27. I Do Not Fear the Darkness
Skylar and Zephyr stood at the top of the hill in front of a long line of soldiers.
The morning air was crisp, and the cold wind was carrying the promise of upcoming autumn.
From their position, they had a perfect view of the narrow passageway between mountains.
They were fortunate enough that a natural border between their domain and the Blighted Lands made safeguarding much easier.
Of course, several more minor crossings existed, but this one was the widest, so it was the main point the enemy army would storm.
The tension was hanging heavily in the air.
The forest the army passed on their way here was tranquil, as if even nature held its breath for an upcoming battle.
And though they hadn't seen any movements yet, Skylar felt her skin crawl and all her hair standing on ends.
The soldiers behind her were shuffling nervously, repeatedly checking their weapons and shields.
From all the brutality of war, waiting for battle was the worst. The constant tension and uncertainty of what was coming might break the bravest men.
"Steady," Skylar ordered, her voice echoing through the ranks. "Keep the line. They will be here soon."
She looked over to the right and waved. A small mounted figure waved back - Colart hadn't spotted the enemy either.
He was at the head of another battalion guarding the second biggest passage.
They had to spread their forces to keep the incoming army from breaking further into their lands.
Skylar didn't want to think what would have happened if they let those monsters get through and attack Gawyn's forces from behind.
And so, they waited. The sun was slowly rising over the mountains, painting everything in red, as if the rocks themselves were already covered in blood. And then, they've heard it—a steady rhythm of thousands of armoured feet hitting the ground.
Before they could see the army, a swirling cloud of darkness flew through the sky, covering the sun and engulfing the world in grey dusk. The soldiers shuffled nervously and muttered between themselves.
"Steady!" Skylar shouted and drew her sword.
And then they came, the black mass of marching figures.
The most disturbing thing was the silence.
There were no battle drums, no commands, no shouts.
The only sound breaking the stillness was a dull thud of heavy feet.
The army spilt from the narrow passage to the valley below – a slowly bulging pool of blackness.
Skylar turned Zephyr around to face her soldiers.
They were pale, looking down the hill with fear in their eyes, muttering between themselves, their voices full of tension.
She knew she would have to address them before the battle.
She was never good with words, not as Rori was.
But those were soldiers, the kind of people she understood best.
Skylar straightened and bellowed, "The enemy is approaching! This is the moment we've all feared. The Blighted Lands finally decided to make their move and try to seize our home. They're expecting us to bow our heads and accept the defeat."
The angry shouts raised, and soldiers stomped and slammed their swords against shields in protest.
Skylar grinned at them. "We will not bend the knee! We will show them that we will stand tall and not falter against their dark magic and awful monsters!"
Loud shouts of approvals. "We will show them our magic and send them back to the hell they've crawled from!"
The roar of the army echoed through the valley.
"But to do that, I need each and every one of you to hold your position as long as you can. We are the shield for Lamyria! We are the only thing standing between the army of monsters and our beloved home! And we will stand strong!"
The clamour of angry voices was deafening now. Soldiers hooted and slammed shields with their weapons, taunting the enemy and daring them to come.
Down in the ravine, a few figures in flowing dark robes came forward and raised their hands—the sorcerers. The air seemed to crackle with electricity, and a wave of cold air blew at their faces. The ear-splitting sound rolled through the hills like a rumble of thunder.
"The wards!" someone shouted. "They broke the wards!"
It was true, and they all felt it. The only thing that was protecting their lands from being swarmed by abominable monsters prowling the Blighted Lands was gone. The wave of uncertainty passed through the ranks.
Skylar raised her sword high in the air and roared at the top of her lungs: "I do not fear the darkness!"
Hundreds of soldiers immediately picked up the words, and the chant echoed through the valley like a battle cry.
"I DO NOT FEAR THE DARKNESS!"
And then, the valley below exploded with movements.
The soldiers in black armours started up the hills, but from behind them moved a mass of wolf-like beasts.
Blood Vultures were well-known beasts for everyone who ever patrolled the borders.
They looked roughly like wolves, but were bigger and stronger, even though they looked like they'd been starved half to death.
But they were swift, and their fangs and claws were sharp, which made them extremely dangerous.
"Shields!" Skylar roared, raising her sword again. The soldiers behind her made three steps forward and slammed their heavy shields into the ground, creating an impenetrable line covering the whole hilltop.
"Spears!"
Another row of soldiers stepped onward and lowered the long spears, locking the end in the ground and leaving the sharp blades sticking over the shoulders of shieldmen.
The Blood Vultures were almost halfway up the hill.
"Archers! Nock the arrows! Wait for the command!" Skylar yelled.
Soldiers were standing firm, waiting impatiently for the impact. The archers stood ready, their bowstrings held firmly back, arrows notched and aimed in the air.
"Hold!" Skylar bellowed, not taking her eyes off the charging monsters. When they finally passed the midpoint on the hill, she swung her sword down. "Fire!"
The arrows flew, and the monsters who were hit fell and rolled down the slope, tripping other beasts. But it hardly slowed down the incoming horde.
"Archers, fire at will!" Skylar roared. "Shields and spears, brace for the impact!"
And then, the dark mass of ferocious beasts smashed into the shield wall.
Gawyn was sitting on the horse at the western border of Shawcross' lands, accompanied by the elite unit of soldiers.
They could see the cloud of dust covering the horizon, indicating that the Queen's army was almost there.
They didn't have to wait long before the lavish horse-drawn carriage appeared, surrounded by a royal guard in parade uniforms.
The General stopped himself from rolling his eyes.
Those armours were more for show than for the actual battle – they might look fancy, but they were bulky and impractical.
Only a complete novice in military matters would send the soldiers to the front wearing those.
Or someone who didn't care for casualties.
The carriage came to a stop a few yards away from them.
The commander of the soldiers hopped off his horse and trotted to the vehicle to assist the Queen.
He was young, but Gawyn couldn't distinguish his features from a distance.
The remaining guards also got off their horses, and one of them tapped the ground with the banner he was holding.
"All hail Queen Elinora Hawkclaw! Bow to your Queen!"
Elinora got off the carriage. She was wearing a beautiful dress with some golden armour parts that were fitted for visual purposes only. But what made Gawyn clench his fists in anger was the crown. It was the King's crown, the one that belonged to Alarat.
Before she murdered him in cold blood.
Gawyn's hands itched. He wished he could draw his sword and kill her right now. But he knew it would be foolish. And so, he waited. But neither he nor any of his soldiers bothered to get off their horses.
The royal delegation walked closer so they wouldn't have to shout. The commander, staying at Queen's side, glared at them and yelled. "Bow to the Queen, traitor!"
Gawyn cocked his head, taking a better look at him. He was young. Indeed, he couldn't be older than eighteen. And now he recognised him. He was Hawkclaw too. He was banished from the capital when the Gryphonhearts seized the throne. That's why he hasn't been around.
"I will not bow to the usurper," he said calmly and turned his grey eyes to Elinora. "I see you work fast. Do you have your whole family already back at the palace?"
"They are right where they belong," she replied with a sweet smile. "Do not forget that Hawkclaws was wearing the crown for longer than Gryphonhearts."
"Is that why you killed Alarat? To bring glory back to your family? Was it worth the blood of your husband?"
"Don't be ridiculous. The whole kingdom already knows that your wife assassinated the King. Now, if you give her to me, I may consider a pardon for you."
Gawyn scoffed. "The hell will freeze over before I serve you."
Elinora made a pouting face. "Oh, such harsh words. I wouldn't be so rude if I were you. Don't forget that I came here with an army." She turned to the young man at her side. "How many soldiers do we have, general?"
"Five full battalions, your Highness!" said the young man puffing out his chest.
Gawyn laughed. The sound was so unexpected in the current situation and coming from this particular man that everyone gaped at him.
"What's so funny?" Elinora asked stiffly, clearly annoyed with his outburst.
"This is your new general? Have you ever been in a battle, boy?"
"How dare you!" the man's face flushed red. "We'll see what you say when I crush you with my army!"
"Oh, I can't wait to see that,"Gawyn replied with a smirk and turned to Elinora with a raised brow.
"I knew you'd be elevating your own family as soon as you get rid of us. But appointing a complete novice to lead your army? That's plain foolishness. And after all your elaborate schemes... I'm disappointed in you, Elinora."
The Queen raised her chin and smiled sweetly. "We both know it doesn't matter. I hold all the power now, and I'm going to use it to smash you. You may feign confidence all you want but look behind you." She pointed at the darkness spreading in the sky.
The thunder rolled through the air, shaking the ground under their feet.
"I believe you have guests from the east coming. I know you, Gawyn Gryphonheart, and I know you would not let the border unprotected. The truth is, you don't have enough manpower to stop me, even if you try."
Gawyn let his eyes linger on a darkening horizon for a moment.
So, it has started. He turned back to the Queen.
"We shall see. General." He made a mocking bow.
"Come and get us if you dare. I wish you good luck. And Elinora, don't forget to send regards to your friends from the East. I'm sure they are dying to see you again."
He pulled the reins and turned his horse around, trotting back toward the forest.
"You may run, but you have nowhere to go! You will die here, traitor!" the young general yelled fervently.
This entire battle scene was inspired solely by one song - Fearless by Seven Spires.
I've binge-listened to it so many times that my neighbours must hate me now :D
But I really wanted to put the words from the song's chorus as a battle cry for the longest time, hence the title of this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it!
And the battle will continue in the next chapter, obviously! ^^ so stay tuned!