Part 3
The stone hit its mark. A sickening thud and clang of metal rings could barely be heard in the rumble of the four charging riders. A thrown javelin pierced deeply into the wet ground inches from Altheric’s feet and a battle cry of the three remaining warriors rattled in the vale like thunder before a storm. The warriors couched their lances and their steeds’ hooves rend through the soft earth. Altheric sprinted toward the downed warrior, sword in hand. As fast as he could run, he did not deny the riders their chance at retribution. Riding past, the lance struck his armored shoulder, knocking the Commander off of his feet. And, like the victim of Altheric’s missile, he too was winded from the blow.
He pushed his aching body up from the muddied earth. Behind him he heard his pursuers urge their steeds to return course. He abandoned his sword to the mud and jogged to the downed warrior. Altheric kicked the man in the side and wrenched his javelin from his hand. When the riders returned for another strike, Altheric’s throw landed true and a rider fell over in his saddle. A short scream and gurgle announced his passing from this world.
Another lance tip glanced Altheric, tearing a gash on his brow. The Commander gave the wound little mind and dove aside to dodge the second rider’s lance. Blood flowed in a ribbon down his face. His eyebrow was drenched and dropped tears his blood on his breast. He stumbled. A lance, a shaft broken from the fall of the first rider, lay down in the tall grass paces from his feet. His feet heavy, he readied the deadly stinger as best he could and charged at the flank of one of the riders.
A call of alarm came out as the one of the riders saw the Commander’s desperate tactic. Altheric plunged his weapon deep into the soft flank of the rider’s horse. The sound that followed was a sound that no man of Rohan took pleasure in hearing. The warrior had no time to mourn his steed’s death. He was crushed under it’s weight as it rolled over in it’s death throws. His fellow cried out and drew his sword, bringing the edge down on the Commander’s head.
Altheric jumped into the strike, grabbing and pulling the rider down from his mount. They grappled on the ground, fighting for control of the blade. Altheric screamed in desperation as he tried to overpower his opponent. This man was strong, far stronger than most of the lads the Commander had trained in the Company. Seeing no other way out of his struggle, he let go of the sword and lay blows with his fist upon the rider’s face. The sword dropped from the rider’s hand. Altheric’s hands formed a ring around the rider’s neck and he put his weight into the choke. He put his weight into the choke and did not let off until the last signs of life left the man.
The Commander looked down upon what he had wrought. Three men lay dead at his feet. They were covered in both mud and blood, Altheric could not differentiate between his own blood and theirs. The gasps of struggle emanated from under the dead horse. Altheric hobbled toward the commotion, seeing that a rider still survived, trapped under the body of his bestial companion.
“You will live,but not well,” Altheric said between labored breaths. He tossed a sword within reach of the trapped man. “We are close to Fangorn and I am giving you a fighting chance. I wish you luck.”
The man protested through tears, pleading for mercy. The Commander turned his back to him, armed himself and mounted one of their steeds. He rode South along the river, the cries of the man were soon joined by the chorus of wolves.
