Elya sits at the head of the table, Vedran looming in the shadows behind her, arms crossed. Your sister calls to the three of you as you enter, "We meet again. For the second time in, what, ten hours?"
Darin replies evenly, "We're jus' answerin' your summons, Yer Majesty."
You and Darin sit down at the table, Obren remaining in the entrance. He says, "I'll stand watch this time. Just give me the orders when we're done here, and I'll follow."
"It will be done, Sir Obren," Elya replies.
He glances around the room one last time, his gaze settling upon you, and then he pushes out of the exit.
Elya hesitates for a moment, then asks, "Arthur Hornraven, how's the… 'situation,' so to speak?"
"Casualties are manageable," you reply. "But we still might have wounded out on the fields."
Darin speaks up. "Yeah. And we still have men in the Atiming Forest, and they's gonna get shot to shit if they try and return."
"It was a bold move, attacking our workmen like that. Perhaps we's should punish 'em for it," Velinor remarks.
You raise an eyebrow. "Punish?"
"We get our own archers and drive theirs back."
"Do we even have the archers for that?"
Elya looks at you. "Your call, Marshal."
Typical. You grit your teeth and force your annoyance back down.
Velinor nods and smirks. "Well, what are we waitin' for, then? Let's get started."
"I'll be honest and say I'm not too familiar with… any of this," Elya admits.
You say in reply, "Well, it's time for you to get some firsthand experience. The four of us should start organizing a contingent of archers."
Darin shakes his head. "I's gotta handle logistics, lad. Countin' the wounded and all that. Obren can come with me."
Elya looks between the two of you, then slowly nods. "I guess you two have some sort of… understanding when it comes to warfare, then. Captain, you do what you believe to be best. Take who you need."
"Thank ye, Yer Majesty," Darin replies. "Shall we's get started now, then?"
Elya says, "Yes. Marshal, let's go and… make preparations."
You stand up from your seat. "Velinor, on me."
"Yup."
Darin offers you and Elya a salute. "Get on. I's tackle the borin' stuff, ay?"
"Good luck," you say.
"Nah. You need it more than I," he replies.
You, Elya, and Velinor exit the pavilion.
Next
"Archers at the ready!" you shout. The formation of bowmen beside you—three hundred strong—snaps out of their nervous, pre-combat banter and focuses ahead of themselves. All of them stand just beyond the main entrance of camp. Clearing the bodies from this area took some effort. Many bodies remain at the sides, forming a shallow trench of the dead.
You take a few steps back and scan the ranks for a moment.
Contented, you glance over at Velinor. The huntsman is wearing a grim smile as he studies the archers in front of him. His own longbow is slung over his shoulder, and a quiver is attached to his belt, in case he must join the fighting as well.
"All yours, gov'nor," you say to him.
Velinor nods. "Thanks, Marshal. I's take good care of 'em."
You turn around and walk deeper into camp, where Elya stands, observing the men. Behind her, soldiers whisper and stare at the one who they are sacrificing for. You join the small contingent of knights protecting her.
"Are we ready, then?" Elya asks.
"We are," you reply.