The year is 1479, King Morgan the Great of Wales, Ireland and Scotland just died at 51 after serving 30 years on the throne. Now King, William is looking to cut out a new legacy.
I am ready for a fight, Wilhelm, Karl and Arthur have come with their soldiers. For three years now I have been disrespected by a heartless and cruel prince, I must stand tall, and firm. I mustn't flinch, I must act rationally. Just two days ago Jonathan and the rebels were seen outside of Conwy Castle in Gwynedd. He is forty thousand men strong, we are forty five thousand men strong. It is a closer fight then I would like, but we must fight now or never. I will kill Jonathan myself, I swear upon that.
I ride on my horse, Robustus, with the army in tow. " Your Royal Majesty, the scouts spotted Charles and Jonathan, they have taken a defensive position outside of Conwy Castle, it seems the walls were too tough to break through", John says firmly as he rides next to me. I bite my cheek, " Yes thank you Johnny, I need your help with the attack, it will be a tough fight. Many will die", I say softly. John nods, " Of course sire may God bless us". Wilhelm rides beside me, " Are you ready for this nephew?". Hooves trot along the road, birds chirp as the sky darkens to grey. " No, but I must fight", I answer.
Wilhelm clears his throat, " Yes of course, we'll be here to help". We enter a large field, tents lay on the horizon. I climb off of Robustus, " Set up camp, we'll rest for the night", I scream. Arthur wraps his arm around me, his warm embrace comforts me. " We'll defeat them Brother, just be ready", Arthur says softly. I smile, " Thank you Archie, can you promise me something?", I ask. Arthur raises his eyebrows, " If I die tomorrow, please take care of Edward and Alix", I say as my trembles. I could die tomorrow, I don't want to leave my family behind, but I may. Arthur scoffs, " It's not going to come to that Will".
" Just promise me, it would mean a lot to me, please", I say softly after wiping a tear. Arthur rubs my back, " Of course brother". I love David and Alix. I have let this boil over, I could have squashed it immediately. And I made a huge mistake, a mistake that may cost me my family and life. " How will we win?", Arthur asks. I grasp my hand, " We'll discuss it tonight, all of The Old Guard", I answer truthfully.
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We sit around the fire, the fire warms the tent as the wind blows harshly outside. " Okay, any ideas to win this battle?", I ask firmly. Wilhelm coughs, " What about a pincer maneuver?". Karl shakes his head, " No it wouldn't work, their artillery will rain into us, we'll all be dead within ten minutes". The Battle of Edinburgh. I snap my fingers, " Johnny, how did Father win the Battle of Edinburgh?", I ask. John takes a sip of wine, " It was a two prong attack. First the men at arms rushed into battle, stopping at the icy river. Crossbow men then rained into the enemies, soldiers ran out from the trees. And then cannons were fired on the ice, drowning most of the Scottish", John informs me.
" Okay, we'll wake up early, right before sunrise. We'll march into the trees and get behind the enemy. Some of us will stay in the castle and fire into the Scotto-French line. We'll do a huge oblique attack, destroying the flank with the most artillery. Then we will circle the force and slam into them", I present as eyes widen. Wilhelm smiles, " That is kinda genius, bite and hold". Daniel enters the tent, " Your Royal Majesty, Mr. Dunkeld-Johnson wants to speak with you", Daniel informs me.
