Digging Our Grave

The sound of hammering aroused Alya from her sleep. Shouts sounded through the morning fog. Dozens of people sat on the strewn hay across the long barn's ground. Chatter filled the house. It was still dark outside, yet the people at Hopkins' had started frantically running between the buildings.

"How long do we have?"

"Why aren't we running away?"

Alya rolled out of the doorway. Torches lit up the buildings, they made her feel nostalgic. A mix of relief and passion, but also sadness and fear. She could only watch them move for a moment before she heard a voice calling to her.

"Are you going to fight?" Joy walked up behind her, shadows bounced across his face.

"Who?" Alya's breathy voice always reminded Joy of her permanent injuries, yet the boy had never seen her in a bad mood. Her body was weak, she could never do what others could. Her soul shined in comparison. Her atmosphere was of tranquility. Among the current chaos, her still gaze stood out more than the movment surrounding it. Only small flames danced across her eyes.

More than ever before, he felt compassion for her, "The forces of the city Solias, south-east of us, are coming to attack. If we had not caught the carriage, that man would have delivered a letter to Kyrna asking for help."

"Will they attack even though nobody is coming to help them?" Alya looked around at the men carrying handmade weapons and wooden boards into different directions, about fifty people were currently living in the small village.

"We are only on their way to the real battle they wanted to fight, they probably plan to walk right over us. Yesterday, Han contacted the village that was the real target they are aiming for. The revolutionaries from that village will come to help us." Despite the news, Joy appeared to be uneasy.

Alya smiled at him, "Then, I'll be fighting." She wanted to ask Joy himself, but his abilities were still subpar for combat.

"Good luck." He forced a quick smile before walking away.

It was only half an hour later. Wooden fence and spikes surrounded almost the entire the village. With tools and crafted weapons in hand, men stood collected before Han. A few real pieces or armor and weaponry could be seen reflecting the few lights.

Alya had seen this situation before, somewhere.

"The revolution has gotten us to this point in under a week, but do not be careless. Battles like tonight are the ones that will determine our future. Their knights are superior in numbers and equipment. That will change when our backing arrives, but we don't know how long that will take. For now, we'll hold this place on our own."

The men cheered loudly before lining up on the east and south side behind the defences.

Karl had pride in his men. Since he had lost his only family, the people in Solias garrison were always close to his heart. He had trained among his new brothers and sisters for years and before he realized, Karl was promoted. Instructing recruits starting at age twelve seemed like a tedius job at first, but he ended up loving every one of them. He never had children, but instructing these kids made him grow to feel like a proud father. He had watched them sprout up to become capable warriors and that night was the first time they would be tested.

If not for the Kingdom, Karl might have had no family at all. The opportunity it gave him inspired him to work harder than he ever had. He had become proficient in magic and become the best swordman in the province. Now, the king needed their help. Rebels were trying to take over the country which he loved. No matter what the intention was, they wanted to destroy what gave him his happiness. If he could, he would have taken them down by himself.

He walked up to the treeline and looked down at the few buildings. The rebels had erected a pathetic palisade and stood still, watching the forest. Their equipment was simple and their numbers were few. Karl's worries disappeared quickly. He had only about eighty men, he did not want to lose a single one and the sight before him gave him confidence in pulling that off.

He looked out for any important people. One slave had a decently put together leather armor and sword, the slave next to him dressed like a magician, in nothing but a blue robe. What drew his attention was not the tall warriors with grim faces, it was the lady, sitting behind them with a bow on her lap. She showed no concern or fear, she was calm and wore almost fancy clothing, if not for the dirt on them.

"Another magician." Karl guessed. He turned to his second in command, Jarl, "Tell, them to watch out for those two and the girl on the chair." He pointed them out.

"Yes, sir."

"It's Karl." He smiled, "And tell the archers to get ready."

Alya watched their souls wander, aside from the purple one, almost a hundred cyan flames danced across the hill. Slowly, a line of them walked to the front, but stayed in the trees' shadows. The people around Alya had not spotted them. She waited for a few breaths, before whizzing sounds declared battle.