Eamon's voice cut through the night, laden with the weight of unspoken fears. "I know this war is over, but what about the next one?"
His words settled heavily over the group, a somber echo in the quiet that followed. The fire crackled softly, sending flickers of light dancing across the rough-hewn faces of the men gathered around it. Kellan looked at his comrades, Eamon, Gareth, Alden, and Finn, each man bearing the scars of the long, brutal conflict they had endured together.
The scars of war were etched into their expressions. Kellan took a deep breath, knowing that this moment was crucial. He needed to say something that would lift them out of the darkness that had been creeping into their hearts.
"Listen, guys," Kellan began, his voice steady but filled with warmth, "I know the past year has been nothing but hardship. We've seen more death and destruction than any man should in a lifetime. We've lost friends, brothers, family… and we've all got wounds that won't heal easily, if at all."
He paused, his eyes meeting each of theirs in turn. "But I want you to know that it doesn't have to be like this forever. We don't have to keep living in the shadow of war, always wondering when the next battle will come, when the next comrade will fall. It's time we find a different path, and I am offering just that."
Eamon, his brow furrowed, spoke up, his voice tinged with doubt. "But how, Kellan? Every place we've known is marked by battle. And what makes you think we can escape it? You have got land in Emberfall, right? I remind you it was burned once what makes you think It will be safer this time."
Kellan nodded, acknowledging the fear in Eamon's words. " I understand that, and that's why I picked Emberfall, you know why?"
"Go on," said Eamon.
Kellan continued, "It's because I have seen enough war. I know you may think I am biased, having grown up in Emberfall, but I know the land. The mountain behind it isn't just beautiful, it's defensible. It offers natural barriers that can be fortified to create a stronghold."
Gareth, who had been silent until now, looked up, his eyes narrowing in curiosity. "And enough resources to sustain a significant number of people."
"It has, the Ber River flowing through it, which makes it possible to build a large settlement," Kellan answered.
Eamon's eyes narrowed slightly as he considered Kellan's words, but he wasn't ready to give in just yet. "So, you're suggesting we fortify Emberfall and make it our own? But what about the King? If we're seen as abandoning our posts, we could be branded deserters, traitors even."
Kellan met Eamon's gaze, his expression firm. "We won't be deserters, Eamon. We'll be defenders, defenders of a land that was granted to me by the King. Emberfall is distant, out of the way, and if we keep to ourselves and pay our dues, we'll stay off the King's radar. We'll be left in peace."
For the first time since the conversation began, a flicker of something like hope sparked in Eamon's eyes. "You really think we can do this? Make a place like that? It sounds almost too good to be true."
Kellan smiled, "It won't be easy, but I believe we can do it. No, I know we can. This isn't just a dream, Eamon. It's a plan, a path to a future where we don't have to live in fear, where we can build something lasting, something peaceful."
Eamon looked down at the fire, the light reflecting in his eyes as he considered Kellan's words. He understood the danger of such an ambitious dream, yet he chose to believe in his friend and nodded. "Then let's do it, Kellan. I'm with you. I'll help you make this a reality."
Kellan extended his hand, and Eamon grasped it firmly, a gesture that held more than just agreement, it was a promise. Alden reached out next, placing his hand over theirs, followed by Finn and Gareth. Kylian placed his other hand over the pile, the warmth of their shared commitment spreading through him. In that moment, time seemed to stand still as Kellan looked at his friends. While he had led from the back, shielded by rank and position, his comrades had faced the worst of the chaos. He had been so absorbed in his own struggles that he hadn't fully grasped the suffering of the common soldiers. Now, listening to their stories, he realized how lucky he had been, far luckier than he had ever thought.
A wave of guilt washed over him, but as he glanced around the fire, he saw the trust in their eyes. These men had given him their loyalty. He wasn't just their friend anymore; he was their leader. They had chosen to follow him, not into another battle, but toward a new life. They had endured the horrors of war, and now it was his duty to lead them to safety, to peace. He owed them that much.
And he would not fail them.
The path ahead wouldn't be easy, but he has to do it. Kellan looked up, as the stars glittered in the dark sky, he made a promise to himself. He would keep them safe and build a new place, a place of peace.
NOTE: This marks the end of Volume 001, I will continue Volume 002 after a short break. Till then you can check my Patreon: ( https://patreon.com/TapasDRay?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink ) for updates. Do support me if you can. your support keeps me motivated to write more.
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