The cold air embraced both knights. Aron shivered, but no such reaktion could be seen from Matheus who found solace in the cold embrace. Matheus mounted his horse while Aron proceeded to do the same.
"Shall we?" Matheus asked.
"Let's", Aron responded.
They started riding to the southeast part of camp.
It only took them five minutes, but the cold weather was freezing them to the bone. Thankfully they wore full knight amour, although even that couldn't hold back the cold.
Amongst the knights in the cavalry unit Aron could see the knight captain.
The captain, which name was Frederik, saw the two and walked towards them.
Standing a head taller than both of them he said, "Sir Aron, Sir Matheus, glad you could join us. "
"Of course, captain, we are but humble servants of the holy father, taking up arms to spread his glory and prosperity." Said Aron, whilst Matheus nodded along.
"Very well then, assume your positions at the front."
"As you wish", Aron and Matheus said in unison.
While slowly riding towards the front rows Aron spoke.
"Do you think they got far?"
Matheus replied, "Nah, and even if they did, we could easily hunt dem down", he said smiling.
"Plus, they will have been slowed down by the cold. Their bodies are surely creaking and cracking." Matheus said.
That got a little laugh out of Aron.
Suddenly a loud voice drew everyone's attention. It was the captain.
"Knights of the Holy Order! We have been granted the blessing of the father, and with it, we must slay and vanquish our foes. These heathens are no better than the devil who violates their women every night. "
That is the official reason for the purging. Fornication is a sin punishable by 100 lashes, and dealing with the devil is a death sentence. Whether it is true or not, could not be known. Aron and Matheus trusted the captain with their lives, so what he claimed to be true, had to be.
The captain continued, while looking down in what can only be described as grief?
"It is truly a shame, that the devil has taken root in this town. For now, there is only on way to save them and that is purifying their soul with our holy steel! This feeling of sadness for our fellow humans, is heart wrenching, but we must prevail! To kill those who have been led astray, so as to not grant the devil a haven, that Is our burden!"
The captain raised his sword and yelled.
"Ready yourselves!"
"Charge!!!"
The cavalry unit of two dozen knights rode towards the birch tree forest. An excessive number, taking the situation into account.
After ten minutes of riding Aron finally spots the first villager and yells.
"Enemy in sight"
"Permission to engage!?"
The captains responded.
"Granted!"
Aron rode faster trying to catch up to the villager. He was within striking distance in 5.4.3.2.1
*SLASH*
Blood sprayed in the air caused by Aron slashing the villager's shoulder 10 cm deep (3,94 inches).
The villager led out a cry.
"AAHHHHHNNNGGGG"
He started using his right hand to keep his arm from falling off. Though there were little hope of that succeeding. The only thing keeping his arm from falling of was the skin and muscle still attached to the shoulder.
Aron Kept going forward leaving the villager behind. He did not worry about the villager surviving, since the others were right behind him.
Matheus thrusted his lance through the villager's throat making him go into some sort of seizure and then finally limp. Ahead he could see Aron racing toward his next target.
'Such bloodthirst', Matheus thought.
After the succesfull hunt the cavalry unit returned back to camp, where they had hoarded coins, supplies and...women.