04-10-2011, 07:04 PM
...and back in Ulthian (infamous for its modesty).
"Report Prince of Ulthian. How did the battle conclude?"
"I would do the foe honour sire by stating that they went to their deaths bravely. Even their general gave me his personal challenge to fight to his assured death.
"We followed your orders to the letter sire. The Pheonix Guard advanced with purpose and weathered all that was thrown at them. The enemy was in awe that its best efforts had no effect on the silent ones.
"The swordmasters too did not wait for action but advanced with purpose, charging their knights - no man or beast was left alive who met them on the field.
"However, as requested, the slaughter was not absolute and a handful of men were allowed to run traumatised and bleeding from the field to warn their masters of the ruin that awaits them should they dare to return."
"...and will they return, Prince of Uthian?"
"Men are proud and impetuous my lord. They do not understand when they are beaten. There is no doubt they will return. For sure they will lick their wounds then send a host bigger than the last.
"...then next time, Prince of Ulthian, spare only the horses."
"Report Prince of Ulthian. How did the battle conclude?"
"I would do the foe honour sire by stating that they went to their deaths bravely. Even their general gave me his personal challenge to fight to his assured death.
"We followed your orders to the letter sire. The Pheonix Guard advanced with purpose and weathered all that was thrown at them. The enemy was in awe that its best efforts had no effect on the silent ones.
"The swordmasters too did not wait for action but advanced with purpose, charging their knights - no man or beast was left alive who met them on the field.
"However, as requested, the slaughter was not absolute and a handful of men were allowed to run traumatised and bleeding from the field to warn their masters of the ruin that awaits them should they dare to return."
"...and will they return, Prince of Uthian?"
"Men are proud and impetuous my lord. They do not understand when they are beaten. There is no doubt they will return. For sure they will lick their wounds then send a host bigger than the last.
"...then next time, Prince of Ulthian, spare only the horses."
History is written by the victors - Sir Winston Churchill