Honour

Chapter I: Cost of Victory

[If you can read with music, (there are no words for the sake of focus) I highly recommend this. Start playing and read as the music starts. It fits my reading pace perfectly and I can only hope it fits yours as well.]

 War is an expensive expense. Even when the coin comes from the pockets of bejewelled children who sit on gold and silver paint-poured chairs. My king, His Majesty Vrien sent me to command my first legion in a war against the northern Kingdom. Years my younger, in both our lives I have yet to fight a battle like this, a war, a fight where two ridiculously large groups meet in open space and with etiquette, agree to fight to the dwindling numbers or when they feel there has been a victor. Commanding armies? Yes. Preparing, fighting, surviving, I can do all of those with ease. But sending men to die? It feels... strange.

.

Perhaps it is another lesson from His Majesty. Though many people, if they had the knowledge I hold, would disagree, I know this man has much to teach me despite everything he has already taught. Maybe I should make notes to present them to him after this battle. We should win quickly and head home. I start to feel restless as more thoughts rise. Spare the thoughts in regard to the lives that are about to be lost. Not for naught though, there is purpose in this, a just cause. Surely.

Dawn broke with soft blue hues fading into shades of pink as the world around us began to sing. Trees rustle as a sharp spring breeze blows into the northern woods across us, across this mass of a meadow. The birds begin to sing their songs of survival and instinct. I watch the forest come alive as the sunlight seeps through the canopies, looking at it all endearingly as I breathe it in. Inhaling the smell of raw land around me, feeling its essence as the horns begin to sound. The birds fly away and the sound of nature is deafeningly drowned out by the sound of feet marching onto the assigned battlefield, the grassland. Anyone could hear the clanking of armour, but I could feel it. The weight of the metal forged to be worn by soldiers and warriors to protect themselves in battle signified their loyalty and purpose. To some it is their skin and to others it is their burden. At first, the armour felt like a weight that could and would drag down whoever wore it, however, it eventually felt right. Like it was the only thing I could wear.

Despite the noise, the scenery remains seemingly peaceful. But the quiet that fills the air is not of comfort. It feels hollow and brimming with anticipation. Remembering my responsibility: which is to fight for my kingdom and its people, my king and the beliefs he holds, I watch the other side of the clearing. As the legion behind me stands ready and quiet, we position ourselves across the field towards our enemies who stare back, waiting, watching, wondering. As my eyes close, I do my best to focus on my hearing, do my best to listen for each and every breath my men take. For this may be their last peaceful breath, I must consider that. If they are finding peace in this moment and not feeling the nerve wracking adrenaline of war. Each huff being proof of life, but a life ready to be thrown for a cause. I open my eyes and raise my fist, clenched. After letting out a sharp breath I open it, signalling to commence the battle. Shortly after, the opposing leader does so as well. After the silent agreement, the horns, once again, sound.

The clanking of armour worn by men of different sizes, leather scritching and metal singing in clatter. Thudding hooves from running horses draped in colours of their riders' homeland, and the battle cries of thousands of men fill the air. The first line clashes, I cannot tell which side hit first, or if that even matters in the war, the fight has just started but for many reasons I already hope for it to stop. Wish, I wish for it to stop. I think that's what Xensci says nowadays. A lot happens in the first few seconds and I am unsure of what exactly, but for what it's worth, I do know I am getting swung at by multiple soldiers. I must focus on myself instead of my thoughts.