Marching in a tight column across the bridge, Dharen quickly took note of the weapons that everyone was using, this being due to them taking another weapon type as they all passed through the gateway. That being spears. It meant that every person in his detachment was using a shield, spear and sword.
Alongside that, looking at how tightly packed they were going to be, he thought of a formation that they could use, that being a phalanx, but there shields were larger and more oval in shape, compared to the shields that were normally used for phalanxes in this world, as well as in the past of Earth.
Well, they would have to make do.
As they passed over the bridge fully, they rapidly marched up the minor road that led to the main road towards the square. He made sure to pause their advance however at the entrance to the road.
It was completely empty, there was no noise coming from the road. No people walking around. There was not even a bird or any type of cat. Just silence.
Aside from that they were alleys that connected to the road, which were probably big enough to hide small groups of soldiers, and the windows from the top of these houses could be used to conceal archers, who would cause havoc if they were allowed to fire down without any kind of contest.
"Detachment, form a phalanx and advance slowly."
Following his words there was a small flurry of movement as his words were followed as the formation came to life before his eyes.
The front shields, locking together as well as they could, with spears being pointed out in front of them, and those behind, packed in tighter making it an immovable block.
Then they began to advance one step at a time, slowly inching their way up the road.
He could hear fighting echoing around the town now as well. It seemed like the other detachments had already found the forces of the Inquisition. As he heard the screams and yells, he could only pray that victory had favoured them today.
Then as soon as he had finished his small prayer, he noticed the glint of something in one of the far windows but before he could say a thing.
An arrow whizzed out of the window, hitting someone in the neck. His head snapped to the side unnaturally before he slowly fell to the ground dead.
"Shields up!" Dharens scream was followed without hesitation. As the formation became far more like a roman tortoise than anything else. The arrows soon began to fall all over the formation as well. Making it appear like it was a porcupine.
There were some that were unfortunate as the arrows snuck past the shields, and claimed more lives. They did not stop their advance however, the dead well their bodies were trampled over as they could not afford to let any kind of major gap appear as it would lead to far more people being killed.
Dharen, who was at the rear of the detachment knew that he would be at risk soon, so as they passed by the doors of the houses which the archers were within, he ordered small groups of five to peel off from the formation and clear out the houses.
The arrows soon stopped after that, and these small groups quickly rejoined the formation, but noticeably it was always with one or two people missing.
Then there was a roar at the front. Quickly he looked up and over all of the shields, only to see a mass of inquisitors charging down the road starghit for them.
"Halt!"
"Brace!"
He made sure to pronounce his words, one by one. Giving everyone time to reform their lines and prepare to take the charge.
He did not feel the impact, but he clearly heard it.
It was like someone had hit a wall of stone with a jackhammer. It was a loud and clear bang.
This was soon followed by the roars and screams by both sides. As people quickly began to fall to the ground, their bodies having been pierced or cut by some kind of weapon.
Then he had an uneasy feeling, almost like some kind of instinct he would say.
Leading to him just to glance behind himself. It was then, his worst thoughts came true as he saw inquisitors creeping out of the alleys to attack them all from the rear.
He cursed under his breath, as he quickly turned around drawing his sword in one fluid motion.
"The rear lines follow me and charge!" His words surprised those who heard him, but as these people looked back they quickly understood why.
There was no hesitation from them, as they all turned and discarded their spears and drew their swords.
This sudden reaction must have caught the inquisitors off guard. As they did not react for a couple of seconds, as they simply stared as they were charged at, being led by Dharen.
This thought ended soon enough, as a vicious yell coming out from the alleys led to them charging back.
Silence had died only for a second, before Dharen found himself gutting open one inquisitor. Before punching him in the face, leading to the man to collapse.
More swords soon were coming his way. Blocking them why one by one, he kept on advancing. Shocking the inquisitors who were able to see his prowess with the sword.
This had led to more of them soon being cut down, as Dharen showed no hesitation or respect for any of them. His sword arm never stopped moving, nor did his eyes. As he kept on going forward and back, side to side. To avoid, block or kill the inquisitors.
It was chaotic, and he did not get a moment to stop. Ducking under the sword swing, he thrusted his blade forwards, feeling it go all the way through the body, then as he pulled it out, slashing through the person's neck. Their white armour soon dyed red as they gurgled and fell down to the floor.
Looking back, he could see the phalanx was still advancing slowly. In fact, there were nearly at the square now. And yet, it did not seem like the mob of the Inquisition would end.