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Jeremy and Daniel had spent the night moving the heavily laden wagon across the river and up the hillside to the high hill. There was no way to cover their tracks and those of the Forest worked as beasts of burden to help the horses move the wagon. Scouts went ahead and followed after, looking for signs of the enemy. They were fighting the last steep slope to get the wagon to the hilltop when scouts reported that their trail had been found and a troop had begun following them in the darkness. Daniel held counsel with those of the Forest as he struggled to move the wagon forward. They decided to stay and do as much damage as possible before fleeing from the oncoming troops. They would need to work their way towards the pass connecting the kingdoms. When they finally reached the hilltop and positioned their cannon, there were but a few hours left for rest. At daylight, the sounds of battle reached them and they prepared to do their part.
When the ships of the Red had dropped sails and set anchor on the north side of the river, Daniel and his cannon began the attack. They were placed on the high hill and had an excellent vantage. The cannonballs began striking the downstream ships on a regular basis and again confusion slowed the response of those of the Red. Anchors needed to be pulled and sails set before they could escape the bombardment from on high. Their only escape was to flee far downstream, past the other stricken vessels.
Those of the Red that were approaching were getting ever nearer and Jeremy was concerned that their escape route was becoming endangered. Daniel listened only briefly to his concern and replied, "Heather says that destroying the ships is important, so we must do all we can."
They continued their attack until the last ship had floated out of range. By now Jeremy had become very concerned because almost 300 of the Red had encircled the base of the hill and the route of escape was much compromised. There was little cover and Jeremy was frantically seeking another route of escape. It appeared their only hope was to descend the cliff of the high hill and make their way downriver along the river edge. The risk was that they would be open to attack for some time before reaching cover. It appeared to Jeremy that the risk was great but he saw no other option. Daniel began packing the cannon with powder to destroy it when Jeremy spoke, "Horses are coming from the pass."
Daniel looked up and could see the dust to the north but could not make out the horses. He sensed that Heather was on her way and knew she meant to do battle with those of the Red. He had agreed to destroy the cannon if there was any danger of capture but now that looked as if there was to be a battle and the cannon had yet a role to play. He told those of the Forest, "I would expect that Heather and troops from her father's army are headed our way. We must decide quickly if we are to flee or stay and fight."
Jeremy spoke up saying, "I think it would be safer to stay and fight rather than flee without cover. If those of the Red take control of the hill their arrows would be deadly as we descended the cliff."
Those of the Forest agreed quickly and Jeremy had them position themselves to take advantage of their height. Their bows had shorter range but greater accuracy than the weapons of those of the Red. Jeremy told them, "Shoot not until you are sure, but give those of the Red no target. We must hold them until Heather arrives."
Those of the Forest numbered about twenty and spread themselves thinly around the crest of the hill. There was little cover other than some boulders. They hid themselves as best as they could, and waited. Those of the Red began sending scouts up the hillside and there would be an occasional scream as an arrow found its target. The commander of those of the Red began organizing his troops for an assault on the north side of the hill, following the trail of the wagon. Jeremy watched the development and knew their attack would commence before Heather could arrive. He asked Daniel, "Can you use your cannon to disrupt their charge?"
Daniel was already working and had unloaded most of the powder from the cannon. He told Jeremy, "If we use stones the size of a small fist we should be able to cause some damage."
Jeremy helped Daniel positioned the cannon and they began packing the cannon with small stones. They had gathered a small mound when the sound of the horn alerted them to the charge of the Red. The main troop began pushing up the high hill, leaving enough troops surrounding the base to prevent escape of those of the Forest. Jeremy repositioned as many of his hunters as he could, but they were easily outnumbered tenfold. As those of the Red advanced up the trail, Daniel held his fire until they were three arrow shots away and then fired the cannon. The advancing front received the full blast of the cannon, and the stones were lethal. There was a momentary pause before those of the Red again began pressing on at the urging of their commander. This gave Daniel barely enough time to reload and again as the troops pressed forward he fired his cannon. The destruction was fear-inspiring but the commander forced his troops forward, giving Daniel little time to reload.
Those of the Red now also detected the approaching horses. This caused the commander to pause. He began issuing new orders to protect his rear and for a moment the attack was in stalemate.
Daniel again fired his cannon, causing some disarray as those of the Red prepared to meet the charge of Heather. Daniel was getting low on powder but continued to fire, trying to disrupt those of the Red.
Heather was riding on her father's right as they led the charge up the hill. Those of the Red positioned themselves in classic assault rows to meet the charge so that each row could rise and shoot over those in front of them. Daniel could now but watch as his bride came into range of the arrows of those of the Red.
The horses were now urged onward at full speed with their riders crouched low on the necks of their horses. The first volley of arrows was let loose and horses began to scream and fall from the arrows. Yet, onward they pressed and the second line of those of the Red rose and fired their arrows, causing yet more horses and riders to fall. Heather and her father now were reaching the first row of archers and their swords began to flash, scattering all in front of them. The third and fourth rows of archers now arose and fired their arrows, bringing down yet more horses and riders but the charge went on. The forces of Heather and her father left behind a trail of red as they pushed the attack.
Jeremy now had his hunters attack from the rear, with their arrows further impairing the counterattack from those of the Red. Heather and her father pushed onward but Daniel could see multiple arrows in both of their horses. The commander of the Red called for his last line to rise and fire, and then sounded the retreat.
Heather had now pulled slightly ahead of her father, who was desperately trying to keep up. Daniel watched as Heather's beautiful horse reared up, taking the full assault of arrows. He clearly heard the scream of the beautiful animal as it toppled over. He began moving downhill, instinctively knowing that his bride was beneath her horse, which had taken the arrows meant for her. Jeremy and the others of the Forest moved with him, using their bows to speed those of the Red on their retreat.
Heather's father had noted the fall of his daughter's horse but had pushed the attack knowing that her only chance was to completely dislodge those of the Red. He stopped the charge only when those of the Red were in complete retreat.
Daniel arrived to find Heather's white horse now stained red from its many wounds. It breathed no more. Partially beneath the horse was his bride, who was struggling to try to get out from underneath, but her right arm and leg were pinned by the weight of the horse. Those of the Forest lifted with all their might to shift the horse enough to free Heather. Heather reacted to her freedom by searching for her sword which had been knocked free in the fall. She grasped the sword but was unable to raise it. Only then did she realize the pain in her arm just below the elbow.
Daniel saw her wince and knew all was not right. He made her sit and ignored the battle as he examined her. She was obviously bruised up and when he palpated her right arm he could feel the broken bones just below her elbow. He could find no othe
r broken bones and began to prepare a sling for her arm.
A new look came over Heather as she asked, "What of the baby?"
Her father who had just returned and dismounted heard the comment but spoke not. The look of anguish on his face told the story of his failure to protect his daughter. He to looked at Daniel who carefully began to feel Heather's abdomen. Daniel spoke up, saying, "I feel no injury, so there is hope."
With the sounds of battle receding, Heather slowly began transforming from the warrior back to the bride and mother-to-be. Tears soon were flowing, and not just from Heather.
Sacred Water, Book 2, The Time Before Page 28