The Final Battle, Part Two

Just as Alex led his men to surround Geis, the Northern Alliance Army's main formation under Count Colt suddenly shifted!

Several orderly formations, each a thousand strong, quietly broke away from the vast army and advanced swiftly toward the front, where the fighting was fiercest and the casualties were mounting.

The sudden move startled everyone, but it had been planned all along. Count Colt had not been unaware that the Duchy's cavalry might launch a surprise attack. He had prepared for that possibility by keeping several elite units hidden close to him, blending them into the larger army where they would be hard to spot.

If the Duchy dared send its cavalry charging in, those waiting troops would burst out like tigers descending a mountain and deal the enemy a crushing blow!

But things had not gone according to plan, and the troops had never been needed. When Geis personally led the Ducal Guard Legion's elite cavalry into battle, the Northlands Cavalry under Alex met them head-on without hesitation.

The fighting had not gone smoothly. Alex's cavalry had fallen into a carefully laid ambush and had nearly been routed.

Yet with their superior numbers, fighting skill, and stubborn resolve, the Northlands Cavalry had weathered the fierce attack. Gradually, they turned the battle around and seized the initiative.

Against their unstoppable charge, even the Duchy's finest cavalry under Geis could do nothing but retreat, suffering setback after setback.

Count Colt had complete faith in the Northlands Cavalry under his command. He was certain there was not a cavalry force in the entire Grand Duchy that could face them head-on and be sure of victory.

Indeed, the battlefield seemed to bear him out. Alex's Northlands Cavalry had gained a clear advantage and continued to press it. Defeating the Duchy's cavalry appeared to