I am sorry for the late release. I am having severe issues with the internet as there has been continuous lack of power where I live. So I deeply apologize.
(Nathan POV)
"Brother tell me" I was facing a very angry Cecilia right now. All the people that were supposed to be a test had grown on me. Especially after the little meeting with Kizen. Right now, we were at fort Miras. According to the plan, we were to fight the war at this specific fort. There was still a bit time in that and I had to deal with something much more terrifying before it. Cecilia.
"You said that you will tell me later."
"Seriously Sis, this is what's worrying you right now. We are going to fight a war and you are worried about that."
"I just want to know why you did not ask Rena about her past or her strange powers."
"I did not ask because I had more important things to do than that. You know like fighting a war."
"I know but...... Now it's all bugging me."
"I know but it can't be helped. Now lets go check out the conditions before the enemy gets here."
"Huh okay." She finally gave up.
All the way from the capital to Miras, Cecilia had been forcing me to tell her the reason.
We moved outside. The soldiers were all preparing for the upcoming battle. Some were sharpening their swords while others were checking there bows and arrows. I moved through the crowds. Any who looked at me started to whisper. I could only imagine what they were talking about.
"It's all his fault"
"This plan will never work."
"Only if the princess were made the queen instead of him"
Were probably the things they were saying.
"You there" I pointed at some random solider. "Call out your commander."
"As you wish." He gave me a small bow and left.
"Shall we go Cecilia?" I asked her and walked without waiting for an answer.
We reached near the walls of the fort. Many catapults were placed there. I started to inspect them.
"You called for me sire." The commander arrived.
"Yes, I did. What is your name."
"Earl, my lord."
"Earl. I see that you have been keeping all the catapults in a good condition."
"Yes, my lord. War or not, me and my soldiers tend to them every day. It's never too bad to be a little prepared. We never know when we might need to use them." Stars appeared in his eyes as he explained it to me.
Truth to be told, I did not know shit about catapults. Heck I had never even seen one in my life. But I was told by various sources that the commander in fort Miras was very diligent. He always kept his weapons in the best condition.
"So, commander Earl...…. How are the preparations?" I asked him the real question I had summoned him to ask.
"Every thing is ready as you have commanded but my king I do not see why you would go to such lengths to...…"
"aaaahhh. Sh sh sh. Not another word commander Earl. You must know that there are ears everywhere." I cut him before he could have finished his sentence.
"Your highness, I assure you that none of my men is a traitor." He said firmly.
"I never said they were commander. But its never bad to be careful."
"Forgive me my lord."
"What about the guerilla squads."
"The hit and run squads have already left the fort."
"That is good to hear. You may leave."
"Yes, my lord."
The guerilla squads were special units I had asked the army to train. They were men who were nimble and stealthy. Among them were archers as well as swordsmen. There main job was to attack the army from one side, inflict as much damage as they could and then disappear. These squads were the only reason that I was able to bring my plan to reality. They brought us time and delayed the attack. They always attacked in the dark of night but this time we needed them to attack in broad daylight. To state the truth, those squads were not ready by a long shot. There training was severely lacking. But we had to do with what we had. And many things proved that their recent success was only due to the interference of the wizards.
*SIREN*
"Wha? What is going on?" A loud noise broke my concentration.
"I do not know?" Cecilia replied.
"All guards on their posts." People were shouting.
"All SOLDIERS TAKE YOUR PLACES."
"ALL MEN, READY THE CATAPULTS."
"They are here. THE ENEMY HAS BEEN SIGHTED."
People were shouting and I was able to understand what they were saying.
(So, its beginning already.)
I started to run towards the army. I saw Earl shouting.
"Commander." I tried to talk to him.
"Please your majesty, you need to go to the palace where it is safe. The war is a...….."
"WATCH YOUR MOUTH COMMANDER EARL." I cut him short. "YOU DO NOT GIVE ORDERS TO ME. I AM YOUR KING. ITS BETTER THAT YOU KEEP THAT IN YOUR MIND." I made the scariest face that I could.
Earl looked at me and I could clearly see disgust in his eyes.
"I apologies for over stepping my bounds. But I would not be able to protect you if you head to the walls." He bowed down.
(Are you threatening me)
"I do not need your protection. It will do you well to keep that in mind." I turned around and walked towards the walls. "Come with me Cecilia."
She was feeling bad for the commander, I could tell. But now was not the time to feel sorry. I did not need any tool that could not work properly.
Both of us walked hurriedly and reached the top of the walls. I looked and saw a simply gigantic army approaching the fort.
(Damn the army is bigger than I originally thought.)
"Cecilia"
"Yes brother"
"I need your help in reading the flow of the battle. I need you to tell me what is happening and what move we should make all while keeping the plan in mind." I said to her.
"Why do you need me to do all that." She seemed a little confused.
The truth again was my humble origin. As I was just a simple kid...….. well not that simple but..... okay I was not at all by any chance simple but still the fact remained that I had never fought a war and I could not give orders to the armies. I had only made a plan which I seriously thought would fail. And since it had not failed uphill now, I was hoping it would also help us win the war. But no matter what, I could not order an army. For that I needed Cecilia. But she did not know and I could not tell her that I was not Kizen. So, I made up a lie.
"You know that I was never good at studies and I do not know a thing about war strategies so, ... that's why." I scratched the back of my head.
If Kizen was listening to this conversation right now, he probably wanted to kill me. That was because history and the war strategies of the previous king of Arcadia and other nations were some things he had memorized by heart. I did have his memories but that did not mean I could order an army.
"You are such an idiot, brother. Okay I shall do it." She beamed at me. For some reason she was happy.
"Rena." I called
"Yes, your highness." She appeared out of thin air surprising all around her but me.
"Protect Cecilia." I ordered.
"As you say" She replied.
The army had now come uncomfortably close to the fort.
"Raise the bridges." Cecilia shouted
"RAISE THE BRIDGES"
"RAISE THE BRIDGES"
"RAISE THE BRIDGES"
The soldiers conveyed the message.
"We strike first." She gave another order. I followed her example and also contributed.
"Let our enemies know that we are not afraid. Let them know that we will not back down. LET THEM KNOW THAT ARCADIA IS OURS AND WE WILL NOT TOLERATE ANY KIND OF BLASPHAMY TOWARDS OUR KINGDOM." I shouted with all my might.
*YEAH*
All the soldiers shouted in union. There cry shook the earth and reached the sky.
"NOW MY SOLDIERS. LET US PRESENT A SMALL GIFT TO OUR GUESTS IN ORDER TO SHOW OUR HOSPITALITY. FIRE A CATAPULT" I ordered.
*SWISH*
A huge boulder flew over our heads and landed on the enemy army.
"MY SOLDIERS." I said again. "LET THE ENEMY KNOW THAT THEY HAVE PICKED A WRONG FIGHT." Then I whispered "let them know...... the war has begun"