You try to keep your lunch in. Not only because you are very nervous, due to the great importance of this mission. No, it's because you are travelling on a raft, and the ocean waves are moving it in such a way that it is impossible for you to keep your balance. Only the experienced sailors that are controlling the raft can stand and do everything that is needed to direct it towards its destination. You thrice curse the moment you presented yourself as a volunteer for this mission. It is important, you know it, but, still, you can't help but wonder if you would have joined it had you known about the sea-travelling...
"Hey, Macal," says one of your friends, Nizarias. "You look ill. How is it going?"
"Really bad. Doubt I'll be able to keep it in." You breath deeply, trying to stop the bad feelings. "How come you aren't vomiting your guts out?"
"I was born in Gades, remember?" Gades is the southern-most city in northern Baeta, the western region of Northern Tanresios. Due to being very near to Southern Tanresios, it is a natural point from which people go to if they want to go to the south. That's where most Tanresian sailors normally come from.
"Yes. Damn. You are a lucky guy, Nizarias. Guess this is why you got into this mission."
"Yes. When we were at the camp, I really missed the sea, and when I heard about this, I joined in without thinking."
"Well, I hope we reach the coast soon. Otherwise, I doubt I'll be fit for a fight."
"Oh, don't worry. You just have to take it easy. When we both get a permission, I'll take you to Gades and teach you the tricks to avoid getting ill."
"Thank you," you answer. Then, a powerful voice shouts aloud. It is one of the sailors
"Alright, you pansies! We are going to go towards the coast right now! Keep your puke within you, we don't want to have to clean and repair these rafts!"
"How... crass," Nizarias whispers. You nod, unable to speak as a wave suddenly shakes the raft.
The sun had hardly risen when the rafts started to move from Opina, near the mouth of the river Taga. When the rafts finally reach the beach, allowing us to finally stand on solid ground, the sun is at its highest. It's is hot, but not too much, and the heat dries all the soldiers quite soon, while the sailors search for a place to put the rafts and prevent them from being carried over while we attack.
Our general is Barcian, a man with several scars across his face and chest. He wears a slightly ornated armour made with bear's skin and carries one of the best iron swords ever made in the forges of Tanresios. Rumour has it that the scars come from a fight he got into against a gigantic bear, and that Barcian managed to kill it using only a rock he had managed to sharpen while he avoided the bear's sharp claws: he got the scars when he jumped into the fight, but didn't show any weakness until the bear was dead, and even then he managed to stay awake while he was carried over to the nearest town and healed.
"OK, boys!" the general shouts, and all of you stand to attention. While he is very strict with the soldiers, he is known as a great guy, and you respect him enormously for that. "We have been ordered to do something that may sound suicidal, but I have great confidence in you and your ability to do this. We are to take Libbon, and capture the King of Porters." No one utters a word. You somewhat knew what was the objective when you were told you would be going towards the north. "I have been told by the Council that the men that capture the King intact will receive a great reward." That interests you a lot: a reward for capturing the king of Porters would be impressive, for sure. "Since most of Porters' soldiers are distracted attempting to prevent our troops from crossing the Taga river, it is the best moment to enter the city. And I want you to be there, to put the arrogant Porters down and stop them forever!" A bloodcurling scream is heard this time. "Now, let's go and crack some skulls!"
With that, you start your march towards the east. And start to fantasize with the moment you hold the King of Porters on your hands.
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Three days later, Libbon is within our sights. You are thankful that this wasn't a death march, or else you would be dead on your feet (if you would pardon the pun). You have seen a couple more of your friends from the camp in the march towards Libbon, and all of you have shared food and water.
"Guys," you tell your friends as all of you stand near Libbon, prepared for the signal that will tell all of you that the assault is to begin, "it's been an honour to meet you."
"It's a greater honour to fight besides you," Nizarias says, putting his hand in the centre of the small circle we are in. One by one, both you and the others do the same, and smile at each other. You know that the certainty of death is nearer now than ever, but at least you know that your blood brothers will always be there to help you, and you will be there to help them, even if one of you dies.
The flamed arrow goes up, and can be clearly seen in the middle of the night. "That's the signal!" All of you jump forward, and soon you reach the town.
Per orders, if people don't oppose any resistance, they are to just be left alone. Any that attempts to resist may be killed, though. The first few people you find jump our of your way, as you and your friends run towards the tallest building in the city, where the King lives. You soon find a man that charges you with a pitchfork. You avoid the attack and stick your sword into him. Not the first person you have killed, but the first that wasn't a soldier. You try not to think about it.
The moon is high in the sky when you reach the royal house. There are several guards in front of it, and they are well armed. Nizarias, who has taken someone's lance, throws it at the enemy. They scatter to avoid being hit, and you jump to make the most of their distraction. Each of you engages one enemy soldier, and your swords collide with each other. All of you lack a shield, as it rests mobility. The enemies have small round shields, and they are able to protect themselves behind them. However, you have been extensively trained to fight an enemy with a shield, and know how to take care of him. A couple of fints to the left, two to the right, step to the side where he keeps the shield, and attack his leg. This not only distracts him, but also impedes his mobility, giving you a bigger edge in the fight. A couple of more attacks, and his right arm sports several bloody cuts that prevent him from moving his arm too much. A last distraction gives you an opening, and your sword cuts him on the neck. He falls on the floor and dies instantly.
You turn around, and see one horrible scene.
Nizarias is on the floor, bleeding. And the enemy soldier is about to plant his sword on his heart.
You jump towards him, but too late. Your friend dies when the sword touches his heart.
A berseker frenzy possesses you. Before the enemy even notices it, you have cut his neck in one swipe of your sword. Other enemies you find encounter a similar fate, losing limbs due to your powerful attacks.
Someone grabs you from behind. You attempt to get rid of it, but a slap awakens you from the frenzy. It's Matan, one of your blood brothers.
"Macal, please, don't do this. Let's capture that bastard. That will honour Nizarias further than anyone else."
You try to calm yourself, but it is difficult. Nizarias is still there, a sword on his heart, and looking up to the black, starred sky. You kneel beside him and close his eyes. You swear to bring his body back to Gades, so that his parents may have him back for the ceremony that will send him with his ancestors.
"Let's go," you say, pushing this death far from your mind for the moment. You enter the house and start to look around. After some time, you finally encounter the royal family.
"Stand away!" the king shouts, carrying a sword and shield. You are not very patient now. With a couple of swipes, the sword is on the floor and the king has followed it. You tie his hands behind his back. Your friends take the rest of the family. They don't separate the queen from her younger children, and the heir, his wife and their son are tied together
"Come with us, all of you, in peace," you say, "and we will make sure that you live well in our lands." The king seems to be about to say something, but you glare at him so hard that his resistance crumbles.
You come outside, and you see that two of your other friends have already put Nizarias on a stretcher, to carry him away.
You feel empty inside. You and your friends may have captured the king of Porters, you knew that any of you could die... but was the price too high?
