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After the repulse of their first infantry assault and the following cavalry attack, the Hygerian attempted their flanking maneuver. It appears from what evidence remains that Sharakh, who had commanded at Relyn and at Hygerian, saw the opening and brought the force over the Notch. However, even this possibility, though highly discounted, was not entirely unexpected by the Asbalnian Lords. The Warriors of the Guardian had been standing idle all morning, a reserve force intended to deal with such possibilities.
-The Hygerian War
Randell of Avantir
Shortly after this, Rorick was aware of a force leaving the Hygerian main body. Something like a thousand infantry and two hundred cavalry set out around the base of the dark Cliffs of Jarth. It was obvious what they planned; the far side of the Cliff was an easy slope, and the Notch would let them ride directly down into rear of the Asbalnian line.
Rorick looked around. The Warriors were drawn up in ranks a little distance away; some of the younger ones were a bit put out about not being placed in the front line. They were a proud, grim band of men, their clothing and equipment as motley as that of the rest of the host, though all had red cloaks (of nearly the same shade) to set them apart.
He turned to Conel. “Well, they have seen it. Time to go and bar the Notch. See to matters here, and see that you finish soon, for we can hold them for a time, but not forever.”
Conel looked at him, his face grave. “What troops will you take?”
“What troops? My own Warriors, of course. “
“Are they not few for the task?”
“Few enough, but I doubt that we can spare much more from our lines here. As I said, see that you finish soon.”
Conel raised his sword in a salute, which the Guardian returned. “May the Powers smile upon you in this fight, then.”
Rorick nodded, turned away, riding over to where the warriors waited. “Well,” he addressed them, “It seems that you will be able to take in the fight, and somewhat earlier than I had intended. Come on!”
They set out at a quick pace, for though they had somewhat the shorter distance to cover, Rorick wished to have some time to pick the most advantageous position for his stand. The fair green grass stood knee-deep on the Notch, and Rorick picked a spot where the ground fell away in a sheer slope on both sides of it, making outflanking the defenders near to impossible.
They formed into three ranks, and Rorick save some general instructions to them. He commanded the front rank, Beran the second, and Dolon the third. A single horseman showed himself on the sky-line, then was gone. “They will be coming now,” Rorick said.
It was not much longer before the Hygerians were heard on the other side of the hill, horses stamping, men shuffling, equipment jingling, and low-voiced commands. Then horses began moving, and suddenly, made taller by being silhouetted against the sky, the first ranks of the Hygerian horsemen appeared. As the second rank appeared behind them, and the first rank began moving down the slope, the first Asbalnian arrows flew.
Even constant practice, with the amount of time the Warriors had been allowed, could not make every man a skilled archer. Most, however, were capable of making a fair number of arrows count, at such short range.
But even deadly archery could do no more than to break somewhat the impact of the charge, and the Warriors had to stand to meet them, sword in hand. It soon appeared that a determined infantryman could hold his own against even a mounted man, for a jab at a horse’s face with a sword would often cause him to turn away, making any fighting ability of his rider less effective.
After a few minutes, the Hygerian cavalry withdrew.
The Warriors had a little time to make ready before the Hygerian infantry attacked, and they made use of it. A few went out to collect what arrows they could salvage from the field, while Rorick discussed tactics with Beran and Dolan, The first Hygerian infantry force amounted to about four hundred, and was intended to sweep the small Asbalnian force away to let the main body through. Swift arrows decreased their numbers somewhat, but many of them reached the Asbalnian ranks.
It had taken some time, but those who ruled the Hygerians had finally realized that the only thing to deal on equal terms with the well-trained disciplined Asbalnian infantry would be equally well-trained and disciplined Hygerian infantry. They had begun, from that time, to treat their infantry as actual troops, rather than as inferior persons who did not or could not ride. As a result, their infantry was now becoming a force to be reckoned with.
The Asbalnians shot their last arrows when the Hygerians were forty yards away, to allow themselves time to prepare shield and sword. At the same time, the Hygerians paused to launch their javelins; a thrown missile can be easily dodged, and most were, but with so many in the air, some found their targets. A moment later, with a horrific clashing of metal, the battle joined. Rorick’s front rank met them and slowly withdrew before them. The center rank was moving slowly forward as well, and the attackers, their impetus somewhat broken by the ragged front rank, halted altogether when the fresh center rank stepped through the front rank.
Though the Hygerians were fierce and valiant, this was too much for them; they fell back, somewhat fewer than they had come.
“They will come again,” said Dolon, “and we have no arrows left to slow them.”
“We must collect their throwing-spears,” answered Rorick.
“Dolon, your men will take the front rank. Throw your spears when they come to about twenty yards, then you and your men shall crouch down while we behind you each throw another spear. You will then rise and charge into them, while the rest of us stay behind to fight whenever we might be needed.”