The fiery bombs hit the ground and exploded into engulfing walls of explosive flame that spread out along the ground with a vengeance. Flames licked around the edges of the tightly pressed together shields and I was grateful for the leather grips by which I held onto the shield, as the shield heated up from the outside exposure to the flames of the fire bombs.
We were gasping for breath within moments as all the air seemed to have disappeared and we were left with only smoke to suck in. The strength of the fire died down after several minutes of intense burning.
Coughing hard I gave the order to drop shields and it was with relief that we dropped the heavy burdens we had fought so hard to hold onto. It was a relief as real as drinking cold water on a hot day to feel and breathe the cooler air that rushed in around us when we dropped our shields as well.
There were still fires here and there across the breadth of the battlefield, but it was clear enough from smoke now to clearly see the depth of the carnage we had caused. Thousands upon thousands of the enemy lay dead and scorched all around us. Counting out in my head I could see that six of the ten formations had made it through as we had and while I mourned the four who hadn't I was also glad to see how many had made it.
The enemy line was drawn all the way back to the bend in the pass, where they gazed in shock at the grizzly fate of their brethren before them. A dark hooded figure on top of a black stallion was riding up and down the disorganized line of the shocked enemy. He appeared to be screaming at them and then I saw him lean out of the saddle and lop the head off of what looked to have been a field commander.
I knew who the black robed figure was and I quickly shouted out as loud as I could banking heavily on Marfoul's obsessive arrogance and hatred of me to instigate further rashness on the enemy's part.
"Who's given us the victory?" I yelled at the top of my lungs.
My voice carried well down and up the pass, as it echoed off the steep rocky sides.
Without any apparent hesitation those around me and in the other six groups belted out, "The Lord God Jehovah!"
I drew my sword out and clanged the flat side of it repeatedly off of the shield at my feet in a regular cadence of ringing metal that was quickly picked up by the rest of the warriors.