Alfred looked into the distance at the rows of Commonwealth men. Chris stood behind him, looking through a telescope. "I don't see him." He passed the scope to Alfred.
"Tch. I see Snowid, but where is Micheal?" His voice was full of irritation as he paced back and forth. Chris watched Alfred pacing and sighed. His nerves weren't good for morale, and Chis knew he couldn't let it continue.
"My King. Even if you are nervous, you can't show it so openly." His words were like cold water for Alfred as he realised he was losing control. "Just keep your back straight and focus on the battle in front. You have to show a lack of fear right now."
Alfred took deep breaths. He had been used to things going too smoothly for himself this past month. "Your right. Your right." He looked in the distance at Snowid, who was stern. His face showed a lack of emotion, but his body gave an aura of confidence, arrogance and pride. He saw what he had to be to keep morale up, to provide a reason to fight. Everyone here was fighting for him, and he wasn't allowed to break the trust of his men.
The back lines of the Commonwealth began to move. Archers moved to the front lines. "PREPARE FOR A VOLLEY!" Alfred's voice shouted across the entire hill as his men began to build a shield wall, with numerous moving to cover Alfred. "Chris." Alfred's voice was quiet, only letting him hear, "You said I have to show a lack of fear. If that's the case, I need you to protect me." Alfred pushed the soldiers, blocking him out of the way, walking past them.
Snowid watched the front of the shield wall open with a small figure leaving, followed by a knight dressed in black. "Oh. Micheal wasn't wrong. He is crazy." His eyes glowed with surprise as he looked at the small figure looking at him without fear. It was a contrast to how he was a minute before, and it piqued his interest. The two stared at one another for a few seconds before Alfred smirked and opened his arms. The smile on Snowid's face grew wider at the taunt. "ARCHERS! FIRE!" The volley of arrows rained down on the hill. Chris quickly grabbed Alfred towards him, pulling him behind his shield as numerous arrows hit around them.
The sound of arrows died down. Chris moved his shield, revealing the sunlight again. The adrenaline in Alfred's body was running at an all-time high. The smile spread across his face shattered any sign of being nervous. He couldn't understand what was happening. He valued his life, but in the face of the arrow volley, he felt a level of emotion he had never before.
"MY SOLDIERS!" His voice spread across the hill, getting everyone's attention, "FOLLOW IN MY FOOTSTEPS! DO NOT FEAR THEIR ATTACKS! ARCHERS!" The rows behind him switched as a line of archers got ready. "FIRE!" The volley rained down the hill. The Commonwealth soldiers were quick to defend. Snowid watched Alfred the whole time, not caring about the arrow volley, knowing he was out of range. He smiled with expectation as he prepared for the war between the two.
Alfred walked back into camp. He had done what he needed on the front and had to prepare for the next stages of the war. The volley of arrows continued to rain on one another, becoming white noise for him. "Raven. Prepare some raiding squads for tonight. You will be leading it. Duke, I need you to lead the front. I do not have the experience to coordinate it." The two gave a bow, leaving the tent.
Behind Raven who looked at the camp with an emotionless stare, Charles sat watching like a predator. He was playing with one of his axes, waiting. The moonlight shone between the trees, and he knew it was almost time to begin the raid. A man rode next to Raven, whispering something in his ear. With a slight nod, Raven turned around and made a couple of hand gestures before riding out the trees. Fifty horses followed behind him, charging towards the Commonwealth camp.
Charles shot his bow at one of the watchers as the horses ran through the camp that had been made. It took seconds before bells rang around them, awakening the sleeping soldiers. Raven didn't waver; he continued to lead the charge through the camp, cutting down anyone who got in his way.
Charles rode around and saw his target. The grain storage practically glowed in his eyes as he grabbed a torch and charged towards it. Tunnel vision got to Charles. A plank hit directly into his chest, knocking him off his horse. He was stunned, looking into the air, unable to move. A sword swung down, awakening him as he swiftly rolled to the left, narrowly avoiding it.
He jumped to his feet, pulling out the axes on his belt. He knew he couldn't prolong the fight; he was deep in enemy territory. His eye glanced towards the grain storage. He could only sigh as he looked back at the soldier before him. The footsteps around him told Charles he was out of time. The soldier charged at Charles, slashing his sword down. Stepping to the side, he avoided it. He swung an axe into the man's face, lodging it inside.
"There is one over here!" A shout came from Charles's side. He threw his spare axe in the direction, killing the man. Still, he knew that he was running out of time. He picked up the sword off the ground and took his axe from the man's head, putting it back in his belt. Three soldiers surrounded him. The sweat dripped from his head as he waited for the three to make a move.
One charged in from the front. Charles blocked the attack, kicking the man in the gut to push him away. Seeing an opening, the other two ran in, throwing an attack towards his side. Charles fell to the ground, rolling backwards to avoid the attack. He grabbed the cut his waist took. Taking the axe from his belt, he threw it at one of the soldiers. It lodged in their shoulder after failing to dodge it, and Charles quickly followed up, swinging his sword down on the man's head. The soldier attempted to block with one hand but failed; his sword gave away. Charles kicked the man's body away, quickly turning to face the remaining two.
The two had already charged Charles. He parried one attack, pushing it towards the other attacker's blade. Not wasting an opportunity, he elbowed the soldier in the face before turning and running. The sound of footsteps around him told him the situation he was about to find himself in, and he knew he had to escape. He ran into an opening and saw a horse riding towards him. A smile formed on his face as he held his arm out.
"Brother!" The horse rode past. Raven stuck his hand out to grab Charles's hand. He pulled him up, with Charles mounting the back. The two rode out of the camp, avoiding attacks. Charles saw the flames rising from the Commonwealth camp and laughed. "Thank you, brother. I was worried you would leave without me."
Raven snorted. "I couldn't leave my brother alone after seeing he failed his mission." His usual emotionless tone was gone, replaced by a rare gentleness."Besides, I'd be more surprised than mad if they managed to kill you." Charles laughed harder as he leant back on his brother. His ribs hurt, and the cut in his waist was bleeding. Despite this, his face only showed a smile, thinking about how he survived. "Where is your horse?"
"Smoke will be fine. After years in those forests, he learned to trust me if I'm ever taken off his back by force." Raven nodded, not digging deeper. He and his brother knew their relationship and chose not to interfere with one another unless necessary. "How much could you burn?"
"Two grain storages. Not a lot, but enough." Raven could feel Charles wanted to ask more, but he cut him off before he could. "Stop talking. I can feel your laboured breathing." Charles shut up and watched the fires rise high in the background.