A Choice

The human army, led by Nurlan, did not have a clear view of the hill on which the Empress and gnome were meeting. He was on a different side of their triangular defense, and it left him blind to his leader. The general hated being in the dark. He paced up and down the ranks as he examined his men and silently counted the enemy to in order to pass the time and lessen his tension.

Mairwen walked beside him in a helmet and a set of armor that covered her torso. While she would not be fighting with a sword, she needed protection if the enemy decided to return her arrows. Her flowing blue skirt matched the Imperial troops and hung loosely down to her ankles. With her bow slung across her back, the princess looked like some glorious ancient statue.

Watching Nurlan sigh, she finally mustered up the courage and asked, "How bad is it?"

"Well, they have the numbers to overwhelm us." the general told her honestly when he tallied the totals. "At least three times over," he added not wanting to sugarcoat it for the beautiful lady.

"I wish there was something I could do," Mairwen's shoulders drooped as sadness filled her soul.

"Stand tall, Your Highness. You are doing far more than you realize…" Nurlan gave her an affectionate look. She reminded him so much of another young royal.

"An archer, even an excellent one can only do so much once the two forces actually meet," the blue-eyed princess answered him realistically.

The general chuckled, "You misunderstand me, Your Highness. Surely you see it." He looked around with a confident smile.

Mairwen furrowed her brow. 'See what?' Then out of the corner of her eye, she saw the soldier next to her straighten his posture and sharpen his salute. There was more to it, though, and the princess knew it. She looked along the lines of those who stared back at her. There was something clear and shining in their eyes.

"The enemy may have the numbers," Nurlan whispered as he pointed to his chest, "but they do not have the heart. You are the representative of the Empress, of course, but more than that, you are their Warrior Princess. They take pride in fighting for you and for Valiant."

"It is true," Vahan agreed, appearing from nowhere in the usual Guardian fashion. "The New Emperor's army may have a few mighty warriors, but many of those poor men over there do not want to fight."

Refusing to be startled that the hooded figure had heard his quiet words, Nurlan simply nodded. "It makes sense. I would bet most of those men were forced into serving."

"It is a shame. No one should be forced into fighting for something they do not believe in," Vahan lamented. Just like Zan, Vahan had left Cafer alone as Chief Councilman while he was not openly causing trouble. He regretted that decision now.

"They do not want to fight..." Mairwen mused. "I thought of something else I can do, but I must act quickly. Where is that thing Renat made that makes your voice louder when you give orders?"

"The cone?" Nurlan asked, though he already was motioning for a soldier to get it.

Mairwen nodded eagerly. "Yes, that is it. I want the New Emperor's Army to be able to hear me."

A long cone made of paper and glue was brought forward and handed to the princess. The glue had hardened the paper into the conical shape, and speaking into it magnified the speaker's voice many times over. Renat had explained that it had to do with directing sound in the direction you wanted it to go. "The wonders of science," Mairwen mumbled as she held the invention.

"What is you plan?" Nurlan asked.

With the confidence of a bird about to take flight, Mairwen held her head high. "My plan is simple. If those men think they have no option but to fight, I will give them what they want the most: a choice."

Flanked by Vahan and Nurlan, the armored princess walked into the field between the two armies. Behind her, an entire company of archers had their bows drawn to discourage any brave soul who might attack. Her graceful manner and quiet elegance were enough to catch the enemy's attention, and they wondered at her intention as she stood in between the two armies.

Raising the cone to her mouth, the girl spoke loudly to the opposing line. "This is not a war that any of us asked for," the girl boomed, trying to make her voice reach as far as it could. "It was forced upon us. Yet we have a choice. I choose to fight not only for my freedom, but for yours. I do not want to battle against you, my countrymen, but those that seek to oppress you. There are at least some of you on the opposing line who do not want to battle. Who of you was brought here through fear and coercion? And who brought you? Now is your chance to strike back! If there is even the faintest doubt in your heart, leave now in peace. Head east and I will make sure the Empress pardons you fully. You have a choice. Sometimes the bravest action is not fighting, but leaving. Now choose."

Mairwen watched as those on the front line exchanged wary glances. There was unrest, but no one was sure how to react. Then, one lone soul on the third row and far to the left, dropped his shield and sword, and walked east. His determined step was interrupted by an intentional trip from his neighbor, but otherwise he headed out without being bothered.

The one man's actions encouraged another and another. Slowly but surely, men and women began to flow out of the New Emperor's ranks. Aside from the occasional punch, spear butt and harsh word, the tide of the brave deserters left unhindered.

Only the Commander screaming and taking swings at those nearest him with his sword put up any real resistance. He tried to rally the men but his words fell on deaf ears as if no one could hear him. Although those left behind were upset about the others' departure, either because they were loyal to the Emperor or too afraid to leave, they knew better than to fully vent their anger. It was one thing for soldiers to leave, and quite another for them to join the enemy in the fight. Whether by magic or conviction, no one was willing to follow through with their leader's threats.

By the time the final man had left his hole in the New Emperor's front line, nearly a third of the troops had dispersed.

Yet, Mairwen's face did not seem joyful. Instead she looked out at those who opposed her with sad eyes. "It wasn't enough," she said to Nurlan. "We are still heavily outnumbered."

Nurlan shook his head and motioned eastward. "You saved all of those men who just left and all the men they might have killed. You fought valiantly."

As if in response to Nurlan, a cry rang out from the Imperial troops. "Glory to the Princess! Glory to the Empress!" Mairwen returned to her army amid this refrain.

With some sixth sense, Vahan stiffened before they reached their command tent. "It is time! Get ready!" he called as he ran to his fellow Guardians.

General Nurlan furrowed his brow, "How could he possibly know…" Just then, they heard the horn ring out. The New Emperor's army began to charge. Nurlan grabbed the cone and yelled to the archers. "Arrows up! Let them fly!"

With a slight arc, the falling projectiles landed on the New Emperor's Army. The Imperial troops watched and waited as the arrows rained down. A shield wall was raised and tightened by the front of the enemy lines, but the gaps of missing troops still led soldiers going down. What should have been an impenetrable wall looked more and more like a holed sieve.

Unwilling to aim for a foot soldier, Mairwen had set her sights on a man in dark armor riding on horseback. She had seen him hit one of the men who left peacefully across his head. The commander's sharp eyes and nose were all that could be seen beneath his spires helmet. Just now he was barking orders at anyone who would listen. Unfortunately he remained just beyond the princess's range and her shot was short.

"I need to get closer!" the princess told Nurlan.

"Not on your life!" The General bellowed another order through the cone.

Mairwen blew the hair out of her face in frustration. However, she knew that he had her best interest in mind. "Then at least tell the archers to aim for the leaders on horseback, please!"

Nodding, the General aimed his voice projection accordingly. "Archers, aim for the leaders! Cavalry, advance! Infantry, be ready to engage. Guardians, do…whatever it is you do. Ready? Charge!"

Led by Chieftain Orhan and the Dunesman, the crowd marched forward. With a great and mighty cry, the Imperial Army of royal blue and white went out to meet their opponents who wore only a slightly darker hue. Before long a third color was added to the two: red.