We have been marching for over a week now and have finally reached castle Val

This castle looked amazing; it seems to be protecting a small city here just a mile behind it. 3 big towers and a large open field with walls protecting it, now this is a castle made for warfare. Looking just ahead of the castle were what seemed like bodies….dead bodies. Swords stabbed down the grass and bodies both intact and mained

I felt my stomach swirling.

I've never killed someone but I feel and hope when the time comes I won't hesitate after all it would be for the greater good right?

Pushing these thoughts aside we enter the castle walls and stand in the open field. I took a couple of glances at Jim and he seemed to understand what I was gonna say.

Where was Peter at?

As the captains went and entered an open tent to what I assume was to speak on the problems currently going on and how they were gonna resolve them. I started walking around with Jim to look for peter.

We would ask a couple of soldiers already stationed here and none knew where he was; others didn't even know who he was. That was until a soldier named David said he should be down at the tent with the medics

so off we went.

Entering the tent, we were very surprised at the scene in front of us.

Peter was in here

His medium length hair just barely passed his shoulders and with a blood soak eye socket that was… missing an eye.

He had a stern look and seemed pissed, I'm going to assume that was due to the fact he had a whole damn eye gone.

“Peter!” cried out Jim and immediately we saw his face soften, we walked towards him hugged it out and chatted a bit.

“I gotta ask how did you lose your eye” I asked Peter as he handed us some beer.

“Battle friend, these monsters seem to enjoy torturing more than killing. Don't fret, I will get justice for my eye” he said laughing at the last bit he said.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Course peter rarely took anything seriously. I was nevertheless glad he was alive.

The three of us spent the next few hours chatting and ended up getting kicked out of medic setup for being a bit drunk, so we moved the party over to a little fire that's been lit in the open field.

Getting a good look at the two of them, Jim always had his muscular look with his nicely trimmed military cut, he looks like he was truly made for these fields. As for Peter, he was kinda built like me, we both had a lean figure one that didn't look weak nor strong somewhere in the middle.

“Hey you three boys better stop drinking, you're wasting all of our drinks! yelled out some fat merchant who spotted us taking his drinks.

“ piss off you big belly pig!” yells out Jim to him and soon we were being scolded by our captain Tristian.

Captain Tristan wore battle scars all over his face and was very bulky of muscle, which made him a bit scary to hang around, he was a stern leader who if you did not obey, you should be prepared to face his wrath.

“You got it boys, We are gonna go into battle soon so you three shits better sober up fast understood”

“Yes sir” said all three of us as we saluted him, holding back a couple of laughs which thankfully the captain turned away just in time.

We walked back to the fire but this time with nothing in our hands and just sat on the dirt

Captain said we are to enter battle soon, I wonder where the general is at. There was for sure one here but i've yet to see them, the generals were top powerful warriors who have made names for themselves both in politics and commanding.

“Alexander” I turned up to look at Peter, assuming he saw me thinking as I stared into the fire.

“ What's your goal Alex, what are you gonna do once this war is over?” he asked

I looked back into the fire and took a second to answer

“ I just wanna help my mother and brothers out, and joining the army seemed the most plausible.” I answer him while looking into the fire.

“ Very noble of you, your family were always nice to us, I wonder who my parents were. Like did I ever have any siblings? Some mysteries tend to remain unsolved ay.” said Peter with a hint of sadness.

Petter and Jim have been orphans for as long as I can remember, my father and mother would always help them out when they asked so they both held a loving spot for my people.

Jim and Peter kept speaking but I was now more attracted towards the fire in front of me.

It seemed to dance across the air and make some crackling sounds a couple of times. It got big enough where it covered up Peter's face when I looked over to him. It seemed to distort space itself even before the flames went to the spot. It was hypnotizing, and interesting.

Long ago it was said mages were able to wield such things. But it's been centuries since that sort of power has been lost. I wonder if anyone out there knows how to control such things. Would it ever be possible to use magic ever again? I was now wishing I would be able to see such power be used in my lifetime.

“Thwip”

In an instant I heard arrows swooshing above, Immediately we all laid on the ground covering our bodies with what we could.

Screams and cries can be heard all over and I looked over to see a man walking around with eyes wide open with an arrow sticking out of his neck, recognizing the man. It was the fat merchant from earlier.

Once the wave of arrows were over we all immediately ran to our weapons and geared up.

I picked up a sword with a round shield. As for my armor I looked at my body, I didn't have much money on me to be able to afford high end gear, I was wearing a simple chest plate, with a tight black long sleeve under it, wearing a set of leather arm sheaths as well as padded leggings with a pair of boots. I never liked thick pads as it honed me down a lot.

Looking around, our own archers have gone up the wall and begun firing outside of the walls, only they know what's out there waiting for us. Now we all have begun getting into formation and waiting on command

It was time.