Giselle hated gripping Vigdis' cloak to hold on, she didn't want to touch him at all but she held on for dear life anyway. This was the best possible place she could be at the moment, atop the swift moving beast, though she hated that it also provided an advantage to Vigdis.
On cue a thunderous crash sounded behind them. Giselle jumped in her seat even though she knew what was coming, knowing Madhava was already suspicious. The horrific tumult and the sound of dozens of warriors' dismayed cries filled the air, as behind her dozens off massive trees rolled crashing down the hillside. The logs careened into the low-lying road crushing a swath of Vigdis' army sending hundreds of warriors fleeing forward in desperation to escape.
The warriors rushed forward not caring how many of their brothers they crushed as they fled down the road towards the battlefield. The melee sent the manx into a terrified bolt as confusion reigned all around.
"It's a trap!" Madhava yelled to Vigdis as they closed in on the clearing.
Madhava was right but there was no stopping the desperate warriors as they fled the woods. Every so often trees came crashing into the road thinning out the scrambling Scelus Cadi army. There was no reasoning with the mob of men. The warriors were taken completely off guard by the unexpected Toufik assault and now the avalanche of logs. All they could do was what their animal nature demanded, and that was to get away from the forest. It didn't help them that they were lulled into a sense of security by the empty field ahead.
Giselle almost smiled at how well the plan was coming together. She watched Madhava while sitting behind Vigdis. He was the one to worry about. He seemed to be the real commander at least when it came to rational tactics. Madhava and maybe a handful of others knew this was a trap but as long as they couldn't get the other warriors under control it didn't matter.
Madhava looked up into the trees as they approached the clearing. The front half of the army had poured into the meadow already while what was left of the rear came rushing out. Giselle saw the branches rustle as did the commander. This would be the biggest barrage yet. This would be what cut the Scelus Cadi off from any possible retreat back into the forest.
They were too close to the kill zone. Giselle's heart pounded in her chest. They needed to move, or it was lights out, game over. That was the goal, to take out as many opponents before they reached the field, but Giselle wasn't supposed to be on the wrong side of enemy lines when it happened.
Giselle's expression must have betrayed her because Madhava's eyes widened. He spurred his manx on faster ignoring the other warriors.
"Fucking hell." Vigdis snarled and goaded the beast they were on into a wild run.
They burst free of the tree line as the deafening crash and screams of agony rose up. Giselle gasped in earnest as she felt debris fly and hit her. Madhava wheeled to the left and Vigdis followed to a small rise.
"This ends now." Vigdis bellowed to his men. "Fall in you fucking cowards."
The men had no clue which way to face. Were they waiting to attack whoever would come from the woods or did they lay siege to the walled city? Their numbers were seriously decreased and their morale decimated. The tyrant Vigdis was too ignorant to see that, nor did he care, not about the living or the men that were killed and injured in the forest.
Giselle looked from the confused ranks that were trying to form to the angry look on Madhava's face. She stared at him passively refusing to look to the forest or the field.
He glared at her then his eyes turned towards the meadow and his expression took on a look not of shock but of respect.
The roar coming from the field behind her as Kagan's men poured out of the burrows in the ground and started slaughtering the enemy, drew her attention.
Giselle looked out to see Kagan central among his men. Unlike Vigdis, Kagan was the kind of Daimio who didn't let his men fight for him. He didn't ask them to do anything he wouldn't. As frightened as Giselle was for Kagan she couldn't help but admire him.
The man was glorious as he engaged his foes. His dark hair whipped in the breeze, his expression feral, fangs bared. Kagan's biceps bulged as he swung his blade, his steps a lethal dance. The armor on his arms and legs glinted in the early light as he twisted throwing a warrior with a Judo move. Giselle realized she was quite possibly turned on as inappropriate as it was at the moment. Too late she realized she was smiling.
"You knew about this." Vigdis snarled as he looked over his shoulder to see her proud look.
The moment had come for her to act if she was going to do something. Giselle grabbed one of Vigdis' knives, a move the Cadi men never expected from a female, then slid down the back and tail of the manx, a dismount move Sabin had taught her. She then took off towards the mass of fighters like her ass was on fire.