I was listening to Hamilton-songs and really wanted to start a revolution. But because I can’t do that, nor have any characters who can rebel, I wrote this instead
The sky was grey. Impenetrable by sunlight. Everything was silent as Erika steered her horse forward. With her brother by her side, she rode past the lines of soldiers, a solemn expression on her face. The wind was warm against her cheeks. Beneath Marmalade’s hooves, the dry grass crackled. She could feel the soldiers’ gazes on her, following her every moment.
“At attention,” Vali commanded. There was a loudness at their precise movements, when they all acted together. Not as individuals, but as a unit.
Marmalade threw with her head as they stepped closer to the army. Erika stood in the stirrups, and the army held its breath. A few sunbeams had broken through the cloud cover, and her armour shimmered. She smirked. Placing her hand on her sword grip, she spoke.
“The battle is approaching,” she declared. The words carried far over the silent meadow. A few strands of escaped baby hair tickled her face, having fallen out of her updo. “It is going to be the final one. Today we defeat these rebels once and for all. Today we take back what is ours. Today, we crush our enemies.”
She drove Marmalade forward a few steps, watching the army closely. No one moved. “It will be dangerous. They’re desperate. Many of us will not return home, but instead leave for the Mother’s Blessed Lands. Those will be honoured, both here and in the Lands. And the those we meet on the battlefield -“ her voice darkened, but her eyes shone. “-they will all face the Nothingness. When we return to Beobyra, it will be with honour. We will have secured the Empire’s borders.”
With her heart pounding in her chest, Erika grinned widely. An image of her home flashed through her mind. Of Rahil and their children, waiting at home. Waiting for their return. The sound of metal against leather was loud as she unsheathed her sword, raising it above her head. At her left, Vali followed. The army copied their general, and thousands of swords and spears glittered in the sunshine which had overpowered the clouds. An ocean of steel.
“In honour of the Mother, and for Beobyra, on this day we will fight.” Determination shone in her eyes as she watched her soldiers. “And we will win. The blood of those who dare oppose us will water these lands. May we destroy them as swiftly as we have every time before!”
At her exclamation, a roar rose from the soldiers. They cheered for their queen, for the victory which awaited them. It signalled their bloodthirst, their readiness for battle. Erika sat down in the saddle, a grin covering her face. Good.
Vali’s horse stepped forward. At his signal, a drummer hit his drum twice. Immediately, everyone quieted. Awaited orders from their general or their queen. “The Allorian army is approaching quickly,” he said. “We have chosen our battlefield. Ready to march!”
With the infantry in the middle, and the cavalry units at the sides, the march began. The sound of thousands of soldiers and horses, moving in unison, in perfect synchronization, must be audible for miles. Which was exactly what they wanted. Let the Allorians know how many they were. How small a chance they stood. Let their soldiers cower in fear when they saw them.
Adrenaline rushed through her veins as she and Vali rode side by side at the front line. Her grin widened as the sun completely broke through. A sign from the Mother, surely. In the corner of her eye, she glanced at her brother. His expression was calculating but he, too, was grinning.
“How hard will they fight?” Erika asked, letting out a quiet laugh.
Vali chuckled, turning in the saddle to watch their army before looking at her. “Desperately, but they don’t stand a chance. According to my spies, most of their forces have been lost in earlier battles. This? This is a last, hopeless attempt.”
“Excellent.”
