On Carnford City's main wall, Karl stood surrounded by generals and staff officers, quietly observing the entire pursuit and cavalry battle through a telescope. Only after his own cavalry had returned safely and the artillery bombardment had struck home did he slowly lower the scope.
"Record this." Karl spoke to the staff officers beside him, his voice calm and even. "Even while in full retreat and with their morale in chaos, the Sauron could still organize effective cavalry countercharges and entangling engagements in a short time. Their resilience in field warfare and the ferocity of their cavalry must not be underestimated."
"This differs from the impression we formed while defending the city. In a siege defense, we play to our strengths and avoid our weaknesses. In field battles—especially cavalry clashes on open ground—we do not hold an overwhelming advantage. Had the artillery on the mountain not provided timely support today, the cavalry battle might have been far bloodier and more deadlocked."
Several young staff officers recorded rapidly as they nodded again and again, deep in thought. The earlier defensive victory, especially the tremendous success of the earthen-wall defenses, had indeed led some of them to think lightly of the enemy: the Sauron were nothing much after all.
Today's pursuit and cavalry battle had been like a basin of cold water, sobering them to the fact that the Sauron army—which had roamed the Northern Wilderness for years and given the Goldflower Kingdom endless headaches—possessed core fighting strength that was anything but undeserved. Their defeat owed more to failed assaults, inadequate supplies, and shattered morale than to any absolute weakness in their combat power.
"My lord," Brendan stepped forward, his eyes bright as he watched the Sauron army fleeing north in disarray. Yet their cavalry was still doing its utmost to maintain