Josie awoke in her tent, sweat glistening on her brow. She sat up and peered through a small crack in the doorway. The sky was a deep orange; light crept through the small gap.

It’s dawn. I should get ready.

Josie got out of her covers and slipped into her under armour - thick yet light clothing made from animal hide and chain - making sure it was strapped tightly. It fit snugly over her small, petite frame - she was dwarfed by the men who lived, breathed, and laughed around her in the makeshift military encampment. She checked her sword - a present from her mother, hastily given when she was taken from her home as a child. She brushed the blade with her finger, a smile danced across her lips as she remembered the warm embrace of her mother during cold winter nights. Slipping between a pair of large, brown tents, she picked up a scent and made her way towards the heart of the camp.

She found herself in a clearing. She looked towards the horizon. Her light green eyes, as green as a meadow in the height of summer, widened as she took in the sights before her. A vast forest, stretched as far as the eye could see, filled with dark green trees that towered over the encampment. A river ran through the heart of the camp. The water crystal clear, weaving and snaking its way through trees and boulders alike. Birds sang and chirped as they glided across the pale blue sky, circling the camp searching for breakfast. A vast field stretched towards the east, grass swaying calmly in the morning breeze. At the end of the field loomed a fortress made of black stone and iron.

That’s the fortress. I wonder what’ll happen later. When we go to battle. I… hope that Pierce and Lance make it. I don’t know what I’d do without them.

Continuing towards the scent, she found a large cauldron over the middle of a blazing fire. The smell of its contents wafted towards her.

This smells nice. Hershman knows how to cook a good stew.

Footsteps crunched behind her. A man coughed dryly. It was the kind of cough meant to get someone’s attention. She turned to find herself facing Lord Heckleman.

“Sir,” she said, immediately looking for any way out. She felt her heart pounding in her chest, each beat getting faster and faster. Josie stepped back, eyes wide with shock. She brushed her blonde hair out of her eyes, blinking rapidly.

“Hello, Josie,” he sneered, some spittle splattering on her face.

“I was on my wa-” Heckleman’s hand knifed between them, interrupting her.

“To take food? I hope you asked first, young lady. You shouldn’t be sneaking around, lest you give the wrong impression.”

“Sorry, sir. I was about to return to my tent. I’ve... forgotten something.” Her heart raced, the blood draining from her face. She shuddered as the memories of harsh punishment flooded into her thoughts.

“Apology accepted. Do not be late to roll call. Go and get ready, then you can have some food.”

“Oh, one last thing,” he said, a smile growing on his lips. He stepped to the side, allowing Josie to leave. “If I see you doing one more mischievous, foolish act, you will be scrubbing the latrines for everyone for the next month.”

The young woman quickly left, not daring to look back. She found refuge within the confines of her tent.

Why me? Why is he so cruel to me! I try. I try my best, but it’s never enough, not for him. I wish I could just run away, away from it all.

Tears welled in her eyes as she picked up her sword. She gulped down a breath, tears now freely flowing down her cheeks. A tear dropped down onto the sword, distorting the text written on the blade. She wiped the steel blade with a cloth; she looked at the engravings cast in gold along its hilt. Setting the sword down, once done, she stared blankly towards the wall in front of her. Emotions swirled through her, her breathing now slowly coming back under her control. She wiped her eyes with her sleeve.

I guess I don’t have much choice. I’m going to have to do this, if not for me, for the people who believe in me. Get a hold of yourself, Josie. You can do this.

She forced herself to stand and began to prepare for the day, making sure everything was packed and ready to go. All that was left was to wait.

A lone trumpet echoed in the silence of the day. It was time to gather. The sun was now hovering above the horizon, deep orange in a sea of blue. Grabbing her belongings, she checked that she had everything she would need. A flask of water, bound in boar hide. Her sword and shield - remnants of her past - along with some rations enclosed in a small satchel, in case she found herself split from the main force.

I need to leave - I’m going to be late! Heckleman is going to enjoy that.

Josie ran out of her tent and headed towards the gathering area - a small clearing a few hundred meters from the main camp. She arrived, her heart pounding and her sides burning - but not soon enough.

“Late!” Lord Heckleman shrieked. “Get in formation, now!” His face reddened as his arms flailed with his rage.

She ran to her position, finally ready for roll call. Lord Heckleman walked towards their small group and loomed over her before speaking.

“As per new orders from the king, I will be assuming command over your unit today. As I am sure you are aware, the girl is with us today. We hope to destroy this evil today, lest the prophecy remains unfulfilled.”

“Our plan is quite simple. We are to wait in reserve for the main force to wipe out the demon lord’s army. Then, we are to charge the great hall so she can vanquish this evil once and for all to reclaim our lost lands. We have the full support of our great and glorious king, so do NOT fail him.”

He looked Josie directly in the eye, his eyebrows locked together.

“The king mentioned to me only two things. She is to enter the great hall alone and we are to await his command before we are to make way into battle. If anyone, anyone, goes with her into the hall, they and their family will be executed, under orders from the king.”

“You are to return here at midday. Until then, take the time to write your final letters, eat, train and speak with the mages if you wish to speak directly with your families,” he said, looking straight at her with contempt. “If you have families.”

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Lord Heckleman turned and left, returning to his large, lavish tent. She looked back over the group and searched for a friendly face. Her eyes met a familiar face - she shared a smile with her friend Pierce. Built like a bear, Pierce towered over most of the unit - he had a short beard, redder than the sky on a hot summer’s night, and glistening blue eyes that stood out from his sun-roasted skin.

Ever since Josie had arrived in the academy, Pierce had protected her from the bullies - student and teacher alike - who had planned to make every day of her life as miserable as the day she left her home. He was the brother she never had; therefore, she did not doubt that she would be willing to do anything for Pierce - even as far as to give her own life.

“Do you know where Lance is?” asked Josie, a look of worry growing on her face.

“He is moving up with the main force, I think. He told me that he’s going to be infiltrating the fortress to clear the way,” Pierce said, smiling shyly. “Shall we train?”

She nodded and began to make her way towards the training grounds - a small clearing in the forest, where there were dummies, weights, and enough space to practice combat.

I hope Lance survives this. He’s a good man. He’s always been there for me. Always.

Lance was a short, mousy man. He had long, bushy hair sprouting from every possible part of his body. He was also taken, like herself - initially by the Wizards of Illyria, destined to a life as a mage, but he was kicked out due to lack of talent. He had found his place with the Knights of Valour - his new home.

They arrived at the training grounds, sitting on logs that sat at the edge of the clearing. Pierce looked over to Josie.

“It’s a beautiful day today, isn’t it?” said Pierce, looking upwards.

“Yeah,” she said, looking down.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Heckleman has been…himself again.”

“Oh. You shouldn’t worry too much about him, I’m sure he only wants the best for you.”

“He doesn’t have to be so cruel. I’ve done nothing to him, nothing at all!” Josie felt emotions begin to well up, years of memories overflowing into her thoughts.

“Yeah. I get it. He’s like that with everyone, the miserable old man. But you always have me, and Lance.” he said, lightheartedly patting her back. “You’re not alone, remember that.”

“Thanks. You have me too, you know.”

“You wanna take out your frustration?” he asked, pushing himself up.

“Sure. I won’t be going easy, though!” Pierce said, readying himself.

She leapt up, unsheathing her sword. With a yell, she swung down on Pierce, who blocked it with ease.

“I see! Good, but you lack power,” he said, grinning as he went for a counter.

She blocked the counter with her shield, sidestepping out of his reach. Taking the opportunity, she went to attack his exposed flank.

“HALT!” the voice boomed, echoing deep into the forest. Birds scattered from the branches, a loud cacophony of wings and thick foliage.

Dread washed over her. She felt her throat constrict. She trembled, now in the firm grip of fear. She shuddered; a grim thought floated in her mind.

I really can’t scrub the latrines. It’s awful - the smell, the stickiness. The men here are pigs, with no sense of direction or respect for others.

Lord Heckleman stood tall, his hands on his hips. She recollected herself, focusing on each breath. Standing tall, she

“What do you think you are doing, Pierce?” he said, glowering. “Are you trying to injure the girl before she is to go to battle? Hmm?”

“I... We were training, sir!”

Pierce’s face was as white as a freshly cleaned linen sheet. He stumbled back, sheathing his longsword.

“Hmm. No harm, no foul. You may continue, but if you even scratch the girl I will have your head.”

He scowled towards the pair before he walked off, back towards the camp.

“I think it might be best if we don’t spar,” she said, looking towards him with worry.

“I don’t mind. I trust you won’t hurt me too badly ” Pierce smiled, his arms outstretched.

Josie laughed, her worries slowly easing away. “It’s alright, you’ll get your fair share of combat soon enough.”

“After all these years… and you’re the one refusing a fight!”

“Hah! This is only to stop you from getting hurt, after all.”

“No fair. If he didn’t intervene, you’d still have said no out of fear!”

Her stomach grumbled and groaned.

“I think I’m going to go back and grab some food. I haven’t eaten since I woke up.”

Thanks, Pierce. For being there, thick and thin. I wouldn’t manage a day with that Heckleman without you by my side.

A smile spread across her lips as she turned and left. Walking along a dirt pathway, the clang of iron against metal echoed, getting fainter and fainter with each step.

It was finally midday - time for the attack. Now Josie was wearing her complete set of armour, the heroine waited patiently under the scorching sun. She felt her undergarments begin to stick to her body. She was in a small encampment behind the lines, lying in wait with her unit. She sat on a log as she watched thousands of men charge up the hill towards the great stone fortress. The battle was brutal, with men - some only sixteen summers old - slicing and cutting any who stood in their way.

Josie watched with horror as men were set ablaze by witches, their screams piercing the cries and roars of battle. The fortress suddenly split open, large stones thrown across the battlefield, crushing men and monsters alike. The mages had blown a hole straight through the side of the stone behemoth. She felt a tap on her shoulder.

“We must depart,” said Lord Heckleman, a look on his face she had never seen before - terror.

She lurched suddenly upward to stand, grabbing her sword and shield.

What could be scaring this man?

“Has the king given the order?” she asked, not daring to meet his eye.

“No. The king is nowhere to be found. However, his second-in-command told me if we do not move quickly, he fears the demon lord shall escape once more. The situation at the fortress is nearing critical condition - if we do not move now, I fear the repercussions from the king will be much, much worse,” he said.

“Promise me one thing,” he asked, looking straight through her.

“Okay”

“You will make it back, no matter what.”

She looked at him, dazed and confused - she could barely comprehend the words leaving his lips.

“Promise me,” he said, his eyes wide and frantic.

“I promise,” she muttered out, frozen in disbelief.

“Thank you. Thank you. Let us leave now, or we may be too late,” the Lord said, turning around towards the fortress.

Where is the king? I thought we needed his permission? But also… I must complete my mission. And what was that about?! Does he… does he actually care about us?

Josie turned to her unit, who had gathered by the road, prepared to head into the battle. Though she knew what she must do, doubts began to drift through her thoughts. Walking alongside Pierce, she donned her steel helmet and prepared to fight the Demon lord.

They walked through the battlefield, amongst the corpses. Bodies lay strewn all around Josie - Orc, goblin, and man. The battlefield was silent - the fighting had long since moved into the fortress. They walked through fortifications hastily built around vast craters in an attempt to stop their onslaught.

Reaching the top of the hill, they found themselves staring through the hole in the wall. They walked in a tight formation, protecting her in the centre, making their way down through the damaged and wartorn fort, tense and ready for action. They ran into a small gang of goblins who were huddled around the corpse of a man.

Lord Heckleman sprung into action, along with Pierce, while the rest stayed back to protect her. Slashing and slicing, the pair splattered the wall with shiny black blood. Footsteps echoed down the hall, rapidly approaching. The warriors readied themselves, but they were met by Lance, who frantically gestured towards them.

Lance? What happened?

“Run! Ogre! Run!” he yelled, his face bloodied and scratched.

But it was too late; an ogre slammed its way through the stone wall, roaring as it swung its stone club down to crush some of the soldiers surrounding her.

“Pierce! Lance! Get her to the hall. We will deal with this bloody monster. Go!” Lord Heckleman screamed, charging blade first towards the ten-foot-tall ogre. Josie sprinted towards her friends, jumping through the gaping hole. A long, stone building stood in the middle of the fortress.

That’s where he’ll be.

The shrill screams of the Lord echoed behind her. Looking back, she steeled herself. She pressed on - determined to meet her fate - towards the great hall.