Тhirty years of constant conflicts between the two warring parties only made some small differences, and favour wasn't on neither of sides. It is known that men from the Rheinbürgund side took mostly children from their mothers as blood taxes, forcefully making them into soldiers. They would do this sickening criminal act almost every time that there are raids on villages. People of Orsk are at no ease, some men capable of fighting prepared their old shortswords and battleaxes, it certainly will be a bloody battle.

One thing you need to know about Rheinbürgundian soldiers is they are not at the slightest merciful men, be careful when you meet them on the battlefield because if they're victorious they'll not let a single soul escape. As much as they like to slaughter men they also like money, however, money was a thing they would often lack. Their soil is poorly fertile, so there's not much income in that. They had to turn to a slightly more radical idea, slavery. They're one of the most if not the most popular human traffickers in the market. So by collecting blood taxes and capturing the surviving men in the battles, they would make a whole lot of banks of it.

Now that you know something more about these ruthless men we can get back to our main hero, Gwozden. "The wind is pretty strong", thought an old man while he was leading the goats to pasture near the outside of Orsk, "it is often windy in our beloved country but we haven't had such a windy day in years.". The old man would try to light the pipe but would fail every time, "This fuckin' wind." he would complain while grumbling. "Let me get that for you.", said an unknown deep voice, the old man was in awe "Who the hel-", he wouldn't get to even finish his sentence before the lighting torch was placed at his head melting his skin and burning him. The poor man was only left to scream in agony for help. They are here, Rheinbürgundians are knocking at the door.

"Where is that damned old fool Dimitri?", said a guard in the Orsk to himself, "He should be back by this time." The guard would look around himself, doing his normal duty, until he saw a cloud of smoke in the distance. "People of Orsk, quickly prepare yourselves the enemy is approaching!!!" They would put on their rusty armour as fast as they could. Their plume helmets were long and pointy, and their swords were as sharp as they can get.

[https://www.scalemates.com/products/img/6/8/8/229688-10212-18-pristine.jpg]Bukowski armour would be looking similar to this one

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A line of men and women who could fight was formed, all of them aged from sixteen to fifty-three. The Bukowski people seek honourable death and they would rather die in battle than in their death beds. "Remember people, this is our home and only ours to keep, those bastards aren't going to get in our houses as long as we're standing here to our last dying breath. Let's show them hell, warriors!!! Prepare the war drums!", said the lead commander. War drums started playing and remorseless Rheinbürgundians are here.

Rheinbürgundian cavalry rushed first at their enemies, then the rain of arrows dropped upon Bukowskians. With the help of their skilled shield technique, they were able to take some minimal casualties, but still, they are outnumbered and it's going to be tough. In this case, the Bukowski people are just infantry, so they would have no choice but to rush at their opponents even if they drop dead. So they have done that, the pounding of iron on iron could be heard, people would be set on fire because of the fire arrows. Even so, the rage and love for their homeland within the Bukowskians kept them going, they would sprint like cheetahs and fight like demons. They put up an incredible resistance, but their fame did not last long. Soon they all dropped dead.

"Bloody hell, those fuckers put up a tough fight.", said a man known as Adalwulf while wiping away the sweat on his forehead, "Listen all you cheap bastards, our mission is to raid the village and try to take as many children as we can, so don't fucking make mistakes or else I'll have your head on a spike!", he added aggressively. All soldiers responded with "Yes milord!".

Meanwhile in the silent attic hid Gwozden, his mother and brother. "Move a bit fatty." said Gwozden to his brother Pribislav, "Who are you calling a fatty, you skinny twink?", Pribislav responded bitterly. "Shush you two.", the mother said while silencing them. Both of them did not say a single word after that, this is the first time that they are seeing their mother this scary and frightened at the same time in their lives. The silence suddenly stopped, it can be heard from outside the screaming and crying from both mothers and children. There were the sounds of death and the sounds of swords stabbing in the belly. The only thing that was in the poor mother's mind is how can she protect their children from not going to slavery or being forced to join the enemies forces. It is known among the folks that when the blood taxes are being collected, women would mutilate their children so that they could not serve in the military or work as slaves. So she grabbed her son Pribislav by his hands and said "My son, I am terribly sorry for what I am about to do but it is for your best.", and then suddenly opening of the attic door is heard.