A Tale Of Time

Three

                                                                                                                                                                Age of Ayznver

                                                                                                                                                                   Year 750B

                                                                                ARIANA

ROOK HELD my hand as the Beserkers, all wearing bronze suits of armor, built up their morale via chants and drum beats. The musicians were at the sides of the army, covered from head to waist in black ink, clad in only trousers made of wolf fur loosely hung on their waists. They watched with great concentration, taking great care to beat the drums in time of each other. I wondered how many hours of practice they'd had to be so in tuned to each other.

The red-haired man turned back to face us but stared pointedly at Rook, his eyes icy and assessing. Rook looked at him the same way. It was most likely a battle of wills. I'd heard once that Helirean generals were the most proud men on the continent, looking condescendingly at others, especially when they were called upon to fight in wars side by side. A century ago, as History texts said, the head commander of the Beserker forces, David Knight, had ordered his soldiers to pull back from a war which they had partnered in because the commander of his partner army had and I quote, 'looked like he didn't know much of war.'

I wondered if this man would look the same way at Rook and find him unworthy.

He smiled, "Hello Commander!" His voice was light and pleasing, almost hypnotic, "It's an honor to put a name to the face behind so many interesting letters. And a young face at that."

I pondered on what he'd said. His own face didn't look much older than Rook's.

Rook nodded and stepped forward, straightening his back and raising his chin. Like a true commander. Only his hand never left mine, "It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Commander Knight. The Kingdom of Ayznver will remember the Tahjan's kindness."

Commander Knight smiled like he knew a secret most people didn't. Which he did. "Oh I think you will," His eyes shifted to me, "For a long time."

I shivered at the knowing look.

"Soldiers!" Commander Knight called out, "Today we show them the might of Helirix!"

Their screams echoed, shaking the earth and the skies with the news of their power. The Helirean Beserkers were loud and they liked everyone to know it.

"In the name of the Tahjan and Tahara," He said when the noises lowered, "CHARGE!!"

They took off, Commander Knight at the fore, raising dust in their wake as the thunder of their well-trained horses resounded and scared some of of our their soldiers so they moved away from the lip of the valley. 

Rook's shoulders slumped and he let out a breath in a puff, squeezing my hand again before letting it go. It was his way of saying thanks and I appreciated it. We were in the war together in a different way than others.

As leaders.

He turned to the soldiers who had already began to whisper animatedly to each other about how amazing the Beserkers looked and about how the Rebels had no chance against them. Tales of their military prowess, exaggerated and factual, spread like wildfire and hope began to blossom like a flower in spring. I was happy that they were more motivated but to ride past the forest to the closest entrance - the side gates of Adian- would take at least two hours and that was if the horses were moving at full speed. Obviously that wouldn't be the wisest choice if they wanted the horses to last for the whole war. Horses were an important war tool like that.

That still gave the Rebels more than enough time to surround and kill us all.

Besides, we were the Ayznverean soldiers. We were the ones who needed to take back our motherland. We were the ones who would tell the tale eventually.

Rook must've had the same thought because he squared his shoulders and barked, "MEN!"

The chatter died almost instantaneously. It was a Rook thing. And I was privileged to have seen him grow from the shy and nervous teenager to a man who could command armies.

"Sons and daughters of Ayznver!" He began, looking each and everyone of them in the eye. Bless him for including Vanessa and I -the only women in the camp. "Today I failed you. Today I doubted the might of our army and made you have doubt in yourselves as well. For that I am truly sorry."

He bowed to them. The paragon of humility, "The Beserkers of Helirix are formidable allies and I must admit that the fate of our war depended on their cooperation. We must thank the war gods for looking out for us in our time of need.

"But you must remember that the war is for our motherland. This war is a war fought by our children, our fathers and brothers who yearned for a safe home to bring their wives, sisters and young. I remember the Ayznver of old. Every night brought a new party, an endless supply of music. Men, women and children danced round the city wearing beautiful, musical beads that tinkled like bells and drinking sweet wine till they couldn't see straight. It earned us the name, 'Land of The Festive" among our peers. Many of you can remember this Ayznver too."

I saw many nodding, one of two wiping at single tears that had escaped them. I couldn't join them. I'd never known this Ayznver.

Rook continued, inflamed by the memories of an eighteen year old war that had stripped him of his family, that had ripped so many of their families, "Now this war comes to a close and we'll face the traitors who usurped the throne and enslaved our brothers and sisters. Brothers and sisters waiting for us to liberate them. That is your sole duty. That is our creed! So when you take up your arms today soldiers, remember that some of us won't survive, remember that the blood you spill will be legend. That when the tale of the great war of 750B is told, they'll call each and everyone of you as a champion, a patriot, a hero."

We were all enraptured by him. By the passion in his voice, the way he motivated hearts and made death seem like a thing of valor. Death was bleak, not to be romanticized. But from Rook's lips...

It was gospel.

"Rise now and take back what's yours. FOR AYZNVER!!"

"FOR AYZNVER!!" They cried in response, marching with renewed courage through the forest that surrounded our home. I stood behind with Rook and Vanessa who joined us as the throng of men receded from view.

Her lips were moving quickly the way they always did when she prayed. I mean, if she wasn't talking to others, she was praying. I didn't even think she slept at night or ate her meals.

"The gods save us." She mumbled.

"Amen."

An hour later...

The soldiers were geared up and ready to go, sharing laughs and trying to ginger the more frightened men. A few like Edgar were telling stories that were more convoluted than believable but it made the younger ones smile so I was grateful. No matter how much I hated Edgar, we were on the same side.

Rook was clad in his gold armor that mirrored the color of his hair. He discussed with the others in his squadron including Garreth who looked calm as day in his own silver armor.

Most of the day I'd tried to stay out of everyone's way and I'd succeeded. The war seemed to have given people more to ponder over than the strange fidelity of the commander's 'whore.' Vanessa kept me company as the soldiers moved down the forest toward Adian. The girl was around my age but we couldn't be more different. She was a social butterfly where I was reserved; a curvy, smooth talker where I was willowy and forthright in all things but my identity. Some days, she seemed more of what a princess should be than I ever did.

"Adian," She began as they pulled the men horses down through the thicket of lush, evergreen trees, "Is in the North of Ayznver. Sometimes I wonder what the elders were thinking, making the Kingdom's capital the first city a traveler from Helirix would encounter."

She rolled her almond shaped hazel eyes, "I guess it's an advantage now."

"I guess." I murmured as Rook approached. His smile was shy and tentative like he was tethering over the edge between running to combat and running the other way.

I rose to pull him into a hug. I didn't even try to listen for Edgar's huff. Rook was basically my elder brother and my elder brother needed a hug.

He leaned into me and I took in his scent of leaves and wet earth, "Thanks."

"You'll do great." I whispered in his ear.

He sighed and stayed in my arms. Further down a few soldiers were watching us with something that looked like envy. Not many of them got a hug before going to war. Then again, none of them deserved a hug from me and Vanessa was too much of a 'princess' to stoop that low.

I pulled away and put my arms on the shoulder plates of his bulky armor. This was his defining moment, the pinnacle of his existence so far.

"Clayton would be proud."

His eyes widened at my statement. They were probably the best words to say at that point. His father had been a difficult man but he valued honor in all things.

Even in his manner of death.

His voice was husky, "Thank you."

"You're welcome." I smiled wider than I had in years. I had to do something to hide the tears that were threatening me, after all. I'd lost so much; I couldn't lose him too, "Make sure come back to me."

He nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty."

I didn't register the shock in the lingering soldiers or Vanessa's confusion. This was a soldier standing before his queen. 

"Bless you."

He bowed and signaled for his men to follow. They did without hesitation.

And in three minutes, the forest had swallowed them all.