Jet Lancers

The Jet Lancers are the swift and merciless cavalry of the Celestial Court, riding coal-black steeds bred for speed across the wide provinces of Cathay. Where the Jade Lancers are a wall of heavy horse, the Jet Lancers are a striking serpent, lightly armoured and impossibly fast, sweeping around the enemy's flanks to strike where they are least expected. They carry long, slender lances tipped with folded steel, and they wield them with a flowing grace, spitting a foe on the charge and wheeling away before any counterblow can land. Drilled in the disciplined manoeuvres of the Cathayan war-doctrine, they move as one body, their formations shifting like water to exploit every gap and weakness in the enemy line. Against the shambling hordes of the north, their speed is a decisive advantage, running down stragglers, savaging exposed archers, and harrying the foe into disorder before the heavier regiments close to finish the work.