Path of the Greatest Empire-Chapter 14: Shura

Following Suthrath's orders, the soldiers rushed outside the settlement in an orderly and discipline manner.

The foot soldiers rushed directly towards the battlefield while the cavalry men- those on horse back rushed towards the stable to get their horses.

Suthrath also rushed towards the stable to get his horse when he spotted, Rakbul coming towards him with a black steed in his tow.

The black steed was Suthrath's horse. His father had gifted this young horse to Suthrath two years back. Suthrath's father had acquired this horse from a renowned trader in the town at a steep price.

And undoubtedly, Suthrath's horse was among the finest in the whole of the western settlement.

It was as the horse spotted Suthrath, his face lit up with a joy and almost galloped towards his owner.

"Shura..." Suthrath chuckled seeing the horse. This was name, his predecessor had given to his pet.

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The horse nudged his face towards Suthrath and he patted Shura's back.

At this moment, Suthrath felt his another of the gifts which he had received showcasing itself.

'You would have a certain relation... certain understanding and authority over the animals of your world.'

No doubt, Suthrath's predecessor had a very close and understanding relation with his pet. There had been a deep bond between the two.

But at this moment, Suthrath felt that his bond gotten suddenly stronger. He felt that he could convey his words, his orders and his feelings to his horse better and so could the horse.

Suthrath continued rubbing the horse back as Shura neighed in response.

"He seems too pleased to see you, my lord," Rakbul added from the side lines.

"Yes, Rakbul," Suthrath said as he took a leap and mounted the horse.

Now, the horses in those days had a disadvantage. The stirrups used for the riders was made of rope and also the saddle was nothing more than a thick piece of cloths placed on it.

Although, this rope stirrup and clothe saddle worked just fine, the rider had to maintain an effort to keep him balanced on the horse back.

For this reason, only, the cavalry did not enjoy the immense advantage they would have enjoyed with an iron saddle and a leather saddle made into a proper shape.

Suthrath had spotted this problem but he did not have the time or the resources to implement the new technique in a hasty manner.

Thus, at least for this battle, he would have to fight this battle in this manner only.

Suthrath took the reins in his hands and with a pull of the rope, Shura galloped away towards the battlefield.

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It took around 10 minutes for Suthrath and his men to take their position.

Suthrath had hard wired the entire strategy and the positions into the minds of all his soldiers and they all had implemented it with perfect discipline and order.

Though, it was not like as if thousands of troops and cavalry were moving, Suthrath none the less was satisfied with the result of the first phase of the war- the movement and mobilization of the army.

Suthrath as the leader of the western settlement and the commander of the entire army had taken his position at the forefront.

He was seated on Shura and in his right hand was his sword; its black blade gleaming in the sunlight. As usual a dagger and a hand axe had been strapped to his waist.

His army had been divided into two groups- cavalry and foot soldiers. The cavalry had been positioned on his left hand side and this left flank was being led by Lander.

The foot soldiers who numbered around 120, formed the right flank of his army.

This was being led by another councillor- Wenton. This was the same man, whom Lander had spotted in a close company of Lander during the council meeting the previous day.

Lander, later had informed Suthrath, that Wenton had been one who had helped Lander when he had tried to pave a way for Suthrath's escape. Wenton had provided Lander with around a dozen men. Fearing for his safety, Wenton had asked to remain hidden.

As his army was now firmly in position, Suthrath now cast his eyes in the direction of the approaching army. They were still at a distance of around 1 km from Suthrath's position.

And the approaching army was vast- they were at least 600 in numbers. According to what Suthrath knew, the easter settlement had lost around 150 soldiers and 40- 50 horses in the previous two skirmishes.

At the forefront were the foot soldiers- they comprised more than half, around 350 of the total soldiers.

The remaining were cavalry men- Eastern settlement must have spent tremendous amount resources to equip almost half of their army with horses. 250 to 300 was a staggering number.

Suthrath's eyes locked on to the man who was at the forefront of the cavalry. He was a massive man- height of 6 feet and 5 inches. He was seated on a brown horse and was wielding a massive blade in his right hand.

And no, he was not the leader of the eastern settlement. The leader of the settlement remained at the back of cavalry and issued directions.

This man was probably the fiercest and most powerful warrior of the eastern settlement. He was the one who had led the charge in the previous two skirmishes. And he was the same man who had killed Suthrath's father.

And today Suthrath was going to tear apart the head of this man.

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