CHAPTER 35: PREPARING FOR A URGING BATTLE

Within the walls of the castle of Crownsheild, dire straits and urgency is upon its visitors and guardians.

Guards surround the walls, arming themselves with many of weapons and armour. Even the blacksmiths are working overtime, doubling efforts to provide with as many swords as possible. The women and children are being taken into the caves at the back of the castle, which lays dormant to the approaching threat that lay ahead.

"Move back! Move back to the caves!" a soldier shouts.

"Come on, people! Quickly, now!" Another commands.

Eldor, Thrandeer and Deertheon follow alongside the evacuation, the elf guards marching behind them. Eldor is giving his men instructions on the battle to come.

"We'll place the reserves along the wall. They can support the archers from above the gate." He instructs. "Me and my battalion will take the enemy first. Sango will patrol the skies. The elves will be on the front lines of the castle walls. Let no arrow be spoiled."

Thrandeer nods, shouting to the army behind him in the elvish tongue…

"To the front walls!"

The army march in formation to the walls of the castle. As Eldor keeps to himself, watching them pass.

"Eldor!"

Kagome voice is heard from the distance, heading towards Eldor. He turns to see a spectacular sight…

Kagome wears her body armour, given to her by his truly. She is armed with her new bow and arrows, a sword armed by her side.

"Lady Kagome…"

Kagome stops before him, smiling at her wear.

"It fits well?" Eldor asks.

"Yes, thank you." Kagome nods. Then he kneels to him. "I wish to be sent with you and InuYasha on the front lines.

"That is an honorable charge." Eldor replies, his hand over his heart. "But no. No I can't allow that. InuYasha burdened me to keep you protected behind the walls."

Kagome looks down on herself. "To tend to the women and children?" She whispers sadly. Eldor looks at her with sympathy.

"My lady, a time may come for valor without renown. Who then will look to in the last defense?" He proclaims. "If it is vengeance you seek on Naraku's head, but he will come for you first, as a way to break InuYasha's spirit."

Kagome shakes her head in protest. "Please, let me stand at his side."

"It is not in my power to command." Eldor replies. He turns to walk away.

"You don't command the others to stay!" she shouts in protest. Eldor turns back at the young priestess's words.

"They fight beside you because they would not be parted from you. Because they believe in you." She proclaims. They both look meaningfully at each other.

Then, she lowers her head. "I'm…sorry." She says softly. Then as she turns away, Eldor takes her hand. Looking upon her face like that of Kikyo.

"Does InuYasha, mean so much to you that you would go that far with him?" The warrior asks. Without hesitation, Kagome replies meaningfully…

"I'd die for him."

Silence breaks the two, then Eldor responds…

"Lady Kikyo would have done the same for me."

Kagome looks up at him.

"You may attend to his aid, if the battle goes ill." He replies smiling. "Take to the walls of the castle with Thrandeer and his father. They will protect you."

"Thank you." Kagome smiles.

CUT TOO…

The people in the caves wander around, finding a place to settle down. There are tearful farewells. The men, and older boys are led away by the soldiers to fight. The women comfort each other, as most of age leave.

In the armoury, weapons are being handed out. Spears, Axes, Swords, Sheilds, all are thrown in but the kitchen sink. Eldor helps by handing swords to the men. Gamlink is also there, smoking his pipe, alongside Miroku.

"Farmers, farriers, stable boys. These are not soldiers of war." Miroku proclaims.

"Most have seen too many seasons." Gamlink replies.

"Or too few." The Monk continues, looking at Eldor in disagreement. "Look at them, there frightened. They won't last a second."

Everyone stops and turns to look at the monk, Eldor included. Miroku turns to the men, in his Japanese language, not to frighten the men, he hisses at Eldor

"Soshite, karera wa osoredenakereba narimasen. 10 Man ni taishite Shichihyaku...? Eldor, ga, kore wa karera ga katsu koto ga dekinai tatakaidesu. Shindeshimau ōku no!"

*And they should be afraid. Seven hundred…against a hundred thousand? Eldor, this is a battle they cannot win. Many will die!*

Hearing those words, Eldor cannot bear to hear such a thing. He knows there is little chance they will come out of it alive. He leaves the room, frustrated.

CUTTOO…

Inside the Great Hall, Perry is finishing up the last of polishing the lord's armour along with Captain Gibbs. Eldor enters the room, frustrated by the monk's words from the armoury. The two look at Eldor, they know something is wrong.

"Suit me up, lads" Eldor commands softly. The two grab the armour as the Sun begins to rise upon the clouded night, it reflects a heavenly light upon the Great Halls of the castle.

"Every villager able to wield a sword and shield has been sent to the armoury, my lord." Gibbs proclaims.

"Who am l, Gibbs?" Eldor responds with a question, his mind is quiet with a sense of fear.

"You are our king, sire." Gibbs replies. "And your men will fallow you to the end."

The two men begin to armour Eldor, placing the breastplate upon him, it shines a silver silken light, brightened more by the sun.

"To the end." Eldor replies. "I am no king. I am a warrior, protector of worlds…and those I love and defend. This day…will no grow in the shadows of darkness. I will not allow it."

CUT TOO…

The men upon the castle sharpen their swords. The villagers are handed staffs, helmets put on, and another handed a huge axe as the war comes closer upon them.

"Move! Move to the outer wall!" The men on the towers command.

"Everyone, get to your positions." Sango commands. She herself is being sent into the fight. Her weapons at her side along with being dressed in her armor of her people, the demon slayers of the feudal eras of the east.

All begin forming upon the battlements of the castle. As many group, the gates of the main hall open and all gaze in awe that enters from within…

Eldor, all dressed in silver armour padded in belts of gold, walks upon the stairs to the gates. His sacred sword at his scabbard, a shield placed in his arm and a bow and arrow strapped to his back.

Behind him, the comrades of his world, Gamlink, ready for battle with his mighty axe, armour heavy and strong. Sir Perry and Captain Gibbs, who the coward carries his sword and shield and the captain a mighty long axe. Also by his side is Lord Higurashi, who wears the armour of crownsheild, carrying not a short or long sword, but a Katana that he had carried from his side since his rescue. Eldor has given him armour reminiscing of his countries ancient warriors, the samurai.

And finally, that who is ready to seek vengeance and is the best chance against the forces of Naraku, InuYasha, his tetsaigia shaking with excitement. He grips it firmly, knowing what is to come.

All are inspired by their approach, ready to defend the castle to the bitter end. Miroku then approaches behind Sango, he seems less worried then before, he has seen all around him and realises, they might have a chance. He holds his wife close, his arms wrapped around her.

"You gonna be okay up there?" He asks her softly.

"I've been trained for events like this. You should know me by now." She smiles with confidence.

With ease, Miroku walks to Eldor, who in return, still seems shaken up by the monks last meeting with him.

"We've trusted you this far. And you have not led us astray." The monk says to the warrior. "Forgive me. I was wrong to despair. I only fear for that which I love."

Eldor smiles, gripping the monk's shoulder.

"Miroku, o yurusu koto wa nani mo arimasen."

*There is nothing to forgive, Miroku.*

They smile and pat each other on the shoulder. Then, Shippo appears, jumping in with excitement.

"Alright, I'm ready! Let's linch em!" he shouts.

"Shippo." Eldor calls to the fox. With a quick glance, the little demon looks up at the leader before him.

"Um…yes, my lord?"

Eldor kneels to him, he seems kind here, wanting to talk in a patient level with the young one. "Little demons such as yourself don't belong in wars like this."

"What are you talking about? I've seen my fare share of battles." He protests, not wanting to reveal too much of his past. His father was slain by two powerful demons in front of him. That alone is enough to fuel the anger he wishes to inflict on his enemies.

"This battle is not the ones you've seen at home." Eldor replies. "None of my men can have you as a burden."

"But I want to fight!" Shippo cries. InuYasha shakes his head.

"There's no use trying to stop him Eldor." The half demon barks. "All of us want a piece of the action."

Then from out of nowhere, InuYasha stands before the men at arms.

"If this is your first time battling the likes of demons from my lands, LISTEN UP!"

All look upon the demon.

"Allot of you are loyal, braver then most humans I know. And I'm gonna be honest with you…you all have a really good chance of dying today. In fact, allot of you might not see tonight. But it's your duty, by the command of your king here, to defend this castle. You've prepared quite well, I can see that. I'm half demon, I'll live through this, no problem. But I doubt you guys will have a chance. But I am not gonna let this castle fall to the bastard that's out there, waiting to kill you, torment and mistreat the women…and slaughter the children. Cause if you all die, I damn well don't want it being my responsibility. We're defending this city, not to protect these stones, but the people living within these walls. I'm willing to die for the people I care about here, and if you are willing to do the same, then every man here, capable of wielding a weapon, do not show fear in the face of the enemy, even if it leads to your death. Protect the helpless…that is your mission here! Protect your family, never give up!"

With those honest and courageous words of wisdom, all cheer with the cry of war. Even Eldor, the king of the lands here, is taken in by his comrade's words.

"Never give in! Never surrender!" He shouts.

"Teki ni kuso! Naraku ni kuso!" InuYasha shouts.

Incredibly, all are ready for a fight, as the cry for the blood of combat fills the voices in the wind. All are battle hardened, ready for whatever the war, would throw at them.