Chapter 2: Deployment
One hour before dawn, we packed our bags and brought our rations for the upcoming march, we were arranged into a marching formation Fifty files wide and a hundred ranks deep (50x100), this formation allows us to cross narrow roads, and will have us prepared for any ambush attacks. We formed 10 formations for there are 50 thousand of us.
We are assembled outside of the capital to prepare for a 10 days march, and then suddenly, along in the eastern horizon, arose silhouettes of tens of thousands of soldiers, varying from spearmen, swordsmen, archers and cavalry, along with tens of thousands of the empire’s banners gracefully dancing in the wind, their formation stretched from the edge of the horizon to another, the thud of their synchronized marching feet can be heard from over great distances as loud as our beating hearts, as they approached, dawn arrived, as the sun shines upon the land, they can be seen more clearly, revealing the blinding flashes of their glistening weapons and armor, and the bright and shiny red color of their clothes can be seen!
“Ah I’ll never get tired seeing this.” Said Commander Vyn as he approached to lead us, “Oh I almost forgot to tell you guys, you’re not the only recruits, hundreds and thousands more are marching all the way here, everyone across the regions of the empire are on its way here!”
Then on the western and southern horizon, more armies showed up, we were suddenly surrounded by waves of waves of soldiers joining us, “Ah there they are, be sure to make friends with everyone, men!” Said Commander Vyn.
As everyone has lined up and prepared to go, we began our march, “We’re so many I feel like we could trample an army of elephants.” Says my friend Finis, “I bet even hordes of dinosaurs!” I replied.
As our million men strong army marched, our commanders slowly began singing including our Commander Vyn, also slowly, the soldiers sang along, it is a song that were taught to us two weeks ago. A song to mock our enemy, a song with a fast-paced tune.
“As we march, we bring our people’s excite,
As we march, to purge our enemies in sight,
Their armies are futile and easy to tear,
We’re a force to inflict them ruin and despair.”
As we sang our song, we became confident, we feel like we could conquer the whole world!
After a day’s worth of marching, it was night time, we encamped on a nearby river bank, parallel to our road, “Tomorrow, this river bank would be streaming along with us.” Says Finis as he sat beside me, “I can feel tomorrow’s going to be great day.” I replied, we carried on with our conversation as the refreshing sound of the streaming water muffles the noises created by the main camp, and out of nowhere Commander Vyn approached us, we stood straight facing the commander, held our spear firm as a form of a salute, “At ease gentlemen.” Commander Vyn ordered.
Commander Vyn asked “Why are you guys away from the main camp?”,
“We like it peaceful sir.” We replied,
“I see, me too.” Says Commander Vyn,
I took the opportunity to ask Vyn for a favor “I know I may sound arrogant here sir, but may I please have a sword instead of a spear? I am at my full potential if I wield a sword.” I asked.
“What?” Vyn replied with a surprised tone along with Finis just as surprised too, “You mean you weren’t at your best when you defeated me?!” Vyn asked in desperation.
“Hehee.” I replied, as I rub the back of my head, making some kind of an apologetic pose.
“You may be strong Klayden, but you have to prove yourself to them not me, you see, each sword is forged not just with steel but with hearts of the people, sweat, time and blood are poured in for only a single sword, a soldier must earn it and be promoted in the battlefield, but no worries if you earn it, it goes along with a new helmet, a ‘kabuto’ like mine.” As Commander Vyn presented me with his helmet, made in steel, a helmet which also protected its wearer’s neck unlike the headpiece we are currently wearing, it also has this two golden horns on its forehead, it intimidated me, I spoke at the back of my head “I want it, I will earn it, both the helmet, and the sword.”.
Commander Vyn said goodbye as he left to attend important matters, I was excited and can’t wait to have a kabuto of my own, the thought of having it, plays in my mind, I couldn’t sleep, but the calming and refreshing splash of the water from the river calmed my nerves and lulled me to slumber.
Dawn came and we moved out at first light, for 9 days we marched, and at last we’ve finally arrived,
“This is where the marching ends men!” Gallad, one of the Senior Officers shouted, “Your day draws near, you will be recruits no longer! Tomorrow will be marked, as the day you have proven yourselves! The day of your baptism by fire, A day where you men will truly be soldiers! The day where the empire accepts you! The day of redemption!”
Everyone cheered, morale was high, we were eager and we were determined, as the cheering voice of everyone spread across the ranks, as confidence radiates to all, we were ready!
Finis spoke, “Our commanding officers never fails to make us feel invincible, it’s almost funny.” And he made a soft laugh, “Well that’s their job I suppose.” I replied, Finis looked at me as I looked at him, then we both laughed.
“I’ll be sure to hold on to your promise yeah?” Finis stated nervously, “Just stay close and you’ll be fine, if you’re in trouble just call out on me and I’ll murder them.” I replied to assure him that my promise will keep him safe.
After a long night of preparation, the army is filled of confidence and anxiety, of boast and nervousness, of steadfast will and trembling spirits, of soundful slumber and sleepless disturbance there were something for everyone.
Dawn arrived, we were ordered to climb a mountain, because on the other side of that mountain, will be the battlefield.
As we reached the summit, a sight was beheld, in the landscape before us, a plain ground surrounded by mountains, if forces were to collide, they would be descending at each other.
The moment we’ve all been waiting for, a new experience would be met, a kind of which no one has ever known, the time to strike is here, the day of deliverance is now at hand, the place where we will shed and spill blood, the place where we will make a name for ourselves, a place where we make history, a place where we fight evil, the place where my father’s legacy will continue.
And then on the other side of the battlefield, high up on the mountains, hordes of Alreimian soldiers, the sight was like back at the capital, except they are enemies, they are evil, as they emerged from the mountains, they were struck by sunlight, revealing their color, body armor shoulder guards and helmets of gleaming cyan, and the divine aura of their blinding white clothes and banners, each soldier carries two white triangular flags sticking at their backs, each individual represents their Kingdom’s color.
The bright color combination of their armor and clothes, makes them appear holy and divine, it was as though we are facing God sent creatures, they began to move, they eagerly walked towards us and eventually ran with bloodlust.
Our Senior Officer Gallad, took 5 steps forward turned around, and gave us a fierce look, stared at us one by one.
“This, is how these scums win their battles, they intimidate their enemies by looking divine and holy, a normal person would hesitate to take up arms against their phony divine image, this is what you would expect from these barbarians, they are a race of dishonorable bastards!! Impertinent impostors!! deceiving creatures!! They do not deserve to be called human beings!! You men will deliver the punishment for their sins!! This day you shall be justice’s instrument!! If our will remains unshaken, true, and steadfast, this day is ours!! Now charge forth, show these scoundrels the iron fist of the Fatherland!! Let your spears lead the way, into the hearts of the enemy!! Charge!! Proud soldiers of the empire!! CHARGEEE!!!!!!!!”.
The army, along with Finis and I ran straight into the enemy, determined and zealous, everyone gave their battle cry, as the trumpets chanted the hymn of combat, as the drums beats the song of battle, CALLING US TO WAR!!!!
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