60 Toy Soldiers (1/2)

By the time my team was able to regroup with Thom's squad, their encirclement was being pressed from all sides by Magesong soldiers who were like a colony of ants ganging up on a piece of food on the floor.

I sent Ashley's Shield squad charging into the fray to help ease the pressure on Thom's group. Qwipps' Talons supported them with arrows fired from the rear.

Aura along with Varda's unit stood on standby behind Qwipps' squad because I wanted them to conserve their spells for later. Plus, I didn't want Donar's flames to stand out and get us noticed by the larger enemy units around us.

As for me and Luca, well, we'd gotten used to leading from the front. So it was no surprise to anyone when he and I fought our way through the enemy's encirclement and reached Thom's squad first.

”Someone order a plate of ass-whooping?” I called.

Yes, sadly, this was my attempt at sounding cool—and I know I failed at it.

Enna, who was closest to our arrival point, shrugged like our entrance was no big deal. ”Meh... we were doing fine without you... Commander.”

I took one glance at the bloodstains on her black cloak and the worn-out expression on her face and simply said, ”Of course you were. We're just here to back you up.”

It was better for me to just agree with her saving face rather than argue the fact that she looked half-dead with exhaustion. Drows were a proud race, after all.

”Hey, Luca—”

I'd glanced to my right and noticed his head lowered. Sweat dripped down his forehead. His breath came in short gasps.

Luca was so winded that he didn't even notice the enemy soldiers who were about to attack him from his right side. Luckily, Ashley had broken through on that side to back him up.

I watched her round steelbark shield fly out of her hands and smash into the nose of a pretty-looking she-elf. The shield bounced back and Ashley caught in time to ram it down front-first into the she-elf's already bloody face, effectively knocking her out.

”Luca, deactivate your Foolish Strength already!” I sheathed the dagger I'd planned to throw in Luca's defense. ”Conserve your stamina...”

”I-I'm okay,” Luca said between breaths. ”Just... a little... tired.”

I rolled my eyes at him. Then I swung my falchion over his bent form and slashed at another grey clothed soldier who was aiming for him with a very spiky mace.

The Magesong visere pulled away just in time to not get cut in half by my shadowblade which I knew he would as I hadn't swung at full speed. I hadn't forgotten my promise not to kill humans if I could help it.

I grabbed Luca's arm and pulled him back. Then I pushed him into the encirclement of Foolhardies and said, ”Enna, watch him for me, will you!”

”Dean, I can—”

”Stay there and rest Luca!” I interrupted whatever excuse he was planning to give. ”Rest and recharge. We've got this.”

I wasn't nearly as confident with my declaration as I vocalized but Luca didn't need to know that. Besides, we weren't doing so bad despite being in the proverbial eye of the storm.

Ashley's unit had broken through along with Varda's magicians. Qwipps' Talons were right behind them. And now that we were all together, I had everyone form a third encirclement around the first two that Thom created.

”Triple line formation now!” I gave them orders from my new position in the rear. ”Stand ready!”

This variation of the standard triple line formation we drilled into our bodies was an effective way to attack and push outward against the enemies currently surrounding us. For as Sun Tzu said, Invincibility lies in the defense; the possibility of victory in the attack .

”First-line, forward!” I yelled.

The first line, comprised of melee-oriented dwarves, elves, humans, launched a coordinated attack at the enemy with the new bronze tier halberds we provided them with. When these guys grew tired, they switched places with the middle line which now comprised solely of Ashley's shield squad, the largest group in the Foolhardies.

”Keep them back, second-line!” I commanded.

Ashley's squad had two jobs. Hold the enemy back while pushing the line forward inch by inch. Once they created enough room, the third group, Thom's katana-wielding drow pushed through the newly vacant space at the front to hack and slash at the enemy in typical drow furious fashion.