The Three Hundred (CH 33)
The Knight in the Panther Skin, Book One: Avtandil's Quest
“We journeyed for half a day until reaching a tall peak. From there, dust could be seen rising from the distant plains, and we understood King Ramaz was coming. I had planned for this moment and called my Knights to me. Though a trap had been set, I did not doubt in the sharpness of my sword.”
“I told the three hundred before me of the evil intent of our foe, ‘Brothers, the Khatavians plan treachery for us. Knowing this, why should the power and might of our arms grow weak? Men who die for their Kings ascend to Heaven, as you all know. So, I ask, do we wear these swords for vanity, or are we warriors? Will we hesitate to engage our enemy, or will we meet them like lions? Now, let us prepare ourselves and destroy these treacherous cowards!’”
“With pride and fierce words, I commanded my men to ready themselves for battle. My heroes put on their coats of chain mail, buckling armor on and strapping shoulder pieces into place before checking their weapons. I arrayed them into squadrons, and we rode out to meet the enemy. Each trusted his skill and the prowess of the men beside him to ruin the plans of our adversary.”
“We came down the mountain like an avalanche of steel. When the Khatavians noticed our equipment glinting in the sun, they sent a messenger, who told us, ‘King Ramaz looks upon your approach with displeasure. Your betrayal is untimely, and we are amazed by your audacity.’”
“I ordered the man back with a message of my own, barely missing step in our march, ‘I know the deceit of your words and actions. What you planned for me will not come to pass. Call your men and come fight me as is our custom. This day I have taken my sword in hand to slay you.’”
“When their man returned, our enemy hastily made fires. The smoke rose in the distance as we approached, and soldiers came from all sides. The ambush they hoped to hide was shown clear as day. I watched as his men advanced, forming into ranks, though thanks to God, they were yet unable to harm me.”
“I took a lance in one hand and put on my helmet with the other, eager for the battle to start. My Knights and I rode towards them in a long line as the treacherous armies of Ramaz drew up on either side, seemingly countless. They stood immobile and calm, undisturbed by our presence and sure of their superior numbers.”
“When I came near, they looked at me as if I was a madman. Three hundred Heroes swam in a sea of more than a hundred thousand soldiers, but I did not care. My arm was strong, and my will stronger. I rode down our line, cheering the courage of my men, before charging into the main body of the enemy army. My lance pierced a man with such force his horse fell. I left him to bleed onto the plain, forever departing the sun. However, I would not be stopped with one. I loudly praised the fools before me and thanked those who would whet my blade with their blood. Then, I released my fury on them.”
“I swooped down like a falcon amongst hapless partridges, making a hill of men and horses as I threw one upon the other. Countless Khataetian soldiers bore down on me, and I sent them spinning away like dragonflies. I destroyed their two forward squadrons by myself as the onslaught of those behind me carried into their ranks and made many a widow.”
“The ferocity of my blows left none standing where I struck. All around me, the battle raged. Blood spurted from their fallen soldiers like fountains. Everywhere I went, I ruined men, leaving them hanging like saddlebags from their horses. Though they pressed hard upon us, we were unstoppable. Men fled from me like lambs before a butcher, no matter where I rode.”
“Soon, the ground shook beneath us, and the watchmen of our enemy cried out a warning as the sound of my approaching force was heard. Neither mountain nor plain had delayed my army, and the soldiers I commanded to follow had arrived exactly as planned.”
“Now the drums of my men thundered defeat to the ears of our enemies. Trumpets blared in such number one might believe the gates of Heaven opened and spilled forth hosts of vengeful angels. Hundreds of thousands of Indian warriors swarmed towards them, the dust of their approach blotting out the sun.”
“When our foe realized doom approached, they wailed in fear. Each lamented his fate, begging to be saved from the slaughter we would visit on them. Yet, I did not stop. Treachery knows no quarter, and I gave them no respite.”
“Left and right, their ranks broke. They began to run, but we did not let them go. I cut my way to Ramaz and unhorsed him. He fell to the ground with a cry. In an instant I was on the fallen King, like a lion taking down an antelope. He drew his sword, and we fought one another until I knocked his blade away and beat him into submission. But I did not kill him. This was not my plan.”
“My men shouted and cheered at the sight of my victory, and what was left of the previously ordered Khatavian army began collapsing. They fled in every direction, no differently than water running down the side of a mountain.”
“The initial charge of my rear guard had immediately overcome most of the Khataetians. Those who remained were drowned by the tide of Indians swarming over them. This caused the complete collapse of their few remaining ranks. Those few who did not have the wisdom to surrender were quickly overtaken and thrown down, vanquished to a man. When the dust cleared, my troops feasted on the sweet reward of victory for their sleepless nights and hasty march.”
“We now held countless prisoners, each terrified of the fate he imagined I would visit upon them. Most were not even wounded, yet they cried and moaned like sick men. It disgusted me to witness soldiers begging and pleading like lambs.”
“But I could not give them the death they deserved. We needed them, for a vassal state without an army is a liability. Though Ramaz showed himself to be a King among fools, he would still serve my purposes.”