"Form ranks!" the officers bellowed, their voices cutting through the air.
The soldiers wading through the river scrambled back toward the shore in a panic. The water, swift and relentless, threatened to sweep them away. Some barely managed to find footing, their faces pale with fear.
"The riverbed is full of large, round stones. It's slippery and difficult to walk on!" one soldier reported, gasping for breath after dragging himself ashore. His soaked armor clanged as he tried to steady himself.
Standing nearby, Timasion, one of the Greek leaders, frowned deeply. He turned to his comrades and said in a resigned tone, "It seems that with the Persians occupying the opposite bank, it will be almost impossible for us to cross the river here." His words carried the weight of grim realization.
