Just as the Gube soldiers were binding the surrendered men and securing their captured ground, the wind shifted and with it came the distant rumble of hooves.
At first, it was faint. Then clearer. Then unmistakable.
A battle cry split the smoky air:
"For Nixel! Push forward!"
Prince Edward surged in from the western side, leading a fresh wave of cavalry and infantry, their banners snapping violently in the wind. The surprise of the reinforcements struck like lightning.
The Gube soldiers barely had time to reform before the front ranks were smashed by the weight of Edward's cavalry.
Colonel Simon, bloodied and bound, raised his head sharply at the familiar voice.
"That's His Highness!" one of his men cried, and the broken spirits of the captured soldiers flickered with hope.
Without hesitation, several of the Nixel men who had surrendered surged up, grabbing weapons off the fallen, wrestling away blades from surprised Gube guards.
