A Second Tyranny

The Battle of Arendelle (Part 1)

Author's Note:

Really sorry for the delay, guys! This chapter's a little late. I had things to sort out in the last couple of days because I am about to start university. You have been very patient.

Action scenes, I must confess, can be pretty challenging to write. You've got to vary the pacing and momentum, be aware of the environment in which a fight is taking place, and watch out for the specifics and details. 

WISTY

Our army marched at a steady pace down the green hills which would eventually take us to the village of Arendelle. The swordsmen were at the van and the archers at the rear. Anna, Emmet and Ross lead the procession. It was impossible to see them from my position. Kristoff and Gerda chose to stay close to me so I'd have some familiar people I know helping and protecting me.

Hans's men were stationed throughout the village and over the bridge connecting it to the castle as far as I could see. The castle courtyard would no doubt be filled up as well. It was as Elsa had said: their numbers were legion.

The magicians came to a stop. The army had gotten as close as it could get to the front line of Hans's men without being detected.

"Archers." I took on a booming voice enhanced by magic. "Nock your arrows!"

They nocked their arrows.

"Draw!"

They pulled their bowstrings back. They aimed at the sky.

"Loose!"

We released. Nine hundred arrows flew into the night.

I heard yells in the distance and watched as the men who were hit collapsed below. A girl's cry rang out. She was far ahead so I couldn't clearly hear her, but it had to be Anna. The swordsmen in front of me let out a roar and charged, and so did the other side, and the next thing I knew the air was pierced by the sonorous sound of metal on metal. My fellow archers and I were separated from our enemies by over five thousand swordsmen. Our job was to let off as many volleys as possible while the swordsmen went into the fight.

Again I shouted the command, and the arrows were discharged once more.

More cries of pain from the soldiers.

Another set of arrows were released on my orders.

We kept moving forward. My veins pumped with adrenaline. With every step I took my heart hammered harder, faster and louder in my chest. We simultaneously shot a couple more arrows in the following minutes.

The majority of our army was now engaged, so I stopped the volleys to prevent from hitting our own people. A boy beside me used magic to blast at our opponents, throwing several comrades in black sky high off their feet. Their midnight blue capes went flying. They crashed against the houses on either side of the road.

At last, the archers descended to the village, which was lit up by the light of many lamps and torches.

It was a mess.

People were not only using their swords but their powers as well. However, the stark contrast in colour between their dark armour and our white and silver ones meant I was able to easily distinguish the two armies.

Kristoff, Gerda and I sprinted forward into the battle.

Red electricity struck me. My body spasmed violently. It was so exquisite and painful that I screeched. Every single one of my muscles twitched. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't see. All I felt was the white-hot pain. A sharp collision to my head forced me to open my eyes. Then I fell to the ground.