“Give me a reason as to why I shouldn’t strike you down where you stand for killing my men?” Pontos said while burrowing his eyebrows. I said something smart like, “Because I would beat you?” Pontos glared at me coldly and with fury. “Who are you, foreigner, and why are you meddling in this peninsula? Why have you taken my men prisoner? Do you have a death wish? Because I will surely grant it. Aneggkefalos!”

I arched an eyebrow at him. “Why would a son of Poseidon commune with mere bandits? Have you and your kin truly fallen so low? So low that you have to resort to the help of mere mercenaries to fight your battles?” Pontos replied, “It is not your place to judge a superior elder. Bend a knee and grovel, foreigner. You just might make a good slave if you surrender.” I looked at the forces behind him. He had about 500 men. Above my manpower, but the majority of them were mercenaries and/or bandits. I replied, “Your Skull may look nice decorating my shield. Turn back, Thallasoi scum.”

Pontos didn’t appreciate my wisdom and spat at the earth, towards my direction. Then he said, “So be it. In ten minutes, prepare for battle.” Then Pontos rode off, because he was honorable that way. I faced Haithus and the guys. “What should we do?” Kassandra spoke up, “It seems the Thallasoi army has taken up a shield wall of sorts. This, while great against Infantry and Archers, is susceptible to flank or rear attacks.” Haithus grunted a affirmation and added, “Archers to the flanks will surely discourage them from charging. My liege, send Kassandra and a veteran Archer to the right and left flank.” I nodded in agreement. “130 archers. Divided into two flanking squads of 65 archers each.”

Alexios and Kyros exchanged a mischievous glance and said, “There were a few vats of oil back at the camp. We took them for cooking, but… flaming arrows tend to demoralize the wills of men, my liege.”

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I chuckled at his words. I then nodded. “Haithus, You and I shall 160 men into their shield wall. Alexios and Kyros, you both attack from the flanks. Kassandra will rain down Erebos fire onto those damned Thallasoi scum. Are we in agreement?”

They all unanimously nodded. I then turned to my troops and yelled, “Lets show these Attican scum what Liaresian bronze is made of!

Formation I! Haithus and I, 160 Hoplites. Formation II! Alexios, 70 Hoplites. Formation III! Kyros, 70 Hoplites. Formation IV! Kassandra. 65 Archers. Formation V! You there! Man! You’ll lead 65 archers.

Formation I, Shield wall, front. Formation II and III! Charge from left and right Flanks! Formation IV and V! Rain Erebos Hellfire on them! Let us begin!”

I knocked my sword against my shield, and let out a war cry. My troops followed as well, dozens of shouts of anger rang out along the shield wall. Haithus wrung the Banner of Liares onto his back. It was a blazing ball of fire emanating from a piece of coal. The sight of the blazing yellow fire, a defiant ember against the despairing black canvas, ignited a spark within our ranks. Then, after we got into formation, we charged.

Dozens of arrows whisked through the air as if they were a tidal wave of Erebos fire, many striking into the shields of the enemy, whom desperately tried to pry off the arrows, burning themselves in the process.

While other less fortunate individuals had arrows strike their bodies, burning them harshly while also disrupting the shield wall.

Haithus and I charged, our men falling behind us in a wave of bronze. I struck down three men in a wide berth of my sword, and they fell instantly. Haithus impaled two people with his spear. Our forces met the Attican fools with such ferocity, the shield wall broke. Unfortunately, Alexios and Kyros were already cleaving their way on the right and left flanks. Kassandra and the archers continued shooting. The battle lasted till the sky dimmed, an hour till sunset, when Pontos finally yelled, “Hey! Duel me! If you win, you can take us all prisoner. If I win, you let me and my remaining men go!” Pontos only had 30 or so men left. So I figured why not? More prisoners to ransom!