Honour

Dawn broke with soft blue hues fading into shades of pink as the world around us began to sing. Trees rustled as the breeze came and the birds chirped. I could see the forest come alive as the sunlight seeped through the canopies. I looked at it all endearingly as I breathed it in. Inhaling the smell of raw land around me and felt its essence as the horns began to sound. The birds flew away and the sound of nature was drowned out by the sound of feet marching onto the was-empty grassland. Anyone could hear the clanking of armour, but I could feel it. The weight of the metal forged to be worn by soldiers and warriors to protect themselves in battle. At first, the armour felt like a burden, however, it eventually became an honour. Despite the noise, the scenery remained seemingly peaceful. Unfortunately this is not the time to be engrossed in such. Remembering my responsibility: which is to fight for my country and its people, my king and the beliefs he holds, I watched the other side of the clearing. As the army behind me stood ready and quiet, we positioned ourselves across the field toward our enemies who stared back, I closed my eyes, doing my best to enhance my hearing. I did my best to listen for each and every breath my men would take. For this may be their last peaceful breath. Each huff being proof of life, but a life ready to be thrown fro a cause. I opened my eyes and raised my fist, a simple clenched hand. After letting out a sharp breath, I open it, signaling to commence the battle. Shortly after, the opposing leader did so as well. After the silent agreement, the horns once again sounded. The clanking armour, thudding hooves from running horses, and the battle cries of thousands of men were all that were audible. The first line clashed, I do not know which was hit first because the war had just started, but I was getting swung at by multiple soldiers. I had to focus on myself instead of my men. Anyone and everyone on this field who wore my country's colours had to be drowned out. I defended myself with my sword and shield until I managed to stop my worrying. As soon as I did, I changed my footing and stand from defense to offence, swinging my sword at the enemy nearest to me. I struck his neck and watched him slowly sink in shock, but I had no time to watch him die. Swiftly taking out soldiers, one by one, I assume the knights had noticed how quickly their fellow comrades were getting knocked down thus they started attacking in more groups, I was ganked by three. I defended the side of my body with my sword from the third person on my left while I attempted to strike the first person and dodge the second. I grunted in pain, realizing it must have been greedy for me to assume I could space for an attack in the middle of trying to defend myself. My pride resulted in an injury, someone had hit my head. Although it was a heavy blow, my helmet saved me from any visible wounds. I could hear a ringing in my ears but I managed to stab the torso of the first person. I then parried the third, piercing his eye socket with my blade. Finally dealing with the last of the three, I swung at his feet, causing him to lose balance, aiming for his heart, I thrusted my sword into his chest. . Both sides were down to around half as many men they started with. But how many of these men had families? How many had hopes? How many of them didn't want to be here today? I huffed, due to my breathing being unstable. I gripped the hilt of my sword and charged at one of the enemies close to killing one of my soldiers. I slashed at the enemy's face and stepped in between them, slicing the flesh that made up his cheeks. I then swung at his eyes and dashed to an empty opponent. Striking him down, as well as others one by one once again. All of this until I found the rival Commander. My breath hitched and I looked around me. Dead and dying bodies on the ground covered the field. Their blood painted the grass that the remaining living fought on. A number of others are still clashing but visibly tired. It was clear they weren't as focused on murdering each other as they were around dawn since a few of those clashing had time to shout vulgar words to each other while their blades hit one another. It was nearly dusk when the Commander Lyathro saw me. His long strides and my short steps both turned into quick ones as we charged at each other. He had positioned his blade up and slanted, to s***h at my torso while I positioned mine to strike his shoulder. I defended myself against his attack by raising my shield, and in the process I barely struck his collarbone. Unfortunately little to no damage was done since I had only grazed it. The Commander Lyathro's chainmail was damaged, so this was in my favour. Our blades clashed as our men fell. Our skills or par, we had our reasons to be here. We were both fighting for and defending our homes. Yes, one side would fall and lose everything they built. But it was with that loss that the other side could flourish. This wasn't just about land, it wasn't simply about wealth. It was also about our futures. What we owe our children, our sisters, brothers, mothers, who's fathers fought here today. My opponent took a big step back and no more than a second later was I hit. A blade hit my back, however my armour defended me. The blow did cause me to fall forward. I pierced the ground with my sword to refrain from hitting my face on the dirt ground beneath me. On my knees, I look at the general. The shield on my left arm was free. I raised it over my head and blocked my back from whoever had knocked me down. Gripping the handle of my weapon, I rose. My breathing seemed alarmingly slow and heavy. I exhaled, the air seeming to seep through my teeth harshly. I pulled my sword out of the earth and turned around, slashing the throat of the man who previously hit me, and spinning back round to face the Commander Lyathro. Enraged, I dropped my shield and charged. When I was close enough, I swung my sword to the front of his helmet, denting it greatly. He fell back on his arse and I watched him reach for the sword he dropped. As he did, I stepped on his hand and sliced off his other arm. With my free hand, I raised my helmet just enough for him to see my face. I watched as he went wide-eyed and then slit his throat without remorse. I kicked him down, looking around to see if his remaining men witnessed their general laying dead in the pool of his own blood. No more than 50 of his knights were left standing, while a couple hundred of mine remained. "Veurs has fallen! All who seek redemption, lose your name and become a warrior of Brienne!" I announced. "Brienne has won this war, messenger! Tell your 'king'." I spat on the ground and knelt to grab the fallen Commander Lyathro's sword. I picked it up, sheathed mine and turned around to look at our kingdom's messenger, signaling him to inform our king of the victory. As soon as I begin to walk towards our camp, a sudden sharp pain pierces my arm. I let out a scream and fell onto my knees. A sniper attacking after the battle. This act broke many laws but worst of all, it just caused any possible form of reconsideration and redemption between the two kingdoms, diplomatic or personal, to go right down the drain. I heard a thud after thud and turned my head to the sources only to see my men fall one by one. Seething, I gripped my sword's hilt and it burst into flames. The fallen around me whose weapons had wood, such as bows and arrows, had burst into flames as well. The battlefeild's landscape began to thrive. The grass grew rapidly as did the edges of the forest. As if it were a domino effect, tree after tree grew enormous. Branches seemed to come to life, like arms looking for a fallen pen in the dark, swinging around. Not long after, people were flung into the air, out of the forest and onto the grassland. Clearly horrified, screeches of confusion and fear mixed with the aggressive rustling of leaves and scraping of wood as tree branch crossed tree branch, filled the air as the wooden arms grew, outstretched. Swiftly, the branches reached the people who were flung out to the clearing. Crushing them violently under the weight of boughs that seemed like willow trunks. After the c*****e, the trees and what mutation-like appearance they had, froze. All stayed still, even the grass. I removed my helmet, feeling stuffy from nature growing on my skin, not to mention my leaves began over-growing. I took off my helmet, my "locks", which were simply leaves layered on leaves, fell out of my helmet. My head appeared to be a bush, however my face was clear despite it being wood. I soothed my hair and looked at what remained of my army. No more than 20 men remained. The fires ceased, eventually completely dying out. A different messenger from my kingdom approached us on hoof. He ran to me holding a parchment with the royal seal. As he arrived, he broke it and read it aloud as the remaining men gathered. "Knights of Brienne, assasination has befallen the King Vrien Rhevihr. Confirmed, the assassination had been ordered by that of King Rhoum of Veurs. The royal family seek the presence of Samuel, Commander Lyathro of Kingdom Brienne, immediately. All men remaining from the battle are forced to return to the kingdom as soon as possible. All would-be warriors are to be executed on the spot." Finished the messenger monotonously, however it was clear he was hurt sharing this news as his eyes began to water. With that, the trees had once again come to life, but it lasted no longer than 10 seconds. They grew, shattered the skulls of the remainders, and went back to being still. I patted down my leaves and turned to look at the remaining 17 men. "Ride your horses back to the Kingdom. I shall check the grounds and return by dawn." I commanded, sending them back. I waited for them to all leave. Feeling mocked, I looked around the field and made my way back to the kingless kingdom, Brienne.