Mordraud, Book One by Fabio Scalini

Author:Fabio Scalini [Scalini, Fabio]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-05-31T22:00:00+00:00

XIX

“The enemy’s fleeing!”

The whole of the surrounding plain could be surveyed from the side of the hill. The river flowed placidly through the tall yellowed grass, which was marked here and there with the first white patches of snow. The nights were growing ever colder, the days greyer and shorter. Adraman studied the landscape, sheltering his eyes with his hand. Cambria’s soldiers were retreating in wild chaotic non-formation, driven by his waves of horsemen, who now had control of the battleground. Mordraud helmed them all and yelled as he brandished his sword. Adraman sharpened his eyes: he was, as always, laughing with his face to the skies.

“That lad’s number will come up sooner or later,” commented Ice, beside him on the gravelly crest of a steep ravine. Adraman said nothing. He was the one who had placed the young man in charge of a small cavalry division, overcoming the reservations of all the veterans outraged by his choice. Two rather arduous months had gone by since the Night of Fire battle. Cambria had kept on hammering the front, without however daring to assault it again with the bulk of its troops. The arrival of winter had also brought the time to teach Mordraud a little responsibility, he mused. And the lad hadn’t fallen short of his expectations.

“He leads them without ever hanging back from the front ranks. It’s amazing he’s still alive,” continued Ice. “Look how they follow him... He might be mad, but he certainly knows how to handle his men. What is it, the third foray in ten days? It’s as if he’d been their captain for ten years.”

“For love of the Gods, if we had more lunatics like him!” boomed Berg behind them. “He’s got their respect, and risks his own neck before those of others... I took him with me on a strike five days ago. I had to pull him back to stop him charging at the enemy alone! Adraman, do you know what Cambria’s inflicted on him?! We detest the Empire, but him... well, he goes beyond hatred...”

“No, I’ve no idea. I only know he wanted to fight with us, and that’s all. He was a servant before.”

“Blimey... and who taught him to use a sword?!”

“Not me,” replied Adraman, shrugging. “I think he learnt alone.”

“Hey, look!” cried Ice. They all turned towards the spot he was pointing at. Mordraud had broken away from his platoon to hunt down two enemy cavalrymen. That armour was easily recognisable, even at such a distance. “Lances! Has he gone completely crazy?!”

“They must be two platoon captains. Look how they’re making for it, the cowards...” chuckled Berg.

“It’s nothing to laugh about! Those people really know how to chant...”

As if they’d heard him, the two Lances turned, unleashing from behind them a sea of blinding fire and flames. Adraman held his breath, as if he were in Mordraud’s place. The smoke and glare prevented them all from seeing what was happening.

“There they are!”

Mordraud emerged from the heavy reddish cloud.

“I told you, he’s a mad dog.

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