He walked into town with sure-footed steps, making note of the people who passed. Simone Wagehorn. John Tate. Peter Cain, he noted. His shaggy brown hair falling in front of his light, blue eyes, which are perfectly placed on his olive-coloured face. The tight, cream t-shirt folding around his thin, tall, muscled body making him look like an athlete, not just a young Town boy. In front of him he could see the golden, dry grass surrounding the distant houses and men on horseback, like a mother folding herself around her child for protection. With a small nod to himself William Crescent walked on, the small, blond headed girl beside him, towards the Town Hall.
***
“I declare war!” shouted the Mayor into the microphone, his voice booming throughout the hall. The black trench cloak wrapped tightly around his round shaped body like a small baby wrapped in a blanket.
“No!” Screamed Elizabeth, the small, blond headed girl. Her blond strands pulled back into a loose ponytail, with some falling out in the front. “What did they ever do to us? Why do they deserve the-? ”
“That’s enough Elizabeth.” The Mayor said sternly. “We start the march in on them tomorrow. Sergeant Tate?” Elizabeth moved to the back of the hall to stand with William, her small shouldered build sagging forward out of disappointment and a sulk obviously placed on her fragile, freckled face.
“Yes, Sir?” said John Tate.
“Get the men on horses, ready them for battle.” said the Mayor.
“Yes, Sir.” John hurried out of the hall, his hat clutched close to his body, closing the large stone doors behind him.
The Mayor cleared his throat, “William Crescent?” no one answered and William shrank back against the crowd, a worried look on his face. So the Mayor spoke again, more sternly this time, “William Crescent? Are you here?” You know you should be, thought the Mayor but, he didn’t say it.
Elizabeth nudged William on the arm and nodded with a small half-hearted smile, “Um … Yes?” he said.
“Ah, yes, Mr. Crescent. I need you to lead my army into Spenton Town. It should take you a week,” William froze, he looked as pale as a ghost. The Mayor continued, “You should be ready by tomorrow, shouldn’t you? Mr. Crescent?” he looked at William expectantly.
It took a moment before he answered. “Sorry - yes, um … what did you say?” William looked baffled.
“I said,” The Mayor was a bit irritated, “you should be ready to lead my army by tomorrow morning, shouldn’t you?”
“Um … yes, sir,” A small frown started to form on Williams face and his eyes began to water, “I will be ready by tomorrow.” His frown grew bigger and his face fell paler.
“Good. This town meeting is over. I will see you tomorrow Mr. Crescent,” said the Mayor, a large grin on his face, while the first tear fell from William’s eyes.
Once William and Elizabeth had left the Town Hall they walked up the large, green hill towards William’s small, cosy home. Elizabeth turned to check behind them to make sure they weren’t being followed, then she suddenly stopped and turned towards William. “Are you ok? William?” She would normally call him Will, but she felt it wasn’t the right moment. She was worried about him, asking herself what she should do.
“What do you think?” Even though he whispered, you could still hear the worry and anger in his voice. His face was flushed and his cheeks were wet with tear streaks and the tears were still coming out like a storm, “I don’t know how to lead an army, I don’t know how to shoot a gun, I don’t want to kill anyone, and I don’t even think I am – well I know I’m not - the right person to lead an army!”
