As the wind carried a thunderous rush of footsteps from deep within the woods across the stream, the sound pierced his helmet and pounded against his eardrums. Black-and-White Bear's face instantly hardened.
The sound alone told him that the enemies in those woods were no small scouting party. This was an organized assault, and they vastly outnumbered his own men!
"Javelin!"
Black-and-White Bear growled, snatched a heavy javelin from the soldier beside him, then twisted at the waist and spun on the spot. His entire body released its strength like a spring compressed to its limit. The javelin left his hand with an air-rending shriek, becoming a dark streak that plunged viciously into the shadowy woods on the opposite bank.
Crack... crack...
The javelin tore through countless slender branches and buried itself deep in the darkness.
The thunderous footsteps stopped abruptly. An eerie silence instantly settled over the woods, as though the approaching killing intent had been nothing but an illusion.
But that silence lasted only two blinks.
The next instant, the silent woods erupted like an ignited powder keg, unleashing a cold, hoarse roar filled with bloodthirsty madness.
"For King Charles and Poseidon!!!"
"Raaagh!!!"
As if answering that fanatical battle cry, more than a hundred figures burst from the shadows of the woods like a black flood breaking through a dam.
They wore dark blue leather armor caked with mud or crude surcoats. An almost tangible fanaticism burned in their eyes as they raised their Arming Swords, Round Shields, and Bastard Swords high.
As though driven by the will of Poseidon, the Sea God, these fanatical Minisian soldiers ignored the icy water and slippery pebbles underfoot. They leaped into the stream without hesitation, shattering its stillness and sending up great sprays of muddy water.
"Musketeers, fire at will!"
Black-and-White