Duncan pursued them, his men close behind, Seavig nearby as he led his men in a charge, too, the air filled with their victorious shouts. As the Pandesians tried to make it back to the safety of their stone barracks, to close the gate, Duncan reached the gate first, hacking down the soldiers who tried to yank it closed. He stabbed one in the gut, butted another in the face with the hilt of his sword, then kicked a third.

The Pandesians soon abandoned the idea of closing the gate and merely ran back for their barracks. Duncan searched for their commander, realizing he had to cut off the army’s head, and he spotted him amidst the crowd, decorated with Pandesian insignias.

Duncan cut his way through the ranks of soldiers, heading for him, until finally he reached him and forced him to face off with him. They stood opposite each other, each holding out his sword, while a space was cleared and a small crowd formed around them. Duncan could feel all the eyes upon them, and he knew their match would determine the outcome of this battle.

They each charged and fought viciously. This man was a far better fighter than the others, and Duncan was surprised at the strength and speed of his blows. Sparks flew as back and forth their swords met, neither able to gain an edge, driving each other from one end to the other. Here, finally, was an opponent whom Duncan could respect; he regretted not having him as a warrior of Escalon.

Finally, Duncan, losing strength, slipped; yet as he did, he found his opening. The leader raised his sword, and Duncan lunged forward and tackled him, driving his shoulder into the man’s stomach.

Duncan drove him down to the snow-covered ground, pinned him down, and drew his short sword, pressing it to his throat.

“YIELD!” Duncan commanded, as the crowd grew quiet, a lull in the fighting forming around them. “Yield, and be our prisoners, and I shall not kill you or your men!”

“Yield to you?” the man spat back. “You are no king! You are a mere slave of Escalon!”

“I shall not ask again,” Duncan warned darkly.

The commander blinked several times, gasping for breath, clearly realizing Duncan’s seriousness.

Finally, he nodded.

“WE YIELD!” he cried.

There came a great shout of victory amidst Duncan’s and Seavig’s men, as all the Pandesian soldiers, their backs to the wall, quickly laid down their arms, looking all too happy to accept the offer. None, clearly, had any heart left in the fight.

Duncan felt several strong hands clasp him on the back in admiration, as his men rushed forward and stripped the enemy of their swords and armor. One cheer after another rose, as his men all began to realize that they had achieved the impossible: Pandesia had been defeated. Esephus, one of the most important cities in Escalon, had been liberated.