The Van

He sighted down the long barrel of his rifle. He fired; an oncoming captain tumbled from horseback. Outnumbered as they were, thinning the disciplined officers was necessary. Working the lever, his years of experience and training took over: sight, fire, reload. Rapid shots cracked as the enemy closed. Ten more officers fell. Steven slid the discharged weapon into the rifle boot buckled to the saddle. At his signal, the line rushed forward, gathering into a wedge. Leading the van, flanked by hornblower and bannerman, Steven’s cloak flapped behind him. He stood in the stirrups, arms extended, elegant, engraved revolvers thundering.