Several more exchanges were had before Mathis found his pace now. What had once been exciting, pushed him now to step up his pace. At his back the line remained firm while a group of others joined him. Remaining ready, Mathis closed on the man trading a flurry of blows a final strike echoed cutting through armor and shoulder.

Stepping past the falling body Mathis waved a hand gesturing for an advance. Leif and Kanda advanced as his back three heavy shields in front. "Take it slow, we are going hunting. Don't get too far ahead, be ready to back up I shall cover retreats if necessary.." Change was upon his mind, something was afoot and he intended to sniff it out. Where had the rest of their good troops gone? Sure many had mostly likely fallen to Sixth and the bands efforts, but it seemed too good to be true.

Parrying and cutting the Deva searched the woods slowly as they moved further in. No archers up high and for as far as he could see no troops waited beyond. They did not leave sight of the gate, only tempted and teased to see what else could be found. The resistance had melted before them like butter for now. Rubbing his chin he debated a retreat back to the gate.

"Sir, shall we double back first? Or press the approach?" Leif asked lightly keeping his own eyes peeled he remained at Mathis's left and Kanda on the right. Turning he gestured to turn back. "Retreat back, secure the area within." Mathis's eyes narrowed as he backed up with his men double timing it back to the gate ahead of him.

For now the goal was to secure the other entrances and pick out the snakes who still resided within. He would heed Sixth's words and not play on his ambition yet..
 
The sheer chaos of the melee had thrown the elites off their game. Dancer have given them pause long enough for the sudden arrival of reinforcements to throw them off lilt. True to his rank, the sergeant was only a step behind the Sixth as they entered the fray once more. The mercenary simply lowered his shoulder and charged into the first bastard he saw. A feat far from the swift precision he'd shown earlier. That time passed and Dancer didn't have the care to give much else.

Steel rang a bloody howl as one body dropped, then the next. In his exhaustion Dancer hadn't questioned why these bastards were still fighting so damn hard. It was only when he looked back at the gate did he realize.

Fuck. He could see only a thin line remaining while another contingent followed the Deva outside. Normally the Sixth wouldn't have been bothered except somehow a force had managed to crawl in behind them. If one could do it, one not another?

"Sergeant! Get everyone back to the gate." As if on cue, cries erupted from the remaining defenders.

It was a simple plan when you got down to it. One force to draw a portion of the defenders outside the gate. One to secure and close the gate itself. And the final to pincer any remaining that might interfere. Both the Sixth and Mathis had thrown their own pikes between spokes but original hand was still in play. Dancer knew his men wouldn't make it to the gate in time. He could only hope the Deva made it back before the gatehouse was lost. Otherwise they'd both be well and truly fucked.
 
"Double Time! Sweep and take their legs from under them!" Mathis rallied as his group came crashing back in, greatsword held out wide, he cut like grass, steel hummed as bodies whirled away in a mist. Throwing his own shoulder into another soldier, he folded them down into the base of the gate, preventing its closure.

Shieldbears came next, intercepting an oncoming push to force the Deva out.
"Form Up! Circle! Remember! Jab, don't slash! Defend your brother's shoulder!" Came another order, and the returning group planted their feet and locked shields. It was still green, but the lads began to put in the work in the hard press. Even as the remaining masses pressed against them, the knot held. Steel flashed, and a body dropped, creating disarray for the approaching troops. Within the circle were only a few reliefs, yet when one grew weary, they swapped to keep the knot in rotation. Mathis worked himself into the wall as well, taking up a shield and holding it firm. He shoved a man back to bait in a spear, which he caught and yanked free.

Turning the weapon on the enemy, he now poked to give them some breathing room.
"Forward push, into the city!" Mathis switched places, allowing Lief to lead the forward motion while he brought up the rear. Kanda worked through the middle of the knot, keeping the others in balance as they moved. Now and then, he picked up a fallen spear and passed it out along the circle when possible.
 
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