The skies were bright orange as the sun began to set. Clouds were starting to roll in, but rain still looked to be a few days away. A guardsman was stationed atop the main lookout tower, the sole figure that could be seen from outside. Rather than enjoying the fine weather, however, he was entirely tense and nervous. He had only just been deployed on his first mission, and his comrades below still considered him green. Nevertheless, he knew the signs of impending warfare just as well as everyone else. He could see them in the far distance, barely a speck upon the horizon. Yet the approaching army of Saramus was still going to be vast and dangerous, and anyone who felt otherwise was bound to end up dead. A large flock of carrion birds had already begun circling among the valley; even they knew the blood would start flowing. The guard swallowed nervously and continued to keep watch, observing all directions and keeping careful note of the approaching army's progress.
This was Sagamiim Fortress, named after the mighty king who originally conquered this valley in ancient times. It had stood for many a decade, but with careful upkeep and maintaining, it was still an indomitable location. At least, it was supposed to be. The armies of Saramus and Hadrum would today confirm whether that claim was legitimate. Princess Sateema strode through the various levels of the fortress, checking to make sure that every preparation was being completed to her exact specifications.
"What is the status of the fort's defenses?" she asked.
"Ma'am," her aid, Jason, replied. He was walking beside her with a small checklist. "Everything is progressing as scheduled. The men stand ready, and all weapons and armor have been repaired, sharpened, and polished. The weakness in the northern area was reinforced ten days ago, and has shown no signs of further issue. Also, all of the... special items have been prepared as you requested."
"And they were placed to my specifications?"
"Yes, ma'am. Exactly as you directed."
Sateena nodded. Sagamiim Fortress was located on top of a natural spire, making it the ideal place to defend. A single bridge, carved directly into the surrounding mountain by master stoneworkers, was the only way in or out of the fortress. Unless, of course, one was willing to risk the climb up the spire itself, which was dangerous even without archers shooting at you from above. She was prepared, in either case.
"Majesty," came a third voice. This one belonged to one of the fort's message runners. Due to her mutual stations, Sateena was often addressed as either "Majesty" or "General". She responded to either. "A report from the watchman."
"Report."
The messenger saluted. "The Saramus army continues to approach. By the watchman's estimate, they should arrive in no less than two hours, but no longer than three."
Sateena nodded. "Thank you. You are dismissed." The soldier saluted again and rushed to continue preparations. As she continued walking, Sateena found her thoughts drifting back to yesterday, when she had initially left for the fortress.
"I just don't understand why it has to be you," her mother told her, for what must have been the thirteenth time.
"Because, mother," she answered patiently as she continued to get dressed, "this fortress is the most important location in the Hadrum military. If we were to lose it, this war would be all but finished for us. We'd have only to wait for the Saramus executioners to arrive for us." She began buttoning her brown jacket.
"But that's my point," insisted her mother. "If this battle is so important, why must you be the one to go? There are plenty of other generals with decades of experience! Why not send one of them instead? Not to doubt your own ability, of course," she added.
Sateena smiled. "I told you, mother: the Black Knight is said to be deploying with the military for this fight. If he is the strongest blade in the Saramus military, it is only logical that he should be opposed by the most intelligent of the Hadrum generals." It wasn't an arrogant statement; she knew exactly who she was and what she was capable of. She slid on her boots and began to lace them up.
Her mother sighed. "I know that... I'm just concerned for you. You always seek to challenge yourself like this, and I'm just afraid that one day, you'll find a challenge you can't overcome. And then what will you do?"
"Die, I suppose." She said it so casually, but she couldn't keep a straight face after seeing the face her mother made. "I'm kidding, mother. If ever I should meet a challenge I cannot overcome, I shall simply fall back and try again, this time with a better plan of action." She began pinning on her ribbons and her signs of rank. "You know I've never let a simple man beat me." This was a joke shared between her and her mother; in the male-dominated culture of Hadrum, women were all-too often looked down upon. So, when Sateena had announced to her first platoon that she would be their commanding officer, one of the greener soldiers began insulting her (at the time, he had not known who she truly was), and she challenged him to a fistfight. She broke his nose and fractured three ribs. The men never insulted her again.
Finally, she turned to face her mother, her military uniform as crisp and clean as ever. "How do I look?"
Her mother stood and walked over to her. She brushed Sateena's hair back. "Strong and beautiful," she answered. Sateena smiled, and the two embraced in a loving hug.
Sateena smiled at the memory. Her mother had been there for her all her life, while her father, the King, cared only for Bryson, her older brother. She almost wished Bryson was here right now; for all their differences, both had a mutual respect for each other's combat capabilities.
But that was enough time dwelling in memories. She had a battle to win, a war to win, and she would do everything she could to see this fortress stand.
"Jason, come with me," she said to her aid. "We still have things to do before the battle begins. Has the mercenary group arrived yet?"
"Yes ma'am," Jason confirmed. "They are prepared and are awaiting your orders."
"Good." Sateena would speak to them first. She had prepared for every potential situation she could imagine. It had been expensive, but with the necessity of maintaining this fort, the Royal Treasurer had granted her all the funds she needed. Now, she had only to ensure that everything went according to plan, and to prepare for when it didn't.
The game has officially begun.
This was Sagamiim Fortress, named after the mighty king who originally conquered this valley in ancient times. It had stood for many a decade, but with careful upkeep and maintaining, it was still an indomitable location. At least, it was supposed to be. The armies of Saramus and Hadrum would today confirm whether that claim was legitimate. Princess Sateema strode through the various levels of the fortress, checking to make sure that every preparation was being completed to her exact specifications.
"What is the status of the fort's defenses?" she asked.
"Ma'am," her aid, Jason, replied. He was walking beside her with a small checklist. "Everything is progressing as scheduled. The men stand ready, and all weapons and armor have been repaired, sharpened, and polished. The weakness in the northern area was reinforced ten days ago, and has shown no signs of further issue. Also, all of the... special items have been prepared as you requested."
"And they were placed to my specifications?"
"Yes, ma'am. Exactly as you directed."
Sateena nodded. Sagamiim Fortress was located on top of a natural spire, making it the ideal place to defend. A single bridge, carved directly into the surrounding mountain by master stoneworkers, was the only way in or out of the fortress. Unless, of course, one was willing to risk the climb up the spire itself, which was dangerous even without archers shooting at you from above. She was prepared, in either case.
"Majesty," came a third voice. This one belonged to one of the fort's message runners. Due to her mutual stations, Sateena was often addressed as either "Majesty" or "General". She responded to either. "A report from the watchman."
"Report."
The messenger saluted. "The Saramus army continues to approach. By the watchman's estimate, they should arrive in no less than two hours, but no longer than three."
Sateena nodded. "Thank you. You are dismissed." The soldier saluted again and rushed to continue preparations. As she continued walking, Sateena found her thoughts drifting back to yesterday, when she had initially left for the fortress.
"I just don't understand why it has to be you," her mother told her, for what must have been the thirteenth time.
"Because, mother," she answered patiently as she continued to get dressed, "this fortress is the most important location in the Hadrum military. If we were to lose it, this war would be all but finished for us. We'd have only to wait for the Saramus executioners to arrive for us." She began buttoning her brown jacket.
"But that's my point," insisted her mother. "If this battle is so important, why must you be the one to go? There are plenty of other generals with decades of experience! Why not send one of them instead? Not to doubt your own ability, of course," she added.
Sateena smiled. "I told you, mother: the Black Knight is said to be deploying with the military for this fight. If he is the strongest blade in the Saramus military, it is only logical that he should be opposed by the most intelligent of the Hadrum generals." It wasn't an arrogant statement; she knew exactly who she was and what she was capable of. She slid on her boots and began to lace them up.
Her mother sighed. "I know that... I'm just concerned for you. You always seek to challenge yourself like this, and I'm just afraid that one day, you'll find a challenge you can't overcome. And then what will you do?"
"Die, I suppose." She said it so casually, but she couldn't keep a straight face after seeing the face her mother made. "I'm kidding, mother. If ever I should meet a challenge I cannot overcome, I shall simply fall back and try again, this time with a better plan of action." She began pinning on her ribbons and her signs of rank. "You know I've never let a simple man beat me." This was a joke shared between her and her mother; in the male-dominated culture of Hadrum, women were all-too often looked down upon. So, when Sateena had announced to her first platoon that she would be their commanding officer, one of the greener soldiers began insulting her (at the time, he had not known who she truly was), and she challenged him to a fistfight. She broke his nose and fractured three ribs. The men never insulted her again.
Finally, she turned to face her mother, her military uniform as crisp and clean as ever. "How do I look?"
Her mother stood and walked over to her. She brushed Sateena's hair back. "Strong and beautiful," she answered. Sateena smiled, and the two embraced in a loving hug.
Sateena smiled at the memory. Her mother had been there for her all her life, while her father, the King, cared only for Bryson, her older brother. She almost wished Bryson was here right now; for all their differences, both had a mutual respect for each other's combat capabilities.
But that was enough time dwelling in memories. She had a battle to win, a war to win, and she would do everything she could to see this fortress stand.
"Jason, come with me," she said to her aid. "We still have things to do before the battle begins. Has the mercenary group arrived yet?"
"Yes ma'am," Jason confirmed. "They are prepared and are awaiting your orders."
"Good." Sateena would speak to them first. She had prepared for every potential situation she could imagine. It had been expensive, but with the necessity of maintaining this fort, the Royal Treasurer had granted her all the funds she needed. Now, she had only to ensure that everything went according to plan, and to prepare for when it didn't.
The game has officially begun.
GM
Windreda The Idealist
Member
Seen
5 mos ago
A board was mapped out and the pieces were set. A man sat silently in a dimly lit room, eyeing the center table carefully as if waiting for the pieces to move on their own. This was it, one final chance to prove himself before the executioners block. One final chance to avoid having one last goodbye with his daughter...or simply no goodbye at all. Everything was on the line for everyone it seemed, all of it mapped out on a simple table before him.
"It's funny isn't it," A guard across from him muttered briefly, glancing at the table in mere curiosity rather than urgency.
The greyed and bearded man glanced up, the years worn greatly into his eyes. Just as they had for his father and grandfather before him, almost as if it was a curse for everyone in his family to bear the weight of war. The guard hadn't noticed any change in atmosphere, still giving some sort of smile at an unspoken joke.
"War is funny?" The older man spoke out, his steward and the other guards surrounding him tensing almost immediately. The guard across from him noticed his gaze, brief confusion transforming into an apologetic gaze.
"No I-what I meant was-" The guard paled, leaving the man to simply sigh and shake a saddened head back and forth.
"We're all tense here Mathew...I'm sorry I spoke out," The older man replied, reaching down to pick up one of the pieces from the board and fiddle with it. A white rook it seemed, one of the chess pieces laid out on a region map to symbolize the placement of troops. He gazed at it with similar intensity than before, flipping it back and forth as if to discern some secrets from the piece. "Out of curiosity," he muttered without looking up, "just what was so funny anyway?"
Silence sat in the room, and it took the man to look up at the guard he was addressing to obtain some reply. "You're...asking me?"
A nod.
The guard swallowed, easing himself a bit before motioning to the board. "W-well...not so much being funny, just something you wouldn't expect. Our board is set up like a game of chess right? A...well a pretty unorthodox game of chess and..."
The older man took time away from the rook to glance at the board. It was true the board was set with chess pieces, however the placement of those pieces would give any traditional play a heart attack. Pawns generally stuck together however a person might question right away why two black kings were placed on a board, or why the black pieces were divided into three sections rather than scrunched up like whites(Give for the odd placement of three queens on the board). Every piece had a purpose though, and like any drawn out game of chess no piece would be without a purpose. The black pawns on the three points on the map signified Saramus's marching army, the rooks would be their defense against expected bombardments, the bishops would be his lieutenants, the two kings resembled vital points to protect, and the lone black knight would be...
You'll be a hero daddy, right?
"Well as I was saying sir-"
The man shook off the memory, remaining composed as he continued to give his attention to the guard.
"-it reminds me of the games I'd play with my sister. Pieces strewn about every which way, neither one of us ever sure who's turn it was. It just seems fitting that this being my first and last battle with you...that such a memory would be on my mind. So maybe funny would be the wrong word...I would say determined. I promised my sister I'd come home, to play those game with her."
A hero huh...well I don't know about that. But you can bet I'll be coming home to my princess.
"So I apologize sir if I-"
"It's alright..." The man looked up. "You'll return safe Mathew, all of us will."
The soldier didn't know how to respond for a second, giving some thought to the man's now smiling face. But he would believe him, returning the smile and shouting back, "Yes General Dryden!"
The old general sighed, for some reason feeling a bit more confident than before. Yes, they all had something to return to. There was no matter of if they were to win or not, he would make sure that all of these people before him would be returning to their families. As Heroes? Well who could say...but alive was enough. As he set the white rook down back where it was the room shook slightly, knocking the piece over on the table. His advisor began to swear.
"Can't do a bloody thing right for the casteless animals they are-"
The man to the general's right began to open the carriage door to yell at the slaves carrying them, only to be stopped by the grizzled man. The advisor looked back to catch a nod of forgiveness, giving a tsk of the tongue before begrudgingly sitting back where he was. This was it, the battle that decided the fate of all the people that came to fight it. None of them could afford to be tense, especially not an hour away of preparation. And then two hours later, the game would begin.
The older man gazed at the fallen rook, then over at the single black knight that faced towards it.
The General could not punish his casteless servants for a fitting conclusion.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
It was a long hike, longer than any of the men could expect. Their march to the valley was a journey, however their mission up the mountain had to be a bloody nightmare. Many of the soldiers on that walk grumbled, even being some of Saramus's most elite and disciplined guards couldn't keep the curses away. Clad in armor while pulling or carrying heavy machinery left many in a sour mood, especially considering the battle they were supposed to fight.
"Tell mei agan why we had tu attack a forwtress in the mouwntains? Not won on a goddam feeld?"
There were curses in agreement, but of course no one would raise their voices. For one reason because of their mission, for another because of their company. The outspoken soldier was nudged on the side by one of his companions, timidly jutting his head in front of him to a dark and menacing figure. The company immediately fell silent, and the courage the soldier had possessed before quickly dissipated out of a drying mouth.
Before them he stood, their leader clad in armor black as night. The shrouded figure had stopped ahead, turning his head towards the men who were following him. These were some of Saramus's most skilled soldiers, chosen for this mission because of their fearlessness and effectiveness at killing. Yet no one could deny the skin prickling sensation they felt when gazing at the blackened helmet, at a figure who could kill any one of them without hesitation. The famed Black Knight, a warrior who would not be felled by any Hadrum solider. There were rumors that he was immortal among the men when they drank, however no one was too willing to test that theory. If he did bleed like any man, he certainly wasn't willing to show it. The figure slowly turned his head and continued up the steep cliff, an audible sigh emanating behind him.
It certainly was a long and brutal trek up the mountain, however no one questioned the vital need that their mission possessed. It wouldn't take long for General Dryden to send their troops in, and if this Hadrum general was as cracked up as people said...no one would want to think of what might happen if they were late.
"But ya know..." Another solider began whispering(Or more like pant dragging a covered structure), "...what if this Hadrum general suspects this? I mean, what if she has some sort of ambush prepared for us? What if they know?"
A soldier dragging the same structure panted out back at him, "How could they, I mean...(huf)...any sort of ambush and HE would know about it right?"
The two soldiers glanced back at their leader walking farther ahead, unfaltering with eyes straight ahead. The two shuttered. Sure their mission certainly was unexpected considering what they planned to do, heading to a place that even the most prepared general would never think of but... An invisible air of dread passed through all of the men, an unspoken theory that remained uneasily in the hearts of those soldiers as they marched on.
Their lives did not matter.
"It's funny isn't it," A guard across from him muttered briefly, glancing at the table in mere curiosity rather than urgency.
The greyed and bearded man glanced up, the years worn greatly into his eyes. Just as they had for his father and grandfather before him, almost as if it was a curse for everyone in his family to bear the weight of war. The guard hadn't noticed any change in atmosphere, still giving some sort of smile at an unspoken joke.
"War is funny?" The older man spoke out, his steward and the other guards surrounding him tensing almost immediately. The guard across from him noticed his gaze, brief confusion transforming into an apologetic gaze.
"No I-what I meant was-" The guard paled, leaving the man to simply sigh and shake a saddened head back and forth.
"We're all tense here Mathew...I'm sorry I spoke out," The older man replied, reaching down to pick up one of the pieces from the board and fiddle with it. A white rook it seemed, one of the chess pieces laid out on a region map to symbolize the placement of troops. He gazed at it with similar intensity than before, flipping it back and forth as if to discern some secrets from the piece. "Out of curiosity," he muttered without looking up, "just what was so funny anyway?"
Silence sat in the room, and it took the man to look up at the guard he was addressing to obtain some reply. "You're...asking me?"
A nod.
The guard swallowed, easing himself a bit before motioning to the board. "W-well...not so much being funny, just something you wouldn't expect. Our board is set up like a game of chess right? A...well a pretty unorthodox game of chess and..."
The older man took time away from the rook to glance at the board. It was true the board was set with chess pieces, however the placement of those pieces would give any traditional play a heart attack. Pawns generally stuck together however a person might question right away why two black kings were placed on a board, or why the black pieces were divided into three sections rather than scrunched up like whites(Give for the odd placement of three queens on the board). Every piece had a purpose though, and like any drawn out game of chess no piece would be without a purpose. The black pawns on the three points on the map signified Saramus's marching army, the rooks would be their defense against expected bombardments, the bishops would be his lieutenants, the two kings resembled vital points to protect, and the lone black knight would be...
You'll be a hero daddy, right?
"Well as I was saying sir-"
The man shook off the memory, remaining composed as he continued to give his attention to the guard.
"-it reminds me of the games I'd play with my sister. Pieces strewn about every which way, neither one of us ever sure who's turn it was. It just seems fitting that this being my first and last battle with you...that such a memory would be on my mind. So maybe funny would be the wrong word...I would say determined. I promised my sister I'd come home, to play those game with her."
A hero huh...well I don't know about that. But you can bet I'll be coming home to my princess.
"So I apologize sir if I-"
"It's alright..." The man looked up. "You'll return safe Mathew, all of us will."
The soldier didn't know how to respond for a second, giving some thought to the man's now smiling face. But he would believe him, returning the smile and shouting back, "Yes General Dryden!"
The old general sighed, for some reason feeling a bit more confident than before. Yes, they all had something to return to. There was no matter of if they were to win or not, he would make sure that all of these people before him would be returning to their families. As Heroes? Well who could say...but alive was enough. As he set the white rook down back where it was the room shook slightly, knocking the piece over on the table. His advisor began to swear.
"Can't do a bloody thing right for the casteless animals they are-"
The man to the general's right began to open the carriage door to yell at the slaves carrying them, only to be stopped by the grizzled man. The advisor looked back to catch a nod of forgiveness, giving a tsk of the tongue before begrudgingly sitting back where he was. This was it, the battle that decided the fate of all the people that came to fight it. None of them could afford to be tense, especially not an hour away of preparation. And then two hours later, the game would begin.
The older man gazed at the fallen rook, then over at the single black knight that faced towards it.
The General could not punish his casteless servants for a fitting conclusion.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
It was a long hike, longer than any of the men could expect. Their march to the valley was a journey, however their mission up the mountain had to be a bloody nightmare. Many of the soldiers on that walk grumbled, even being some of Saramus's most elite and disciplined guards couldn't keep the curses away. Clad in armor while pulling or carrying heavy machinery left many in a sour mood, especially considering the battle they were supposed to fight.
"Tell mei agan why we had tu attack a forwtress in the mouwntains? Not won on a goddam feeld?"
There were curses in agreement, but of course no one would raise their voices. For one reason because of their mission, for another because of their company. The outspoken soldier was nudged on the side by one of his companions, timidly jutting his head in front of him to a dark and menacing figure. The company immediately fell silent, and the courage the soldier had possessed before quickly dissipated out of a drying mouth.
Before them he stood, their leader clad in armor black as night. The shrouded figure had stopped ahead, turning his head towards the men who were following him. These were some of Saramus's most skilled soldiers, chosen for this mission because of their fearlessness and effectiveness at killing. Yet no one could deny the skin prickling sensation they felt when gazing at the blackened helmet, at a figure who could kill any one of them without hesitation. The famed Black Knight, a warrior who would not be felled by any Hadrum solider. There were rumors that he was immortal among the men when they drank, however no one was too willing to test that theory. If he did bleed like any man, he certainly wasn't willing to show it. The figure slowly turned his head and continued up the steep cliff, an audible sigh emanating behind him.
It certainly was a long and brutal trek up the mountain, however no one questioned the vital need that their mission possessed. It wouldn't take long for General Dryden to send their troops in, and if this Hadrum general was as cracked up as people said...no one would want to think of what might happen if they were late.
"But ya know..." Another solider began whispering(Or more like pant dragging a covered structure), "...what if this Hadrum general suspects this? I mean, what if she has some sort of ambush prepared for us? What if they know?"
A soldier dragging the same structure panted out back at him, "How could they, I mean...(huf)...any sort of ambush and HE would know about it right?"
The two soldiers glanced back at their leader walking farther ahead, unfaltering with eyes straight ahead. The two shuttered. Sure their mission certainly was unexpected considering what they planned to do, heading to a place that even the most prepared general would never think of but... An invisible air of dread passed through all of the men, an unspoken theory that remained uneasily in the hearts of those soldiers as they marched on.
Their lives did not matter.
The moments before a battle were always the most chaotic. Sateena raced about the fortress, barking orders at everyone she came across. "You! Get those arrows distributed! You men! I want you in formation! Hear me? And you! Have Alpha and Beta prepared on both sides. I want both loads ready to drop at a moment's notice!"
"Ma'am! The Saramus forces are arriving in the valley! The Black Knight has currently not been spotted among their number!"
No Black Knight? If the rumors were true, then he might be further back. Or deploying elsewhere, but not within our sight right now. "Understood. Alert me as soon as somebody sees him. Is that clear?"
"Ma'am, yes ma'am!" the man saluted before running back to position. The chaos of preparation continued on for several moments, until finally, everything was prepared. Throughout the entire fortress, the tension filled the air, and the silence was palpable.
"This is it, men!" Sateena addressed the men, shouting to make her voice heard all throughout the fortress. "Our history will sing of this day: the day that Hadrum turned back the vicious onslaught of Sagamiim Valley! Our valor today will shine as brightly as that of King Sagamiim himself!" The soldiers all shouted cheers and war cries. "You've all heard the rumors: Saramus brings their 'glorious' Black Knight into battle. Well I say, who cares about the Black Knight? Is he not just a man? Is he not as mortal as you and me?" The men cheered in agreement. "I stand here today, your Princess and your General. I have seen the valor of you men face to face! And I would trust each of you with my life." The men cheered for her yet again. "And now we stand, teetering on the brink of battle. They believe that they will take this fort! They believe that they will kill our people! Do you know what I believe? I believe that they are wrong!"
"YEEEEAAAAAAHHHH!!!" came the rousing reply.
"I believe that we are invincible! The mighty defenders of the Hadrum military! We will take their every attempt to penetrate this fortress, and we will throw it back in their faces!"
"YEEEEAAAAAAHHHH!!!"
"Come stand with me today, and together, we'll teach a lesson they'll never forget!"
"YEEEEAAAAAAHHHH!!!"
"Fight with me, my men! Fight for everything you hold dear! Fight for every family who calls you all a hero!" She drew her rapier and raised it high. "Let's send these dogs to Hell!"
"YEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
The roaring cheers echoed throughout the fortress. Sateena hoped the Black Knight could hear them; every man in this fortress would defend it to the last. And she would be right there with them.
"Come, O fierce Knight. Let me show you how a General prepares." She moved her forces into position; now was the time for battle.
All that was left was to wait.
"Ma'am! The Saramus forces are arriving in the valley! The Black Knight has currently not been spotted among their number!"
No Black Knight? If the rumors were true, then he might be further back. Or deploying elsewhere, but not within our sight right now. "Understood. Alert me as soon as somebody sees him. Is that clear?"
"Ma'am, yes ma'am!" the man saluted before running back to position. The chaos of preparation continued on for several moments, until finally, everything was prepared. Throughout the entire fortress, the tension filled the air, and the silence was palpable.
"This is it, men!" Sateena addressed the men, shouting to make her voice heard all throughout the fortress. "Our history will sing of this day: the day that Hadrum turned back the vicious onslaught of Sagamiim Valley! Our valor today will shine as brightly as that of King Sagamiim himself!" The soldiers all shouted cheers and war cries. "You've all heard the rumors: Saramus brings their 'glorious' Black Knight into battle. Well I say, who cares about the Black Knight? Is he not just a man? Is he not as mortal as you and me?" The men cheered in agreement. "I stand here today, your Princess and your General. I have seen the valor of you men face to face! And I would trust each of you with my life." The men cheered for her yet again. "And now we stand, teetering on the brink of battle. They believe that they will take this fort! They believe that they will kill our people! Do you know what I believe? I believe that they are wrong!"
"YEEEEAAAAAAHHHH!!!" came the rousing reply.
"I believe that we are invincible! The mighty defenders of the Hadrum military! We will take their every attempt to penetrate this fortress, and we will throw it back in their faces!"
"YEEEEAAAAAAHHHH!!!"
"Come stand with me today, and together, we'll teach a lesson they'll never forget!"
"YEEEEAAAAAAHHHH!!!"
"Fight with me, my men! Fight for everything you hold dear! Fight for every family who calls you all a hero!" She drew her rapier and raised it high. "Let's send these dogs to Hell!"
"YEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
The roaring cheers echoed throughout the fortress. Sateena hoped the Black Knight could hear them; every man in this fortress would defend it to the last. And she would be right there with them.
"Come, O fierce Knight. Let me show you how a General prepares." She moved her forces into position; now was the time for battle.
All that was left was to wait.
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