[over the palisade]

chapter eighteen

tw// blood, death, battle, decapitation

The sun rose over Helenguard in the hazy morning as it did every day, and Phil rose with it, just as he did every day. The morning air was sharp and chilly compared to the coziness of his room, high up in a tower of the good captain's palace.

In an adjacent tower, Phil saw Wilbur watching him off of his balcony. Phil waved at him, but Wilbur seemed to be staring right through him rather than at him. Wilbur had been concerning Phil since his vision back at the decimated village, Phil will admit. He could barely look Phil or Techno in the eyes and he didn't even let his eyes flicker over to the two boys, and that's what terrifies Phil.

Phil knows how prophecies work and how prophecy bearers are some of the most tortured souls. They are given the "gift" of seeing the future but are unable to mumble a word of what they see, and Phil knows this. That's why he doesn't pressure Wil about what he's seen or what he knows, but the looks he gives to the party in passing say too much. That's the weight of fate, even Phil, nor any of his brothers could defy it. Phil figured he should stop twiddling his thumbs and turn his attention to the future he knows about, he had an army to help lead.

Phil slipped his armor on with the additions that he had been given by the king. Today was the day they were set to meet the mysterious leader of the enemy and his army out in the low mountain fields that dotted the hills. Phil pulled up his sword and attached it to his hip, threw his cape over his shoulder and swiped a stray hair out from his face, and turned for the door.

Phil won't admit the fact that he was scared by Techno's sudden presence at his door, but he definitely was. Techno looked down at him and when he realized that he had caught Phil caught off guard, and raised his brow.

"Ah, good morning Techno, good to see you there-"

"I've gathered everyone else up but Wil, Tommy, and Tubbo since they're on the other side but I know they're up," Techno told him. Phil could hear the stress and seriousness in his words, he hadn't heard that tone from Techno in some years now, the two of them hadn't been needed in any battles recently, but it certainly reminded Phil why they were here.

Phil took a deep breath and nodded, "Alright, how about you go get them. I've got to meet with the captain," He told Techno.

Techno nodded and gave him a small salute as he turned tail towards the other rooms, "Oh, and make sure Tommy and Tubbo are fully kitted up, please, help them if you need to, you know them," Phil called out to Techno at he gave Phil a nod of acknowledgment and disappeared around a corner.

Phil sighed and rubbed his thumb on the hilt of his sword, a little comfort thing he had picked up some years ago. He knew he needed to stop fretting, but how could he? He was leading his family, his friends, and a whole army of innocent people into a battle with already scary odds. Phil cracked his knuckles as he followed the corridors.

The king was on a balcony that looked out over the expansive courtyards, but Phil realized he wasn't alone. Tubbo actually, was sitting on a stool beside the king. The two spoke in low whispers that Phil couldn't pick up on. Plus he guessed he shouldn't try and spy on a king in his own court.

Phil stood at the threshold between palace and balcony until he was acknowledged by Jordan, who Phil could see didn't expect him here yet, but played it off like anything normal. Phil caught him telling Tubbo to go catch up with his friends as he gave him a warm pat on his shoulder and sent him off. He walked right past Phil, not even sparing him a wave or glance.

Jordan motioned towards the stool that Tubbo had just been sitting on for Phil himself to sit upon. Phil walked over but couldn't help but let his gaze wander back to where Tubbo's now silhouette disappeared into the castle. Nonetheless, he returned his attention back to the king who had also slid over a similar stool.