The exhausted troops, after a grueling week-long march, finally laid eyes on it—the fort rising above the horizon. Though dark smoke had previously loomed over it, causing unease, the fact that the structure remained intact boosted their morale.

With renewed vigor, the soldiers hastened their pace, and soon they arrived at the back gate, which swung open after a resounding command, pushed by the guards inside.

Javohir immediately scrutinized the walls. They consisted of two rows of sturdy wooden logs with earth and rocks filling the gap between them, forming a walkway on top. The front row was slightly taller, providing some cover for the guards, and the sharpened ends of the logs deterred easy access for the enemy.

He couldn't immediately spot many defenders—only a dozen guards on constant watch.

What he witnessed within the fort was disheartening. Several buildings lay in ruins, one completely engulfed in flames with smoke still lingering in the air. Some people fighting to put the fire down. The front walls were partially destroyed, displaying a breach where the defenses had been compromised. Yet the soldiers had hastily piled anything they could find into the gap, attempting to impede the enemy's entry.

"Find yourselves a place to rest!" Brish Navernaya bellowed from horseback before urging the steed forward.

The men scattered within the dimly lit fort as if they already knew what to do. Those who were mounted, dismounted and led their horses to the still-standing stables. The rest mingled with the locals, finding a spot to sit. The supply handlers ensured the carts were safely placed under a shed, then proceeded to distribute rations among the men.

Javohir and Raul settled near the wall, adjacent to a collapsed building. The wooden beams that had formed the structure were piled up, largely untouched despite the destruction. A visible rock, the culprit behind the collapse, remained wedged amidst the debris.

To avoid sitting on the ground, they used one of the wooden beams as a makeshift bench, stretching their legs as they nibbled on bread and dried meat provided by a newfound comrade.

While Raul remained mostly silent, Javohir couldn't help but listen to the conversations around him, seeking a better understanding of the situation. He left his friend's side upon hearing people discussing the events that had unfolded in the fort.

"They had a catapult, and I'm telling you, I thought we were done for!" an older man exclaimed. His shoulder was injured, and his entire hand was immobilized, bound tightly against his torso with a blood-soaked cloth. "It smashed the barracks. Thankfully, nobody was inside since we raised the alarm. But then they aimed for the wall, and it nearly crumbled."

"How did it happen?" a younger soldier in armor similar to Javohir's inquired, with a wood-chopping axe strapped to his belt.

"They came with a number of people. Enough to siege us, but not enough to take the fort. We thought it would be easy to repeal them, but then they started to build a catapult. We didn’t know at first what it was. They had all the parts, so they only needed to assemble it. The moment we knew what it was, the captain ordered two raiders to go for reinforcements. Then they started shooting at us, but we repealed them. They knocked a few buildings, so we had no other choice but to try to take down the catapult. We sent a large group, and they got to this damn construction, but the casualties were heavy on our side. The next night they came from two sides. They sent archers to attack from the east, while infantry charged through the hole. We pushed them back, but barely. Then they must have spotted you somehow because they attacked last night. The same strategy. Archers from the east, and the infantry tried to push from the south, through the hole. I thought we were done for, but somehow we pushed them back. It was the worst night of my life! I swear on my mother! A bloody miracle that we survived." Despite the grim tale, the man wore a smile as he spoke.

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Since this was all Javohir wished to learn, he left. He made his way back to Raul and relayed the information.

"So, that's what they said..." he concluded, recounting the tale to his tall companion.

There was no immediate response. Instead of speaking, Raul preferred to finish his food in silence. His reaction prompted Javohir to sigh heavily before taking a seat beside him.

"Why did you come with me?" the Exalonian suddenly asked after a prolonged quiet moment between them.

Raul didn't answer immediately, taking his time to contemplate. "Viki asked me to.”

„She was not… I’m not asking why did you come with us, to the island. I’m asking why did you come with me, here.” The Exalonian specified.

„Why did you come?” Raul countered with a question.

"Me?" The boy chuckled. "It's complicated... But you're my friend, so I'm going to tell you."

The words surprised his silent companion. The tall young man even glanced at Javohir, intrigued by the sudden revelation.

"When I was younger, I didn't think much about who I would become. I worked and played with other kids, just like everyone else. But then I was sold... I became a slave, and my world crumbled before my eyes. I spent nights praying for a merciful master who wouldn't work me to the bone." The Exalonian began his tale with his gaze fixed on the opposite wall of the fort, observing the guard who slowly paced along its rampart.

Meanwhile, Raul continued to look at him, displaying curiosity about the past of this peculiar self-proclaimed friend.

"I ended up with Bruno, thinking this poor soul wouldn't last a day wherever he ended up. Fate, however, led us to be sold to fight in an underground arena," Javohir continued, pausing briefly to release a short chuckle. "He surprised me. He wasn't at all what I expected. When I felt hopeless, he searched for opportunities to escape, and they came. I initially thought it was luck when someone bought him out of The Hole, but then I realized I was mistaken. It wasn't just luck. He inspired me to be the same way. Always seeking opportunities... So I did. I followed his plan because I believed it was my way out, and I succeeded." Laughter permeated his speech once again, this time louder and lasting a bit longer.

The tall boy's head tilted slightly to the side, displaying even greater interest in his companion's tale.

"I came here full of ideas. Full of hope. The world opened up for me," Javohir continued. "But eventually, I discovered I was wrong. I lacked what Bruno possessed. I couldn't see things the way he could. It was as if someone had thrown sand in my eyes while his vision remained clear. I even went to him, searching for the right words... You know what he told me? He said I had something else. I had a heart to fight. So I came here to fight. I came here to prove that I can be of use to him, just as he is of use to me."

"Touching story," a voice interrupted their conversation. It came from nearby, and the source was Brish Navernaya, who was approaching them. "But we have other matters to focus on. The rats from Ankhelis keep attacking at night. I'm assembling a force from those who can fight tonight to repel them. Are you two in, or do you need some rest after the march?"

"I'm in," Javohir responded without hesitation.

Raul simply nodded.

"They are attempting to breach the walls through the hole they created with a catapult. So far, they've been feigning attacks on the western wall, shooting arrows, while their infantry safely approaches from the front, because we are busy on the other side. Since they saw the reinforcements, I’m unsure if they will attack, but they aren’t leaving either." the lord informed them.

„How many are there?” Javohir asked.

„Of them? Hard to tell exact numbers. From what I saw they have an advantage in numbers, but it’s too small to take the fort. They can stay in their camp, and wait, but it’s pointless. If they were smart, they would start packing, but they are not, so something might be going on. Just in case I need warriors to be ready to fight. I know you are tired, but the soldiers from the fort are in worse shape.”

„We can fight,” Javohir assured, then quickly glanced at Raul.

The tall young man simply nodded.

„Good. Rest now. The captain of the fort is figuring out where to fit us with all the injured. As soon as it’s done, I’ll send somebody to show you where you can sleep. Also, go and take additional rations. I need you to have strength,” Brish explained, before he left them, heading to the center of the fort.