Oliver was aware of the pressure of his own position. He could feel it most acutely. Thousands and thousands of eyes were all directed his way. It was the Patrick forces, and the Amion men that engaged him that all eyes were pointed towards. Theirs were the only soldiers doing battle – they were the only soldiers with the space to do battle.
If the Patrick forces lost here, and retreated, Oliver too knew how that would affect the battlefield. He was three ranks back from the frontline, far enough away to think such future outcomes through. Possibly to a degree that was unhealthy.
He was stood in place, and he felt foolish for it. Years of battling, and this was the first time he'd withdrawn properly from the frontline. His style of fighting was to plan his strategy in advance, and then if it came to it, he would call orders to make changes whilst still being in the midst of fighting himself. Never did he stand surrounded by men doing nothing but thinking. It wore on his mind.
