The Rebel & The Throne

The War

It has been a couple of weeks since the execution, Bano's eyes swept over the field of green that stretched below while sitting astride her horse. That field of green, soon to turn red, was going to be the battlefield. Her eyes drifted to the king and the two men flanking him, his captain, and his general. Behind them stood the king's army in all its might.

"Your Majesty, Kings do not participate in battles." Astaira had argued that morning, trying to stop Alexander from coming.

"Kings do not participate in battles, but they do in war. Especially against another kingdom." Alexander had replied patting Astaira on the shoulder before walking away to slip into his armor. The armor that was now glinting in the sun.

Astaira later saw Bano put on her armor in the armory and tried to stop her too.

"You're a spy, not a soldier." He had told her, genuinely worried for her.

"And you're a house cat, not a wild one." Bano had replied as she slid on her gauntlets. He remained silent before putting on his own armor.

Now they all stood atop a hill, scanning the battlefield below. A rider, one of the king's scouts, approached Alexander.

"Your Highness," The scout said, trying his best to bow on a horse before he straightened.

"They have eleven thousand men, excluding the archers across the castle towers and battlements." Bano's eyes shot to the men stationed in front of the castle. From here, although covering a huge area of land, they seemed rather insignificant. Her eyes traveled to the men stationed atop the wall, their bows ready.

The king murmured something underneath his breath and asked, "How many men do we have?"

"Seven thousand." The scout replied slowly. The captain shifted on his horse, his eyes drifting to the general. The general's eyes were trained on the battlefield below.

"We have an advantage." The general said before the king interrupted him.

"The elevation of land," The king continued. "That is if they decide to charge up the hill." The king shook his head as he turned on his horse to face the general.

"You are the one shouting out the commands, I trust whatever you decide during the battle. However, I am not sitting atop a hill, waiting for the enemy to come at me." The king cleared. His horse seemed to get restless underneath him and the king had to pull on his reins tighter.

From somewhere in the enemy lines, a set of drums sounded. A repeated sound of death and destruction meant to strike fear into the opposing army. It also signified the start of a war.

The king unsheathed his sword and cleared his throat.

"My men!" He began. Bano had sensed the unease that washed over the army at her back. "For as long as my kingdom stands, it also stands against injustice and tyranny." Alexander's voice rose over the ugly sound of the drums. "Do not let the number or the actions of the enemy plant even a drop of fear in your hearts. Today, we rid this land of the oppression that has plagued it for too long. Today, the unjust queen of Gracemor falls!" He yelled and a roar went up from the men at his back as they clashed their shields against their swords. The clank of metal against metal filling the air, overriding the sound of the drums. She knew Alexander's words had steeled their hearts when she realized how straight her spine had gotten by the end of his speech. Alexander glanced at the men flanking his sides and then at her. He nodded once before pulling on the reins of his horse.

The king's horse reared as he pointed his sword at the sky before shouting,"Charge!"

Before she knew it, the sound of galloping horses mixed with battle cries filled the air as they raced down the hill, ready to meet the enemy. The enemy was also prepared for the meeting as they sent a volley of arrows into the sky and soaring towards them.