The Plains

Odsier range

Despite thousands of Odsier horsemen and heads of cattle, and dozens of small pitched battles, the previous day had witnessed the first joining of the Odonine warbands and Ostiarium's armies.

More ships had arrived in the last few days in the Gate City and its military host grew with fresh conscripts and soldiers. The largest of the three armies was led by Sir Eudon Zane bringing the city's armies from the south, consisting of heavy infantry and calvalry. Spears, lances and kite shields gleamed and sparkled like a thousand stars in the morning sun.

Here they had planned to draw up the common line. Its slopes were too shallow to break any charge, but it would force the tribes to scramble through the muck and dust.

From the west, came the Odonine clans, in the wake of their mighty Warchieftan clan, boisterous and wild, their blood and humor high after dozens of victories over their common enemy and their Bonecasters. Their raucous voices and battle drums promising death under their unforgiving blades.

With the wind that came from the east, and men swore they could smell the sea, arrived Otho Malacost with the Silent Flock and the Purple Legion. As if Cambena herself buffeted their backs, driving the smaller host forward towards the heathens. One hundred severed heads mounted on the pikes of their banners greeted all that saw their approach.

The sun rose high on the horizon, bathing the turmoil in golden light. Standards waved in the breeze. Soldiers gathered in irregular masses, making for their places in the line. Mounted cohorts filed among them, their arms flashing, their shields bright with menacing totems and images of the Pillars...

Many different hymns were taken up, particularly among the low born Helian soldiers, but they soon faltered, yielding to the cadences of one deep hummed psalm.

Soon the air vibrated with the chorus of almost one thousand throats. The hornsmen began marking the cadence with loud peals. Even the knights, as they arranged themselves into formation, joined. The Song of Vastad. The Reavers Ode. The Voice of War.

This would be the largest engagement so far in the Odsier War.