Thread: Spoils of War (Decay&Maria)

Tristan's luck seemed to be holding out because when the battle started it was immediately in his favor, the Ranocian troops pushing the Cardonian army back. That was how it was supposed to go, he had placed the men in the correct formations to fit the situation, tight groups with plenty of ranks to keep pushing and to trap pockets of enemy soldiers within their numbers for easy kills. Tristan knew all of this because he was one of those soldiers in the front lines, choosing to lead from the very front as opposed to the middle or back of the unit. That was one of the differences between himself and the enemy general. While he fought on the front lines the opposing side had a back lines leader, a brilliant strategist and an experienced warrior but one who wasn't smart enough to lead the army from the action. The reason it made a difference was because Tristan could make movements and alter troop formations instantly, he didn't have to wait for word from a scout or risk missing something crucial. Of course even with strategies certain things could turn the tide of battle, there was a reason people were crowned heroes, because of actions leading to a change in the flow of combat. Tristan had been that person for the Ranocian army. He was fighting with his men, raising their morale and lowering the enemies spirits with each man he cut down. He was a strong combatant as well and able to take on multiple enemy soldiers without much of a problem, a natural talent with a sword and quick reflexes. Without a strong combatant in the front lines they were letting him walk all over their front line, that was until someone new showed themselves, a mysterious rider who was slicing through his men just as fast as he was slicing through theirs. The new soldier could turn the tides if allowed, could shatter the front lines with his skill if not stopped. Tristan quickly made his way through the troops on foot, following the new soldiers movements until he was near the man, cutting down several enemy soldiers and then rushing towards the horse. He pulled a dagger from the back of his armor and threw it into the horse's neck, dropping the animal to the ground and finishing it with a swift slice of his sword, sending the animal down to the ground and hopefully catching the rider off guard. He couldn't go for a quick kill though, moving to the enemy soldier had gotten him in to enemy ranks and while his men quickly caught up it put some pressure on, attacks coming from his sides which he had to defend and counter before he could turn his attention back to the rider. When he finally got his chance her smirked though, the soldier was small and while that didn't mean much it did give Tristan clear advantages from the start, he would be stronger and have longer reach. Face me if your brave enough! He shouted, glad when he saw his men by his side from the corner of his eye, he would no longer have to worry about attacks from the side, he could focus on eliminating the enemies hope, destroying one of their champions, or at the very least taking out a skilled soldier who had laid many of his men down on the field already. Tristan raised his sword, knowing that while it was war some honor was required, and getting ready to defeat the other warrior. As if his reputation wasn't bad enough his stance was solid and his appearance intimidating, few would face him because few were brave enough to do so, he just wondered if the current fighter would stand and fight or run for their troops a little ways behind.