#arandel

Just a few days prior a fearsome battle against the Orcs had been won, forcing the brutes to retreat momentarily to the north. While the hard-fought victory was sweet to many, the hundreds — no, thousands of bloodstains painting the valley spoke to just how high of a price the victory was. The Andorian army was wearing thin, and the tolls of a lengthy war were finally amassing into a reality that could no longer be ignored. It wouldn’t be long before remaining resources left to Andor’s military ran dry.

Yet still, the older of the two men remained steadfast. Perhaps it was because he himself did not have to witness the brutality of war firsthand. Not a drop of his blood coated the grass outstretched before them, nor was it his companions’ bodies that littered this dale or any other before it.

And in spite of everything, he asked the younger man a question.

“Will you continue to fight for the people of Andor?”

A pause.

“We’ve fought so hard for this — this rich, beautiful land filled with its wonderful people. All I ask is if you will continue to fight for it.”

There’s a prolonged, heavy silence before the younger man ultimately nods his head. “Of course. Until I breathe my last breath.”

From a few steps behind them a small pair of eyes widen slightly.

The older man nods as well with a short, satisfied grunt. “Good. Let’s go, you two.”

....