Before the Storm

Adrian walked along the dirt road, his boots kicking up dust with every step. The midday sun burned overhead, casting long shadows along the uneven path. Around him, a group of civilians trudged forward, their faces weary from travel. Among them, a few knight apprentices kept watch, hands resting on their weapons, their eyes scanning the tree line for any sign of danger.

They were heading for the castle. It was the last stronghold in the region, the final refuge before the beast horde arrived. If they could reach it in time, the walls would offer protection—at least for a while.

"Keep moving!" Adrian urged, glancing back at those falling behind.

The civilians—men, women, and children—stumbled over the uneven path, their steps heavy with exhaustion. Some clung to loved ones, others to their meager belongings. Fear was etched into their faces.

Adrian and the apprentices moved among the group, helping those who lagged behind, whispering reassurances they barely believed themselves.

The steady crunch of boots on dirt filled the uneasy silence, interrupted only by the creak of wagon wheels and the rustling of wind through the trees. The road stretched ahead, winding through open fields and patches of forest, each step bringing them closer to the castle's walls—and the inevitable battle waiting beyond them.

As he walked, the weight of the past pressed upon him.

Two years had passed since the baron first began investigating the beast horde. Back then, Adrian had believed there was still time—that if they acted early, the kingdom could prepare, maybe even prevent the invasion altogether.

But he had been wrong.

Instead of delaying the attack, his interference had only hastened the inevitable. The horde had struck before the kingdom's defenses were ready. The border had held for a time, but in the end, it had fallen.

Now, this land was the next battleground.

Three years. That was how much time they should have had before the invasion. But because of his actions, it had come early.

Now could they stop the beast horde this time?

Could he survive with his meager strength?

He didn't know.

But he had made his choice. There was no turning back now.

Pushing the thoughts aside, he focused on the present. What mattered now was leading these people to safety. At least his warnings had given them a chance—more than they'd had in his previous life.

---

Hours later, the castle finally came into view. Towering stone walls loomed ahead, a promise of protection but also a reminder of the battle to come. As they neared the gates, guards rushed to help usher the civilians inside.

As Adrian passed through the castle gates, the sense of urgency in the air was palpable. He had escorted the last group of civilians inside, but there was no time to rest.

As he navigated through the busy streets, he observed the frenzied preparation happening all around him. The sound of hammers pounding, wood being reinforced, and the constant rush of apprentices and civilians working together filled the air. Some of the castle's engineers were securing traps around the base of the walls, including spiked pits and tripwires to slow down the horde. Others worked on reinforcing the castle walls, adding extra layers of protection and filling gaps that could be exploited by the beasts. Adrian could see apprentices diligently checking for weak points, shouting orders to ensure the defenses were as strong as possible.

It was a sight both reassuring and terrifying. The castle was doing its best to prepare for the oncoming storm, but there was no telling if it would be enough.

His thoughts turned to the battle to come as he made his way toward the walls, where Aldric was overseeing the defenses. The training instructor was a hard, battle-worn man—the one responsible for drilling the knight apprentices and maintaining order among the defenders.

The walls were a storm of activity. The usual drills had been abandoned—there was no time. Instead, apprentices rushed between the armory and the defenses, sharpening weapons, securing barricades, and preparing for the inevitable battle.

At the center of it all, Aldric stood overseeing the final reinforcements. His scarred face was as hard as ever, his sharp eyes tracking every movement. He wasn't the kind of man who wasted words, and Adrian had no intention of wasting his time.

He stepped forward and gave a respectful nod. "Sir, the last group has arrived safely. No issues."

Aldric turned his gaze on him, assessing. Then he gave a short nod. "Good."

Adrian expected to be dismissed, but Aldric didn't look away. His voice was steady, firm.

"There's still work to be done. Help reinforce the defenses."

Adrian didn't hesitate. "Yes, sir."

Aldric studied him for a moment longer before speaking again.

"Stay with your unit when the time comes. You hold your ground. Understood?"

Adrian met his gaze and gave a firm nod. "Understood."

Aldric grunted, satisfied. "Then get moving."

Without another word, Adrian turned and joined the preparations along the walls.

---

Inside the war council chamber, the air was thick with tension. A large wooden table sat at the center of the dimly lit room, covered in maps and scattered parchments, and half-empty cups of ale. Around it, a small group of knights and high-ranking officers deliberated in hushed voices.

These knights were reinforcements originally meant for the border, dispatched by the kingdom to fortify its defenses. But the beast horde had come too soon. The border had fallen before they could even reach it, leaving them with no front line to reinforce. Instead, they had been forced to fall back to the baron's territory—now the next line of defense.

Baron Nolan stood at the head of the table, his sharp gaze scanning the map before him. His expression unreadable as he listened to the reports.

"The horde is expected to reach us in two days," one knight stated grimly. "We have little time to prepare."

An officer, a seasoned veteran with graying hair, leaned forward. "The walls are reinforced, but we need to prepare for the assault once they breach the outer defence. The question is... how long the outer defense can hold?"

A heavy silence followed.

A knight with a furrowed brow exhaled sharply. "But what of reinforcements from the kingdom? How long until they arrive? Can we hold out until then?"

A heavy silence settled over the room as all eyes turned to the baron. He remained silent for a moment, as if weighing his words carefully. When he finally spoke, his tone was steady but firm. "The kingdom has been informed, but we cannot count on immediate aid. We must assume that we stand alone—for now."

The room grew heavier with the weight of his words. They had known this battle was coming, but the realisation that reinforcements might not arrive in time only made their burden heavier. A few knights exchanged uneasy glances, the tension thick in the air.

After a brief pause, Baron Nolan straightened, his posture shifting from contemplation to command. "Dwelling on what we lack will not serve us. We must focus on what we can do." His gaze swept across the gathered knights. "We will station archers at key points along the walls, but we cannot afford to waste arrows prematurely. They must hold their fire until the horde is close enough to ensure every shot finds its mark."

A murmur of acknowledgment passed through the room, but the tension remained. After a moment, another knight spoke up, his tone edged with concern. "What of the traps outside the walls? Will they be enough to slow them down?"

"The traps will delay them, but they won't stop them," Baron Nolan said, his tone firm. "We must be ready to fight head-on once they breach. Infantry will focus on holding the walls, and when the time comes, they must be prepared to fall back to secondary position. Reinforcements will be ready to fill any gaps."

A tall knight with a commanding presence, frowned. "And what of the civilians? We cannot afford to let them be caught in the crossfire."

Baron Nolan's jaw tightened at the mention of the civilians. "I have already taken measures to ensure their safety. Those unable to fight—the elderly, children, and the wounded—will be moved to fortified bunkers within the inner castle, where provisions have been stocked to last through a prolonged siege. The strongest sections of the castle have been designated as safe zones, providing multiple fallback positions if the castle walls are breached.

The underground tunnels remain our last resort for evacuation. They will remain sealed and guarded to prevent panic or premature use. Only when all other defenses fail will we begin an organized evacuation through the tunnels. Scouts have been sent ahead to confirm their paths remain clear and lead to a secure exit away from the battle."

Another knight with sharp eyes, leaned forward. "And if the horde overwhelms us before we can retreat?"

The room fell silent. The unspoken truth hung in the air. If the walls fell too soon, there would be no retreat. Only slaughter.

Baron Nolan exhaled, his expression unreadable. But when he spoke, his voice left no room for doubt.

"Then we fight to the last man."

A grim silence settled over the room. The knights and officers exchanged glances, their expression hardening.

Finally the baron straightened. "Make sure the archers are prepared to strike quickly and with precision. Double-check the traps and reinforce the infantry positions. I'll take charge of organizing the lower defenses and directing the apprentices where they're most needed."

One by one, the officers nodded, rising from their seats to carry out their orders. There was no more discussion to be had. The battle was coming, and they had precious little time left to prepare.