Harran is placed against a tree. One of the men who is guarding him pressedhis ear into Harran chest, listening at the rate his heartbeat. His breathing and beating are very weak. Harran is in critical condition due to an arrow wound to his front shoulder. Removing it now would be no different than killing him.
Their position is at the very rear of the combat column. Away from the ensuing battle in the front.
"Is he dead? We don't have viper flesh," one of the man check Harran condition by himself.
The man besides him states based on his previous experience. "See brother, it can't be helped. Harran is very tough to endure this long. At least we are near when he breathed his last."
Viper flesh is considered to be the most effective treatment against the viper venom malady itself. The same principle also apply to other snakes since they are obviously immune to the effect of own-bite. A medicine term known as tiryaq. Mithridates VI from the Kingdom of Pontus advanced knowledge of anti-venom considerably.
As a young king, Mithridates of Eupator was said to be fearful of being poisoned by his own mother, Laodice VI. Influenced by a Scythian shaman known as Agari, he injected himself with various snake venoms. By his old age, he even become immune to the effects of arsenic.
"My brother, how did you become so knowledgeable on the herbs?" one of the man expressed his admiration.
"Nothing special, the secret is already in our blood. We are the descendants of Agari after all. To be honest, i think i'm not fit to hold the spear anymore ...," the man speak of his intention after this battle ends.
"It's fine as long as you contribute to the Ak Y--, hey do you see!?" the man is shocked when seeing Harran's lips suddenly moves.
Clash!
The fierce battle between Iltas's forces and Okular's rages on. Iltas and Yami gallop towards their enemies for the second time, reinforced by the Ak Yays, who jump and run from behind the trees and bushes. They strike at the foes even before the two swordmasters could.
White snow at the Siberian autumn. The white and slightly-brownish soils has been turned into red.
"Push them back! They shall pay for killing our loved ones," Iltas shouting while swinging his sword's.
"Yes Great Leader," the Ak Yays want to avenge their Chieftain.
Iltas bear the forefront of the fighting. Slowly, alongside the Ak Yays, pierce the middle of enemy's vanguard.
"Impossible we outnumber them. How can th--," Okular murmured to himself after seeing his sword broken. He only have his shield's.
"Surrender and i will pardon all of you," Iltas impend at the enemy's leader position.
"Nonsense, you rape Tiki!" Okular prepare to unhorse Iltas himself. He take one of his subordinate's spear forcefully.
"No listen to our plead Leader. What happened to your little sisters is regrettable, however we must retreat. Many of us are dying," an old man named Quyqin advised him.
"Chk, perhaps tho--." Okular is speechless when their foes suddenly maintain their distances.
Iltas order his men to retreat once more. Okular and Quyqin were baffled by the enemy decision.
"Hahaha cowards! Come and chase us," Quyqin hurl mockery. He command the melee unit at the rear.
The rear guard of the Koryak start their war dancing. Many of the Ak Yays were eager to immediately pursue but Iltas enforce the drill. They lack ranged weapon to harass as most of Adam horse archers already perished.
Quyqin buying time for their brethrens in the middle and front. Iltas still did not provoked by such taunt.
"Did he hide his warriors among the bushes. I did not seen them since i fought at the very front. They are already battered but where are the Yak Cavalry?" Iltas mutter while resuming his feign retreat.
"Why the Great Leader cease our fighting? We almost win," Yami are baffled by Iltas decision. He did not know that one of the enemy's leader are Tiki older brother.
"As you said earlier, we almost but not already won. What we must secure is victory." Yami nod after hearing Iltas answers.
Both sides are retreating into different directions. Okular split his unit into three smaller groups. Each of them takes a different path as they explore the unburned part of The Forest of Remembrance. They remain wary of any possible traps.
"Not interested eh? What a peculiar way of fighting. Everyone from Wild Jurchen would take the bait. They have such a strong bond with the horse unlike us with the yak, then there's unit th--," said Okular to himself.
Thwack!
"One of our group is ambushed leader!" one of his scouts drop from the pine tree.
"Pick up the pace then," Okular hasten his retreat. Leaving Quyqin and Kurava to face their adversity.
Tughluq aim his spares axe's at the old man at center. He succesfully has slain one of the enemy's leader, Quyqin. Kilat did not want to be defeated by his nephew. Five skirmishers have been struck by the heel of his weapon's.
An enemy skirmisher climb a big rock nearby. He grab rocks for his slings. Aiming at the head of Kilat horse's.
"Watch out!" Arpad throw a javelin before he can loose the rock.
Arpad continue to support the two axe bearers as the javelinman. Throwing javelins with his healthy hand. It took no time for him to almost exhaust his javelin stocks. Arpad is also struggle to keep up with the two. Tughluq and Kilat moves deeper in the enemy's column.
"I only have three javelin left. Let us retreat!" Arpad give the signals.
"Tughluq it's time," Kilat piroutte his horse.
"They are not breaking yet," Tughluq trot his steed forwards.
"Avenge our leader!" the skirmishers shout continously. The three of them could vaguely understand the sentences meaning.
The enemies' moral is climbing despite the ratio of casualties. Determined to avenge their chieftain. Tughluq is isolated from the two. His companion's is fallen to the ground. The horse body is full of wound from enemies blow.
"You have serve me well," Tughluq jump from his horse's. Hack one of his enemy while in the air and land smoothly into the ground.
"Insolence!" the numerous enemies are surrounding him from all sides.
Dash!
A javelin hit the person who tried to attack Tughluq from behind. The axe's bearer refuse to retreat to the rear. He hacked his way out from the left side. Kilat also help him by stroking the enemy at his front once more. Two more javelins flew rapdily through the air. Hitting it's intended target, his skill on spear throwing is at full display.
"Why so reckless!" Arpad shout at Tughluq. He rode on the back of same horse.
"Look at the blood on your waist and shoulder," Kilat point out at his wounds.
"It's not a deep cut, the thick gambeson's stop most of the thrusting." Tughluq start to bandage his wound.
"Enough my nephew, let us retreat to Dilara. Your wounds need to be checked further. What if your kidney got damaged?" Kilat explained.
"Did Father already retreated?" Tughluq look back once more. Layla smiles suddenly show up in his mind. He comply with his Uncle suggestion.
Iltas's forces are tailing the movement of two enemy groups in the different part of the forest. Preparing to ambush one of them near the stream of water. The Ak Yay stragglers suddenly filled with joy after seeing that Adam are still alive. Protected by dozens of his clansmen. Their horses, however, are all dead.
"We could not perform cavalry charge," Iltas mutter.
"Great Leader why you come here!?" Adam is shocked.
"Shh be quite, no time for celebration. Adam could you and your man strike them at back," Iltas gazes at his wounded body. Some part of his gambeson have wide black marks. He got hit by a large burning tree branches.
"Easy but may i have your attention Great Leader. I must bring this sad news to your family," Adam ask one more thing before his sortie.
Two of the militia bring a covered body in the hasty crafted planks. Iltas uncovered only the face.
"Could all of you at least close his eyes. May God forgive our ignorance ...," Iltas weep as he try to close Dahlan eyes.
The enemies footsteps become louder. Adam immediately prepare the Ak Yays to block their path. Iltas and Yami freed their horses. The companions could be retrieved later, roaming mounds of snow outside the forest. Both of them will attack on foot with the rest of the militias.