Quinn had been anxious about the upcoming battle since he first heard about it. But now, his nerves were even more on edge because today was the day he was to head out on his first campaign. But even before that, he had one more thing to do he had to address his soldiers.
Coming out of the castle Quinn was riding on Fenrir's back. His father had given him three battalions of elite soldiers under his direct command and four more comprised of regular soldiers under the command of battle master Drakus and mage master Cerius.
The battle masters battalions were comprised of one thousand great shieldmen, one thousand spearmen, and two thousand swordsmen, placing over four thousand soldiers under his command. As for the mage master, he had two thousand destruction mages, one thousand support, and one thousand all round mages on standby. There was also a battalion of healers that would go through the battlefield and assist their soldiers.
Quinn made his way to the head of his forces and could feel their eyes boring holes in him. "Man I was never good at stuff like this," he whispered to himself. Taking a deep breath he looked around at those with him ten thousand eyes met his with expectant looks and this only seemed to amplify his anxiety. "what should I even say, good luck maybe?"
The king was the first set to speak before handing over the forces to Quinn, but looking at his son he found it hard to imagine him giving much of a speech. ' Poor Quinn,' the king thought seeing the nervous look on his face. 'Don't worry son it'll get easier.'
once Quinn had made his way to the head of the army he turned to face them, as he did a silver mirror-like object began to float behind him, it was a basic earth spell known as magic mirror which formed a connection between two spaces so a person could speak with and see each other. On the reflective surface ripples formed and once they settled the king's face could be seen.
"Soldiers of Almeria!" he began, his words exuded confidence Quinn wished he had. "Today my son the second prince marches with you, as such I leave him in your care, bring him back alive, that is all." the soldiers laughed at the king's words, someone with such authority still worried so much for his child.
"Such a doting father," Drakus said as Quinn's face redded from the embarrassment.
'God let me crawl in a hole and die please,' Quinn begged and the king continued.
"Now a few words for my son second prince of Almeria Quinn D. Deamon." the spell ended and now it was Quinn's turn to address his soldiers.
"Don't worry so much child," Fenrir said growing in size until he towered over the entire army. "now speak your words with heart and I promise they will respond."
"I hope you're right," Quinn said activating his voice amplification spell, a basic air spell, taking another deep breath he spoke with as much confidence as he could muster. "My soldier today we march into battle, to fight an enemy, unlike all others, for the first time in centries since Almeria's first king a rebel force has arisen threatening our king and kingdom. Many of the people we fight will be our kinsmen, demons like you or I, they will have families, children, friends, and comrades just as you all do."
The soldier immediately began to question whether the second prince was right for this, his words were less inspiring and more saddening as they began imagining their own families and see their saddened faces as they heard the news they had died, no one should go through that pain. Still, Quinn continued his speech.
"But by wielding their weapons against our kingdom they no longer call it their home, they are traitors to their king, but that is simply how the kingdom sees it. As warriors they fight with their beliefs just as we fight with ours, the honor they display in battle should never trump our own. As soldiers of Almeria you carry this country on your shoulders, you are our first and last line of defense, and I as your second prince shall lead you all to victory so follow me!"
The only person clapping was the battle master Drakus but even he was doing so simply because he knew Quinn had tried his best. "Oh brother," Fenrir said. "Repeat after me"
Quinn shrugged and did as he was told. "Death is the end of all men!" He shouted. "What is the measure of a person once they are gone? The wealth they accumulated and left for their kin to fight over? The glory they obtained, only to be lost on to those who slew them? The lofty positions they held through happenstance?
"No. We fight here because we understand. The end is the same. It is the path that separates men. When we taste that end, we will do so with our heads held high, eyes to the sun."
He unsheathed his blade as the action felt right to him. "I cannot be ashamed of what I must become," he shouted and found it to be true. It felt so strange to be free of guilt. "Other men may disgrace themselves to destroy me. Let them have their glory. For I will retain mine! Through the ashies and the flames, through I may burn or rot and be forgotten tomorrow, I will fight and die with my honor intact as a true warrior, so I ask you now who will follow me!"
The soldiers cheered as Quinn's words had finally lit a fire in their hearts. "QUINN! QUINN! QUINN!" they shouted his name as he turned around and pointed his sword towards the direction of their target.
"THEN GO FORWARD, TO VICTORY!" he shouted as Fenrir walked forward. the soldiers followed close behind. "Thanks Fenrir" Quinn whispered as the wolf snorted. 'Now comes the hard part the war itself.'
After a three-week march, their enemies' strong hold could be seen. an abandoned village in the middle of nowhere on the edge of the kingdom.