In Elethien’s life, she had seen one rehearsal of a military parade designed to instil a sense of security, order and intimidation towards the people. They were often quite majestic and grand, the soldiers imposing with their extravagant ceremonial armour being seen in all its glory. Even if the Foresters weren’t the intended audience, she remembered the nearly frightening discipline the soldiers displayed in their march, almost forcing her to follow in their steps. Accompanying the seriousness was also a feeling of optimism and glory, that the soldiers were proud to sacrifice themselves to achieve victory in the war for the kingdom.
As she looked back towards the march of the young Foresters, there was that same proudness again, displayed even more radiantly as they looked forwards toward her. Even if their steps were relatively ragged as they carried their heavy belongings, even if they were still worn down with hunger, they held their heads high as they marched northeast towards Prentdor. Those who originally joined Elethien followed closely behind, and even if they didn’t appear as enthusiastic, their grit displayed a firm belief in her leadership for their collective dream.
If she commanded, they would gladly sacrifice their lives for her.
After some reorganisation within the ranks with Tarigen’s planning and Teion’s execution, the Foresters were gradually showing signs of discipline, marching steadily over the plains in roughly rectangular columns with the leaders at the centre of the formations, similar to how they were organised before a battle back during their mercenary days. Of course, this sort of organisation invited some noise at first, but with no better template of reference, it was the best Tarigen could do to begin imposing some sort of order.
‘The air’s getting dry,’ Teion noted. ‘We’re going to be in Prentdor soon, aren’t we?’
‘I believe we’re already in Prentdor,’ Tarigen answered. ‘Though tomorrow is when we’ll step foot into the battlefields. I can already see the outlines of forts on the horizon. We should count ourselves lucky we haven’t been spotted by any Trelvenese or Rhinish army yet. The emptiness scares me a little.’
‘Maybe the armies are gathering for a large battle?’ Teion estimated.
‘That’s the most logical reason, I guess.’
‘Or perhaps it’s Fate,’ Elethien said. ‘There is a reason why the wind is still guiding us northeast.’
‘So you’re saying our battle is yet to come?’ Tarigen asked.
‘Yes. And in that battle, we will introduce ourselves once more to armies of Trelven and Rhinn and to more of our people. We won’t make the same mistakes again. Our kingdom will come.’
‘And I guess I can finally see what the kingdom is made of.’
‘You’re part of this kingdom, Tarigen,’ she said. ‘Don’t make it seem like you’re just an observer.’
‘A very important part as well,’ Teion added.
‘I haven’t been part of any battle since I was sent to study in the palace. I don’t think I can call myself that yet.’
‘You don’t need to have suffered the same things as us to be considered a Forester,’ Teion encouraged. ‘Besides, you’ve done a lot already, genius.’
‘Rare for you to genuinely compliment me.’
‘And you’d better treasure this moment.’
Elethien smiled. The optimism and high morale was clearly reflected even in her usually conflicting companions.
As night began to arrive, they stopped at a small hill to set up the camp, reserving the peak for Elethien’s use. At her request, her sword was placed in a separate tent, the entry reserved for Elethien alone. By now, she had recognised a certain importance between her sword and the God she worshipped. Being an object quite literally touched by Fate and blessed by it as she had, it was the second strongest symbol of its power and dominance behind Elethien herself. Just as Fate promised in its first appearance, the blade never rusted or dulled, the weapon faithfully ready for her use. Just like her body, it was a temple for Fate, a direct link between the mortal and divine. And just like her, it was a symbol for the Foresters’ victory and invincibility so long as it was by her side.
Such was the importance of her sword.
She entered the ‘temple’, as she had begun to call that tent now, being in solitude as she looked upon her sword resting on a crude stand, fashioned by one of the more artistically-gifted Foresters by the name of Gof. This was her place of rest and worship, a physical representation of her relationship with Fate which she had fashioned. With this, she would never forget her God, whether in battle through her sword or in peace through the tent.
‘Fate, my God, I am here again,’ she said as she knelt and clasped her hands together while facing the sword.
There was no answer, but the absence of sound, a moment ago still seeping into the tent, was enough for her. Her God was here.
‘Your wind has brought us closer and closer to the destination. Tomorrow we will probably set foot in the battlefields. Is this still what you want for me and my kingdom?’
Trust in your lord and God, my dear child.
‘Is what I’m doing in your favour?’
You’ve done well.
‘I trust that you will protect us in the upcoming battle, and I pray my people will not suffer, but is that your intention?’
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
In battle, you will encounter many things to come as well as people you have never encountered. There will be temptations to sway you, but do not forget your God who has blessed you and rescued you. Do not forget the reason for your journey. Always remember that I am by your side.
‘I won’t forget.’
Then that is all, my dear child. I will always be there.
After a slight gust of wind, the sounds outside the tent were audible again. Elethien stood up, her mind tranquil and clear as the purest of water. Compared to the uncertainties surrounding the battle of Maerila, she was now perfectly calm to enter battle once more.
As she stepped outside, she noticed that several of the Foresters were in the middle of their own prayers, their mouths trembling as they whispered their wishes to Fate just as she had done. It didn’t matter that Fate never directly spoke to them as it did to her. It was the God that sent Elethien to rescue them from their predicament. That alone was enough for them to clasp their hands together in prayer.
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It was the next day, the Foresters having marched for a while since they woke up at the break of dawn. With her sword by her waist, Elethien overlooked the sandy plains below from another hill as the wind began to quiet down. They were still quite far away, but there was no mistaking the cloud of dust that kicked up in the barren area, the ground peppered and dotted with ditches stretching across the entire landscape. Not a single tree grew in the area, the harsh soil being home to only a few hardy weeds.
They were about to enter an active battlefield.
‘Just as I remembered,’ Tarigen said calmly. ‘The battlefields are still the same.’
As expected, the newly joined young Foresters who had never seen battle were showing slight signs of fear. Many of them looked to Elethien, her gaze fixated towards the distance, her face not showing a hint of emotion. The older veterans of the vanguard, meanwhile, already stood in formation with Teion at the front, ready to plunge themselves into what was to come.
The battle between the kingdoms of Trelven and Rhinn, fought mostly by Foresters who belonged to neither, was to be interrupted by other Foresters. This was a battle to be won not by Trelven or Rhinn, but by Elethien and her Foresters. And she intended to save every single Forester that fought on the field.
‘Do not kill if you notice the opponent has green eyes,’ she cautioned. ‘This is a battle to attract more of our people to join the kingdom, not to kill them as the Trelvenese have done. But if their eyes are anything but that… eradicate them.’
She especially hated seeing the blue hue of the Trelvenese upper class and nobility, far more than she used to before.
‘All hail the Kingdom of Foresters!’ she shouted as she raised her sword high.
‘All hail the Kingdom of Foresters!’ Thousands of spears and weapons, each tied with a piece of green cloth to the hilt, responded in fervour to her call. The unity was as strong as ever, whatever nerves they had being released with each cry and roar.
It did not matter how many combatants were involved in the battle ahead of them. Whether they be in the thousands or tens of thousands, the Foresters didn’t care. Elethien would protect and save them. Their morale was similar to the early days of the rebellion, but they possessed a bigger number now, and their ranks were perhaps to swell even further after the battle. This was a battle destined to be won, whatever doubts they might’ve had all gone at the sight of their queen and the sounds of their shouts.
The Kingdom of Foresters had fully recovered, and now stood greater than before.
After addressing the Foresters as a whole, Elethien approached Tarigen, the young man now retreated and sitting at the back with the noncombatants. Unlike the loud warriors at the front, the noncombatants were calm and still resting as a large group, silently cheering on their more able-bodied companions. Instead of being liabilities, they had allowed themselves to be organised by Tarigen to prepare the warriors for the battle. Some mended the clothes and weapons, others prepared gifts and charms, and still others gave words of encouragement and reassurance early on in the morning before the battlefield had even approached the edge of the horizon.
‘Don’t you want to see the battle at the front, even if you are unfit to fight in the thick of it?’ she asked.
‘I’d rather stay and wait for the good news,’ he responded. ‘For all the optimism and promise, a battle is still going to be a bloody affair.’
‘You were the one who organised us and presented order in our ranks. You’d want to at least see the results of your labour, don’t you?’
‘And you were the one who was accurate in predicting there will be a battle today. Besides, you were also the one who wanted me to lead the noncombatants, so I’m here with them.’
‘At least accompany us for a little while,’ she insisted. ‘Some of the other noncombatants are doing that.’
‘I’ll pray to your God for a swift victory.’
‘... Fine,’ she relented. ‘Still, I want you to be the first to greet us when we return. You’re one of the leaders of the kingdom now, after all.’
‘Alright, as you wish… our Queen.’
‘Stop.’
‘Fine, fine,’ Tarigen chuckled. ‘Just come back safe. I don’t want to see you injured.’
‘If Fate allows.’
‘Not “if Fate allows”. Come back safe.’ In an act rather unbefitting of his character, he reached for Elethien’s hand and held it tightly before letting go.
For the first time, Elethien noticed a hint of concern on his face, a stark contrast to the confidence of everyone else heading into battle. That calm, rational mask of his broke for just a moment for her to see.
‘Don’t worry. Fate has, and will keep me safe,’ she assured. ‘See you after the battle.’
‘I’ll be waiting for the triumphant news.’
By the time she returned to Teion and the vanguard, the wind had already stopped. The Foresters’ cheers and roars had quieted down, replaced by the grim determination as they looked towards the cloud of dust in the distance.
‘Our first proper battle since Maerila, huh,’ he commented, his axe resting on his shoulder. ‘Hope I don’t lose my cool this time.’
He still remembered his costly mistake back then.
‘But that won’t be repeated,’ he continued. ‘And I trust you to not lose your cool as well.’
Of course, he still remembered her mistake.
‘Put our trust in Fate, and none of what happened before will happen again,’ she said, her eyes focused ahead. ‘This will be our victory.’
‘You’ve become more confident, Elethien.’
‘As I said, put our trust completely in Fate, and victory will come.’
‘I guess so,’ he smiled. ‘Fate is what led you to rise up, and through you, the salvation of all of us here.’
She quickly clasped her hands in one final, silent prayer. There would be no more mistakes. The battle, the war was to be won. The Kingdom of Foresters would rise, her people finally having a place they could call their own. With the blessing of Fate, she was to create that place for them. From this battle to the next, Fate would lead them to overcome each trial until at the end when everything would be achieved. This was only a step to the inevitable ending that she believed in. Her past sins could not hold her down. There was only looking forward to the glorious, hopeful future that Fate promised for her.
‘To Prentdor.’
‘To the battlefield.’
‘We march!’ Elethien roared.