Prologue

The cold dark silence ripped through my body like I knife as the wind tore tore through my layers and cut straight to my bones. I did my best not to shiver; this was no time to look weak.
My men stood behind me, and I know as well as any, that any small fears I had were nothing in comparison theirs.
The intestine thing about loosing everything, is that it makes you brace... Or at least it makes you fight like you have nothing to loose.

Although, this time I did have something to loose. 4,000 men stood behind me. 4,000 men with wives, children, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters.. 4,000 men with homes to return to, mouths to feed, and loved ones to protect. Suddenly my simple existence became an immense responsibility. I was their only hope, and in return; they were mine.

I could not vow to bring them all home safe, but I was willing to die trying.

I could see the masses gathering below us in the valley. They moved like thick molasses, shadows in the darkness, nothing more. A huge mob of shadows. I knew what we were up against; Heron's banners were at least 10,000 strong. Over twice as many men as we were.

Yet, we had the advantage. First of all, they had no idea we were coming. Second, we had come from the funnels, and taken the ridge. If we could keep them beneath us, than we could take the upper hand. I wanted the valley to run red with Huronian blood. I wanted them to know what it's like to watch your world be shattered... Just like they shattered ours.