[NOT a Contest Entry]The Last Stand.
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I wrote this a long time ago when i was very bored. I hope you do enjoy it. It's almost 6am here. i'm off to sleep till noon.
Inhaling the cold morning air as I watched the sun slowly rise, casting its radiant glow over the giant plains. Over in the horizon, at the opposite side, enemy forces have set camp. Even from the huge distance, you can see their black banners and flags like some kind of creeping shadow. A taint on this beautiful field of white.
It has been 2 days since I left the royal army, abandoning my king and duty…just as he had abandoned this village, my home town, to the whim of the invaders.
I took what men I could under false pretenses, to defend my home. A small platoon of 50 odd men, a mere fraction compared to the forces I now faced.
When I arrived at the town square, bearing warnings of an oncoming attack, the townsfolk just sneered at me. Thinking of my warnings as another elaborate ploy at tax collection or the banter of a madman, after all it has been 20 years since I left. By the time they knew the truth, their army was camping over at the other side of the plains.
…………
The still air of the morning was blown away by the roar of a war horn. The sound of war drums echoed from the distance signaling the start of a march. Gripping my spear, I meet my men waiting for me at the edge of the town gates. Each and every one of their faces showed grim knowledge of the fact that they knew by the time the sun had fully risen, none of them would be left standing.
Nothing that I could say right now would have an effect on the low morale of my men; after all, their trusted captain had chosen their fate for them. All of this for a small insignificant town whose destruction did little to hamper the great empire. Each of them knew they were fighting a lost cause, with victory nowhere in sight.
Even so, none of them had raised an objection, let alone try to flee or raise a mutiny. In their final moments, they trusted the reasoning behind their captain’s judgment and choice. Words need not be exchanged, but I thanked the heavens that i had gained such loyal followers.
As I steeled my heart, mind and body, ready for my last stand, a young soldier who could still pass off as a lad, quietly ask a question. His voice resigned to his fate, yet still hopeful and determined.
''will they tell stories of our battle?''
With my back facing him and the sun in my eyes, I replied without pause before charging into the fray.
''let’s make them worth hearing then.''
Inhaling the cold morning air as I watched the sun slowly rise, casting its radiant glow over the giant plains. Over in the horizon, at the opposite side, enemy forces have set camp. Even from the huge distance, you can see their black banners and flags like some kind of creeping shadow. A taint on this beautiful field of white.
It has been 2 days since I left the royal army, abandoning my king and duty…just as he had abandoned this village, my home town, to the whim of the invaders.
I took what men I could under false pretenses, to defend my home. A small platoon of 50 odd men, a mere fraction compared to the forces I now faced.
When I arrived at the town square, bearing warnings of an oncoming attack, the townsfolk just sneered at me. Thinking of my warnings as another elaborate ploy at tax collection or the banter of a madman, after all it has been 20 years since I left. By the time they knew the truth, their army was camping over at the other side of the plains.
…………
The still air of the morning was blown away by the roar of a war horn. The sound of war drums echoed from the distance signaling the start of a march. Gripping my spear, I meet my men waiting for me at the edge of the town gates. Each and every one of their faces showed grim knowledge of the fact that they knew by the time the sun had fully risen, none of them would be left standing.
Nothing that I could say right now would have an effect on the low morale of my men; after all, their trusted captain had chosen their fate for them. All of this for a small insignificant town whose destruction did little to hamper the great empire. Each of them knew they were fighting a lost cause, with victory nowhere in sight.
Even so, none of them had raised an objection, let alone try to flee or raise a mutiny. In their final moments, they trusted the reasoning behind their captain’s judgment and choice. Words need not be exchanged, but I thanked the heavens that i had gained such loyal followers.
As I steeled my heart, mind and body, ready for my last stand, a young soldier who could still pass off as a lad, quietly ask a question. His voice resigned to his fate, yet still hopeful and determined.
''will they tell stories of our battle?''
With my back facing him and the sun in my eyes, I replied without pause before charging into the fray.
''let’s make them worth hearing then.''