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Notes ordinary crossbowman

Author:
  Aspio

The bowstring tighten until it stops. The edge of the metal bolt gleaming in the rays of the sun. The sweat beaded on the body, the neck, the hair, but the focus stone wall didn't give up - but rather exacerbated every part of the subconscious, making us think only of the goal and achieving it. The world blurred together, creating a feeling of detachment, and eyes focused on the goal.
Crossbow, loading by weight, hung on muscular hands, but the soldier tightly gripped on to it for convenience, put to one knee for stability. Closing his left eye, he glanced from the boom - and away - on the target. Finger holding the trigger, began to tremble, but immediately took it tight. The world stood in silence.
Seconds turned into hours, the trigger is slowly but surely approaching the only purpose for which it was intended - to let hungry the tip of an arrow at a target off the chain mad dog.
At the same moment he pulled the trigger deadly needles, sharpened as a murder weapon. Heard the characteristic, for nothing like the snap of a bowstring and the whole crossbow shuddered from the impact, and the arrow flew, slicing through the haze of doubt that had accumulated between the person and his goal. Deadly buzz lightning bolt is its flight ended with a powerful shudder, when the arrow confidently stuck in a wooden plate in the shape of a circle as the target. And stuck it there, where it was depicted in the center of the circle red icon. It was an absolute win!
Standing near a small crowd exploded with cheers and loud applause. The man stood on a sand circle gathered around him other hands, some holding bows, some slings, others spears and swords.
Actually all they trained for the upcoming battle. The group stood on the platform with special facilities for daily training - above the tee, straw stuffed, reminding people of different logs and obstacles to overcome, obviously.
The barracks is just a small part of the castle, in which dwelt not only the group, but a good two hundred other residents, including the guards and other warriors, and the Lord with his entourage. The castle had many houses, stables, and various public buildings: the Church, several chapels, a Cathedral.
The castle was preparing for the battle ahead - the Arab invaders from a neighboring Kingdom decided to capture the castle - but not a pile of stones, nicely laid upon each other - there were more than seventy thousand gold coins and well-trained armed units of the Arab archers, joined because of high salaries for mercenaries. But it is the Arabs!
The areas adjacent to the citadel located near the gardens, the trees which are covered with juicy apples, pears and various other fruits. Pasture grazed cows, peacefully absorbing green grass, hunting cabin, bursting with bundles of fresh lamb and venison in one sitting sawing solid pieces of meat hunters, at the entrance of the other was sitting obediently loyal dogs, the other dragged his tribute to the barns of the citadel. But everything is so peaceful and beautiful - can be taken down by merciless Arabs! And all this, of course, understood.

Outside of the castle were assembled teams of European pikemen, spearmen and infantry with clubs. At the Barbican with huge metal bars stood a few people, next to them were bows, arrows, crossbows and melee weapons - once a group of people came outside the fortified citadel, they were given the weapons, specialty conformed to the risen soldiers. A group of swordsmen arranged a training session at the castle walls - they deftly parried the blows allegedly their enemies and themselves did the unexpected attacks. The archers sat around campfires, divorced opposite open Barbican, they nakalevu arrowheads, at the stake prepared delicious-smelling stew in cast iron pots, white smoke thick pole raised high blue cloudless skies.
From the castle there were about thirty engineers and twice as many human slaves without a hint though on some armor; all the clothes were only pants from a dusty burlap - torsos were naked. Hungry, thin and a bit retarded, they carried torches and Cherkasy - flints and pieces of birch bark for kindling the fire.
Two mounted knights accompanied putted the oppressed captives. All the soldiers turned in their direction. In the eyes of some were full of pity and regret, in other contempt and Schadenfreude, but nobody uttered a sound. Slaves slowly silently and resignedly walked, kicking feet deep and sticky sand, stumbled and walked. Behind slowly trudged two armed rider on the proud black horses.
Slaves were farther along a high gear, stacked stone walls. The sun was still glaring thin, but straight back sixty slaves.

The castle hosted the training. All workshops were open - artisans out of saving the shadow of his workshop and went over the materials for weapons and armor. Some, more cautious masters already completed the ready bows and swords or carried in the Armory of the castle. Provisions, principlesa in the barn, collected and piled in carts drawn by oxen and sent them straight to organized groups of soldiers. The food was really rich and diverse basket of apples, fresh meat venison or lamb, cheese, freshly baked bread, delivered straight from the hot bakeries, rich ale, splashing in wooden barrels that rolled in restaurants, and the army. The nearest Church was released a few priests with staves, accompanied by two pikemen. The priests were dressed in wide patterned shrouds. They also went to the Barbican to bless the warriors to win.
From the nearest tavern fell out drunk, and behind him came seven men dressed in black robes with spacious deep hoods people. One of them was holding a naked blade, the second was tucked away in a scabbard that hung inseparable pair on the back.
The drunkard decided that arguing is just a more expensive - and headed for the alley that is located between the Inn and the stables, which were eagerly perceptibility thoroughbred horses awaiting its release in battle.
Despite upcoming events, women and children gathered in the Park where a variety of flowers in the flower beds fragrant and full of different colors - from red to deep-blue like a sapphire. All the people gathered at the memorials and monuments located in this Park and personifying victory, and hope.
Those people in the hoods went on a well-trodden road leading to the main building of the citadel, in which lived the owner of all of the above.

***

The Lord stood on the balcony. His face was confident and proud. Sharp eye, he was looking far expanses of the desert, and beneath it lies a swarming anthill is his citadel - someone was in a hurry, somewhere sat and goofed around, someone was arguing. But the Lord loved his people, his subjects, soldiers, and their Kingdom. Therefore, he was not afraid to engage in battle with the bloodthirsty Arabs.
His clothing was a spacious linen shirt with gold patterns, floors which cuts down on the sides and to the thighs. High boots real leather reached to the knees. The turban on his head red hard sat like a crown.
At the door of his chambers knocked. He stood, glanced around again I could see and went into his room to the wooden door.
But it swung open itself and to the room, treading softly, revealing a short sword became the parents of seven men in black robes with hoods, their faces were not visible.
"Sir, everything is ready. The army assembled and all waiting for you. We have about twenty-fire ballistae, two hundred archers, fifty crossbowmen, well-trained pikemen and swordsmen in the amount of one hundred fifty people wait until the inside of the castle. Sixty slaves allotted to the backyard of the castle and will be ready as a major blow to the role of boards. All ready to go.
- It is very good that you reacted quickly, all counted and reported to me. I immediately take the best horse and will go out immediately to a Parking lot army. And you, how many of you, honourable asasin? You can really help me.
- We are about thirty, but will leave those who are before you now. And seventy-Arab archers are about to go into the General mass of the army.
- Well. You will be asked to stay with me. And then charge all the Arabs who join us, will be raised.
The Lord walked over to the wall hooks and removed the leather armor and long sword smite the unfaithful. Her he put it in the scabbard that hung on the belt, and the armor pulled over the shirt.

Asasin and the Lord went out of the chambers, slamming the door behind him.

***

The Herald finished his speech in front of a huge army standing at the bottom. Then he disappeared on the roof of the Barbican, and going downstairs to the fortress. Army howled with glee and with their commanders began to form into organized groups.
Archers and crossbowmen were mixed and moved to the forefront, intended for launch on a two-hour March through the hot desert.
Swordsmen, pikemen, bulloney - divided on the troops and also came out on the position. Slaves again drove - this time to everyone else. Engineers were at the head of large wagons with provisions and carrying a wooden fire ballista. Cavalry came from the castle through the same Barbican - and there were knights, and archers. At the last moment came seven Assenov - and behind them was the Lord on the white horse. Cheers rained down from everywhere and to the feet of Lord and Assenov showered flowers on walls for good luck.
Lord walked proudly to his army, and it howled as one. Asasin not for a moment did not depart from his patron.
- So, we will iznichtozhit the evil that will hang on our Kingdom! Our citadel lived, lives and will live! Arab invaders in his greed will destroy everything Holy and good for the glitter of gold. But I respect them for what they want to regain their fellows. But they didn't want to join us! So we're not going to wait until the citadel is not exposed to a siege! Forward!
And all this mass, like one huge shaft slowly, but quickening the pace, hit the road, the sand rose up, the sun scorched and fried their children - the desert and the people.

And the arbalester was in the seventh row, fifth person from all the shooters. His name was Cyrus, and in the diary found in the dried up corpse in the wilderness, we read the following texts telling about the outcome of the entire battle.

***

"So we made. All are worried and I am too. I think only our right honourable the Lord is not worried and my cavalry asaminami. Crossbow my incessantly hanging on the back, a short dagger hits the thigh in a sheath on his belt, a leather tunic and headband on your head from the sun - that's all for right now.
I went from my little space I could see only the diverse faces of his fellow noticed how sullen and frowning and joyful and radiating hope. Eyes almost were all cringing from flying in the eyes of the sand. But the rush of many feet roar echoed in his ears. 
And so we marched for a long time, without interruption for halts.

After approximately two hours the commanders and the Lord stopped and the commander loud deep bass shouted:
- Wait!
Near everything slowed down and then stopped a step. The sand slowly settled on the ground, on his feet - a deathly silence pierced the sharp cough of several soldiers in the lungs were the smallest grains of sand.
- Now! This is the place where we will meet or victory, or death! But I hope for the best! Start preparing!
Lord summoned the commanders and myself got off the horse. Obviously, they talked about the plan of action and maneuver. Began to hear short sharp orders and commands from oxen untied ballista and engineers rushed. Slaves drove now to the most advanced position - they were given shovels and they started to dig and create on the perimeter of the sandy ramparts. Swordsmen, pikemen and bulloney took up positions behind the ramparts.
I decided to look around. Everywhere the desert and sand dunes. In the side opposite the sandy ramparts, the land was slowly rising, and the horizon was closed by a high hill. The sun is slightly shifted down and now was blinding our alleged enemies that should appear exactly behind the sand dune.

Preparations were in full swing. Engineers drove the ballista one row for shafts, swordsmen and all melee units located there. Arrows began to dig a small pit in the trenches. Lord and asasin passed a long strip of the alleged battle front, looking at everything and noticing every detail in the work of their subordinates.

Me and our team crossbowmen were forced to dig one big hole, a depth of only one meter form of the dugout. Five slaves brought us branches for camouflage - obviously, dragged all the way over there. Noise referring everything sand, the sound of shovels on soft sand, steps to the sand and the neighing of horses, coughing, tired sighs - all merged into a single calm before the storm...
Everything was ready. Swordsmen, pikemen and infantry with clubs lay, and from the position of their enemies just to be seen. The archers spread out a little behind for a small hillocks manually sand. slaves had disappeared - and obviously we will not see Them... will drive forward as a shield for our melee knights and everyone who fights hand to hand. Our group is in the dugout. She even had a roof made of dry twigs as a wicker basket. The cavalry waited behind. The Lord kept at a respectful distance with the same basename.
The sun already stood three metres from the sandy hill. The soldiers began to pass the food gave us each a wooden plate and put two apples, a loaf of bread, sliced cheese and roast a piece of meat. Each group of soldiers rolled up on a barrel of strong nourishing ale, huatusco.
All happily rejoiced. Lit bonfires. The Lord sent one asasina as the time for sandy shafts. It's like everyone forgot about the upcoming bloody battle. All feasted and sang. Even asasin, whose faces were covered with hoods, in the dark, their mouths smiling. In front of our dugout occupied by the same - and even further from the main camp. There too sat the crossbowmen. One of them came up with interesting fun similar to TIR - fifty meters, he put the beer mug and shot on it, competing with all your friends.
I also decided to try. Getting up, I headed to the dugout with a few more friends. When he reached their hideout, we jumped down, and came to the edge, where he was the arbalester.
- Want to try? - he asked with undisguised interest. I agreed. But first, come forward my friends. Both tried, and have not got. Then I picked up his precious crossbow. Going to the ledge on the edge, I tried on the eye the distance, he remembered the force of the recoil of the crossbow and stood slightly away from the edge. Behind the laughter arose and impatient Gaumont - going arrows from the two dugouts to see how I will beat this braggart and bully.
I took aim. The crossbow was weighing down on his hands. But I this time did not lose his concentration. The world just disappeared - sounds and other movement stopped for me to exist. The sun in my back and red lines wound through my shadow and lay down on goal.
Focusing, I slowly began to press the trigger. Suddenly for me the arrow flew from his lair, and, buzzing, flying a few inches from this lousy mug!
Laughter and contempt etched in my heart. I turned around and immediately received from his opponent's view, provides me another shot. At first I wanted to leave, I thought everyone forgot about the battle and await the enemy - but the Lord was unfazed and I feel even more excitement decided to try again. I turned fully back to the barrier and prepared. When the crossbow stopped twitching, I focused and slowly took a deep breath - my lungs filled with smoke from a fire, and I coughed. Tears gushed from his eyes, and I lost concentration, lowering the crossbow. This time nobody was laughing, and I turned on a second ago. They were choking with laughter. The sun touched its flame to the edge of the highest dune.
But in the Park I decided not to retreat. And the next time the crossbow has settled, I arrive just seconds, when the smoke didn't come to my side and breathed slowly, deeply. I was waiting for. And after a few seconds began to exhale the air through your nose as slowly. And when I finally took aim, trigger with my finger was activated and arrow, buzzing like a bumblebee flew. Heart sank. All sounds as if for a moment he calmed down, and the buzzing of my shaft was given a thousand such people, I listened and watched. And it is lightning knocked the unfortunate mug with all its frenzy.
I rejoiced silently. There was some Champ, if someone began to applaud. I turned around and knew immediately what had happened.

Thousands of arrows pierced our lightweight roof. Arrows with a hungry buzzing out of nowhere. Crossbowmen scattered, leaving on the ground a lot Vitkovice in the place where they just were, arrows, and about eight of the dead and wounded, pierced as cushions for needles companions. The rays of the sun a blood-red hue highlighted this coming hell. I raced out of the dugout. "Look I rushed to our main base is the Lord shouted, commanders flashed - and on the far slopes, like a palisade, rose silhouettes on the horizon.
The battle ensued. All archers for sand slides smoothly suppressed jumped out of nowhere, hungry and angry dogs trying to climb the sand wall. Melee warriors remained on the ground on the orders of their commanders. Dugouts were about ten, and almost each was attended by Arab archers, obeying our Lord. They coolly and quickly released one arrow after another, crossbowmen were slower due to prolonged stretching of the metal of the string - but, proslide the flight group such aptly put arrows, I was convinced that another dozen dogs less in this world.
I finally found a cover - slain by the arrow of the Archer fell somewhere ahead, obviously deciding to fulfill the role of suicide bombers ,despite the cries of the commanders. I looked at the engineers - those long spears stabbed to death fucking dogs, made his way through the shaft. Now it was my time to kill a couple of dozen dog. Pulling the string by a mechanical lever, I aimed it at the dog, torturing some swordsman, seems fallen asleep where he sat in the trenches. An arrow with a quiet hum broke through the dying screams, the hum of other arrows, shouts of commanders and pierced directly to the head persistent dog. I nodded my head and began to prepare the next shot.
My comrades in the dugout, too, were shot endless mass of wolves and called me but I shook her head. Need to help my comrades here, and not to hide from arrows. Destiny's still not leaving.
Silhouettes on a sand hill slowly began to descend, and they were followed by others. Lord and asasin took a few swordsmen and about twenty pikemen scraps of phrases, informed me, and talked about what we approaching enemy cavalry. I thought so too.
The remaining pikemen lay down that they could not see. Swordsmen stood long and dense wall went towards Arab horse archers, which are now already visible in the distance. Bulloney followed the swordsmen, but they had already been moved the remnants of European archers in the amount of one hundred people, I thought. 
Suddenly from somewhere ran Their slaves... drove horse knights... I felt genuine pity for them, but they ran ahead of all slim next - some customized, some caught Silesia arrows, swords and all who follow them quickened their pace and went on a run. The battle cry echoed throughout the district. The sun was halfway out over the hill. Scarlet bloody sunset painted the sky and the earth. All crossbowmen stood up and rushed after the archers in the battle. Fire ballista began to propose with the help of oxen. Lord with his constant retinue followed his soldiers. Archers standing behind the knights could attack while they were - even though it reduced the accuracy - but most of the arrows reached their goal. All in motion and like two deadly waves now face to fate. War cry echoed across the desert. I went after the others. It seems that our Lord has forgotten about us - but with us it was the commander who has collected all crossbowmen and led him to the left flank. All the Arab archers, who served our Lord, went to the right flank and lined up in long rows, Luke cook. We loaded crossbows on the go. Knights and pikemen with bulawanong also began to shake militant arms. European archers crouched behind and, as they walked, preparing for a barrage of gunfire.
Warriors of the Arabs on the contrary were already very visible on black horses, with swords unsheathed and bows, charged arrows with metal tips. Behind them was moving slowly, but surely, Arab warriors with scimitars and large shields, chain mail and helmets. Each had an assistant - Arab, who helped the soldier to carry another scimitar and armor. This Arab could safely attack from a sling.

And finally forces collided in a single, but a hostile impulse. Our group gave its first salvo at the enemy cavalry. Fell from about twenty horses - the same amount of arrows stuck in the rollers and they recklessly threw himself back against the will of the owner. Those who joined the battle yelled something in Arabic and attacked long swords, at full gallop knocking our knights colliding at the pikemen with long halberds with hooks for throwing the opponent off his horse. It was a really good maneuver. Our Arab and European archers poured fire on the enemy horse archers - and those are them. I, in turn, with his friends consistently attacked athansios that have switched to running. There were many of them. They fell from our arrows. From my arrows. From knife wounds sustained in the melee, when the first reached our knights and all those who fought near. Behind all this as if from nowhere appeared bisterpyridine units of foot archers of the enemy. Their arrows were piercing, loud buzzing, our soldiers and shooters. Fortunately, in our group there have been no losses.
Suddenly a stream of arrows covered the right flank of the knights and Arab archers, killing most of the shooters, like ants because they didn't even have shields! Wave of arrows, not stopping, has started along the right flank, moving to the center. Costs are negligible, except only European shooters without armor and shields. And from the center of the stream slowly drifted to the left flank...

We realized it too late. Ten of our shooters were pricked, like a cactus, behind which we hid afterwards. We were defeated... But the Lord did not retreat, but rather penetrate into the ranks of the Arab athansios and his long sword was cut and chopped and stabbed the infidels. Asasin always been close. Swordsmen and pikemen distributed his power and was operating on the flanks and in the center were bulloney, crushing enemy skulls, breaking arms and legs.
Blood was pouring everywhere the river. Slaves hacked to pieces at the approach of the main forces, but they managed to throw the torches on their enemies, and many caught fire neptuneman flame. Groans and choking howls were the cause of how fiercely assailed as Arabs, so do we. The air cut through the screams as the dying and wounded, and rushed in the heat of battle. I've seen a lot of details - Archer, trapped, desperate to defeat drew a short dagger and stabbed into the throat of the closest thandika, who at this moment raised the sword. Howl, he let out a gurgling sound and fell to the ground - in its place stood twice as many enemies. Archer roared and began spinning in place, once in the ring. From his eyes came the tears - he thrust the dagger at the nearest warrior-Arab - but did not draw back the hand of her he did not and the stump is left in its place evidence. Archer began to sob and tears spilled anger and despair. His bloody remains, I did not look out, but my arrow sank into the head of thandika, cut the hand of the man. Hodgepodge was not allowed to assess the situation fully. I saw the Lord and Assenov, evenly destroying Arabs and skillfully managed with their weapons. The hail of arrows was reduced in eyes with both sides. Our group arrived in time to protect and cover the engineers with ballista - but not all - and only five wooden fixtures. We had the best position and therefore, all field artillery ballista and accurate archers sought here. The cavalry attacked from the left flank. Our cavalry. Young horses have helped their owners - on the run stamped out a lot of enemy soldiers, turning them into a bloody mess. The smell of metal and blood overshadowed my mind and I swayed. Cutting the ears and nerves clang of metal, screams, buzzes, moans and cries for help, my brain find it difficult to accept it. The majority of our crossbowmen remained with us, and the same positions devoted to their commander. Those who ran out of arrows, rushed, Baring short swords at the enemy, others fled disgracefully ago, although some managed to return. All our archers killed, and left about a dozen of them. Pikemen and swordsmen acted cohesively and pushed at the Arabs from all sides, taking this huge mass of warriors in the ring. Bulloney crushing in the center of the enemy and slightly deepened further than the others. Fire ballista finally work properly - in the depths of the enemy Horde flew great, like spears, flaming arrows, prihodiashie as one, and a few Arabs in one shot. Individual sections of the entire Arab army burst into flames - burned branches and people.
It seems that the efforts of our troops, the enemy is thinned out and his morale dropped - some Arabs gave up and moved to the side of our troops. But the Lord did not spare anyone - as soon as he was let down new captives, he destroyed them in the name of all that is good and bright. The enemy surrendered, but did not cease to fight. The clatter of many hooves muted screams - the cavalry on the approach for a decisive blow!

But to help us not... From the right wing in a frenzy struck numerous group of Arab horsemen with swords. I decided that our knights and all those who are not riding came to an end. But I was wrong. The squad, selected by the Lord in the beginning, and is composed of pikemen and a few swordsmen quickly popped out of nowhere and cut access to the frontal attack on athansios, cutting off the path of the cavalry. Thus, we are back in pole position. One thing bothered me - as a detachment of seventy professionally trained Arab archers could just die... the Desperate cries of my close friend got me out of my reverie.
- Look out! Behind you! - I'm in the dark twilight saw all of our arrows scattered, and quickly turned around.
It's the last thing I saw.

***

Dead bodies and blood, the smell of decaying meat, metal, gleaming in the evening sun, the quiet pontaniana and crackling...
Crack!?
I opened with an incredible effort of will eyes. Glanced at the blue sky, partly in colour a reddish tint. The body did not hurt, but that head... I Turned to see... I sat down. And looked around.
Everywhere, as far as he could see, lay the corpses. The bodies of many soldiers. In some protruded spears and arrows, others were just chopped. Desert sand turned into a desert of blood. A little further away I saw the fire... Yes! Eyes never fail me! I went crawling to him, stretched his whole body and I felt myself falling. A sharp pain pierced her side. I looked at the ragged tunic and dried blood on the side. And only then I felt that I was breathing heavier than ever. Seems to hurt. But there is no other way to go is better than to wallow in its death throes.
And I stood up. Stand really easier. And I went to a lonely fire. Is all the same who can be there - fatigue and wounds defines me.
I got and somehow fell to the ground. Anyone. In the eyes dimmed, and again returned to the normal state. Suddenly, next moved the corpse - " as I looked at him and saw... Lord! He died... But was able to say:
- Look, I can't talk... I know it's dying and I need someone to instruct to send a message to my son, who lives very far away... I beg you to listen to me... My asasin's dead... I saw it... but that's where the fire!? I never saw! You divorced? By the way how...
There came the scrape and to the fire came six: arbalester, asasin, Archer, wounded knight, pikeman and a slave that looked much fresher the rest of his peers.
- Oh! And here is Cyrus! - proclaimed the arbalester - I was just looking for your corpse to bury, but you were alive! Thank heavens! That's just our Lord's dying... And nobody can do anything about... Only reduce pain and suffering.
Indeed, the Lord was imposed a lot of bandages scraps from dirty shirts.
- You must be want to know what happened? When you turned on us cavalry rushed to the aid of us. Just sat there the assassins - about twenty people. They demolished and you, and several of our - stunned, to say casually. They infiltrated the enemy lines and done in the mass of the enemy through the gap. Thus, almost all Taganskiy were killed. But the Arab archers, who served us, betrayed his oath and moved to the side of our enemies. And was almost killed all the knights and pikemen, and talk about our crossbowmen. I and everyone here was ready to go to the Lord, as those asasin, who came and cut all the Arabs come to the Lord. In my opinion between those who were on the battle itself and those who came at the end of a dispute broke out - but such that they are severing their counterparts, but this is the arbalester pointed to the last asasina - defend Lord to the last. Oh no! You have a laceration on the side! Oh no... She seems deadly... Why didn't you say so?
I did not know what to answer... I saw how the Lord sanctified me glorious smile and I was plunged into darkness..."

***

Further, in the diary of many a tattered sheets that explains exactly how the last of the survivors from reaching their home with the help of a servant who knows the way. The last phrase reveals to us what crossbowman Kira took with him to the citadel, and the diary left buried along with the corpse of a majestic Lord as a sign of deference.

Category: My articles | Added by: SkynetSp (31.07.2015)
Views: 612 | Rating: 0.0/0
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