//------------------------------// // The Scouting of White River // Story: The Battle of White River // by Damaskus Seraph //------------------------------// The scouts and cavalry skirmishers of the human crusading army continues its patrols ahead of the main group. Searching for a suitable campsite they can fortify and wait for the rest of the crusading armies to begin their trek into this equestrian land. Their force is merely a vanguard, a force to set up a safe location for all the groups to meet in the field before marching onward to victory. But for now the scouts have one objective. Find flat land near water. And so they continue riding. Using the dense trees to shield themselves from the flying horses that think they are unnoticeable in their moving clouds. If only some of the scouts were allowed the arquebus' then they'd scare them off. But they'd also reveal their own positions, So the scout leaders order silence among the scouts unless its an emergency. Within the hour, the front most scouts report back, a large clearing has been spotting near a river. With the only bridge across it on the way. The clearing is very flat and has the forest close enough to provide wood for palisades, but not too close to hinder the expansion of a temporary fort. A perfect location. The scout leader quickly sends two riders back to report on their findings while taking his scouting party to the forestline and watch the skies. Trying to see if the flying horse scouts have a pattern where they can slip by and rush across the bridge to scout the other side, and hide in the, albeit thinner woods across the river. Within minutes of watching the horse scouts begin flying away and once out of sight the scouts charge out. Barreling towards the bridge while watching the skies. Hoping the scouts' replacements are a few minutes off. With each meter closer to the bridge feels like it takes years. But they rush onto the bridge unhindered, a rather sturdy bridge for a species that posses no opposable thumbs. The scouts do not ponder on how the bridge's construction was created, as they cross it at a breakneck pace, Their armor rattling as they attempt to hold onto what they can to cease its noise as much as possible. But soon they rush into the treeline and let their steeds, and their hearts to rest. Continuing to watch the skies yet seeing no moving clouds or colorful heads peeking out they assume they are safe. "Men, rest up for the next few minutes. After that we must hurry, An army could be close by. And we certainly dont want to be surrounded by those flying horses." The scout leader states, as he takes a swig from his waterskin and wipes the sweat from his head after taking his helmet off. He relishes the short rest, as he will not be able to while on this side of the river... ---------------------------------Meanwhile--------------------------------- The Royal guard scouts are spread too thin to scout on their own. So most are paired with a militia pegassus to both keep the experienced scouts in a longer rotation for rests, and to teach these pegassi about scouting in the field. A decision this guard scout dispises. Sitting upon a small cloud merely a few hoofs away from this babbling fool of a pegassus. Who refuses to cease bragging about his 'accomplishments' that, in his mind, make him as qualified as a scout as herself. "-and then while i was flying with the weather cloud i out of all my group spotted the timberwolf sneaking up on the earth pony farmers. I shouted at it and threw my trusty javelin at it and scared it off! I was basically a hero after tha-" "Will you shut your trap!" The Mare Guard yells to the stallion next to her. On the verge of tossing her helmet at him to knock his teeth out. "You've been yapping this entire time ive been with you about your imaginary accomplishments Were here to spot any of those humans who might try to cross the bridge!" "Their not imaginary! I did scare off a timberwolf!" The stallion shouts back, puffing up his chest in an idiotic attempt to seem more threatening. "Timberwolves don't even live in this part of Equestria!" "Y-yeah well this one must have wandered off!" "Look, shut your mouth, before i tell the captain to put you on latrine duty!" She yells at him. Silencing him for once. "That's what i thought "Hero"" She says sarcastically. The stallion grumbles under his breath while looking over the edge of the cloud, mentally thinking of comebacks that would have made him win the argument. Daydreaming about how he will single handedly lead the army to victory after the captain gets hit with an arrow and concedes command to him. But his fantasy is interrupted by noticing something move in the treeline below. A brown pony- No, a large pony steps up before retreating back into the treeline. "Hey i think-" "I dont care what you think. Just shut up and let me watch for the BOTH of us." "I saw something!" "You did? where?" She states, in a tone that conveys her distrust that he actually spotted something. "There! a large brown pony" He points to the spot where he spotted the pony but it is gone. "it must have gone behind the trees!" "Yeah suuuurree and i saw a flying human in the sky!" The mare says with sarcasm practically oozing from her statment. "Really! where!" "My god you are the village idiot." She facehooves before grabbing the cloud. "Thats it im calling it in early. Ill let someone else deal with you when we get back. Now help me push the cloud." The stallion glares at her before grabbing the cloud and flapping his wings along with her. Taking the cloud back to the army and pegassus cloud outpost. Grumbling under his breath that he did see something he takes one look behind me to spot a brown tail disappear on the treeline on this side of the river. Deciding that its probably just the wood and that maybe he is starting to see things instead of just lying about seeing things.... ---------------------------------Meanwhile--------------------------------- The Human scouting party continues their trek inwards. Keeping off the main path as the trees continue to thin out and they are forced to spread out wider and wider to avoid being easily spotted. Each man taking under one tree before moving to the next tree. Out of the seven man team, three continuously look at the sky. Alerting the others whenever a moving cloud or flying horse is spotted nearby. The frequency of which increases the further they go along. Logic dictating that their main army or camp is nearby. The scouts wishing to at least climb upon the nearby hill to get a vantage point before retreating back depending on what they see. They wait for the right oppertunity, As the hill is fully exposded with little large foliage and trees. Not to mention the sun is directly above them, making their armor and weapons shine in the sunlight when the come out of the safety of the shade. The scouts begin to 'dirty' their metal armor with mud and dirt, so that it wont be as reflective and give away their position. One scout wonders why they didnt do this earlier. The air watchers signal the rest to begin going up the hill. Three of them dismount their horses and begin to sneak their way up. keeping an eye out while the others watch the skies and their backs. Each bush providing some safety for the man inside and a bit of rest from the hot sun. But after a few seconds they continue upwards. Crouching down once they get closer to the top, then once they are about to crest the hill they lay on their bellies and crawl up. Looking over the hill to see a large column of ponies marching towards them on the dirt road. The area behind the equine army being flat plains with farmland in the distance. The scouts quickly memorize as much information as they can about the army. As well as noting about the cloud outpost attached by rope to a large wagon. As the army gets closer the scouts spot many Winged Horses heading in their direction, and forgo stealth in favor of getting back to their steeds as quickly as possible. Darting off the hill towards the treeline. The Winged horses, whom apparently did not see them quickly change course to go directly for them. a crossbow bolt striking the general area of the running scouts. While the remaining scouts on their horses begin untying the horses from the trees, and grabbing their shields to defend themselves. The scouts on foot quickly leap onto their horses and get them to gallop quickly. Darting forward as the Winged horses begin to fly out of their cloud resting spots and towards the scouts, causing the scouts to pray to god to protect them as they head onto the road to avoid having to weave through the trees. Each second the horses gallop towards the bridge the Flying horse get closer and closer. One scout even grabs his cross on his neck and loudly prays while looking behind him. Seeing a Flying horse mere metres away, holding a spear ready to stab into his horse to dismount him. But before the Equines could reach the Scouts, the winds change, And begin blowing in the direction of the pegassi, Causing them to be slowed by the wind. Making a few faulter and decide to land while a couple others attempt to fly diaginally or simply brute force their way forward. But all these cause the scouts to gain ground. And as the flying horses appear to lose ground the scouts all cheer while galloping over the brdige, Two shouting 'Deus Vult' repeatedly while another begins laughing as they gallop back to their side of the bridge. The Flying horses then cease their chase and return to their army. Much to the relief of the scouts. "DEUS VULT DEUS VULT DEUS VULT!!" The scouts chant out as they gallop past the treeline. Ready to deliver their findings..... ---------------------------------To be continued---------------------------------