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“Kaine sent his swift mounted archers out in a wide, flanking maneuver to the right. Their objective was to attack Vartan's bowmen at the rear of the infantry. At the same time, the heavy cavalry of the Royal Army was sent to engage Vartan's horsemen on the other side of the battlefield. This would prevent Vartan's cavalry from coming to the aid of the bowmen. Broecker led his knights into the attack, with Locke close behind. With lances lowered and riding full speed, the collision between the two masses of horsemen created a cacophony that resonated across the entire valley. In the initial stages of the encounter, Locke killed one man with the point of his lance, but the impact had been so violent that the shaft splintered. Now well in the midst of the enemy force, he drew his sword to fight off the warriors that were on all sides."The Adventure Begins
"Kaine, realizing his shortcomings as a politician, and recognizing the value of a charismatic Queen, allowed Engrid to assume the throne. However, he also knew that true power would always rest in the hands of the strong, and, to that end, he agreed to remain as commander of the army. The new regime was beseiged by problems almost from the outset. Dangerous foes of the new Queen worked to undermine her power while simultaneously bartering for their own personal gain. Meanwhile, ethnic groups from the far reaches of the Empire staged uprisings against local Regents while rogue commanders maneuvered to gain influence with armies that hadn't been paid for many months."
From Chapter 2 of The Winds of Wharhalen
