Chapter 14--The Battle Begins

Laustin commanded the strongest infantry division, called the Bulldogs. He engaged the Russians directly while Roganick instructed the archers to defend from the fields behind. Laustin’s battalion displayed heroism difficult to describe. Their swordsmanship was unmatched. Their Laustin shot his crossbow while his battalion charged with swords. An hour into the engagement, a soldier, Kenneth, ran to Laustin. “Sir, more than a third of the Bulldogs have fallen, and the Russians have too many replacement troops. The men are exhausted and—,” Laustin cut him off. “Be vewy vewy quiet. I’m hunting wabbit.” He shot another Russian, then drew his sword and ran to the front of the lines, hewing down Russian after Russian. They broke like watuh on a wock, and eventually Laustin was tired. The Russians pushed forward a berserker warrior, Falcon Shklar. She screeched as she fought, frightening the men. Shklar and Laustin met in combat, evenly matched. Laustin stabbed her repeatedly, but she did not feel anything. “Maybe you’re not trying hard enough, try moving a little to the left.” Nothing worked. Laustin tripped on a Russian’s body, and Shklar fell upon him like a rabid dog. He was gone. A Zimmerite, Oblivia, broke from the ranks and ran to her fallen leader. She swiftly decapitated Shklar and shouted the sky “WHHYYYYYD. The Bulldogs pushed the Russians back. Barely discernable over the din of the battle was a yell. “Yay Liv!”