Waking up earlier than usual I double checked everything.Even though most of the people were upset to leave their family members to fight,they cheered up once I told them I would be fighting along with their relatives.They were so many people who volunteered to stay here.But I didn't want to change the plan midway.However my personal servant Amon begged me to let him stay.I wondered why he was rushing to his death.He told me I simply needed to be taken care of.I didn't want to spend our precious time arguing so I just let him stay which made Nicholas furious.But they were very different.Nicholas had a wife who was two weeks pregnant.I can't just separate a newly formed family,can I?So that's how only Amon standing next to me while I explained the plan to the selected archers.
The weather is really wonderful now which makes it hard to believe that there is a bloody battle coming up.Since we are about to welcome the enemy with arrows I am ordering every archer should have at least thousand of them.They are currently making a pile of them near their shooting spots.Everything was going smoothly untill we all heard raised voices coming from the weaponry.I immediately walked over to the source and discovered my favorite weapon the long bow which I named 'Wind cutter' in the hands of Amon while a soldier apologized for something.
"What is going on here?".
At the sound of my voice both of them bowed.
"Your Majesty this ignorant fool dared to touch something in your position" said Amon looking at the warrior like he murdered his whole family with that weapon.I sighed.
"What is your name warrior?"
"It is Liam, Your Majesty".
"How come I didn't see you in the meeting few hours ago?".Liam visibly flinched and looked down.
"Because I wasn't there Your Majesty"he said in a guilty tone.
"So you didn't attend the meeting, don't have any weapon and tried to steal from the king himself you should be executed" said Amon "Amon get out!I am the one who decides his punishment.I am your king so don't forget your place.Get out and hand out refreshments to everyone".I never actually liked Amon for this reason.He always thinks he can command others just because he is my personal servant."Yes Your Majesty, please forgive my mistake".When he was finally out I turned to Liam "Is what he said true?Did you try to steal this bow? I said while holding the weapon.
"No,Your Majesty!I could never do such a thing to anyone.I didn't know it was yours.Since I don't have anything to fight with I came here to get one.But I did break a few rules".I looked at him sceptically and asked
"What kind of rules?".
"I ran away from the group that was supposed to leave when I heard only hundred warriors are going to be defending king Thaddeus".I was a bit taken aback.He didn't even hesitate to add my name"And what makes you think one archer is going to make any difference?"
"I was told by commander Bernard that I can be compared to ten people when it comes to my fighting skills.So it will be hundred and ten archers in total sir!". I must say I was impressed by this young lad.His emerald eyes searched my purple ones with hope.
"Alright then you may join the others since you earned it with your honesty and bravery" his whole face lit up with excitement "and one more thing,you can take the 'Heart piercer' my father's bow.You seem like a proper comrade for a legendary weapon like him.Don't worry about king Ashford,he decided he can't unlock this bow's deadly secrets anymore.It will be better of with a passionate and talented youth like yourself".His excitement and gratitude was obvious.He reminded me young Orlando.I personally took 'Heart piercer' from its case and handed to him.
"You should help the archers in the south wing.That is the main target of the enemy,also please tell everyone to be careful and not to act recklessly.I plan to meet the next dawn with you all and that is a promise".Liam smiled cheerfully and disappeared from my sight.Just then people in the south wing started shouting"The enemy troops are seen coming from the Green Hill...".
Everything was fine just minutes ago.But now peaceful and calm afternoon air was no longer the same.Arrows were flying in every direction.Some of them found their target.But fortunately none of the wounds of my warriors were fatal.I was very proud of my strategy.The plan not only saved the lives of the soldiers but it also allowed us to gain the upper hand in the battle.After some time the commander of the enemy troops send a messenger.Even though he looked very nervous he managed to gather some courage to smile
"Your Majesty commander Anwir requests a break,of course it is because he was concerned that you were exhausted.So would the Great king of Azariah accept this offer?".I glared at him "What is with the flattery?What you are trying to say? Does that mean I am greater than king Morfran Orabis?".His breath quickened and his eyes focused on everything except my purple ones and started stuttering"Please accept my apology Your Majesty,I didn't mean it like that!".I smirked slightly "Oh so does that mean you don't acknowledge me as a great king?".
"No of course not Your Majesty,you are without a doubt a spectacular king despite your young age".
"Stop!Don't try to flatter me it won't work".Did he really think I was gonna chop his useless head off? Calming myself I tried to smile a little "I accept the offer.Your commander may clear the battlefield of his fallen soldiers.We can continue the battle tomorrow".
As dusk has fallen I gathered my archers who are in good health and divided them into ten groups.They had to take turns guarding the castle for one hour with their respective group.It is unlikely that the enemy would attack in the middle of the night.However there is no shame in being cautious.Then I sent the four seriously wounded archers to the chambers to rest and asked the healers who were responsible for their condition to look after them then retired to my bedchambers.
Loud crush that came from the hall made me jolt awake.I was having a horrible dream, so I was thankful to be awakened. I wiped the sweat from my forehead in a hurry and stood up. The only source of light in the room was coming from the Moon. I quickly chugged down a glass of water, not even caring that some of it went down my throat leaving a wet trail behind. I carelessly wiped it away and walked towards my door. I hid a dagger behind my back and carefully opened the door. Walking outside I first looked right then left but couldn't see anything unusual. Sighing I turned to go in to my chambers thinking it must be a tired soldier who bumped into something in the dim lighted hall. Just then I heard a wind whooshing past my left ear. Widening my eyes I turned around quickly to find the source. And there stood Amon with a bow in his hand looking smug for some unknown reason.
"What do you think you are doing?!Do you really think you can get out of here alive after harming me?" I asked glaring at him.
"Oh, please don't give me that look.We both know very well, that no one would believe I harmed you. After I kill you I can easily blame that newbie who came today. Now die!" he shot another arrow with a speed that a mere servant couldn't possess. I only blocked it in time thanks to my quick reflex that I developed over the years of training. We both heard several footsteps coming this way in a hurry. I let my guard down thinking he wouldn't dare to shoot me again. But as I turned around to see who came, an arrow landed on my stomach. When I turned around to look at Amon again I saw rage. I guess he realized that he can't get away so he used his last effort on the arrow which was now pierced to my stomach. Then he threw away the bow and ran away from the scene. I instructed four guards to catch him while lying on the cold floor.
Liam looked grim when he knelt down next to me seconds later.
"When he is captured if I won't be around ask him who ordered me to assassinate me you do it alright. If he doesn't wanna talk torture him. And after that whatever his reasoning is kill him.He doesn't look like he regrets it" I said in one breath.
"Your Majesty, please save your energy.I am gonna bring you to the infirmary" with that warning he easily scooped me up, which surprised me, and run towards where most of the healers were. While being carried by him I took my time to think about my life. Seemed like there were not many things that would make me famous in history. When Liam placed me on the large bed I already knew that they wouldn't be able to save me. Tip of the arrows were poisoned. I could clearly see black blood oozing out of the wound on my stomach. Even though it made me panic a little I quickly collected my thoughts. I couldn't be saved it was as simple as that. But I secretly hoped for a second life, because there were still many things I wanted to experience in life. Cursing myself for being so careless about my safety I looked around to find Liam crying. Let me tell you it wasn't a pretty sight. He looked more heartbroken than me, so I placed my right hand on his shoulder and gave him an encouraging squeeze while saying:
"I am sorry".
That effectively stopped his crying. He looked at me with confusion while letting a small sob.
"For breaking the promise about meeting the dawn together with all of you.I guess it can't be a true battle without few losses. Uncle Werner's troops are going to be here by the morning.Tell him I greatly appreciate his help. He has helped us a lot, so he shouldn't trouble himself with trying to build back what is left of Azariah. I have faith in my people, so without a doubt they will make Azariah more beautiful than it's original state...". Liam cut me off by saying "Your Majesty, please don't talk like that. It's all my fault.If I had been more cautious, then this wouldn't have happened".
Just as I was about to continue my monologue as a dying king, ignoring his self blaming, urgent knocking distracted me.
Two of the guards who chased after Amon came in while dragging him like a potato sack and threw him on the floor. My expression changed to hatred at the sight of him...