Chapter 93: Battle for the Port: A City Under Siege Part 3

Issac watched as the Safrid soldiers tried to flood into the opening in the middle of his line. How many simulations of this had he seen? His father had drilled so many different manoeuvres and strategies into his men for 6 years that when he mentioned one they knew what to do.

The gap was spread and the wall opened. Those at the front no longer bothered attacking heavily, instead focusing on defending, keeping the line strong. They dug themselves deep and gritted their teeth. Only the strongest had been selected for these roles due to the heavy burden it required.

Along the middle gap that opened, shields fell across the side and back as a fury of attacks flew at the Safrid soldiers from behind them. The metal cut through the flesh, killing the entrapped soldiers, who couldn’t run back realizing it was a trap. Issac blew the whilst after those who had been trapped were killed. The shield wall quickly closed up again, returning to the original defence they had taken up during the first defence.

It would only work once, but it was enough. The tank in morale seeing their comrades being consumed and killed was enough to make any soldier feel terrible. But despite this, they didn’t stop. They quickly reorganised. Spearmen took to the front, stabbing through the gaps in the shield wall. Unlike the initial siege, they now had the luxury to use them to their full capabilities. Although it could only be used to kill one or two, it was enough to poke holes in the Kingdom’s defence.

William had prepared for this. He had ordered for his men not to cycle when the spears were around, and to send their own forward. Wait for them to become useless, rinse and repeat. He had tried to train his men initially to catch the spears, using different objects when they pierced through the wall to destroy them but it had minimal good results, being too hard to destroy or catch.

Issac watched as the spears pierced through and his men made sure to return with their own. Arrows fired over the top, as the wall of shields and spears attacked. A long stalemate ensued as the Safrid were unable to fully attack without heavy losses and the Kingdom refused to give any ground. Issac watched and knew not to do anything stupid. He would rather his men hold then open an entire front with a stupid command.

Marcus, despite the initial failure on the wall quickly reorganised for the second defence. Like Issac, he had also baited the enemy into slaughtering them before quickly reforming. Unlike him, however, he was willing to take more risks. He had a keen sight for the battle, and knew what to do and not do.

"PREPARE TO PUSH!" In a shock to the attackers, the command came and the Kingdom soldiers organised themselves. Marcus’s powerful voice was a morale boost in itself, making everyone remember that their commander was at the front with them, getting bloodied and wounded alongside them. Spears took to the front, rotating out the swords, creating a wall. Shields were raised covering their heads from the archers. "PUSH!" The Spears, repeatedly stabbed in and out as the thunderous steps of his wall walked forward alongside it. Those closest died, not having the chance to retreat down the narrow path trapped between two buildings. The Kingdom walked over the bodies, causing dread in anyone who heard the sound of bones being crushed underfoot.

He didn’t want to achieve any ground specifically but wished to scare the Safrids. They were meant to attack and yet were pushed back by the defending force. He wanted to instil fear into them, make them confused and break them. He paid close attention to how far they walked forward. His men never broke formation making it easy. "HALT!" They had only walked ten steps, but it had a clear effect. The Safrid soldiers, suffering heavy casualties from the single push, scrambled.

Marcus saw this and he knew it was around a hundred men maybe more of a near 15 thousand-strong army. Despite this, it was a shallow victory that greatly boosted morale. He started the cheer as a war cry, being copied by his men, as they watched their heavy Calvery charge into the side of the retreating force quickly running away. A wide grin was plastered on his face. He was disappointed in himself for being the first to retreat and hoped that this made up for it.

William and all the defending soldiers near Marcus heard the war cry and smiled, their blood boiling. It was a special one Marcus had created for them. All along the defensive line, the Kingdom men copied, spreading the war cry as it reverberated around every street and alleyway. A moment of ecstasy and adrenaline took over. The Kingdom forces which should have been defending felt brave and pushed the Safrid’s back ever so slightly. Though they felt unkillable right now, years of strict discipline had made them know better and they didn’t charge to far.

William also joined in the war cry. He made sure to keep a level head but even his blood pumped when pushing them back. It was terrifying to anyone who attacked, seeing ten thousand demons scream and assault them. They should have been defending yet were braver than most. Some men broke and began to retreat, needing a break from the carnage. Those that were unlucky got caught by the Kingdom Calvery who didn’t flinch.

With a sword in hand, William felt like he was twenty again. He atta ked with grace unbecoming of his age and killed numerous men. He could see the fear on their faces as be sword got dyed crimson with each swing. He felt the urge to charge forward and emulate the hero’s of old. But he knew better. He composed himself, and stood with his men. He had to lead them and stay in the right mind.

Nasr watched this. He had been in the fray of battle. He had swung his sword when the war cry began to spread. He could see the bloodshot eyes of his enemy that pierced through their armour. He could see the crazed smiles on their faces as they screached their cry.

"STAY IN FORMATION!" He tried to shout for his men that fled but it was to no avail, being drowned out by the cry. It didn’t last long, only ten to twenty seconds, but its impact was felt. All across Safrid men tried to leave. Nasr was at a loss. He was losing ground. It didn’t feel real.

The archer fire was faster throughout the cry, darkness being more prevalent than the sun. Nasr raised his shield blocking the attack of a Kingdom soldier. He stabbed countering, his blade cutting across their neck. He didn’t know how, but the man disregarded the lethal wound, attacking once more, collapsing as he did. Nasr saw in his face, a reckless abandonment. His eyes had lost the cold glare when originally defending, replaced by a lust for battle even in death.

Nasr’s breath quickened as he defended another attack, taking a step back. He didn’t want to run. He knew once he did it was over, the battle was lost. He steeled himself and took a step back but not retreating. Although he hated them he thought of Ali and Harun. They knew how to rally their men and he had to follow in their steps.

"MY MEN!" Nasr shouted louder than he ever did, his efforts paying off as the Safrid soldiers looked at him or listened. "DO NOT FEAR! DO NOT FALT! YOUR SULTAN FIGHTS ALONGSIDE YOU! KHORS FIGHTS WITH YOU! PUSH THESE SCUM OUT OUR HOMELAND!" His words were filled with passion. The men nodded.

"THE SULTAN STANDS WITH US! DO NOT FALTER! DO NOT SURRENDER!" One began the cry as it quickly spread. It was something needed. Morale rose again and those who wished to run took deep breaths, composing themselves and fighting. Their countrymen still fought, their leaders still fought. They had to carry on.

The chant didn’t have the same effect on the Kingdom that they had on the Safrids. Instead, they composed themselves, seeing they were losing ground they retook. The commanders once again blew their whistles to signal a new rotation of men, and they tactically gave back land to retake favourable positions.

Nasr could see this andknew that they hadn’t really pushed anything. He didn’t get angry nor was he disappointed. He rallied his men and they seemed to have a second wind.

Blood flew once more. The stench of death filled the city as the noise of metal clashing deafened all those who listened. A stalemate broke out on all fronts. The Safrids were unable to pierce through the Kingdom wall, and the Kingdom was unable to break their enemy. Many died for inches but neither side budged.