Chapter 9 - The Die is Cast
"Sorry, Marshal," the soldier replies. "I haven't the faintest idea how it works."
You're standing with a group of soldiers and knights, inspecting the siege weapons you managed to steal from Rade. It is early in the morning. Very early. The sun has yet to shine, and the battle lines have yet to be drawn.
You run a hand over the cold iron barrel. "We're missing a key component," you think aloud. "They worked when Mozoroff had them. What was he doing?"
"As much as I'd like to experiment," one of the knights says dryly, "I'd prefer not to kill our commander by accident right before a battle."
You shoot the man a glare.
Another soldier speaks up. "Marshal, with all due respect, we've been trying to find out how these work every goddamn night since we seized 'em. We've made no progress. Nothing we do now is gonna change anything."
You sigh and throw up your hands in defeat. "Fine. At least we've kept them out of Rade's hands, aye?"
They nod.
You continue. "Once we win this and return to Wrido, I swear we'll get these wretched things working."
They smirk and murmur in agreement.
"All right. Back to it then, boys. We've a battle to fight."
You turn away from the siege weapons.
Next
After five long hours, you're ready. The morning sun is shining in the sky.
There's nothing more to be done now. No more stalling. No more hiding away from the blade.
The time has come.
Your men are arrayed grandly, armed and ready. Steel glints in the morning sun. Only the faintest hints of clouds mar the blue sky.
The ravens watch from their perches on the nearby branches.
You're riding in front of your men, up and down their line, looking out over them. Darin rides beside you. After his failed assassination, you've been keen to keep him in your sights.
You're both fully armored. You grip your helmet under your left elbow. He does the same. In his right hand, he's holding a trumpet. Already, you can feel yourself sweating from the heat.
The two of you ride in silence. The weight of the approaching violence and your confession the night before drowns out all words.
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