The Most Evil Kind.

The swordsmen were dressed to match the crossbowmen they guarded, but over their mail shirts they also wore plate armor. They had vambraces on their arms, and their legs were covered with high-quality greaves. Their attire was completed with a helmet and a round infantry shield, a rondache (approximately 60 cm in diameter). Considering their equipment, this dozen were the most heavily armed warriors in the entire duke's army.

Both commanders were dressed in jushman and mail leggings. The only oddity in their attire, which stood out, was that all free settlers did not wear gloves or mittens and had completely bare hands. This, of course, did not fit with the image of splendidly equipped warriors.

The duke caught himself thinking that he envied the baron. He himself would gladly have such a detachment in his retinue. Now remained to see how effective they were in action. Though this could be said about the entire duke's army. The nearest battle would show whether the efforts applied had yielded the necessary result.

The calculations of the duke's officers were completely confirmed, and once again he thanked his father, may he be warm and well-fed under Demur's hand. The old soldiers, who began their service under the previous duke, knew their business excellently and fully justified the expenses on them; even the father paid them an increased allowance. The city army approached the bridge across the Cursed River exactly a day after the elur's troops settled there.

Following Leonid's advice and the captain of his retinue, Duke Kas ordered the armored cavalry to hurry up. The terrain here was such that using cavalry would break the horses' legs, although he did leave a hundred in the saddles. Directly opposite the bridge, nearly a thousand infantry armed with spears were deployed. Behind them were positioned the "Black Axes".

The remaining troops were scattered along the river to prevent the enemy from crossing the icy and swift waters. The duke understood that this was unlikely, but decided not to take risks. Everything was close; if needed, they could come to the rescue. Magicians were concentrated on the left and right flanks of the troops covering the bridge. Paladins were kept in reserve.

Only crossbowmen occupied a special place. Their commander insisted on placing them on a low hill on the right flank, fairly close to the water but far from the bridge.

Now it was up to the enemy. Despite his youth and complete lack of military experience, Duke Kas was not a fool. He didn't even consider attacking, as some barons advised him, relying on their own experience and graying hair. He didn't need to defeat the orod's. He needed to prevent them from entering the duchy. Zalon Fortress could not be taken by such forces. Though here and now, the orod's were certainly stronger.

As the enemy emerged from the road and formed up in front of the bridge, it was possible to count at least twenty-five magicians, and a company of royal paladins was also clearly visible. No less than three thousand infantry and about two thousand dismounted knights remained.

The battle began traditionally. The magical exchange had been going on for about an hour already. Both sides suffered losses, but it couldn't decide the outcome of the battle. Then the archers took to the field. Almost three hundred elite royal rangers, covered by five magicians. Volley!

Arrows flew into the ranks of the spearmen and significantly thinned them out — no fewer than fifty men were wounded. The rangers loaded another arrow and... their ranks were seemingly swept through by something invisible. Cries of pain and pleas for help. And then it all repeated. All five magicians were dead. The rangers were almost completely incapacitated. Many were only wounded and were dying in plain sight of their army.

The longitudinal volley of crossbowmen was deadly accurate. Sped up by the artifact to monstrous speed, steel bolts pierced several human bodies at once. The cause of the slaughter is understood by the enemy commander. A "fire rain" is unleashed on the hill. It turns out the orod's have a decent mage, at least of medium strength, or perhaps even a master, if we follow Valerian terminology.

I've got more interesting stuff on patreon

patreon.com/Chill76