Baron's War Footsore Viking Magnus Grimface

His men were weary. The shieldwalls had clashed three times now and the bodies of the slain lay in grotesque poses where they fell, bloodied and broken in the snow. Magnus and his men had been taken by surprise at the fierce defense from the townsfolk and he could sense their nervousness. He knew that things would get worse if they stayed here any longer as he could see more men rushing from the town gate to help drive off the raiders. He began ordering his men back slowly so as not to disorder their formation. For another hour they weathered repeated attacks from their foe, each time beating them back, but at the loss of more men. The river came into view finally and his ships were already prepared for departure, forewarned by a runner sent three hours earlier. The enemy sensing their prey might escape, pressed forward again but his men fought back ferociously, desperate to reach the safety of the boats. Magnus shouted to his men to hold the line but the enemy outnumbered them now and