half the distance past the middle ground had been closed by the Gunar cavalry that the Valahians finally mounted their charge, and then the heavy horses cla shed.
    “Foolish Valahians!” yelled the Gunar high general. They had left their infantry in a mass at the front, unprotected on all sides. It would be easier than they thought. The Gunars sent their infantry in at full speed. Surely the mob of Valahians would run away soon.