It came around all too quickly, the time of war had descended upon us. We had marched to the borderlands of Rockline territory and set up camp. Our hope was we had marched ahead of time, before Azgeda made their move. You had managed to keep unity between the supporting clans. They swiftly became aware that the protection of their Commander, of their Capital, of the greater good should always be first and foremost.
You had spent much of your time trying to dissuade me from marching with you, always trying to keep me safe. As if I could have watched you ride into battle without me by your side. We prepared for combat separately. Titus seemed convinced I was a distraction. Maybe I was to some degree, but I always believed we made each other stronger.
I remember walking to the Commanders tent in full battle armour, nervous of what was to come. Entering the tent I passed your Generals as they made their way out. Each of them nodded in respect of my commitment to their Heda. I felt a sense of pride at this.
You stood in front of your throne, putting on your shoulder armour in preparation for battle. You looked so fierce, my warrior woman. I walked over to you and took your armour in my hands, "Here, let me." Clipping it to your body, you looked at me with longing in your eyes. I grinned back, "If you continue to look at me like that, Azgeda will have to wait." Smiling back at me, you joked, "Titus is right. You do distract me." As I finished prepping your armour you leaned in for a kiss. I pulled aways just before our lips met, "You need to focus, Heda!" Breathing deeply you put your head against mine, "I do nothing but focus." Looking into your eyes I opened my heart up to you,"This war, this clash of clans, we will face together. You and me, side by side. My arrows are always yours, as is my heart."
The moment was broken by the sound of a war horn. Indra entered the tent with urgent news, "Apologies, Commander. Azgeda approaches. They're here!"
We rushed out of The Commanders tent, to find chaos had ripped through our encampment. Snow had begun to fall from the sky, it was almost like Azgeda and their allies brought it with them. There was no warning, as their riders cut through your warriors with vicious force.
The scouts never made it back to warn us that Azgeda were moving, Ice Nation had slaughtered them all. Panic descended at first, then order as you commanded your Generals to take their warriors into battle position. You turned to me, wide eyed, ready to fight, "Its now or never, Plains Girl!" I smiled back ready to enter the fray, "Lead us to combat, Commander!" We grabbed our weapons and stormed into battle.
All I could see was blood and steel flashing before my eyes. Warrior after warrior attacked. I heard the sound of another war horn, as a group of your warriors galloped past us on horseback. You called out, "TAKE NO PRISONERS!" Azgeda were strong, but your army was ready to do whatever it took to fight them off, as was I. My spear dispatched attacker after attacker until I found myself back to back with you in the middle of the blood splattered snow.
We fought hard, absorbed the pain from our injuries, held our stance. It was an Ice Nation warrior that caught me off guard, striking me across the face with his shield. Blood coursed from my head, into my eye. I managed to knock the shield from his arm and swiftly ran my spear through his body, killing him. My vision began to blur from the impact, ringing sounded in my ears as I started to loose focus. I dropped to one knee, my balance wavered. You grabbed me and pulled me to my feet. Clearing the blood from my face, you looked intensely at me, "Costia, stay with me. We are not dying here, not today!" I breathed deeply and knodded back. Our fight was not over.
I regained my composure and strengthened my resolve. Black blood ran from your injuries but you never flinched once. Your strength was what kept my spear raised, the love I had for you kept the fire in my heart. No, we would not die that day. We would protect what was ours. Death was at our door but we wouldnt let it in no matter how loud it knocked.
Time had no meaning during the battle, warriors fought, warriors fell, blood consumed the land. It wasn't until we heard an Ice Nation horn sound out, giving the retreat signal, did we know the fight was about to end.
You were still battling with an Azgeda soldier twice the size of you. I moved to help but you raised your hand halting any intervention. It was clear this had become personal.
Your swords clashed hard, sending sparks flying. Both of you were exhausted from fighting, but you never let your guard down once, you never showed weakness. It was the Ice Nation warrior who left himself vulnerable first, his defences failing. You swiftly took the opportunity to run your sword through his body. He gasped for life, before dropping to the ground, dead.
Silence filled the air as you stood over your kill. A voice called out, it was Indra, "LONG LIVE HEDA!" I turned to see your Generals and warriors behind me. They had gathered to see the final kill of this skirmish. The strength of their Commander laid bare for all to see. They raised their weapons and yelled out a victory cry, "JUS DREIN, JUS DAUN!"
I was honoured to have you as my Commander and honoured to have loved you with my heart and soul.
