Analog SFF, April 2010 by Dell Magazine Authors

wheeled his formation, forcing the Wikosans ahead of him to crash into the Wikosan infantry as they tried to escape. The enemy mounted force that had formed the northern hook was mostly intact since it had been able to outrun the Asteran infantry, but it was also forced into its own infantry as it tried to flee and the Wikosan force was pressed on all sides. The cavalry wheeled again and Asteran infantry pushed forward and around, the forces on the road moving to link up with the northern advance as it reached the road behind the Wikosans. The Asteran mounted soldiers charged into a band of fleeing Wikosan mounted men who seemed about to escape, driving those Wikosans back upon their infantry as well.
    A line of Wikosan infantry headed for the last open escape path, moving southeast with their shields joined to form a solid defense.
    Benton slowed his horse, turning to shout at the thirty or so cavalrymen closest to him. “Carbines!” The cavalrymen checked their mounts, drawing their carbines and aiming at the escaping Wikosans. Shooting from the saddle was notoriously inaccurate, but the wall of Wikosans was almost impossible to miss. “Fire!” A ragged volley erupted from the carbines, and several of the Wikosans in the front rank were punched backward by hits. The rest of the escaping Wikosans hesitated, stumbling to a halt.
    Sergeant Tyndall led another group of cavalry close to the Wikosans, reining in their horses only twenty feet from the infantry and firing their carbines in a devastating salvo.
    The Wikosan infantry broke, running back toward their comrades, smashing into other Wikosans who had tried to follow them out of the trap.
    The southern flank of the Asteran infantry under Agani and Costoni made contact with the southern edge of the Asteran infantry that had come from the north, closing the net and completely encircling the Wikosans.
    The Wikosans on each side of the formation tried to force their way to the other side to escape, only to discover an unbroken line of Asterans on all sides. The enemy army turned into a mob as panic set in and the vengeful Asterans locked shields and pressed in harder, an unyielding wall of armor and weapons ringing in the Wikosans, who were increasingly packed too tightly to fight well and were no longer offering any effective resistance.
    "Bugler, sound assembly.” Benton's mount was exhausted, almost staggering as he reined the horse to a walk. This was the infantry's battle now. The surviving Wikosan mounted forces were trapped in the heaving mass of foot soldiers, their horses lashing out at their own side in panic.
    He looked down at the saber in his hand. He couldn't clearly remember holstering his empty pistol and drawing the saber, but the blade had a slick of blood on the edge where he had struck a Wikosan.
    Lieutenant Garret rode up, his face pale but his eyes still lit from the excitement of battle. “Two dead, six wounded, sir. Four horses down."
    "Thank you, lieutenant.” Benton, trying to keep his hands from trembling, carefully wiped his saber blade and returned the weapon to its scabbard. “Who are the dead?"
    "Private Murphy and Private Frost, sir."
    "Damn. Sergeant Tyndall, check on the wounded, let me know how serious their injuries are, and make sure the Asteran surgeons know we have wounded who need treating."
    Tyndall saluted and rushed off at the best pace his winded horse could manage.
    Lieutenant Garret stared toward where the Asteran infantry was still crushing the helpless rabble that had been the Wikosan army. “As close to another Cannae as matters, captain."
    "Yes, lieutenant. Congratulations on your first battle. You handled yourself well.” Benton sighed, looking back at the fight before kicking his reluctant horse into motion again. “The Wikosans don't stand a chance now, but they keep trying to fight. The Asterans don't need us to assist in the slaughter. Let's see to our dead."
    Corporal O'Hare was standing sentry with the bodies,