Alfonso was tensed, the big day was nearing, the preparations were completed, however, there was a detail that the friends of Artemis didn't know, where they will attack? . The Jubila forest encloses 3 zones of Wasteland Valley, The agriculture zone, the commoners zone and the training zone, the three of the them were huge so they couldn't possible attack 2 zones at the same time, however Alfonso, was worried, he needed something that tells him where would they attack, if not, he could only guess, however, if he chooses wrong, then the horde will break into the zone and destroy it before the soldiers get there.
"I put sentinels in the three zones, if something changes, then they will light a fire that we will able to see even from here, in the manor, however, if the day comes and I still don't know the exact location I will put the soldiers in the commoner zone, no matter what, we need to ensure the people's safety" Said Alfonso to Deferio and Ribeiro.
Artemis wasn't here, she went to the agriculture zone to escort the ten families to the commoner's zone.
"As you wish, My lord" both of then kneel and obey Alonso's order. They were pleased and grateful that their lord would put the people's lives over the assets in the agriculture zone. This proves that their lord wanted the best for their people and not only for him.
"Ribeiro, gather all the people in Wasteland Valley in the main square, I have something to tell everyone" Said Alfonso suddenly.
Ribeiro was surprised, nevertheless, he went straight to the main square to gather the people, Deferio went behind him. Meanwhile, Alfonso went back to his throne and prepare. He put his white suit, his new cane and began to walk, slowly, to the main square, before he set one feet outside, Artemis came back, this time she was dressed in a black military suit, this suit was from Alfonso but Artemis demanded a new change of clothes a few days ago. When she saw this black suit, she decided that it was her, without consulting Alfonso, she put it and began to use it, Alfonso was a little surprised, however, he didn't give it much thought.
"Artemis, any news from little blue, red or blacky?" Asked Alfonso.
"Nothing, it seems that someone is blocking the information if I should guess, there is a Lycos that is controlling the horde and its intelligence its greater than expected" Said Artemis with a serious face.
"Lycos? You mean a wolf?" Asked Alfonso.
Lycos was how the ancient Greeks refer to the wolves, the term Lycos comes from the Latin sun, they were knowing as the representation of the sun, in fact, Apollo, who was the representation of the sun in the ancient Greek, has in origins from a wolf, sometimes, the Greeks will think that Apollo manifested himself on earth in the form of a wolf.
"Yeah, the difference with a normal wolf if that the Lycos have intelligence, however, this Lycos in too intelligent, to the point, that it seems to know that someone is gathering information, so he chooses to stay quiet about the attack" Said Artemis.
Pain begin to appear inside Alfonso' s head.
"A intelligent beast to the point that it could make countermeasures? What kind of logic is in that!?" Thought Alfonso.
"Well, maybe I am overthinking, however, you should prepare yourself for this possibility" Said Artemis.
Alfonso stay quiet for some time while they walked to the main square. They took 20 minutes to get there, they look at the sea of people who were gathered and he was surprised, why was there so many people?
"My lord, I have done as your command, there are a total of 200 people here, this is all the population of Wasteland Valley" Said Ribeiro while caching sight of Alfonso and Artemis.
Alfonso didn't know but Wasteland Valley had a lot of people, however, because the land was so big, he never meet with too many people, in fact, a lot of people could stay at home for days because the cold weather. Alfonso took a deep breath and then began to walk to a platform that it was specially put there by the last lord, the platform was used before to make public executions, now was just accumulates snow.
Alfonso walked the ladders and look to his people, they had worried expression, however, the majority had a resigned expression, a expression that Saids that they knew that the end was near. There were children, adults, pregnant women, older ones. Alfonso could see that a lot of people haven't eaten in days, their faces and their flat stomach reveal this fact.
Alfonso stood there for some time without talking. After one minute he took a deep breath and make a confident smile.
"Hello, my people, some of you know me, some of you don't, for those people, let me introduce myself, I am Alfonso Lockheart the current lord of this land, as many of you know, the horde of beast is nearing, they will be here tomorrow" Said Alfonso.
When he told everyone that the horde will be tomorrow, panic began to take over the people. Alfonso knew that this will shock people, so he stayed quiet for some time
"Is the end!"
"I don't want to die , mommy!"
"Why, why did I have to be born in this dead land!"
This were the phrases that all the people were shouting, Deferio wanted to silence them but Alfonso just shook his head, then went everything began to get out of the soldiers' hands, a voice shook their minds.
"You all, regret being born in this land" Said Alfonso, his voice make everyone stop in their tracks and look at the small silhouette in the platform.
"You all think that, this is a dead land"
"You all think that, this is the end"
Said Alfonso with the same tone of voice, however, something changes, it was like the scene before were everyone was trying to run for their lives never happened. Silence, the place was as quiet as possible, the only voice they could heard, was the one in the platform.
Alfonso paused for a moment before looking at them and Said with an imposing voice.
"HOWEVER! I LOVE THIS LAND!" Shout Alfonso.
This made everyone speechless, even Artemis, Ribeiro and Deferio were taken back.
"I LOVE IT'S WEATHER, THAT LET US PRESERVE THE FOOD WITHOUT MUCH EFFORT"
"I LOVE IT'S GEOGRAPHY, THAT PROTECT US FROM ANY ENEMY"
"I LOVE ITS GROUND, THAT GIVE US FOOD, DESPITE NOT BEING THAT MUCH"
All the people in the square begin to look around, surprisingly, this dead land began to look more…. Familiar…. More…. Beautiful. The older one, began to remember their lives, this land was their birthplace, they have many memories in this place, despite the adversity, they have families, they had their whole life here, when they think this, not only the older ones even the younger generation had the same thought.
This is our home!
"TOMORROW, WE NOT ONLY WILL FIGHT FOR WASTELAND VALLEY, WE WILL FIGHT FOR OUR HOMES, REMENBER, NOT MATTER WHAT, TOMORROW, WE ARE ALL ONE FAMILY THAT WILL GO AGAINST ADVERSITY, MAYBE SOME BROTHERS WILL NOT MAKE IT BACK, HOWEVER! these dead will not have given their life in vain. That this nation, will have a new birth of freedom. And that the government of the people, by the people and for the people will not disappear from this planet! "
People began to tear and they all, began to shout.
"LONG LIVE HIS HIGHNESS!"
"LONG LIVE HIS HIGHNESS!"
"LONG LIVE HIS HIGHNESS!"
"LONG LIVE HIS HIGHNESS!"
Even Deferio, who also was tearing, and the soldiers joined. Artemis was looking from the side and her mouth made a satisfied smile.