The Battle of Lothan

Nat fairly flew through the woods. His side burned intensly and he paused to redue his bandage. Suddenly, faint shouting reached Nat's ears. He instinctively nocked an arrow and half drew his bow. Pausing in a half-crouch, he scanned the area carefully before continuing forward at a cautious pace. Well it seemed as though his quarry had just jumped out of the frying pan into the fire. He studied the situation, having already become adapt at estimating numbers since joining the army. There appeared to be nearly 300 Siltinians attacking a village. The villagers appeared to be putting up a good fight but he knew that they would give way within the hour. Quickly rising to run back with the news something caught his eye on the horizon. Biting back an exclamation he dropped down again and resumed counting. He stopped at 1,000. Our only advantage is surprise. Nat thought to himself. Well it might be enough. Appears our quarry has taken refuge in the village. Or worse... Nat swiftly rose and sprinted off. He hadn't been traveling more than 5 minutes when he ran into Dyl.
"Siltinians!" Nat shouted, "They are raiding a village! We have to stop them!" Dyl immediately turned around and began racing back to relay the information to Lieutenant Stuntson and the 35th. Nat returned to the edge of the woods to survey the battle. The village would be inundated as soon as the main body arrived. There appeared to be 1,500 total give or take a hundred. It would be a tough fight but it might be do able. Surprise. That is what they were relying on. Suddenly a twig snapped behind Nat. Spinning around and nearly snarling, Nat jerked his sword from it's scabbard only to find the Lieutenant crouched there.
"You look quite fierce covered in that all that blood and mud," he commented grimly. Nat swiftly explained the situation.
"So I have concluded, Sir, that our only chance to save this village lies in striking their flank. If we attack directly from behind we will drive the Siltinians into the village and further endanger the villagers. If we divide our force into two groups the second group could delay the main body of Siltinians. Each force of about 300 could then concentrate on the main body from two different directions forcing them to split their forces and we could work in a pincer movement. But surprise it the key." Nat glanced at the Lieutenant worried he would disagree and pull back.
Stuntson nodded, "Yep you are right. That is a really good plan. How about this? We will attack the main force, and then you can lead a force against the troops directly against the village. If they haven't returned to aid the main body. As it is we will be outnumber 2 to 1 by the main force alone. So I don't want to divide our force until we have the main body reeling. Then you can take 200 men and attack the troops harrassing the village."
Nat's mouth dropped open, "Me? But I am a raw recruit! I don't know much about strategy and combat!"
"Well you sure have displayed some good tactical thinking just now. I am sure you will do fine. Besides you might make a good sergeant someday. Best to start improving your skills now."
The Lieutenant quickly hurried back into the forest, returning with his Sergeants. The 7 sergeants heard the plan and then rushed back to ready their men. "Ok Nat, when you are ready the 101st, and the 102nd will follow your lead. Blow this horn when you are ready to cut your way free and rescue the village, got it?"
"Yes, sir," Nathan replied, taking the horn. The 35th Battle Company assembled spreading its 7 attack companies out so they could all open fire at once.
"Nock arrows!" came the order. "Release!" shouted the lieutenant.
Nat released his arrow and watched as it buried itself in the armor of a mounted officer. "Draw swords! Charge!" shouted Stuntson. We came streaming out of the woods. The 101st and 102nd in the lead and center the rest of the companies falling into a spear head formation to pierce through the enemy ranks. Stuntson himself was at the point of the giant 600 man spearhead formation. Nat raced forward shouting with all the rest of his comrades.
The Siltinians managed to throw up a bristling wall of spears and as Nat bounded the last few steps, he swatted aside three spear heads moving in fast enough so that he slit one man's throat before the man could draw his sword. Battling another soldier fiercely, he realized that he was not as skilled with his sword as his opponent. Nat was being forced back and in desperation, whipped out his long knife, blocked the sword and tackled the soldier. He couldn't use his sword if he was wrestling with Nat. Nat slipped the knife through some grooves in the Siltinian's armor and then finished him. From then on Nat's tactic was to get in as close as possible with his sword so he could use his knife on the opponent.
Nat glanced up at the village, flames were rising from several of the thatched houses. Nat raised the horn to his lips and blew it. The horn reverberated around the valley and the 101st rallied around Nat. "To the village!" Nat roared. Killing an archer with three quick swings, Nat surged forward. He saw Gumbol, the cook, cutting down another swordsman (yes the company cook does fight), Jacen was handling a pair of spearmen with Dyl, Nat took down an axe man, then, working with Dyl and Jacen they began eliminating foes twice as fast. Cutting through the center of the main Siltinian force, Nat and the 101st burst through and rushed into the flank of the raiders raiding the village. They caught the raiders off guard temporarily but soon both sides were taking heavy losses. Gumbol took an arrow through the chest. He staggered on and continued to fight but Nat realized it was over for Gumbol. Dyl had a large gash on his forehead that bled profusely and a stab wound in the leg, Jacen alone seemed to be the only one who wasn't injured with more than a scratch. He was a very proficient swordsman already. Nat had just finished off another Siltinian when he heard a scream and glanced towards the makeshift palisade the villagers were defending. There were as many women there defending the palisade as men. Then he spotted the same dark woman he had been hunting. Only she was different. She was wearing decent clothes. That couldn't be the same woman. Just then a spear man thrust a spear at Nat and, distracted as he was, Nat was unable to do more than twist aside and watch as the spearhead seemed to follow his body. It was over. He would never see his mother again now. Never finish tracking that crazy girl. That was an odd thing to think...