Chapter 46
Cai
Moving an army across mountainous terrain was usually challenging enough by itself. Doing so in winter felt damn near impossible.
My horse shuddered beneath me, as if to say, “Why the hell are you making me walk on rocky ground while an icy wind beats against us?”
Had my kingdom and the woman I loved not depended on it, I might have said, “Fair point.”
We moved slowly and stealthily, allowing the light of the full moon to guide us so that we wouldn’t have to use as many torches.
Soon, the moon’s light would disappear, and dawn would spread over the kingdom of Norrandale.
A feud that had been going on for hundreds of years would finally come to an end.
Our cavalry marched ahead, archers following, and the foot soldiers behind.
Everyone was cold and uncomfortable, trudging through the dreary weather and making tracks in the thin layer of snow that coated the ground.
The very last of winter leaving its marks before spring arrived soon.
Luckily there had been no snowfall overnight or it would have made our journey much more treacherous.
What had felt like a fairly comfortable journey in the past now seemed to drag on for ever.
We finally stopped close to the path that led up the mountain and into the valley.
We stayed hidden in the coverage of the forest, hoping that the scouts Aries had no doubt sent out would not be able to spot us.
The path itself was too narrow for our entire army to get through comfortably, not to mention we still needed to travel uphill before we reached the valley where Aries was camped.
We were going to have to divide and hope that the uphill advantage would be enough to help us.
I mounted my horse again after having relieved myself behind a nearby tree.
“Your Majesty.” Alastor’s whisper came from behind me. We’d ordered the entire army to be as quiet as possible, not wanting to give away our location.
“Yes?”
“There’s a messenger here for you.”
The young soldier stepped up to my horse, his face covered in dirt, his eyes wide with adrenaline.
I took the note from him and squinted as I tried to read the scribblings in the dark.
“What does it say?” Alastor asked, having mounted his own horse.
“Men,” I said, suddenly feeling a little breathless, and even a morsel of relief. “Mannik and Ryker. Their men have arrived.” The noble men my father had entrusted to run his council had come through for me. Loyal to the Crown, to the end.
There was a slight laugh from Alastor. Almost nervous. He wasn’t the sort of person who got nervous easily, but war will do strange things to a person. “Just in the nick of time, then.”
“Yes,” I said, thinking about Elara. Wondering what she was doing, if she was safe. If only I could tell her that I was on my way. That I would see her soon. And as the first light began to appear over the horizon, I felt something I hadn’t been feeling for a while . . . hope.
* * *
My legs ached by the time we’d reached the top of the slope.
I had dismounted and I was peering over the brow of the hill that we would soon descend.
My archers were spread out next to me, waiting for my order.
I carefully observed the camp. Endless tents and small burnt-out fires.
It wasn’t too difficult to find Aries’ tent on the far side of the valley.
My eyes travelled to the Myrgonite caves in the distance.
It was obvious that Aries had discovered them now.
I waited for that sinking feeling I was certain would come.
But I realised that after today, it wouldn’t matter anymore.
One way or another. And where was Elara?
Aries would keep her close, which meant I needed to find a way to get to his tent.
“On my signal,” I said, lifting my arm. Row upon row of bowstrings were pulled taut, flaming arrows waiting to be released. I waited a second. Thought of my father. Of the king that he was and the man he wanted me to be. Today I would live up to his legacy, or end it.
Let me make you proud. I dropped my hand.
The sky turned yellow as the burning arrows made their way up into the air before dropping back down. Time seemed to slow as I watched the camp catch fire.
“Good morning, Aries. I hope you like surprises.”
“Get ready to strike again!” Alastor shouted behind me.
Tents were on fire — soldiers were screaming, running around without their armour. The Argonian army had fallen into chaos, but I knew it wouldn’t be long before they coordinated themselves again. Already a few of them had their shields ready for the next assault.
“Now,” I told Alastor, and he gave the signal to the archers. Once again, the arrows rained down on the Argonians, killing some, wounding more.
In the next few minutes their archers started to respond, managing to hit a few of our own. When they finally got into battle formation, I began to ready the cavalry.
My horse stomped nervously, knowing that whatever was about to come would not be good. I tightened my grip on the reins, searching the crowds until my eyes landed on one very particular figure.
Aries stood at the back of the army, close to his tent, armed and ready for blood. Though it was quite a distance, it was as if something in my gut knew he was watching me, daring me to come for him.
The cavalry descended, meeting the Argonian forces midway up the hill. There were so many of them. Men on horses, foot soldiers, some with spears. I needed to find a way through all of them if I wanted to get to Aries, but more importantly, to Elara.
Mannik and Stapleton’s men flanked us, coming from the left and right as we tried to cage in the army. Swords, horses and men collided. I could practically taste the blood in the air.
For a second, I was pulled outside my body as I witnessed the carnage before me. I was the young prince again, on the battlefields of Argon. Panic surged up inside me. Every choice I’d made, everything I’d done was to try to avoid this situation, so I would not find myself back in this position.
I shook my head, trying to regain focus. This was inevitable. This was always going to happen. I merely had to accept it. Today would be the day that I finally faced my demons.
And then all I could think about was Elara. And there was something to fight for. Something more important than my own survival.
I headed to the right, where our men appeared to have the upper hand. The battle became a blur. I swung my sword in every direction, every soldier having become an obstacle between me and Elara.
At some point, someone knocked me off my horse and I hit the ground with a hard thud. It was an effort to get air into my lungs again. A sword came down hard on my armour.
I took out a knife that had been strapped to me and stabbed the soldier in the leg, giving me enough time to grab hold of my sword and run him through.
And then I found the next soldier and the next, killing them one by one. And with each soldier, I got closer to the large tent that loomed at the base of the mountain. Only I could no longer see Aries himself. He had to be somewhere in the fighting. I had no doubt he would find me again.
I made my way along the side of the battleground, trying to avoid the centre where the fighting was thickest. Alastor was close behind me, constantly having my back.
We fought together until I could finally reach Aries’ tent.
There was no one outside to guard it. I couldn’t even be sure she was in there, but I didn’t know where else to look.
Alastor and I sneaked around the back of the tent, and I carefully lifted the canvas.
“You keep watch, I’ll go inside.”
Alastor gave a nod and held up his sword, ready to strike.
I climbed into the back of the tent, trying to make as little noise as possible, should someone be ready to chop my head off.
My eyes fell on her silhouette. She was seated in a chair, hands clutching the armrests as she looked out onto the battlefield.
I stood up straight. “Elara.”
Her head turned. She was out of the chair immediately, running towards me. I caught her in my arms, pressing my face into her neck, taking in the scent of her.
“You’re alive.” She breathed out with relief. “You’re still alive.”
I pulled back to inspect her for wounds, but she appeared unharmed.
Her eyes widened as she took in the state of me. “Are you hurt?”
I had to have been covered in blood from head to toe by now.
“No, I’m fine.” A little worse for wear, maybe, but still alive.
“I don’t know where Aries is. I lost sight of him in the battle.”
I placed my hands on both her cheeks. “Elara, I want you to listen to me very carefully.”
Her hands were clutching my arms as if she were afraid I would disappear if she let go.
“I need you to stay here for now.” She looked up at me with surprise. “Our army is on the other side of the valley, and I can’t get both of us through there, not until the fighting has eased a little.”
I pulled the Myrgonite dagger from my boot and pressed it into her hand. “Keep this with you. I know it will protect you.”
“What about you?” she asked, eyes full of worry. “Who’s going to protect you?”
“Alastor is right by my side,” I assured her. “I just wanted to make sure you were safe. I promise I’m coming back to get you.”
“Okay,” she said after a moment.
I kissed the side of her head, not wanting to let go of her either. Just a little longer. We only had to hold out a little longer.
“I love you,” I whispered into her hair.
“I love you too. Please be safe.”
I forced myself to pull away from her. A stray tear rolled down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away, still trying to be the strong one.
With a parting nod, I stepped out of the tent, sword in my hand. I looked around for Aries. It was time to end this once and for all.