REMEMBRANCE CROSS

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

There was a tiny moment of silence and then a huge uproar cracked up the silent atmosphere. Commands were being shouted in all directions and there was a dense envelope of energy from each and every one of War's men.

The first troupes rode off at lightning speed in their assigned directions. Theban turned to his men.

'Alright men! Remember, in battle, there are no second chances. The time is now, and this chance is the only one we have. Do not lose your concentration, do not get carried away, make sure that no treasure is left behind. Tie all capable men and women to the horses so that we may take them back to the castle. Do you follow me? Let me hear it!' said Theban in an aggressive voice.

'YES! To war!' bellowed the men in his troupe.

On the other side, the soldiers were met with the fiercest of all looks. War looked at his regiment intently. A dark and piercing look adorning his deep eyes - darker than the night itself. His jaw was set. His left hand was holding the sword and the right hand a whip. On his back, he carried the bow and the leather quiver packed with arrows. He spoke:

'Leave no stones unturned. You know only too well that cowardice and incompetence disgust me more than anything. Excuses are what anger me the most. I want heroism, bravery and strength, not excuses and reasons.'

The soldiers stared at him with determination. The chief spoke, hand crossed over his heart and dropping his head in a bow:

'Yes, my Lord.'

With that, War turned on his horse and looked at the main gates of the temple and the beautiful statue standing in all it's glory in the midst of the green garden right in front of the vestibule of the prayer hall.

He charged forward signalling with his hand for his men to follow. His heart was racing.

Will I find what I'm looking for?

The men on foot, standing a few feet away from the temple gates started bombarding. The huge boulders found their mark in the grilled, steel, elegant gates of the entrance. The gates crashed just in time. War and his men raced past the broken gates and into the lawns.

Ara and Invidia looked up, startled.

'Did you hear that, Ara?' asked Invidia, her eyes widening in concern and suspicion.

'yes, I did!' said Ara, equally tensed.

The two girls put down the needle and the fabric they were working with and ran out into the corridors from the spare room in the temple premises. All the priests, priestesses, the children and fellow tenants had gathered there and there was a buzz of noise.

'What is happening?'

'Are we being attacked?'

'Who is creating such a ruckus?'

'What are we to do?'

'I do not want to die!'

Another crash was heard that sounded close to three claps of thunder, striking all at the same time.

What in the world is going on?  thought Invidia.

Then, she paused. Realization finally dawned upon her. She turned to look at Ara. Ara stared back at her with the exact same expression.

'Could this be....' Ara started.

'...him?'  Invidia finished.  

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