The brief shouts of the defending soldiers bracing for the impact of horses, clenching thejr swords with bleeding hands and wounded bodies ceased in an instant. The cavalry slammed through them, this time slowing down inside the camp. Surrounded by corpses of the dead, their final moments consumed by fright and pain.
Cadin dismounted his horse, sheathing his blood soaked sword.
Joken moved his horse beside Cadin's, about to relay a report.
"My lord, the soldiers have seen the attack, they are heading here as we speak. We may begin heading out." Cadin glanced at the emerging civilians, visibly in fear as they peeked out ever so slightly from the tents.
"Brothers, this is one camp brought to hell, finish the last soldiers, we shall head off." Cavalrymen all around him jumped off their horses, driving their long spears into any wounded and living soldier they could find, silencing their grunts of pain and ceasing their struggle to survive.
The fires continued to burn, crackling as the wood inside them fueled the hungry flames.
"Men, the soldiers will arrive shortly. Once they do, we may set off for another camp." Cadin stood by, silently observing as the quietness of night returned, leaving only the noise of crackling wood and fire giving off warmth. A few soldiers packed around the fires, placing their hands near it's warm embrace as the cold winds blew stronger and stronger.
Civilians continued huddling up with each other, quivering in fear with some cavalrymen standing in front of the tents, looking at them with weapons drawn.
Minutes passed and the shadows of soldiers emerging out of the darkness outside the camp came into view.
'Finally, they're here.' Cadin immediately jumped back on his horse, still looking at the soldiers as they emerged out of the dark and into the light of the fire.
"We shall take it from here, you may leave." A soldier at the front spoke, carrying a spear and donning a mix of metal plates and leather armor.
Upon seeing the soldiers enter into the camp, cavalrymen jumped back on their horses, clutching onto their spears now coated in dried blood.
Without speaking, Cadin tugged on the lead. Immediately they set off for the next camp, leaving the warmth and shelter of the area and back to the unforgiving cold as the moonlight partially illuminated the land around them.
After many minutes have lassed, Cadin pulled on the lead, bringing his steed to a complete stop. In the distance in front of the group was a glint of orange light. The second camp.
The view was difficult but Cadin can see enough to determine a new plan.
Surrounding the camp and near to it's edges were a line of stakes, sturdy and in tight proximity to one another, making it nearly impossible for horses to even jump above it without getting impaled.
'Odd, they have stakes as well. But this time more numerous than the rest, did these prisoners attack them before? Or is there another?'
Cadin's group moved forward at a slower pace, gripping their weapons tightly on the approach towards the camp.
Getting closer, he could see the camp more clearly. On the left side of the camp was an opening, protected by ten guards standing around it with spears or pikes wearing studded armor and metal helmets.
Inside the place were similar white colored tents housing many people from the elements and small campfires burning with pots hanging above them, cooking.
'The entrance is a tight squeeze, but inside it seems easy to take. The soldiers should be waiting at this moment nearby.'
Cadin raised his sword up pointing to the sky, "Stay behind me men, once we have entered inside the camp begin killing all those carrying weapons. Make sure you strike quickly and suddenly."
With a strong tug, the horse began moving forward, slowly shifting to galloping faster and faster, followed by cavalrymen behind him.
The hooves of the horses slamming into dirt in nearly perfect unison created a loud thumping noise, echoing out into the land around them.
As they got closer, the guards realized their presence. Immediately they formed up on the gate and behind stakes next to it, aiming their weapons forward in a bid to stop them. Until.
Cadin's horse ran through the weapons and into the line of soldiers, slamming through them at full force as a gap formed through them and Cadin slahed at the sides. The horses behind joined in, crashing into the faltering line of soldiers as they all rushed in.
Inside, the civilians ran around in a panic, screaming at the top of their lungs in panic while cavalrymen and Cadin hunted down any remaining soldiers inside the camp.
Corpses lined the entrance and sections of the camp. The fires continued going on with scatted crates strewn about. Cadin jumped off his horse, looking at the terrified people hiding in the tents.
The other soldiers dismounted theirs as well, qith their swords they killed any remaining enemy they could find, driving sword tips into the backs and chests of injured fighters as the sound kf cries and quivers got louder and louder with each silenced grunt of pain.
While awaiting the army, Cadin sheathed his sword and unfurled the map.
'Next camp is north of here, a bit farther from the borders compared to this.'
After the attack, cavalrymen returned to their horses or walked around, silently observing the people and the cooking food.
'These soldiers are quite disciplined. Makes it easier to do more attacking.'
Time passed and the group of soldiers arrived at the entrance, walking over the dead bodies amd inside the camp where Cadin and the rest werw staying.
After seeing them, Cadin got on his horse, with the other cavalrymen, they moved outside.
'Next camp should be quicker.' In little time, they embarked once more. The moon was nearing the middle of the sky, providing more light to the entire open land. The winds were stronger and colder than before, causing Cadin to clutch a part of his cape in front of his nose and mouth.