The old man hobbled down the road...

Aurelius issued this plea to the elements and lifted his staff high above his head, riding Umbricius slowly out of the forest and into the clearing, alone and proud. A small breeze blew around him, and scattered crystals of dust and dirt billowed around him.

Power flooded through his being, and as arrows were being sent his way, a deep rumbling, explosive yawn was heard from above. The nearest mountain, some three stadia away, rumbled deeply and promptly blew off its top. Aurelius gave a glare to the oncoming arrows and they were forced back immediately, flying towards their owners. The mountain that had now turned a volcano spat its ashes and flaming rocks were blasted high into the air, sailing towards the walls of the fortress and smashing them with a dull thud.

The first of the volcanic rocks sailed down from the air and smote the wall with a sickening crack, crumbling it and sending the people on top of it flying. The combined flame from all the rock spewed out by the volcano began to build to the point where the houses surrounding the fortress became torches that gave off their own light.

With a sufficient breach opened into the wall, Aurelius gestured for his men to get ready for a charge. Already the fortress’ defenders were lined up in a compact formation, shield against shield and not prepared to give way, as they knew that if they lost this fortress then it would weaken their king’s hold over this land considerably. Stakes were driven into the ground to prevent a cavalry charge, and the walls were already teeming with archers ready to pick their enemy off from above.

Raising his sword above his head, he brought it down with a swift motion to signal the charge. Grasping with one hand his sword, and the other his staff, he controlled his powerful stallion by the force of his thighs and his voice. He urged Umbricius on and the animal felt his rider’s impulse, and devoured the ground between them and the wall, clearing the stakes with one powerful leap.

Clearing the stakes, Aurelius swung his staff to one side and the stakes were sent out of their positions. He himself near flew towards the shield wall, followed by his heavy cavalry and infantry who crashed into it with devastating force, men were sent flying in all directions, some trampled while others massacred, others yet taken in after surrendering.

Aurelius leapt off his horse and threw himself into the fray, astounding the enemy soldiers with the strength and determination he still possessed at his age. Umbricius ran off alone, trampling and kicking out to the soldiers that fought with Aurelius’ ones.

He swung around, wielding his sword and staff in perfect coordination and soon creating a void around him, bodies of enemy soldiers piled high, struck by his expert precision.

The sun began to dip low in the horizon, and the day was old. Still, the clangour of battle and battery could be heard as the numerous garrison from the fortress still brought up fresh troops to attack the indefatigable troops trained by Aurelius. Eventually, however, the energy of his troops began to slacken, having fought for hours against the seemingly inexhaustible reserves of the enemy and on the verge of being outnumbered on all sides.