The old man hobbled down the road...

Throwing his head back Polorium let out a roar that shook the earth, leaping on the nearest horse and picking up a spear from a fallen comrade, he led the horse on a vicious charge, hurling the spear with all his might at who he believed was the commander of the enemy troops, watching with gloating eyes as the spear drilled itself into the cuirass and downing the warrior.

His face became a mask of pain as Aurelius sprung up into a standing position, wrenching the spear from his shoulder and skewering the closest enemy soldier, who was about to massacre one of his men.

Grasping his shoulder with his good hand, Aurelius grit his teeth and put the pain to the back of his mind, scanning the battlefield for his assailant. His eyes registered a huge warrior on horseback that was watching him with a satisfied smile. His eyes narrowed. So. He whistled a high note that was immediately greeted by the whinny and neigh of his powerful stallion, which had been charging forth and trampling the enemy beneath his crushing hooves, in lead of the cavalry charge.

Umbricius galloped over the plain, his crushing size making the earth tremble in the wake of his passing. Aurelius leapt onto his horse and sheathed his sword, also picking up a spear stuck into a tree, galloping towards his adversary he stood in wait, javelin poised for the throw.

Polorium calculated the speed of that powerful stallion, yearning to take it for himself. It would be harder to down the man riding it this way, however, because he did not want to harm the horse. Narrowing his eyes he concentrated and threw all his weight behind the hurling of his arm, and the javelin soared at the rider, narrowly missing, the stallion somehow seemed to know when its rider was in danger… I MUST have that horse! He thought, picking up yet another fallen spear, prepared for the onslaught.

The two commanders near flew at each other, spears raised, while Polorium had the larger stature, Aurelius was no less strong and had had much more experience. Their spears collided with their opponent’s shield, the clangour of the clash renting the air around them. A javelin suddenly hit the ground in front of Umbricius, and to swerve from this weapon Aurelius lost his balance and was toppled from his horse.

Polorium left off his own steed and loosened a heavy cleaver from his belt, unleashing a furious assault on Aurelius, who had landed on the wounded shoulder and had unsheathed his sword to defend himself, his eyes, the only visible part of him through his helmet showed the pain that he felt, but this did not slow his reactions and anticipation in then least, parrying at the cleaver easily with one handed blows from his sword.

Polorium, enraged at not being able to get the better of this adversary’s unpredictable, spasmodic actions. His concentration and accuracy began to wane, and his cleaver was swung wide, Aurelius making the most of this advantage and managing an upward slice that grazed Polorium’s arm deeply.

Livid with anger, he let out roar and attacked with a new tumult of energy, striking out at Aurelius with a series of quick swings and finally managing to make contact with Aurelius’ helmet, but that was not the end of him.

Aurelius tore off his helmet, dented and blood-soaked, and the mane of long white hair rippled in the wind. Polorium’s eyes widened when he realised that this was no ordinary adversary, an incredibly strong old man that not only was able to take his shots, but also looked as though he had been through many a battle.