The Ballad of Bradicles

Forward came the Hoplites. Slowly but surely creeping forward. “Now!” yelled Bradicles to the trumpeter. With that, the trumpeter blasted out some notes and slingers came forward, out of the woods and unto the plains, timing themselves perfectly to align on the exposed flanks of the Hoplites. They threw their stones and opened up the enemy formation.

“ Forward the pike!” and again, the trumpeter blew. The pikemen, a look of grim determination moved forward and then as one leveled their pikes. Forward they thrust but only to be thrust back themselves in disorder.

Charge! blew the trumpet and the cavalry moved forward, a slow walk at first. Then a trot, finally a cantor, each riders knee brushing against his companions knee in magnificent close order. Finally with the exacting precision down came the Xystons!

But no! Up came the spears of the Hoplites as the enemy braced for impact. A few Hoplites went down, their formation disordered but the cavalry, oh the cavalry! Down went horse and rider until only two stood.

Eeyoricles was stunned to be alive. He took off his helmet and looked across the battlefield strewn with the dead of his own men. Only the slingers still lived. He saw his brother sit down on a blasted tree stump and take his own helmet off, then shrug off his cuirass. He then stretched out his perfectly formed legs and crossed them, then crossed his arms as well and bowed his head, as if in deep thought. After awhile he looked up and spoke.

“I think brother that we should re-consider the composition of this army.”  He looked at the enemy Hoplites still occupying the battlefield and then at the elephant that had long since departed. “Yes, I think some changes are in order.”  He paused, “ For truly, we have suffered the wrath of the gods this day.”

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