[Taralphiel]

Laurel tensely moved along the forest floor, the great company of men following behind. The other group was by now out of sight, having split a few hours ago. Annunfuin strode beside her, his blade allready drawn.

The trees became sparse, and she held up her hand for the company to stop. There, she peered past the tents to see Wild Men bickering and gulping down ale taken from the Swan Villages cellars. She grit her teeth and turned, nodding to the group. She glanced at Annunfuin, and then Cartil with a small smile. She then strode out of the trees, the great company behind her, blades flickering and torches laid aside.

A cry of shock was heard as the Wild Men realised they had fallen into a trap they so often weaved, and seeing that the advantage was upon them, Laurel let out a cry as loud as her lungs could take it

'Go Forth! Fight for freedom and glory!' and she lifted her sword high and sprinted into the camp.

~*~

'This ale is all the sweeter for the filth blood spilt for it!' bellowed the King of the Wild Men. His cup heavy with his spoils, he chuckled as he thought of the victories yet at hand for his Men, and of driving more fear into the pitful peasants of Alphirion.

The battle cry of Laurel made him stumble and drop his goblet. Soon he heard the clashing of swords outside, and he roared in anger. Gathering his own stained blade, he dashed to the entrance of his tent, downing a man as he went. Relishing the smell of blood on his sword, he set out into the battle, looking for the upstart Maid that had the gall to try and outwit him...

~*~

Laurel heard the familiar booming of hundreds of swords slicing and fighting in a frenzy as she moved through the battle. Her own blade had been dulled by blood of Wild Men that hastily grabbed weapons and charged at her. Again another came, and moving as swiftly as her tired body allowed, she fell out of range of his blows, bringing her own sword to lie in his chest. Quickly wrenching it out, she saw another figure moved for her.

She looked and saw a man dressed in many furs, a battered chest plate covering him, and his sword and hands drenched in blood. His grin as he came upom her was filled with amusement and malice, and he spoke before raising his blade: 'Ill teach ye for trying to outwit me! Prize or no, I shall have your head!'

He swung his blade high, and Laurel stretched out of the way of it as he brought it down with a bellow. His strength greatly outdid hers, and she ducked from his blade several times.

He did not lose the grin on his face as he swiped over and over, Laurel being nicked in the arm by the edge of his sword. Hissing, she looked straight into his eyes and matched his stance.

'You are worn and panicked. I shall not lose to you' she mumbled.

He chuckled and brought her sword up again to strike. She ducked it as it hit the earth, and darted forward, only missing its rising by a hair. Now close enough, her foot landed squarely in his stomach, and as he moved forward, she sliced her blade past his throat.

He gurgled and spluttered as he hit the ground, and Laurel moved back as she watched him twitch and go still. The defeaning roar still ensued, and she did not notice another Wild Man shriek and raise his scimitar...

~*~

Annunfuin struggled through the battle, looking for the small form of Laurel amid the fallen and fighting. He found her, standing by the body of a great Wild Man, with a daze in her eyes.

He raced forward with a yell and cut down another Wild Man raising his sword to her from behind, and panting, looked at Laurel turn his way.

'We are driving them back slowly, and they are still dazed and surprised. We have time still to make more of this advantage'

Laurel nodded and raised her sword again, and not stopping to marvel at her courage, Annunfuin stood beside her and moved back into battle. Laurel then turned and yelled out the signal

'Let the arrow fly!' she cried.