September 2, 4000 BC, Outskirts of Berlin, Germany

The closer we got to Berlin the more apparent our anxiousness to see our capital again became. Today was the day we would first be able to see it, the forest ending only a couple hundred meters in front of us. But as we emerged from the treeline, elation was the last thing we felt.

"Is-is that… smoke?" David stuttered.

I nodded. In the distance, one of our cotton fields had visible lines of smoke coming up from it. A crowd of people was also there, throwing burning sticks at our city's walls.

"More barbarians?" Ralph said.

George began barking orders. "Joseph, stay with Lord Bismarck. Everyone else, form up on me!"

We instantly made a formation and began sprinting toward the city, save for Joseph, who was escorting Lord Bismarck back into the edge of the forest.

Luckily for us, the Barbarians had been severely weakened by attacks from both our Archers and the militia inside the city. What was once likely a formidable group was now a collection of five healthy barbarians and three injured ones. We were able to dispatch them without taking a single casualty.

Afterword a group of Workers came to repair the damage the barbarians had done to the cotton plantation. Joseph and Lord Bismarck arrived soon after.

Lord Bismarck addressed the leader of the Archer unit, Hans. "What happened?" he asked angrily, "How did these Barbarians get past the perimeter?"

Hans kneeled. "My apologies, Lord Bismarck. But they were not the only Barbarians that showed up." He pointed northeast, towards the mines. "A second group appeared at the mines, armed with weapons we've never seen before. Our scientists are studying them in the Library as we speak."

At this Lord Bismarck lost his anger. "I want to see the new weapons."

Hans stood. "Certainly, sir. Follow me."

Bismarck started walking towards the city. Suddenly remembering us, he turned to George. "George, once the workers are done repairing the plantation they'll be building a road to the mountain pass. I want you to escort them. Last thing we need is to lose them again, or worse, look weak to the English. You all leave first thing in the morning. Oh, and your new recruit is in the barracks."

George stood to attention and saluted. "Yes, sir."

"Good man," said Lord Bismarck, and with that, he and Hans made their way back into Berlin.

Most of the team headed back to the Barracks to meet the new recruit. Joseph had snuck off at some point. Alfred had headed off to the library to find out more about the new Barbarian weapons. As for me, I simply was content to just wander the streets aimlessly, for no real reason whatsoever.

I ended up at the Monument. For what seemed like hours I just stared up at it, thinking.

"Well, well, well, look who we have here."

I jumped and turned quickly to see-

"Hannah."

"Erik."

We stood there for a moment, me not knowing what to do. Finally, I gestured toward the ground. "Erm… Have a seat?"

She giggled, which I took as a good sign. We sat there for another few moments, gazing up at the Monument, until she finally spoke.

"I heard you guys found another civilization."

I laughed. "They found us, more like it."

I told her about our journey to the English capital of London. She seemed very interested about my description of the ocean.

"I'm just sorry we weren't here for the attack."

She waved off my concerns. "It really wasn't that bad. Some farmers, miners, and other workers came into the city and we just sat it out while the militia and archers took potshots at them. We had and still have plenty of food in the Granary."

"Well, still."

We found ourselves in another awkward silence that, luckily for me, she broke.

"I'd like to see the ocean some day."

This took me by surprise. "Really?"

"Yes, it sounds beautiful."

Some driving force inside me caused me to say next, "Maybe I could take you some day?"

She smiled and this time it was her turn to say, "Really?"

I nodded, more confident now. "Possibly, we'll be escorting some workers to build a road halfway there tomorrow. Perhaps once it's complete I could take you along it and show you the ocean, if my superiors allow it."

Her smile grew. "Oh that'd be great!"

And then she hugged me.

To this day, through all the wars and the peace, my mind has never raced as fast as it did at that moment.

We separated, the physical act bringing yet another lull in our conversation.

At once we both started to speak. We both immediately stopped and I quickly said, "You first."

She looked as if she wanted to say something, but changed her mind. "You know what never mind. What were you going to say?"

Now I'd changed my mind. "Just that, I should probably be getting back to the Barracks."

"Oh, okay."

"So… I'll see you around I guess?"

"Yeah."

And with that we both turned and went our separate ways.

I walked into the Barracks. Everyone was asleep save for Lucas, who was reading a scroll at the table with a single candle lit. He gestured me to come sit with him. I complied and took a chair across from him.

"What are you reading?" I whispered.

"Our orders for tomorrow," he replied, "George left them lying here. Apparently Lord Bismarck is looking to formalize our fighting forces. Now our orders will come on parchment rather than us being told. Personally I think it diminishes the social aspects of the practice. We're the 1st Warrior Division now, by the way."

I nodded my head with approval. "Well, it certainly sounds fancier than just calling us 'Warriors.'"

"I agree. So, you're back rather late. Even Joseph crawled back here sooner than you did. Where have you been?"

I considered lying, but I considered Lucas to be my best friend. If I could trust anyone, it was him. I told him everything.

He began to stupidly grin during the middle of it. I stopped and looked at him, puzzled and annoyed.

"What?" I demanded.

He just shook his head. "Geez, Erik, you're more lovesick than Joseph, and at least he had the nerve to tell the girl how he felt."

"I am not!" I said hotly, struggling to keep my voice low for the others' sake.

He just shook his head.

"I'm just saying Erik, if you wanna go for it, you should go for it." He got up and began to move toward his bed.

"We're not going to be around forever."

Oh, how I once wished he'd been right.

A/N: Gah, just missed the one-year anniversary of this story. Oh well. But on that same note, one year! Thanks to everyone who has supported this story by reading and reviewing it. It is far more satisfying to write a story when you know people actually care about it and are reading it. So, thanks again.

On a different note, Gods & Kings:

1.) It is amazing.

2.) In regards to the story, I do plan on incorporating espionage and religion into the story, but, and this applies to all gameplay elements, I may not have them match up EXACTLY with the game for story purposes.