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Rian
After getting the water situation under control, I divided out my best warriors to travel with me, and left Garrett in charge of the rest. I led my troops on foot around our rocky outcropping until we were positioned next to the path that separated us from the backside of the enemy’s camp. It had taken us almost a whole day just to make it there. I instructed everyone to rest as we waited quietly until the appointed time.
Just after the evening sun tipped over the boulders right behind the Cordelians, some of Garrett’s troop came out into the open and shot arrows at the enemy. They were far enough away that there was not much chance any would meet a mark. It was only a distraction so my troops could cross the open space across the path and hopefully, not be seen.
Everyone held their weapons in white-knuckled fists as we eased over the rocks, trying not to make any noise. I was thankful for the lack of vegetation. The sound of our boots crunching stems and dry leaves would have surely given us away. It took half of the night for us to spread out over the rocks behind the Cordelians. I had instructed everyone to sleep if they could but knew most were probably like me with too much adrenaline pumping through their veins to allow for it.
It took more time than I had anticipated to get everything in place, but now we only awaited the rising of the sun and my signal to begin. I studied our enemies as the sky began to lighten. More than the usual night guards were moving through the camp below me. No doubt the distraction of last night had caused them alarm. They had to know we were up to something, but did they know we were waiting to ambush them from behind? Several of the Cordelians were turned my way, studying the outcropping of rocks. It stood to reason that a group as large as mine had made some noise as we moved into position.
Dear Lord, it is likely that they know we are here. We are outnumbered, but I know you have brought your people through greater odds than this. It would be a travesty to my kingdom if they succeed in their plans. I pray for your protection, and of course, I hope we win, but never the less, your will be done.
My prayer mirrored the one Garrett had given the day before. I was relatively new at speaking to God, so I figured he knew the best way to pray. I had never thought God’s will may not be what seemed right to me. As Garrett had pointed out, He could see into the future and knew things we could not comprehend.
As I waited for that precise moment when the sun would just peek over the horizon, I lifted the horn hanging from a string around my neck up to my lips. The conical antler was normally used by goat herders, but today it would signal the beginning of our battle. Filling my lungs with air, I blew into the mouth piece with all my might. Seconds later, the sound repeated itself all around the circle.
My warriors who were skilled with a bow stood from the rocks and took aim while the rest of us rushed into the encampment. The Cordelians who had been sleeping began scampering from their bedrolls. Some never made it completely from their covers as the archers found their marks.
I half ran, half stumbled down the embankment toward my target—the commander’s tent. The best way to kill a snake was to aim for its head. There was no doubt that I would have to fight my way in and knew I may not make it. Per my instructions, everyone in my group was aiming for the same thing.
Like the Dermish, the favored weapon of Cordelia was also a staff, but theirs was equipped with a vicious, ax-like blade on one end. Holding my staff across in front of me, I blocked the attempts of my first attacker while one of my comrades cracked the man’s skull with their staff. Just as I turned to the next opponent, my attacker fell back with an arrow through his eye. The next was not as easy to take down. This skirmish gifted me with my first injury as his blade found its mark just below my shoulder. Thankfully, my armor took the brunt of it.
Every inch gained was fought hard for. A symphony of grunts accompanied by cries of pain sounded all around. The thirsty earth soaked up the blood but not enough to take away the metallic stench. Bodies were beginning to pile up all around the camp. Unfortunately, most were Dermish. Should I sound the horn, signaling a retreat? It would have been unheard of in Rivania, but here?
As I contemplated this, I finally caught a glimpse of the one who must be the Cordelian commander. He was one of the few men on horseback. He wore no protective armor, but he had managed to slip his decorated jacket on over his long night shirt. His dark hair stood up at odd angles. His pale face looked much younger than my own, and I wondered briefly how he had come to such a position.
The commander’s brows came together over an angry glare once his gaze met mine. He kicked his horse into motion and swung the blunt end of his staff toward my head as he passed. I turned, ducking to avoid being hit, but it was not enough. The end of his staff caught my forehead and sent me sprawling in the dirt.
Everything went momentarily dark except for bright visual sparks. It was like seeing silver fireworks on a dark night, but it was gone in an instant. Before he could make it back to me, I was blinking up at the clear blue sky. As I tried to stand, the world spun around me, almost causing me to empty my stomach. Something warm trickled down the side of my face. My bloody fingers blurred before my eyes when I pulled my hand away from my face.
I had only made it to my knees as he approached me for the second time.
His first mistake was dismounting from his horse. If he had repeated his previous actions, he could have eliminated me with a blow to the face.
“Prince Rian, you must arise or you will lose this fight.” I did not turn or even acknowledge the shout of my fellow warrior. I heard his grunt as he engaged in his own scrimmage.
Judging by the smug look of the one approaching, my comrade had just positively identified me to the enemy. “So, you are Prince Rian. Do your pitiful followers realize you are the cause of this conflict? I will allow you one last comfort before I kill you.” He stepped closer and leaned over me. “You can die knowing that your princess will be well taken care of. At least until I have bedded her and have taken over her father’s precious little kingdom.” He shrugged his shoulders dramatically. “After that, who is to say what her fate might be?”
I sat back on my haunches in seeming defeat.
His second mistake was coming too close.
His third was disrespecting my wife.
In one fluid motion, I grabbed my staff and brought the end up, punching him in the gut. As he doubled over, I swung the staff upward into his face with enough force to send him flying before landing on his back.
His fourth and final mistake was to underestimate me.
I came to my feet and finished him off with a jab to the throat.
As the adrenaline dissipated, dizziness overtook me, sending me down to the ground beside him. There was no telling how long I laid there blinking up at the sky, feeling more exhausted than I had ever felt in my life. Pain that had been easy enough to ignore before, was now felt at its fullest.
Garrett’s bearded face suddenly floated above mine like a bleary apparition. His lips and nose looked busted and swollen. I felt a jerk from the string around my neck. He placed my horn to his lips and blew several times.
“What are you doing?” Were my words coming out as slurred as they sounded?
“We have to end this before there is no one left on our side to fight. Are you able to stand?” He tugged on my arm as he looked all around us.
Several of our men circled around forming a wall of protection with their backs facing us and their weapons drawn. I had killed the enemy’s commander. Surely, his people would love nothing more than to exact their revenge by taking the lives of the Dermish leader along with the king of Aisling to boot.
The unexpected sound of another type of horn sounded out over the valley. It sounded more like that of a trumpet. My first brief thought was that I was about to meet Jesus. I looked at my feet, still anchored to the ground. We were all looking around us for the source of the sound.
Garrett pointed to the south. “There!”
Gilvarian warriors began climbing out around the makeshift dam and joined the fight against the enemy. A shout went up from my men as they threw themselves back into the fray. Just then a group on horseback came in from the west. The Aislinian warriors had finally caught up to us.