Third wave.

Helinda watched as the third wave had formed and was now marching towards the heights this time in broad ranks. It was then that she was alerted to the enemy climbing her left flank. She immediately took half of her remaining troops which was twenty warriors and headed to the top of her flank and was a lot of troops climbing upwards. They had a mix of archers and spears and soon the arrows were flying and her troops had to use their shields to deflect them. She estimated that there was about two hundred enemy approaching and soon there was a clash of steel which was good because the enemy could no longer use their archers for fear of hitting their own troops. Cassandra notice what was happening and knew that there was nothing she could do to help her subordinate. Helinda and her troop were fighting to keep the enemy off of the heights and the clash of swords grew louder as the enemy was cut down. Inevitably helinda was losing her own troops in the carnage, she was down to just five warriors to defend the path up to the heights.

It was at this time that the cavalry from Arerto arrived at the heights and started their climb from the western end. being highly armoured they made good time and arrived at the top hearing the clash of steel. Now they had the advantage in numbers as four hundred warriors approached Helinda's position seeing this the enemy bolted back down the hill. The third wave had been attempting to climb up to Cassandra's position but had failed being driven back at a cost. The other half of the cavalry had reached and reinforced Cassandra as the third wave broke and retreated back to their encampment. Cassandra thanked the cavalry commander and asked how they had got here so quickly. The commander told her that the Queen had sent them on ahead but the foot soldiers were still not going to arrive before mid-afternoon. Just then a messenger came from the opposite height and informed Cassandra that she was needed on the opposite height.

While she made her way over the opposite height the wounded were being cared for and the dead were being wrapped in their cloaks and taken to the rear. The same was happening in Helinda's position and when Cassandra arrived she looked for her second in command and was directed to the left flank and when she got there she saw Helinda. Helinda had fallen in battle due to two arrows and a deep cut across her abdomen and was close to ****. Cassandra ordered a litter for Helinda and she was gently placed on the litter and carried down the height her hand holding Cassandra's as she weakly quipped that it was only a flesh wound. Cass felt Helinda's hand squeeze tighter then release and she looked down at Helinda and saw the lifeless eyes staring back at her. She stopped the litter bearers and knelt still holding Helinda's hand and with her other hand closed Helinda's eyes who strangely despite her bloody face looked at peace.