Eva got it and we came out of the weapon yard believing that they’ll prepare the required number of spears in time. Then we went to our tent. The armor was bronze in color and of course it was heavier than me. In the centre of the breastplate there was a symbol. Like two horses facing each other with their front legs raised. The breastplate went till the waist and after that till the knee it was like a skirt. There was also a pair of gloves which was brown in color. Those gloves went till my elbow. Then the helmet was the same color as the armor. It covered most of face leaving my eyes, nose and mouth alone open. It even covered my cheeks. On top of the helmet a horse’s mane in metal stretched the full length of the helmet. Also the helmet covered my neck. With the full armor I could barely walk. I could not fold my hands fully. As for the shield it was big enough to cover me. I kinda liked both the armor and the shield. The only problem was I could barely walk with it. When I wore the full suit Ea said
“This suits you and this is the perfect time to practice with your short sword, SEA SLICER. So we went to the training ground and started dueling. My hands took charge of my body and I fought like I had been fighting for a 100 years. The sword also seemed to give me strength. Even though Eva was not in her armor and I was in my armor I was able to cope up with her speed. At last I pushed her and my sword went straight for her neck. My brain screamed at my hands to stop. But they were out of the control of the brain. It was like the sword was controlling me. Until the last moment I couldn’t stop my hands. But my legs were in my control. So I stepped backwards. The sword missed her throat by an inch. But I had won. Then Eva taught me use the shield. By the time we finished practicing the soldiers came back. So I guessed it was 6pm. We went and asked the soldiers how many spears were left. They replied that there were almost 350 spears. Then we went to the weapon yard and checked. The work was going on in full speed. So went back to our tent. I studied those commands again. Eva said
“Tonight we need to inform our soldiers about the change of plans and strategies so that it will be easy for us to arrange them tomorrow.”
“Okay. So you’ll say to them, right?”
“No. That is your work because the strategy is yours.”
“I wish I never told that strategy to you.” I mumbled to myself.
“What?”
“uh…nothing. I’m not very good in giving instructions.”
“I’m not telling you to give instructions. I’m just telling you to inform them.”
“I’m neither good at that. What if they start laughing when I start talking?”
“They won’t Oliver. The soldiers like you. You have saved them. So they’ll respect you. Not laugh at you.”
“Okay. At least can you gather them?”
“I’m sure I can do that.” she said and went out of the tent. I laid down and started thinking where to start and where to end. But nothing made sense. Before I had finshed thinking Eva came in and said
“I’ve gathered everyone. Come on. Let’s go. So we went out. Almost the whole army was gathered there. I could see 500 giants. The horsemen and the swordsmen were standing together. So I couldn’t tell how many of them were there. There was a loud talk going on between them. When we reached the ground the crowd silenced themselves. I was the smallest in the crowd. I couldn’t even see the man standing in the fifth row.
“Don’t you have a stage or something? I am so small.” I whispered to Eva.
“No” she said plainly.
“Then how do you think-” I didn’t finish the question. A soldier in the first row came forward. I recognized him. he was one who had fought with a dagger in my third test. For a split second I thought that he was going to take revenge on me. But he came near me and lifted me onto his soldiers. From that height I could see everyone clearly.
“Thank you.”
“You spared me my life. So I will severe you till the last breadth leaves my chest.” I took a deep breath and started
“My dear friends and warriors, tonight we have gathered here to discuss about our new strategy. First of all my name is-”
“Oliver” the crowd shouted.
“I’ve come here as your Carlo. I’m going to lead you tomorrow. I may not be the same as Carlo but it I my fate’s order and I have accepted it. so I want all your cooperation. Will you all cooperate?”
“Yes sir.” The crowd yelled.
“And you don’t need to cal me sir. I’m the smallest own both by age and size and strength. You can just call me Oliver.” Then I started to explain the strategy. I had to keep myself loud so that the last person in the last row can hear it. Many times I cleared my throat. I have not spoken to such a huge crowd before. When I finished there was complete silence.
“Any doubts? Inform all your friends about this, okay?”
“Okay Oliver.” Then a soldier came forward and said
“What do we do if they change their strategy, Oliver?”
“If they change their strategy I’ll come up with a back up plan on the spot and that plan would be based on their strategy. Trust me. If we all co-operate well we are the winners tomorrow. Now go and take proper rest.” The man who I was sitting on set me down.
“Thank you” I said again.
“Your strategy is great. We are definitely going to win tomorrow.” He said and was gone. After the crowd cleared I turned to Eva and asked
“Will this work, Eva?”
“Will which work? Your strategy? “
“Yes. I’m afraid because I’ve never lead such a huge crowd before. The last time I lead a crowd when I was 14 and that crowd consisted only of 5 members including me. That too I just lead them into a stage. But here…” I paused, “If my calculations are right I’m going to lead thirty one thousand five hundred soldiers into a war. I’m risking their lives. What if the enemy came up with a new strategy and I couldn’t come up with a back up plan? What if we lost?” I was desperate. I had never ever in my life carried such a huge responsibility.
“Hey. Hey. Hey. Slow down. Why are you so heavy on yourself? Just be positive. You’ll make a good leader. No one of your age can explain a war strategy so clearly and you have my promise. I won’t let anything happen to you. Now come. I feel sleepy. There’s a long day ahead.” Then we went to our tent and Eva fell asleep at once. I couldn’t sleep properly. My mind kept thinking about the next day. I forced my mind to calm down and I slept. But that was not a complete sleep. It was a dreamy sleep and that dream was weird.
