The Regal Rogue

13. At Dusk We Are At War

The camp was buzzing with pixies in the morning. The sun had not risen yet, keeping the night fog dark.

Donella and I were barking out orders.
Everyone was scurrying around.

"We'll be at the battle line around early evening. As much as the queen burned of the forest, there's a suitable plain of land for war." Roselyn said as if she knew every little detail.

"Since there's plenty of time, I insist I go to the line and see for myself what my sister has us up against." I said in a determined tone, knowing someone would be opposed to it.

"You think that wise, Crimson? No. I should send a few faeries." Donella said, nodding surely.

"I am grateful for your concern, but I will be back before we are to leave, I swear it," I reassure her and take my leave.

I race noiselessly through the trees and shrubs.
I didn't want to doubt our victory, but I thought of what the scene would look like if we were defeated.
This only made me angry and I just tore through the now thin remains of the forest faster.

I found myself having to climb a steep, bright green, small mountain.
It was odd because we didn't have any mountains this close to the castle.

I slowly skid down it and dusted myself off. Getting a better look at it from the other side I saw it wasn't just a small mountain, but a burial.

I saw the the few visible bodies and some house wreckage.

My new found fury grew. I exhaled a steamy breath out my nose.
I kept at a dashing speed and threw myself against a tree to stop me abruptly when I saw the forest's edge.

I was taken aback when I saw the old, forgotten catapults being prepared. I could see creatures flying over the castle's inner court.
They were Griffons and Phoenixes as Roselyn had told me before.

I could see numerous other creatures lining up in front of the castle.
I held onto the tree tightly as I watched the endless crowd of beasts.

I felt a strange energy in my stomach. It wasn't an anxious fear but rather a furious passion.
I had seen enough. I headed back, dodging low hanging twigs and careful not to trip on knotted foliage.

I was upon the camp faster then when I had left.
"They......," I started, trying to catch my breath. "They have it surround." Was all I could finish.

"As I suspected." Donella said in a sigh from the wind.

"You're still with me, right?" I asked, giving her an intense look.

"As long as you are with us." She answered in a soothing wisp of a breeze.

I nodded to her and that seemed to be enough.

"Alright everyone! Prepare to move out!" I screamed, almost breaking my voice.

In a swarm of chaos there was suddenly order and all the faeries were in organized bands.
I sheathed my sword and strode over to Fey who had been elusive the past few days.

I climbed on her back and held tight to my shield. Serenity and Roselyn stood to my left and Callum, leading the male faeries to my right.
The enormous mass of pixies behind us and stretching well over a mile in multiple lines.

"Forward!" Donella cried in a sudden gust of wind that jolted us forth.

It was late noon. As an army, we should reach Grimshaw at dusk.

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