Trials of the Chosen
Night came and went as the spider wave was easily crushed with the archers softening up the spiders before they reached the walls. Standing atop the gatehouse James was talking to Wilder and Rolf as they watched over the soldiers who were battling the spiders. "Suns about to rise get some rest I will start the first shift of overseeing the plans we talked about" James said while watching the sun peak through the trees. Saluting to James the two men took their leave, leaving James to look out over the soldiers who started cleaning the battlefield.
Hearing footsteps coming from behind James spoke without turning around "How may I help you Miss Lily". "I came to ask, how much do you know of the so called trials we are supposed to do to begin ascending to godhood" Lily asked as she stood next to James. "Survive and grow" James answered with a resolute tone staring at the beauty next to him. "Am I attractive" Lily asked laughed meeting James's stare. James nodded as he started to walk pass Lily "Exceptionally beautiful" he said as he reached the stairs currently in construction.
Losing her smile at these words Lily could only stare at James's back as he left, a faint blush could be seen on her face. Walking up to the gathering group of men at the front of the gatehouse James began to issue orders. "Bear take your group and patrol around the area making sure the wood cutters are safe" James said as Bear took his group out at this order. James looked to a skinny man with a longsword "Your name is Rat correct, take your group and start scouting east. Return immediately if you find something" The man named Rat nodded "What am I looking for my lord" he asked. "A way out of this forest or any others like us" James replied as Rat nodded again and left.
Seeing the men get straight to work James headed back to the command tent to look at the new reports for the day. "Foods running low, fresh water is fine, arrows are being used as fast as we make them and the spiders are starting to act strange any other news" James asked with a heavy sigh. Rolf set down the stack of papers and his pen. "That's just the start Lord, quartermasters complaining of a lack of space, men are pissed there's nothing to do but work and I need a drink" Rolf let out a chuckle as he went over the small and large problems the camp was having.
James looked over the rough map they had as he formed plans of relocation and his need of more people. Time passed quickly as the sun reached its zenith as Lily walked into the command room with a tray of food. "Anything new" she asked as she set down the tray for James and Rolf. "Not yet" Rolf replied reaching for some food. Taking a bite of the loaf of bread the door of the room was opened hurriedly as Rat quickly knelled down. "My Lord we have found a break in the forest that leads to meadow lands as far as we could see" Rat finished his briefing as quick as he could. "Excellent, have a small group recon if there's anything to hunt or enemies to look out for" James shouted out joyfully. "We finally have a direction to work towards" James mumbled to himself. With Rats group moving out James left the command tent to check on other areas around the base.
With the day passing by the various groups sent out started to return. Bring their reports to Rolf as a better map was drawn out from the information being brought. James marked important spots on the war map to look for as they moved around. The most important being the meadow and a spot of soft dirt that eats spiders. The latter peaked James's interest the most as it may be some king of beast.
"My lord Lady Lily seeks an audience" a guard kneeled and asked waiting for a reply. "You can come in Lily it hasn't stopped you before" James laughed as Lily walked in. Standing beside James Lily asked about the information being brought in. Rolf answered first and went over today's scout reports and quartermaster report. "Any sign of spider nests" Lily asked as both Rolf and James shook there heads.
Rat ran into the tent and kneeled "I'm sorry for breaking standards but I bring urgent new my lords. The meadow is full of centaur like monsters." Rat reported before anyone could ask about his intrusion. "Guess that's a no go for now" Rolf mumbled to James as he wrote on the war map. James nodded and looked outside to see how much sun was left. "How many groups are still out"James asked Rolf. "Rat was the last one why?" Rolf replied confused by James's question.
"Rat relay my command rest early and prepare for night fall" James commanded as he walked outside Lily right beside him. As they opened the front flap a familiar voice rang out in James and Lily's head.
"These damn gods are just trying to kill us" James cursed out as Lily grabbed his arm. James patted her hand "Should we combine are forces for this trial" he asked, Lily nodded and they continued on to the main gate house to speak to the men.