The Awakening of the Soul

Chapter 9 The March to Battle.

   "It is time, Darel,"said Zardoc," that we march into battle. with the help of Redrock's army and mine we can hold off most of the soldiers til we can get you into position."

  "Hopefully you can get Redrock into position too," said Darel.

  "Magnus will be with the other soldiers. he is attacking the gate. and the other commanders shall be attacking the castle from behind," told Zardoc.

    "understood," replied Darel,"it was my plan after all."

    "when do we march into battle?" asked Redrock.

    "with my wound on my left arm, we should be able to march later today after my wounds healed," said Zardoc.

    "why not just heal it with magic?"  asked Darel.

    "Because if we could then we would have been immortal. you can't replace everything with magic and live forever. it is possible to heal a few wounds but the amount of energy used would drain you of all your magical  strengths," replied Zardoc.

    "Okay"

Later that day, they marched into battle. The march was long and tiring. Zardoc and Redrock led the armies toward the enemy castle. Spellcasters and magicians placed wards on some of the soldiers. The army consisted of 400 soldiers alone, but with Zardoc's and Redrock's support, the total was more than one thousand.

  "has there ever been a need for such a large army before us in history?" asked Darel.

    "there was one time in history," said Redrock,"when Fowlwing was forced to do battle with the rebels whom wanted the sword of Uliac.

    "who won the battle?"

     "Fowlwing narrowly won the battle. With only 9 men left with him, they killed a total of 300 men together in that battle," said Redrock,"unfortunately that was the last battle Fowlwing had and so he gave or hid the sword of Uliac."

       "do u think I could find the sword?" asked Darel.

    "you would have to have an iron heart to wield it. that is the curse for such a sword."

    "oh. then I guess I wouldn't."

The rest of the journey was made in silence. Only the knights spoke, but when they spoke they only spoke to each others for a few moments.

At long last, the enemy castle finally came over the horizon. Many of the knights were fearful of the enemy and said "we are surely going to die!" or "why do we have to fight demons?" some even said "that they should rebel and run away." luckily Zardoc calmed them down.

They were at the base of the gigantic castle. only a giant most blocked their path to the gates. "now!," shouted Zardoc,"we are here to do battle , we are here to fight! fight for the loss of our loved ones. follow my commands and we shall be victorious. listen to all of your leaders in battle for they shall guide you in the dark of this battle. We are here for one reason, one common goal, and we shall not turn back!

The soldiers cheered. their shouts were deafening. and they charged at the walls. Many of them carried the assault bridges necessary to cross the moat. "Magnus lead that group of soldiers over there over to the left flank!" shouted Zardoc, pointing his finger at a group of soldiers.

        "I got it," replied Magnus.

      Zardoc then took his horse and charged at the gates. The gates had already been broken down by the many rams the attackers used.

         "Darel, now!" said Redrock. she took her horse and rode away towards the right flank shooting arrows at the soldiers on the walls.

         Darel immediately ran towards the left flank with his father's sword, which Zardoc gave to him before the battle, held high and his shield raised to block the arrows.

       Back at the main gate the large amount of fierce Wolven Empire warriors poured out of the castle. Zardoc struggled to hold them off til Magnus could capture the left flank and Redrock the right.

       The men Magnus led were pulling the siege towers towards the walls. "There you go Darel," said Magnus,"Get up!"

      Darel climbed the siege tower and once he arrived at the top, he quickly killed the archers and helped pull up Magnus. "Thanks," said Magnus.

      Then came roughly around twenty soldiers. "Envis!" yelled Magnus. Ten of the soldiers died almost instantly from the flames.

     "Flirind!" yelled one of the soldiers, who was obviously also spell caster. Magnus was blown off the wall and fell. Magnus hit a hut and it was Magnus never came up from the rubble.

     "You! you..you...yoyu monster!" yelled Darel." Raising his hands he whispered one word,"Enflir!"

       Darel had no idea what would have happened if he casted that spell. Maybe it was because of the gold from his father's sword that helped him but he wasn't breathing hard one bit after casting the spell.

      The spell casted a large fire moving through the air st such a fast pace. It swirled around the remaining men and soon burned itself out. Nothing was left. Not even bones nor armor remained. Magnus, he thought. Magnus u have helped me a lot today...even though you defied my orders sometimes. you always had the best of intentions. "yam yououy setr ni peaceecaep."

        Darel ran off towards the stairs that led downwards towards the ground. Darel took out a map. The map told him to turn left then right, left, and finally left.

       It took a while to get towards where he wanted. But once he reached there he couldn't help but feel good. Good to avenge his father's death, good to avenge Magnus, but most of all good to avenge his mother. Kicking the door, Darel went inside. Ready to face his father's murderer. Knowing the cost if he dies. The heavy burden on his shoulders....the lives at risk....and most of all the chance to ever meet his brother.