It was like looking at the beginning of a legend.

***World***

In the centre of the Fenniton town square there was a large pile of supplies, carts, and row upon row of sleeping felinians. Laid out like long lines of grey sausages on the floor. Many had grabbed blankets from home and made uncomfortable beds on the cold cobbles. Others had grabbed what they could from the surrounding buildings. All were making the most of their down-time.

There was no complaining to be heard, one could even say morale was high. There were a few makeshift fires, food was being made and anybody not asleep was quietly chatting with their comrades. Bakers, craftsmen, farmers, merchants, adventurers, and all others, were united under the leadership of Boots. They were soldiers now, freedom fighters, and they had taken their town back from occupation. All without the loss of a single life.

There was still anxiety to be had, they were not free of their oppressors yet. The real test was still to come.

Dawn was quickly arriving; the first few daggers of sunlight clipped the top of the keep on the northern wall. There was a slight morning chill in the air. A small crowd had gathered around the front of the town hall. Where the commanders of both sides faced off for the first time in their brief rivalry.

***Boots***

Anmar stood uncomfortably in the doorway, standing defiant against the multitude of townsfolk in the square.

Boots considered his potential captive for a moment, "Well, I'd rather do this under some semblance of comfort. Maria, could you fetch someone to bring us a table and chairs. We will negotiate right here in this garden."

Maria swiftly applied herself to the task. Boots remained at the edge of the garden. Eyes locked with the uncomfortable looking Anmar.

He was doing his best to retain an air of confidence, but Boots could see straight through it. He was bricking his pants, and rightly so.

The Major adjusted his collar, "I appreciate your courtesy. What is your name sir?"

"Boots."

Anmar looked surprised, as if he was expecting something more, "Just Boots?"

"Just Boots."

"A fine name indeed," Anmar said with a stiff nod, internalising his emotions with the practiced skill of a diplomat, "I shall remember it."

"Whom do you serve Sir Boots?" Anmar said after a brief pause.

"Myself."

Boots could almost hear the little cogs inside Anmar's head whirring with possibilities, trying to figure him out.

Anmar was clearly trying to gather information but Boots really didn't have much to give him. He was who he said he was, and he did as he pleased.

"I see." Anmar said with a slight frown.

A trio of felinians hurried over with a small table and two chairs that they had liberated from the tavern. They set them up in front of Boots before retreating back out of the way.

Boots motioned to the seat opposite him, "Major, if you would."

Anmar froze in the doorway as Boots took a seat and rested his large hammer against the table. Anmar was clearly wary, as anyone would be in his position.

"Major, I assure you that this is no deception. If you want to talk then now is your only opportunity. I have other things to attend to. If I perceive this as a waste of time I will leave you to rot in that hall and deal with the more pressing concerns at my door." Boots said firmly.

Anmar considered his words for a moment, before ultimately stepping out from the safety of the entranceway and heading over to sit opposite Boots.

He unbuckled his cavalry sceptre and set it against the table, mirroring Boots's hammer. A simple sign of courtesy.

"What would you like to discuss Major?"

***Major Anmar***

Anmar was trying to figure Boots out.

He could hardly stomach the idea that Boots was simply a concerned citizen that had stepped into the fray. Somehow gathering a small army to his banner and ousting the Crusaders from Fenniton on a whim.

He simply had to be working for someone!

But something about him seemed bizarrely genuine. Like he cared so little about Anmar's perception of him, that he couldn't be bothered to lie. That or he had a tremendous capacity for deceit.

Anmar would have to proceed carefully.

"I would like you to release my men."

"Why should I do that?"

Anmar gulped as he prepared his offer, "I would be happy to remain as your prisoner."

"What if I simply smashed down the town hall and took you all prisoner anyway?"

"That action would be costly for you!" Anmar retorted angrily.

"Would it? I suspect you only have around ten capable men in there. That's not many at all." Boots probed with a smile.

"I have many times that number! We are prepared to fight to the bitter end!" the warrior in Anmar reared its head, inflicting harsh hostility into his words.

"Then why didn't you bring them to the gate? We only saw ten of you on the street."

"…" Anmar kept his mouth shut. Boots was trying to make him show his hand, Anmar would not oblige him freely. Boots's eyes showed a deep intelligence, Anmar didn't want to give him too much information, it could weaken his position.

"Oh, I think I get the gist of it." Boots said with a smile.

"…" Anmar quietly cursed his opponent's perceptiveness. It was painfully obvious why he had left people behind.

"A little too much to drink?

"They simply remained to secure the headquarters!" Anmar retorted feebly.

Boots didn't seem convinced. Anmar couldn't blame him really, but he hadn't directly said his men were incapacitated. Hopefully, a small seed of doubt would remain in Boots's mind. It was the best he could hope for under the circumstances.

"Suppose what you say is true, Major Anmar. So what?"

Anmar was surprised at this rebuttal, "What do you mean?"

"I can simply ignore you in the town hall, or burn it down. We are back where we started."

"As I said I would be y-"

Boots cut him off before he could finish, "You did say that yes, but what use would you be to me?

"Surely you can see the value of having the commander of the enemy forces as a prisoner?" Anmar said with a hint of incredulity. Hostage taking was a key part of warfare. Many a bargain had been stuck throughout the chronicles of history. Anmar was surely of value to him.

Boots sat forward, staring him down across the table, "Well, that depends entirely on who you are facing in battle! How do I know that your subordinates outside the wall won't just write you off as an acceptable loss?"

"My men wouldn't abandon me like that!" Anmar said irately.

"That's what you think. From what I've seen of your men they are a cut-throat band of savages that have no qualms attacking and enslaving civilians!"

The rage in Boots's voice was clear and Anmar was struck with a feeling of guilt.

Boots's expression turned into a bitter snarl, "You call yourself soldiers! You are murderous brutes!

Anmar had no reply to offer him.

Boots slammed his hands down hard on the table, "You and your filth betrayed the citizens of your own country! You expect me to believe you won't betray ME! Or each other!"

Boots's words stung deeply in Anmar's soul. He was simply following orders; he held no real resentment for felinians. But orders are orders, he had sworn to serve the king, and serve the king he shall.

"You have no integrity Major! None! Why should I listen to a word that comes out of your mouth?!" Boots spat ferociously, seemingly moments away from a violent outburst.

Anmar flinched despite himself.

This was not going well. Anmar had initially planned to stall for time but from Boots's demeanour, he figured that would not play out well for him. He was easily prepared to burn down the town hall. Or leave them there to rot, as he said. Anmar had no doubt of that.

That's if he didn't fly over the table and savage Anmar on the spot. Despite his extensive training, Anmar was not confident he could take him in a straight fight.

He would have to play his trump card. It was the only one he had really.

"I can get them to withdraw!" Anmar finally responded, halting Boot's onslaught before it got out of hand.

There was a long pause.

Boots's golden eyes burned deeply into his own as he processed his offer.

"Rubbish."

"I can, I swear it, they will listen to me!" Anmar was certain of this, his men would not betray him. Not if he ensured Tilbury was with them.

Boots continued to stare at him. Weighing up his words.

"I know you need time Sir Boots. Time that you do not have. We both know what is coming after this battle. You will not survive the Kings army."

"Your point?" Boots said, wearily.

"I don't know what you intend to do. But I know that unless you plan on marching all these people to their deaths. You will need time and space to manoeuvre. I can give you that."

Boots perked up a little, "How?"

"I will order my men to return to Javos, they will obey if the order comes direct from me. I will shout it from your walls if I must. But please, release the men you have captured and those in the hall. This is my only request."

Boots contemplated quietly for a moment, "I want you to know, Major, that every felinian in this town is prepared to give their life in the upcoming battle. These are their homes, their lives, their families that are under threat. We outnumber you five to one, if we have to we will take you on tooth and claw and we will prevail."

Anmar nodded, "And I want you to know, Sir Boots. That I am prepared to sacrifice my own life for the survival of my men. If you betray me, I will not order my men away."

Boots considered him for a moment, looking almost impressed, or maybe, surprised, at his resolve.

"Very well. However, I will make this clear; you will not be returning with them. You will stay with us, indefinitely. You will be treated well unless you do something nefarious. Do you understand?"

"Perfectly." Anmar nodded.

"You have no qualms about remaining here?"

"I would likely be executed if I returned as things are."

"I see," Boots nodded to himself, "very well, bring forth your men. We will escort you to the gate."

Anmar rose from the table and offered a short bow, before turning and walking towards the town hall.

He gave a sharp knock at the door and one of his men let him in.

As he shut the door behind him he allowed himself to heave a sigh of relief.

"Sir! How did it go?" Tilbury came quickly over, eager to hear the news.

"I managed to negotiate your release John, but listen to me, you must ensure you pass as much information on to the men outside as you can. I'm going to tell them to return to Javos, they will need more than what we have to retake the town now anyway."

"But sir, the King wi-"

Anmar held his hand up, "I'm staying here as a hostage. The King won't get the chance to execute me," he said with a sardonic chuckle, "by the time you take this place back, hopefully he will have calmed down."

There was a brief silence, worried looks were exchanged between his soldiers.

"Sir…" Tilbury started.

Anmar dismissed him with a grim smile, he knew what he was going to say, "I need you outside with them John, if they don't return to Javos, I will be quite dead. Round everybody up, we're getting you out of here."

***Roman***

Boots quickly strode across the square towards Roman.

Roman quickly finished up with the roster he was preparing and turned to greet him.

"You need me?"

"Yes," Boots paused, hand on chin, "Roman I need you to prepare an escort, we are going to be releasing the enemy prisoners. In exchange the enemy commander is going to order his men to withdraw. We will then keep the enemy commander hostage."

Roman was slightly taken aback by this news, "If that's what you need, I'll get on it right away."

Boots looked at him for a moment before giving him a quick smile and a pat on the arm, "Thank you Roman. Dependable men like you are what's keeping this dream alive."

And just like that he was gone again.

Despite himself, Roman felt his chest swell with pride at Boots's last remark. He didn't know who or what this man was. But he knew that he valued his respect. Time would only tell how far he could lead them.

Roman was starting to suspect that Boots may have been sent to them by the gods. An amnesiac, hammer wielding, tactical genius who just so happens to be in the right place at the right time. To guide them to decisive victory in a single night?

You couldn't even make it up. It was like something out of a fable!

How on earth had they come this far?

Roman couldn't believe it, he was hopeful for the first time in what felt like an eternity. They really stood a chance of pulling this off!

Roman smiled to himself, watching Boots disappear into the crowd.

It was like looking at the beginning of a legend.