“I think that is everything.” I took one last glance around the room for anything we had forgotten. With so little on our person, it was easy to collect.

Esteve had told us to dress for battle, just in case we run into trouble on our way to Xosta. The Queen arranged us all our own protective garments, each in our Kingdom colors. Ren’s iron armor bulged from his broad shoulders. I was given a leather pair of arms with black dyed leather and redlining. Thanks to Ren the armor fit me nicely, but the thickness and slight immobility were foreign. However, as I look at my husband I am thankful to be in leather, and not metal.

“Let’s go, my dear. I believe we are meeting my sister there with the others.” Walking hand in hand we left our quarters following a sea of Sandserpant warriors. Each one carrying a different weapon on hand, and a spare on their belt. The swords were curved and sharp, much like a scythe. Warpaint of red and blue shrouded their faces, covering the natural markings I admire so dearly.

After navigating through many tunnels and hallways, the crowds stopped at a tall brass gate. Large wooden latches secured the door, along with a group of guards wearing Queen Kahi’s uniform.

Amongst the large crowd, I saw Esteve dressed in her finest armor, holding her helm at her hip. As I was admiring her steel, her eyes met mine.

“There you are!” She called out to us. Her layers of metal clinging and clanging as she walked in our direction. “Can you believe this is all happening? Are you excited brother?”

Ren scanned through everyone around us like his eyes were calculating his words carefully. “How many people are with us? I estimate five hundred or so here, is that correct?”

“Five hundred and ten soldiers are here in the city. The other thousand are waiting for us beyond the gate.”

Ren’s eyes widened. “Thybaut has twice that amount…” concern coddled his voice, but Esteve was not phased.

“I am well aware, but you forget that he has some of that number in Theora. Not to mention, the Sandserpant’s have more endurance than an average human. Even if we cannot match him in numbers, we still have a good chance of victory.” She paused placing her helmet over her head. “We can talk more on the way, the Queen is about to make her address. Follow me.”

As Esteve turned I felt Ren’s grip on my hand tighten. “I don’t like those odds,” he mumbles, keeping a safe distance behind his sister as she guides us through the mass of people.

“We need to trust in her. She has our best interests.” I whisper.

“You don’t know her as I do. All she has ever wanted was to have the revenge of our Father. Who is to say that won’t cloud her judgment? Why do you think she didn’t tell us about this from the start? Don’t you think it is strange we found out through a servant that the War was starting?”

He made a good point. It was strange that it did not come from her, but speculating would bring us doubt, and we need to be confident in every move we make if we are all going to survive this. “I am sure Esteve has good reason.”

Reaching the gate the Queen was already waiting, in her own battle garments. Her staff held a large serpent’s head at the top, meeting the eye line of her enemies. As her speech began, I found myself tuning out to her words as the sight in front of me captured my attention. A view of five hundred and ten Sandserpant faces drew me in. Each one fighting for our cause, and for each other. With War comes with bloodshed, and I know that not everyone will be returning to their homes, their families, their lives. As their Queen provides her thanks and motivates her soldiers, I find myself moved by the fire in their eyes. The love of their Queen and city is so great that they would sacrifice their own lives for it.

“Open the gates!” The crowd roared for their Queen.

As the gate opened I felt a breeze of joy and hope. That someday soon I will be in Theora again. That someday soon I will honor my family by starting one of my own.

🜃

If my feet could talk, they would be screaming. Shouting obscenities, and questions of sadism. For days now we have walked through the desert, all eager to reach our destination. The Sapandserpants don’t seem to be as phased by the long journey as the three humans. Their species has been acclimating to the hot desert for centuries. Meanwhile, I find myself missing the cold snowy winters at the Theora palace. We travel mostly at night, for the weak human’s sake, and the cover of night to hide from any prospective enemies.

Tonight the stars were clear and bright. The moon acting as a guide shining our way to victory. The Queen’s astronomers were using their star maps as an aid. Without them, we would most likely wander the desert till my feet broke.

“How soon till we arrive?” Queen Kahi asked one of her councilors.

“Very soon your Grace. The astronomers estimate to arrive their tomorrow.” The council member pushed her glasses up higher on the bridge of her nose, the moonlight reflecting in the glass circles.

“Let us make camp then. I want the soldiers to be well-rested when we arrive.” Thank the earth!

The Sandserpant bowed, then proceeded to spread the Queen’s command to any of the nearby soldiers and generals.

“Are you ready Ren? Tomorrow we take back our home, and serve justice to that tyrant we can Father.” There is a sparkle in Sir Esteve’s eye. This journey has been a long time coming.

Ren smiled, placing his hand on her shoulder. “Yes, and whatever outcome may befall us, I know that Mother would be proud.”

“I would be a foul to think there wasn’t a possibility of defeat, but everything in my gut tells me that victory is on our side. If we don’t come out of this… we would die for a cause worth fighting for.” Spoken like a true soldier. I envy Esteves’s strength and bravery. Just the thought of my possible death tomorrow makes my knees buckle. “Will you give me a hand with the tent? I think Ariella should rest.”

I must look as tired as I feel. Ren leans down and kisses me on the cheek. “I’ll be right back.” his soft voice caressing my ear. My heartstrings tug as I watch him walk away toward the supply cart.

I turn to the skies in hope of a distraction from my lovesickness. I never truly appreciated them till the long night trips we have been making the past few days. With the lack of clouds, you can see every fragment in the sky, even the smallest frail lights are visible. My vision suddenly caught new stars flickering in the distance. These had an orange hue and were gathered close together, almost like a constellation. Calling over the astronomer nearest to me, I ask, “Excuse me? That group of stars at the horizon, is that a constellation of some sort?”

The Sandserpant star expert looked to her to map them back at the sight. Her eyes opened wide as a wash of fear consumed her body. “That is no constellation… SHIELDS! Everyone!”

In an instant people began to panic, grabbing their weapons and shield frantically. I froze in horror as the once small red-yellow stars multiplied. In unison, they flew up into the sky and began to descend toward us. These were not stars, but arrows.

“Get down!” a hand-pulled me down under a shield. “Stick close to me.” Ren held me tight as we awaited the swarm of flaming arrows. Soon the sounds of metal on metal danced around us as the shields deflected the blow. A few sounds of injured soldiers' cries cut through the noise as anxiety filled my heart. When silence fell we peaked out in front of us to see an army charging for us. King Thybaut found us…

Our element of surprise was destroyed, but we were not ready to give up yet. The Queen and Esteve took to the frontline giving battle commands. Calling our archers first they lined up neatly, holding their arrows high.

“Fire!” The Queen shouted, waving her hand. As the arrows released I watched in amazement as hundreds of wooden arrows flew across the night sky. This is War.

“Take this.” Ren pulled a dagger from his boot, placing it carefully in my hand. “I am here to protect you, but if the time comes you must use it.”

Leaning forward he kisses me like it would be our last. “I love you.”

My heart filled with joy, and fear of losing it. “I love you too,” I replied

“Ready, Charge!” Sir Esteve screamed. The army of Sandserpants cheered as they ran to the incoming army. The sounds of clashing swords echoed across the desert. I felt powerless amidst the chaos.

“We have to do something.”

Ren turned to me and shook his head. “We are the second line of defense. Our orders are to wait until called. I also have a duty to protect the Queen of Theora in battle, and charging into danger would negate that order.”

Who would order for us to stay behind for my protection? Esteve… Once again she is risking her life for not only my safety but Ren’s. Looking out for her, I came to realize that she was too deep into the battlefield to be seen. All I could do was hope for her safety in all of this.

“Look out!” Ren calls beside us as a Xosta soldier begins to attack the second-line defense. The Sandserpant was quick to respond, cutting down the enemy with a swift slice of her blade.

More enemy soldiers began to filter through acting the first person they saw. My heart began to beat hard as I saw one of the Xosta soldiers charges toward me. He was tall and think with dark armor. His face was just barely visible, but I was able to see that he had a look that only death by his hand would sooth.

Taking his Axe he raised it high swing at Ren’s shield. “Get back!” he yelled at me.

“I won’t leave you!” Taking my small dagger out I could hear the soldier laugh, mocking my weak-natured weapon. As Ren continued to take hits I knew I needed something more than this. Scanning the fallen soldiers I see a sword ripe and read for the picking. Quickly make a run for it, skipping around the fighting warriors. Be brave, be brave…

If I say my mantra enough times, I will start to believe it. I need to be brave; for Ren, for Xosta, for Theora. In my final moments do I want to be known as a coward crippled with fear? I want to sit and watch Esteve and the others fight my battles.

As I reached the long sword I realized that the sword's owner was still alive. The Sandserpant was badly injured, bleeding out from the leg. “Please help me.” She moaned. Looking back to Ren I saw that he was still fighting the soldier taking on stronger and stronger blows. Time was of the essence, and Ren needed my help, but so did she. Ripping off a piece of my cloak wrapping the injury tightly. She shouted in pain as I tied the last knot. “I’ll be back.”

Taking the fallen soldier’s sword in my blood-soaked hand I race back to my loved one, hoping I am not too late. Once I reach within fighting distance I raise my weapon, ready to strike, just barely holding up the heavyweight. But before I could strike, another Xosta warrior cut my path.

“Not today Princess.” he snickered. With ease, he knocked the weapon from my hand, and I was left open.

“Run Arie!” Ren called out to me, his voice coated in desperation. Feeling the adrenaline pulsing through my veins I take the dagger from my pocket and lunge toward the soldier. Reading my movement he grabbed the dagger held hand, gripping it so tightly that my weapon fell to the ground. It’s over…

The soldier threw me to my knees, as Mira once did before her death. I could hear Ren screaming for him to stop, but he knew as well as I did that we wouldn't stop for anything. Pulling my hair back he held my head up, opening my neck up to the elements. His sword was icy to the touch as he rested his sharp weapon across.

He leaned in closely, chills running across my body. “You don’t get to die today Princess. The King has bigger plans for you.” and with a rapid hit of his hilt to my head, my vision went dark.