Why do we Fight? - Volume III - For Honor

Chapter 18: Counterattack

- A month after victory in Harrowgate... -

"(Argen), what I'm telling you that you need to take time off the front." Amber said to her husband as they walked down on the battlements of the farthest walls that are under repair. "I'll be frank, love. Your state of mind isn't good right now and you need all the rest you can."

It has been a month since the bloody siege of Harrowgate. A hard-fought victory saw the combined armies of the Vikings and Samurai pushed back to Blackstone Hills, east of Eitrivatnen. Now, repairs are being made to the citadel that held for long enough. The damages that were caused by both the invaders and (Argen's) sacrifice of half of the citadel.

Despite heavy losses, they have secured their territory to the northwest and with the reinforcements pouring in to Eitrivatnen, never will the Vikings or the Samurai will have another chance to push through.

Amber is now doing what she can to convince her husband to retire for the time being for him to recover. She doesn't know how much has the desperation of holding the line has stressed him, but she sure as hell will make him rest. What she knows is that while (Argen) is a strong man, he cannot continue fighting constantly and without breaks in between. The battle for Harrowgate was the last straw.

"I'm fine, Amber. I can still command the Iron Legion-" (Argen) started, but Amber cut him off before he could finish the sentence.

"Are you seriously going to be stubborn, again?" Amber sighed. "(Argen), my dear, I know you better than anyone other than your parents and siblings. I know when you can still fight and when you cannot." She told him.

"Amber, the Iron Legion needs me to lead-" Once again, he is cut off by his beloved.

"Do you trust me, love?" Amber asked him, causing him to look at her curiously.

"Of course I do, my love. What kind of question is that?" (Argen) asked but Amber ignored his question.

"Then head back to Brute's Bend to your home, to our son." Amber said as she put a hand on his face. "Leave the Iron Legion to me. I'll take your place until you are rested." She said. Knowing that he cannot convince her otherwise, (Argen) nodded in agreement and Amber gave him a kiss in response.

"Then, I'll leave the Lightshield Cohort with you. You will need their strength." (Argen) said but Amber shook her head.

"No. Bring them with you. They too need to rest and recover their losses." Amber said. "I have the Darkrose Legion and the Knights of the Embers with me, not to mention the reinforcements our allies in the west will send soon. We can handle it." She reassured him with a smile which (Argen) returned.

"Hah, very well, my love. I shall return to Brute's Bend to our son as soon as the Lightshield Cohort is ready to leave." He said and Amber happily nodded in response. "With the Vikings and the Samurai defeated, their alliance is likely to be broken now as we speak. It is the best time to strike their limping armies before winter sets in." He said to her.

"I know. I assure you that they will pay with twice the amount of blood that they caused here." She mused with determination in her voice as they both gazed towards the distance, towards where their enemies ran to. "We will retake Blackstone Hills and the Shard before winter. But until the Victorious Legion is ready, that is as far as we will go once we have retaken the region." She said.

"You seem to have planned ahead already before you even arrived here." (Argen) commented in amusement. Amber chuckled.

"Haha. I wouldn't be the commander of the Darkrose Legion if I wasn't." She replied with her trademark smile as she looked at him in the eyes. "I have already arranged things for you and the Cohort to leave for Brute's Bend. All of the things you need are ready for your journey." She told him.