We Three Mages (Editing)

Chapter Twenty Five: A Dangerous Prelude

There was a single moment during the war where every single citizen of Trajare breathed at the same time, where all their hearts’ were beating the same beat and they all felt the same dredge and sense of loss. It was the moment when everyone got the morning newspaper and received the news that forever changed their beloved country.

It was the morning after Demintrean forces had breached Trajare’s last line of defense.

Demintrea was coming and there was nothing that could be done.

A few days ago…

“Sir!” A Trajarean soldier mage saluted his commander and exited the tent.

“Commander Dune, are you sure this is a good idea?” One of his advisors asked. Commander Dune leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temples with a single massive hand. He was tired and looked far older than he actually was. His once shining brown hair had turned a rusted color and his beard had finally finished growing in. He looked up at his officer with a weary look in his eyes.

“Officer Gero, is there any other solution than this? If we don’t fight off these damned people here and now, than all of those people depending on us will be doomed.” He looked back down the map before him on the table.

“But our forces have been halved and the new recruits from the Academy…”

“I don’t give a damn  if those newbies can’t stomach this. Their country is on their shoulders. They need to get used to it.” Commander Dune shouted. Officer Gero flinched at the sound of cracking wood.

“Sir!” Officer Gero saluted Commander Dune and then exited to go prepare the troops for the battle that was very soon to come.

“May the Founder be with us.” Commander Dune prayed.

Along the top of Fort Ander, one of the final posts that protected the country from invasions, stood several lookouts, watching for any sign of the enemy that was to come.

“Are we going to survive?” One of the men asked his superior. He was fresh from the Academy. He was forced to graduate earlier so he could join his fellows in the horrid known as war.

“If you think like that then you won’t.” His superior continued to stare ahead.

“I didn’t even want to be a soldier. I wanted to be a mage that created new spells to help aide people. But when the recruiters came, there wasn’t any choice in the matter.” He let out a pitiful laugh. “I shouldn’t even be here.”

“None of us should lad.” Was the response.

“I can think of better mages than I who would be far more suited for this. Like Buddy Drellin. He’s the up and coming mage at the Academy. But recently a friend of mine wrote me that there’s this new kid to watch out for. Apparently he kicked a teacher’s ass….SEND THE FLARE!” He suddenly shouted as he pointed across the field to the left of him. His superior looked that way to see black dots covering over the horizon.

“SEND THE FLARE!” His superior ordered. Instantly every hand on that wall shot up and let loose a small fire ball to let their comrades know that the dreaded moment had finally come. The new recruit swallowed some air down his throat and his mouth grew dry.

“Draw!” The superior commanded. Every mage at the wall drew their arms back and summoned volleys of arrows above their heads. Sweat trickled down the recruit’s face and neck as he awaited his order to fire and fire again until he was silenced by his officer or by the enemy.