Chapter 44: To Die For

The thunderous marching of soldiers echoed behind him. Daniel could see the fright on every face, yet, it was only a small part of their expressions. By now, every Kingdom soldier knew of the man with the hawk mask, the man crushing villages, slaughtering homes and murdering children. They were ready to fight—they were ready to kill. Onward they marched to Hahl. They’d arrive shortly before nightfall, with the invading army expected to attack the following morning.

Six thousand: that was how many he’d been able to round up. With any luck, the Elven prince would bring another thousand, and if Kellar and Rillith were making out all right, perhaps another thousand on top of that. Even still, if the reports were accurate, they’d still be outnumbered two to one. Hahl was going to fall. There was no longer any doubting it.

Even knowing how vastly outnumbered the Kingdom forces were, Daniel still felt inspired by the sight of so many Kingdom men marching to protect their people. Every last one of them wore silver armor, with the insignia of the lightning bolt embroidered into the chest.

Daniel didn’t think he’d survive the coming battle. It was unrealistic, it was too much to expect. The only thing he hoped for was a quick death—he’d seen firsthand what the hawk’s army was capable of. Those creatures…those sad excuses for Human beings, taking lives without reason, burning homes without purpose.

He made sure to enjoy the march back to Hahl. The Valley of Hahl truly was among the most beautiful places in the world. He took in the snow-topped mountain to his left. It extended high into the sky, with a giant waterfall running down from its peak, cascading into a river that ran to within yards of Daniel’s feet, a wonder for all to see.

He loved his world. He loved his home. And he loved his people.

I don’t want to die, he thought. Not until I’ve gotten revenge on Sehn for setting me on fire!

Although Sehn had often made his life miserable, Daniel still liked the crazy Elf. He’d never forget the day they went hunting outside of Elvar, and Daniel fell off of a rocky cliff. He’d had too much to drink, and he stumbled off the narrow ledge. Sehn jumped after him, grabbing him by the foot in one hand, and the rocky ledge in the other. Of course, Sehn claimed he only saved his life so “he could worship him later,” but that was just how Sehn was.

“Are you nervous?” lieutenant Lira asked. She was a powerful woman, a fierce warrior, and a better friend. Daniel was overjoyed to learn she’d been stationed at a garrison near Hahl. That was, until he remembered the fate she’d more than likely share with him.

“Of course I’m nervous. Gods, I don’t want to die yet. I’m twenty-three, haven’t even found a woman yet.”

Lina nudged him playfully on the shoulder. It was painful. Lira often forgot that when covered in armor, her fists were like anvils. “You always were the charming type, Daniel. I was quite jealous when you were the one picked for the ‘special mission’ with our very own Prince Patrick. Still won’t tell me what that was all about? Somehow I have a feeling it’s tied to our present situation.”

Daniel sighed. “I might tell you sometime, Lira, I just might. Though, I have a feeling you’re about to find out soon enough anyway. I don’t think Patrick will send you to die without at least telling you why.”

There were only a thousand cavalry among them, as expected. Defenders had little need of horse-mounted solders. Archers were key to a successful defense. There were four-thousand troops, marching steadfast with crossbows and longbows in hand. They kicked up dirt as they marched in unison, leaving holes where grass used to thrive. Four thousand archers, one thousand cavalry, and one thousand swordsmen—Daniel repeated the numbers in his mind. He’d be leading a battalion of close to a thousand men, hopefully a healthy mixture of each.

It was hard to believe they were so outnumbered. Daniel had to squint just to see the end of the formation, and even then he could barely make it out. There were so many of them, more than half of them only eighteen years of age or younger.

Please, Sehn, Daniel thought. This is all for you. My life, their life, Lira’s life, please don’t let us down.

“Hey, Lira,” Daniel said.

“Yeah?”

“If we make it out of this, do you think…do you think we could grab a drink sometime?”

Lira laughed, and grabbed Daniel by the forehead. For such a petite woman she was massively powerful. She pulled him in and kissed him on the cheek. “If we live through this one,” she whispered. “We’ll do far more than that.”

Daniel felt his blood boil. “Let’s hope we make it out alive, then,” He ordered the men to speed up and, together, as one army, they marched to Hahl.