Roland did not stop his bird, who rushed forward to meet the vampires in their first clash. While he had told Stella to release the first wave, he knew he needed to be right in the middle, keeping the General and his troop of ten occupied.
The first collision of steel ended in blood. Two of Azumorak's strongest minions lost their heads in a single exchange, their bodies collapsing before they even realized they were dead.
Azumorak, however, was unfazed. If anything, he seemed delighted. His laughter rolled across the battlefield, deep and unhinged, as if he knew his outcome already.
"You're stronger than the last time I faced you," he growled, his elegant voice called out under the dark armor. "It makes me wonder why those two blue-skinned fools didn't heed my words. If they had worked with me, instead of dying like idiots to you… Perhaps we would have won."
Roland's lips curved into a faint smile as he remembered cutting down the two previous generals.
