Crown On My Head

chapter 59

Terrors Peak Lacey

At the break of morning after my peach, to try to drum up any last hope I could give, because I am ending these people to their deaths, so may they live. I try to remember faces and names of as many people as I can.  A good chance they won't be here by sundown.

Lowel had fled, cowering behind the mountains, surrounded by an army. Protecting the little dignity he can hold. He will come back to a kingdom who has turned on him, leaving them for slaughter. He will come back to nothing.  
The battlefield stretched out before me, a sprawling canvas of chaos and bloodshed. From my vantage point at the top of the hill, I could see everything—the mass of soldiers clashing below, the flicker of steel under the grey, overcast sky, and the dark clouds that loomed like an omen of doom. My heart pounded in my chest as I watched my forces, two thousand strong, locked in a desperate struggle against the legions of the Dark Realm.
The soldiers below looked like ants, swarming and colliding in a chaotic dance of death. The banners of my allies fluttered in the wind, their colours vibrant against the dark, swirling clouds that loomed overhead. I watched as our archers let loose volley after volley of arrows, the shafts arcing through the air before raining down on the enemy ranks. Screams pierced the air as the arrows found their marks, but the dark forces pressed on, relentless and unyielding.
The air was thick with the sounds of battle—shouts, screams, the clash of weapons, and the dull thud of bodies hitting the ground. The stench of sweat, blood, and fear was nearly overwhelming. I gripped the hilt of my sword, my knuckles white as I forced myself to stay rooted to the spot. I wanted to charge into the fray, to fight alongside my men, but I knew my place was here, commanding from the hilltop, watching for any sign of the reinforcements we so desperately needed.
Messengers came and went in a constant stream, bringing me reports from the front lines. The lords that joined us conferred in hushed tones, their faces grim as they surveyed the battlefield. The Dark Realm's forces were relentless, their numbers seemingly endless. For every one of their soldiers we felled, two more took their place.
A young squire ran up to me, his face pale and streaked with mud. He handed me a scroll, his hands trembling as he did so. I broke the seal and quickly scanned the letter, my heart sinking with each word. Another refusal. Another lord too afraid to stand against the darkness, too concerned with his own safety to join our cause. I tossed the letter aside in disgust, watching as it was carried away by the wind.
But not all the news was bleak. Among the refusals, there were a few letters of acceptance, pledges of aid from those brave enough to fight for the light. I clung to those small victories, knowing that they could make all the difference. Even a single company of fresh troops could tip the balance in our favour.
I looked out over the battlefield once more. The Dark Realm’s forces had pushed our soldiers back, inch by inch, but they hadn’t broken through our lines. Not yet. I could see the flashes of fire as our archers loosed flaming arrows into the enemy ranks, the flames briefly illuminating the darkened sky. Somewhere in the distance, a horn sounded—a signal of retreat or reinforcement, I couldn’t tell. The uncertainty gnawed at me, but I refused to let it show.
"Where are they?" I muttered under my breath, scanning the horizon for any sign of the reinforcements that had promised to come. The hilltop was the perfect vantage point, but it also made me feel terribly exposed, as though the whole world could see my every doubt, my every fear.
A hand rested on my shoulder, and I turned to see Oralaith, her expression calm despite the chaos surrounding us. "They will come," she said quietly, her voice steady. "We just have to hold the line until then."
I nodded, though the weight of command felt heavier with each passing moment. The lives of thousands rested on my decisions, and the pressure was enough to make me feel like I was being crushed under the weight of it all. But I couldn’t let that stop me. I couldn’t afford to hesitate. Not now.
A cry rose up from the battlefield—a mixture of triumph and despair. I looked down to see that our left flank was buckling under the assault, the Dark Realm’s soldiers pressing their advantage. I felt a surge of panic but forced it down, drawing my sword and raising it high. I could see the dark forces pushing forward, their twisted, nightmarish forms a stark contrast to our human soldiers. They moved with an unnatural grace, their faces obscured by the shadows that clung to them like a second skin.
My stomach churned as I watched the enemy advance. We were holding them back for now, but how much longer could we last? I had to believe that those who had said yes would arrive in time—that they wouldn’t abandon us in our hour of need.
A sudden explosion rocked the battlefield, sending a plume of dirt and smoke into the air. My heart lurched as I saw a group of our soldiers fall, their bodies limp and lifeless. The dark forces were using their magic now, their sorcery tearing through our ranks with terrifying precision.
I bit my lip, tasting blood as I fought to keep my composure. I could feel the fear gnawing at the edges of my mind, but I pushed it aside. I couldn’t afford to be afraid. Not now. Not when so many lives depended on me.
"Hold the line!" I shouted, my voice cutting through the din of battle. "Reinforcements are on their way! Just hold on!"
My words carried across the battlefield, hoping it would bolster the morale of my troops. They rallied, fighting with renewed determination, even as the enemy bore down on them. I could see the strain in their faces, the exhaustion in their movements, but they fought on, driven by the hope that help would arrive in time.
Another messenger arrived, this one panting heavily as he handed me a scroll. I unrolled it, my heart skipping a beat as I read the words. Reinforcements from the eastern provinces, just hours away. It wasn’t much, but it was something. And in this battle, something was enough.
I looked out at my soldiers, my heart swelling with pride and fear for them. They were giving everything they had, fighting not just for themselves, but for the future of our world. The Dark Realm could not be allowed to win. I wouldn’t let it happen.
With a deep breath, I turned to Oralaith. "Send word to the eastern forces. Tell them to push through with everything they’ve got. We’ll meet them in the middle and crush the enemy between us."
She nodded and hurried off to relay my orders. As I turned back to the battlefield, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. This war was far from over, but I knew, deep in my bones, that we had a chance. And I would fight with every last breath to see that chance realised.
The wind whipped around me, carrying the sounds of battle up the hill. I could see the tide beginning to turn, our forces pushing back with a strength born of desperation and hope. The reinforcements would arrive soon, and when they did, we would strike with everything we had.
For now, all I could do was watch, wait, and hope that we had done enough to hold the line. The battle was far from over, but I was ready for whatever came next. This was my kingdom, my people, and I would fight for them until the very end.