Chapter 33: The Duel Dictating Fate.
"Do not think that because I defeated Bardornus once on the battlefield that he is an easy opponent."
"Not only did I have instructions from a Master level strategist like my lord Lucius Aurellion, but we are also equal when it comes to our personal fighting prowess.
"But I even had to use the man’s past to force him to become emotional and make a mistake to attain victory."
Leon Mantelon, The Shield of Aurellion and later Grandmaster of Loyalty.
....
A flash of worry appeared on Bardornus’ face as he fought Leon and heard the small grunts of pain from Alden, who was stuck in the Chavarian’s tactical formation. The Plurian general even tried to unsuccessfully move the fight between himself and Leon close enough so he could help Alden break it.
Minutes passed with Bardornus staying silent despite the ultimatum given to him by Leon; as the battle seemed to enter a stalemate, Bardornus and Leon continued their deadly duel while Alden struggled to defend himself from the Chavarian’s master-level tactics. A spear suddenly struck through the young vice general’s ornate breastplate, the spear tip piercing through the carefully layered steel and cutting into Alden’s flesh. Only the young man’s swift reactions allowed him to dodge slightly to the side, turning the killing blow into a flesh wound as a trickle of red blood flowed down his front from the open wound.
Seeing his protégé get injured, Bardornus’ expression darkened before calming down, his experience helping to calm the worry which began to take over his heart. No matter what, for the good of the kingdom and its future, Alden must survive. As Bardornus is not confident in being able to save The Kingdom of Nadron without at least half of his army intact and Alden by his side.
Both Bardornus and Leon knew that if The Kingdom of Nadron falls then, it was only a matter of time until the weakened Pluerus fell, as this was the reason they were fighting this battle in the first place and why they only sent help when it was desperately needed even having to make a deal with the orcish kingdom of Otrua to get them to reinforce them due to The Kingdom of Pluerus itself lacking military strength.
"What do ye want!"
Bardornus scowled as he performed a powerful overhead strike with his steel glaive, not slowing down the fight in the slightest as he exchanged words and blows with the smiling Chavarian vice general.
"Simple, I want you and the Plurian cavalry to retreat!"