13
The image of what had happened now started to become more clear. I had only been unconscious for a short period of time. The line that had been formed to take on the enemy charge had only been a fraction of our army. The formation had been destroyed, and I was lucky to be alive - having not been trampled by the hooves of the enemy cavalry. I tried to make my way through the snow towards the others, but the snow was deeper here, and my progress was slow. And then I saw the light again. This time there were no doubts as to what it came from. From a distance, I saw the light draw closer to the formation ahead, and another row of horsemen appeared. They approached so rapidly that the men had no chance of preparing themselves for the charge. I heard the sounds of broken lances and metal towards metal, but it was soon drowned in the sounds of pain of dying infantrymen. Then the line of cavalry that had swept away my own formation crashed into the pinned formation from the other direction. Turning away from the battle, I realized that I had failed them all. Had I reported about the light, the men would have been able to prepare themselves. Had I not fled from the first line they might have been able to hold the first charge too. And so I realized I wouldn't be able to return home until my honor had been restored. Trying to sneak away from the enemy through the snow storm - it was a lot easier than I thought as denser and denser fog drifted in from the west - I prepared myself for this oddyssey. I dropped the remnants of my shield but grasped the sword more firmly. I would not return home until my honor had been restored.
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