we built this city on broken glass

He had never seen a power quite like Alexanders own before. That ability to turn the very hearts of men to his own cause and near shape that sway of battle was impressive to say the least. The stallion hardly capable of preventing those idle thoughts that brushed his mind of just how useful such a skill could prove to be in a variety of other situations. Were there limits to that power? There had to be and yet how many souls could the age-old Hunter capture in one go? Did the morality of the man he sought to compel matter in any sense? Was a dishonest, disloyal manner easier to sway then one sworn to his leader by free will? Those question, for now, were cast aside as Frost near reluctantly allowed his own sodden white form to slow into that walk as commanded. The equine affording his rider that trust then that such a lack of speed would not bring them undone. Alexander's shield effortlessly deflecting the Immortal's pike as Frost shifted in turn to allow the Hunter to face the man he spoke to with ease- demanding to know just where Xerxes had positioned himself on that field. That language foreign to his own ears and yet he had little doubt it would hold familiarity to Alex. As long as one of them understood it then surely that was all that mattered.

That sudden, invasive thought, seemed to spear into his mind with little to no warning. Frost so inadvertently having picked up upon the thoughts of one of Xerxes own men mere moments before that arrow aimed at his own limbs was unleashed. The equine hardly had that time to inform Alex of that incoming assault, that tightening muscle off his own figure the only signal he could afford the Hunter of that impending movement before the war horse near threw himself onto his hind legs. The sound of that arrow slicing the air and slamming into the tree behind seemed to echo even through that rain. Frost propelled himself back onto all fours before breaking into that canter, a moving target far more difficult to hit. A part of the stallion almost impressed at Alexander's simple skill at staying on in that moment. A lesser rider would surely have been unseated. Hmm, impressive. That Immortal turned to run to his own stallion then, untying the lanky chestnut stallion before launching himself onto its back and commanding it to his and Alexanders side. Xerxes voice at last breaking out across that field and thundering rain. Mud beginning to lace thickly up his legs with each strike off his hooves to the earth.

That challenge to come across that field was near suicidal, even Frost aware of that. Xerxes had a man on either side of him, one on that nervous little mare and that scout mounted on a buckskin stallion, plus Xerxes himself. Three men and horses against their two. Three stationary men with an open field and a clear shot at them for several hundred feet. They were outnumbered and out-positioned. At least for now. Frost's ears lacing backward in that frustration and yet, in this, the Alpha was content to yield that leadership to Alexander. This, after all, was what history so celebrated Alexander for. Leadership in times of war. If he was to follow any man- it might as well be history greatest. That sound of those arrows being notched from across the field saw one singular ear rotate, the hiss of those very arrows fired directly at them signal enough that Xerxes was going to attempt to force them to charge- else skewer them where that stood. Alexander's thoughts an onrush into his own mind then- that request for the use of those illusionary powers one the Hunter had never asked for before and it was far from a foolish plan.

That crack of lightning above illuminated that field for the briefest of moments before plunging it into darkness agian. Frost making use of that momentary daze that came from that sudden absence of light to force his affinity into effect. That illusionary version of Alexander and himself breaking away across that field in a bold, daring charge, an equally illusioned immortal on his chestnut horse following after them. As if Alexander truly had taken up that dare. Frost himself further encouraging that affinity to conceal himself and his rider, along with the immortal and the chestnut as they made a break for that tree line. How he despised those trees! Those narrow, confined spaces had a habit of crowding his mind as much as they did his body and yet he was hardly going to hesitate now. The sound of hooves beside him saw that chestnut stallion draw level with him. He looked almost familiar. Frost almost entirely certain he had met the stallion before. His thoughts briefly directed to the other animal.

"Shepherd?"

That sudden look of recognition at being called by name seemed to find the other horse then and yet, Frost so hardly had time to consider the other equine, his limbs propelling him ahead and and up, over those fallen branches. His form forced into a slower pace to avoid hitting those trees and low branches. That gallop shifted into a steady lope, his ears laced back once more in that displeasure at that tight confine and yet his attention remained largely upon keeping his illusions in place. Xerxes appearing mildly taken aback at what he believed was a genuine charge before the Persian notched an arrow in his own bow- firing it was a near deadly accuracy right into what would have been his own chest. The Persian clearly aiming to take out the horse and leave Alexander to be finished off at his leisure. How noble. Still- his attention remained on that illusion, making it appear as if he truly had been struck, his illusionary self proceeding to spout blood from his wounded chest, his limbs stumbling and yet remaining upright. His movement horribly hindered. That fake Alexander pushing him onward. Xerxes only appeared all the more proud of himself. Darius suddenly teleporting them forward, that black stallion appearing suddenly behind that illusionary pair mid-gallop. Xerxes sword slicing through what would have been Alexander's back and side. That- was a rather nasty battle tactic. Even Frost willing to admit that. Dishonourable- but deadly. Frost attempting to make it appear as if Alexander was truly injured in turn as he and Xerxes wheeled those horses to face one another. Darius sent lunging forward again to finish off that battle- that black Barb stallion racing across the ground beneath Xerxes urging.

"I forgot how fast Darius was."

That idle thought was offered to Alexander alone, the concealed pair almost having drawn level with the Persian now. Frost careful to adjust his pace and step with every touch of the Hunter's heels. The stallion willingly allowing Alexander to be his right eye, Shepherd and his rider still with them.

"We will need to act quickly, he's going to work out this is an illusion soon. His immortals still have their bows too"

He offered the thought simply enough, even if ALexander had likely considered it, Frost waiting for that next command.

FrosT