The world is vivid in its personification of nature. The trees speak to the woodcutters, the wind speaks to the bards, the vegetation speaks to the farmers, and the heat of the Sun speaks to me. The village of Rhine is one that contains such people; working people who seek out the intensities of nature to find a means for food. Yet even in such an environment, the people here are kind and innocent. Rina, my wife, was born here, and we thought it right to start our lives here, considering it would be better for us to live with the support of Rina's parents. Though I was orphaned at a young age, I took solace in the happiness of my wife. It had been 5 years since then. 

Walking out of the yellow thatched hut we had managed to build, I stepped onto the dry path of dirt and sand. Pulling my cart-like wagon from the grass on the side of my house, I lined it with the center of the road, heading for the farmers market.  

Pulling on my wagon required a lot of strength, and over time, I had gotten used to it. Now, it was just the idleness of the situation that was a bit bothersome. Soon, with the money I saved, we should be able to buy a horse. Hopefully with that, I'll be able to spend more time home, with my daughter. 

Brida is two now, and she can speak quite well for a child her age. With the brown hair and freckles of her mother, I fear her beauty will attract unwanted attention in the future. As a father, I have much to worry about, but for now, the warmth of her playful smile will suffice. 

With these thoughts clouding my mind, I hadn't realized I had already reached the farmer's market. There, I greeted my friend Robert, "Oi! Where's the next shipment to?" 

Turning his back from his stall, Robert raised his hand up as a greeting. "Oh! You came just in time. This one is nearby. Gotta pass this one to Kerr back at Hindellwood. This time, its bell peppers."

"Consider it done.", I replied, as I loaded the goods in the wagon. Hindellwood was the neighboring village, and would only take a couple hours to travel to. In about 3 hours, I should be done with my work if I come back running. Putting the handles of the wagon on my back with a sigh, I began. 

Passing the green fields of Rhine and Hindellwood, I reached the gates in 2 hours. Not a man was to be found; the city was locked. Observing from the tower above the walls, the local guard spoke, "What business do you have here?! Have you not heard? The army of the North is coming!" 

"The North? Why? Is there are another war?"

"What does it matter to you? Scram! I have no time for this." With this, I was left standing helpless, as the guard left the post. If what he said was true, the village was in danger. The Northerners are known for their ruthlessness when it comes to raids and battles; my family would be in danger. But without this wagon, even if we manage to survive, we would have nothing. Thinking this, I travelled yet another 2 hours, back to Rhine village. 

After placing the wagon and the cargo near the village walls, I rushed to the Chieftain's house. "Lord, the North! *Huff huff*" The chief was a man who had seen war; the scars on his face made that clear. He had since then retired from that post and had left the army to serve the people of Rhine. There was no official position for any village for a chief, but because of his goodwill during his stay, the people of Rhine appointed him to the task of helping manage the village. This served useful to our people, as we now had a body of authority to deal with village matters, without having to go to the city for judgement. 

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The chief was known by the name Umbra. He had long golden hair that curled at the ends and bushy eyebrows. He wore a simple red vest from the foreign lands he hailed from and local brown breeches. He was muscular and tall, and had a sense of gloom in his fierce brown eyes. Looking towards me, he spoke in his deep yet clear voice, "Kharon. Where did you hear this?" 

I replied, "Chief, the guard of Hindellwood told me of this. They have sealed off... *Huff* the village." 

Taking a second to think, Chief Umbra replied, "So be it. Ring the gong." 

Running to the top of the central wooden tower next to the chief's house, I smacked the gong with all my remaining might. I could now feel the strain within my body. This gong served the purpose of bringing the people of the village to the chief's house. With this, it saved time gathering people through word of mouth. The idea was proposed by Chief Umbra himself. 

With the people gathered, I reunited with my family. Worried, my wife, Rina, asked, "Are you alright? What is happening?" 

"Everything will be fine." A lie as it may be, it is no sin comforting those you care about. Embracing my wife and child, I waited for the chief to speak. 

Stepping out of his quarters, silencing the murmurs of the crowd, Chief Umbra spoke, "There is a chance we are at war. And if what I have heard is true, we must prepare for the worst. Migrating and fleeing will serve no purpose, just like the last war, it won't be possible to run from this. If we are to survive, we must take certain measures to secure the village. Rino and Briar, close the gates and guard the walls! All men be prepared with weapons you see fit, and reunite here. Any able women are welcome to join as archers on the lookout tower. The rest can choose to stay in the town hall or their homes! Ready yourselves!"

Taking my daughter from the arms of my wife, I spoke, "Let's go home, Rina. We will talk there." 

Reaching home, I sat on a chair opposite to my wife, after putting my daughter to sleep. Holding her arms in mine, I continued, "I want you to stay here. There's a chance the Northerners will raid the town hall and leave. Take the kitchen knife and protect our daughter. I will have to stand with the others." 

Pulling her hands away from mine, Rina jumped in for a hug as a tear trickled her cheek. She spoke, "Return safely." Within minutes of this, I was walking to the chief's house, with the short sword I had bought from the blacksmith sheathed in leather. I had strapped a wooden shield to my back with ropes; it was the only form of protection I could afford, without a loss in mobility. 

Standing next to the army of 40 men, we waited for Chief Umbra. Battle-ready, he stepped out, with his infamous black sword, red leather shoulder pads, and his silver barbute helm. Seeing him in this form was inspiring. The previous war two years ago, I cowered with the company of my wife. But now, I was ready; I had been preparing for such a moment, readying myself through practice. 

Standing on the platform below his house, Chief Umbra spoke, "We may be few in number, but as it stands, this is all we have! If we are to protect that which we dearly love, let us do so unrelentingly! Sharpen your weapons with the blacksmiths, we meet again at the gates!" 

A war cry known through custom, we roared, "Haham! Haham! Haham!", the name of the God of War.