A/N: hey guys I'm back again. Not a long "I'll explain" story this time. I had a mini mental breakdown last week because of the stress from school and the pressure I put on myself to upload more chapters in a week. But I hope you guys are okay with one chapter a week.
To be honest I had a little party for myself, because this is chapter 10 (and the story isn't even finished yet)! I had 9 chapters in mind when I started writing, but I had so much fun and wrote so much more than I ever thought possible. There will definitely come more stories (maybe a short Christmas series…..) but it is really because of all those people who took the time to read it. So thank you all for this amazing experience.
Disclaimer: Still don't own RA….. but hey Christmas is not over yet.
WARNING: character death in this chapter.
Chapter 10
The cavalry had made it's first steps towards the Scotti army. Baron Arald was leading the first group and soon all the other groups followed. Halt remained in the back, he knew ranger's weren't supposed to be in the front lines. From the back he could clearly see what was happening and maybe he could see some things that would change their fate.
He noticed that the groups from the side flanks were still hidden and the Scotti were charging towards the frontal attack. This could only mean that the Scotti indeed had no idea there was a threat from the sides. Halt allowed himself to smile, his plan was working for now. Still not the ideal situation, but it worked.
King Duncan prepared to leave as well for the attack. Many people around him had advised him to remain in the back and wait for the fight to be over. To Halt's greatest pleasure, Duncan had refused. Of course, it would be safer for the king not to fight, but Halt knew that the army needed hope. When a king refuses to fight in a war it meant that the fight was hopeless.
Duncan also knew his people needed hope. He knew there was a chance he could die in this battle, but what kind of king would he be if he let his people suffer for him. He was a very well trained warrior so he knew he could at least last some time during the battle.
It gave him strength to know that Cassandra would be more than ready to become queen in the case he would die. He didn't want to put that burden on her, but he knew if necessary, she would be ready. So he urged his horse and joined the fight surrounded by his personal guards and Crowley, who refused to leave his side.
Halt looked as everyone charged into battle. He shot some arrows when necessary, but not too much. He didn't want to be out of arrows half way through the battle. As he watched the Scotti army running into theirs, he knew they needed a miracle to win.
Will had been riding on Tug for a while. Luckily Tug had a steady and even trot. Nevertheless Will felt his shoulder and ribs burn. Tug had glanced a few times at his master to make sure he was still on his back. Will was headstrong but now his eyelids were falling down, he was fighting to keep his balance.
He tried to stay awake by talking to Tug. "Maybe it wasn't such a good idea after all. How on earth am I ever going to make it to Erak." He whispered.
No response came from his horse. Maybe Tug had gone tired of all the conversation on the road today, it wasn't the first time this sentence had come out Will's mouth. Or maybe Will was just to tired to even notice the response of his horse. Either way it didn't make the journey easier.
"what do you think Tug, are we almost there yet? I don't remember where I put my map so you just lead the way right." Tug turned his head around. Of course he knew the way, but Will always knew where everything was. The fact that Will was too tired to stay in command, worried the little grey horse immensely.
Without a warning Tug stopped trotting and came to a halt. Will hadn't expected this sudden change and almost fell from his horse. "what was that for?"
You need to take some rest before you fall down. "I won't fall down, and I can't rest we need to get to Erak."
You almost fell just because I changed pace. I won't walk unless you sit down a few minutes and take those medicine. Will knew Tug was right. He hadn't taken the medicine that Malcolm had given him. A white-hot pain surged through his body right now and he would give anything to get some sleep. But his friends needed him, maybe now more than ever. There was no time for resting.
Tug saw the stubbornness in his master. They can manage a few more minutes without your help. If you go on like this you won't even make it to Erak. If you want to help them, you should help yourself first.
"Since when did you get so wise?" said Will grumpily. He started to dismount, he knew Tug would keep his promise not to walk before he got some rest. "Maybe old Bob should have spend more time teaching you to listen to your master instead of making you this wise."
Hah, as if I needed any teaching in giving wise comments. I was born this way. Will laughed "don't get too cocky, it doesn't give you any more apples you know." Will took the medicine out of his bags and sat down in the grass. Just a few minutes rest and he would be fine to ride further.
Everything had gone according to plan. The Araluen army had charged towards the Scotti. In reaction the Scotti army had attacked back and the fight was starting. In a few seconds Gilan and Horace would appear from the woods.
Halt saw soldiers from both sides fall down, gravely injured or dead. He noticed someone sneaking up behind Crowley who was busy dealing with three other Scotti soldiers. Without thinking Halt let go of his arrow, which of course hit its target.
Crowley turned around in surprise, he wasn't used to people being able to sneak up on him. Luckily this man had already an arrow imbedded in his back. His moment of surprise had cost him some valuable seconds. He felt a sword slicing across his leg. With a scream of pain he managed to pull out his throwing knife and placed it right into the man's heart. He took the knife out and stumbled back to the king and his guards.
He was lucky to be alive but he needed a bit more back-up to stay alive here.
At that moment Gilan and Horace came out of the forest with their knights and soldiers. As Halt had predicted the Scotti began to panic and had to regroup. This gave the Araluen army the perfect opportunity to take down a lot of soldiers.
Halt was happy with this development but his happiness was short lived due to an event happening in the corner of his eye. Baron Arald had been dueling a small group of Scotti soldiers, but they were with too much. While still enjoying that his plan was working, Halt saw a sword pierced into Arald's heart. He saw the man scream in surprise and fall down.
Halt wanted to scream but he knew it was to late. His friend had fallen and there was nothing left to do. He saw sir Rodney charge in fury towards the men that killed Arald. Halt knew that Rodney was capable of killing the few still standing but in his rage he sent three deadly arrows towards the soldiers. Sir Rodney would only have to kill the last one.
As Halt looked around the battlefield he was shocked at how many of their army had fallen. He saw another baron laying in the grass. Sir Norris had been brutally killed by a Scotti soldier. Lord Orman was gravely injured. Halt slowly started to panic as he couldn't find Gilan or Horace in the battle.
He decided it was time to join the fight, there was nothing left to oversee at this place. So he urged Abelard forward and began taking down every Scotti on his path. After every shot he retrieved his arrow so he could use it again. No one was safe in close proximity of Halt.
But then Halt's nightmare became true. The Scotti army had noticed that no one was attacking from the back. They were regrouping and turned to Norgate. This was the moment Halt had feared. If they reached Norgate before the battle was over, Araluen could never win. It became an impossible race against time.
Will was again on Tug's back. The few minutes rest and the medicine had worked wonders on him. He could see and think clearly again. He had finally found the map in his bags and was now crossing the last few miles to Erak.
As long as Will's body would allow, they were galloping to their destination. There was no time to waste anymore. Will heard the screams in the distance and did not even dare to think how the battle was going.
Finally after some long frightening minutes, Will could see the flags of the Skandian ships. "We did it Tug!" he cried out. Relief washed over him as he came in closer proximity of the ship. He had made it and they could bring peace back to Araluen.
As he reached the ships, some Skandian warriors had already raised the alarm. Most of them were familiar with the cloaked men with the longbows. Will saw Erak coming from his ship. "Will! How magnificent to see you again! We've been waiting for ages for some messenger."
Will dismounted and received a bear hug which felt like it was breaking his ribs again. However he didn't mind, he was far too happy to see all the warriors. "No one knew you were already here!" he explained. "the Scotti had set camp between our army and you so we couldn't find out. The war has already started, we need your help."
Erak's eyes went wide. "what, it has already started? Where? What are we waiting for." Will quickly took his map out of his bag and showed Erak where the battle was and where they were needed. Suddenly he felt a firm hand around his shoulder. He turned around and looked right in the eyes of Gundar Hardstriker. Soon he also saw Svengal grinning. "Gundar! Svengal! What is this, a reunion?"
Gundar smiled "Hah seems like we're in this together again my friend! Just like old times." The big man slapped his hand on Will's shoulder and Will felt a blinding pain going through his body. The dark spots in his vision seemed to return.
However, Will's heart felt immensely lighter seeing his best friends back here to fight alongside them. Erak smiled "there were some idiots ready to fight for this stupid small piece of land as you call it." He gestured to the rest to pick up their gear.
"Give us a few seconds and we'll be ready." He said to Will, "Maybe you should sit down a moment, you look like you can fall over. What happened to you?" Will nodded and tried to sit down, he felt Erak holding his arm and gently, as far as he could, and settle him down in the grass.
"Just had a friendly encounter with some of our Scotti friends. But there was no one left to warn you and we could really use some help," he said. Erak began to worry about his friend. He knew the little boy from years ago who kept on fighting after being captured and after a terrible addiction. He knew that Will came to save them in Arridi even when he had suffered dehydration and had been on the brink of death.
He knew Will would go any lengths to help his friends, but it worried him that Will was actually showing signs of pain and fatigue, which rarely occurred. "Maybe you could stay here, or go back to your camp. It's not safe for you to go to the battle." But he immediately met a pair of stubborn brown eyes.
"I will go with you, I promise to stay in the back but I won't let my friends fight this alone." He said, and it became clear from his voice that there was nothing and no one that could hold him back. Erak nodded and sat down next to Will, waiting for the others to be ready.
It didn't take long for the others to be back. Around 50 Skandians were standing ready with their axes. Erak stood up and pulled Will on his feet. He helped the boy back on his horse and they started their run to help their friends in need.
Ohh well, hopefully they will be on time. I'm really sorry I had to kill some people. It was a hard choice to make. I genuinely loveeee baron Arald, but I thought if anyone that we know is likely to die, it would probably him. (I also had some other names in mind, and as you could read, not everyone is in the best condition to continue fighting… so who knows what is about to happen)
I hope you liked this chapter, please leave a review!
Stay safe, trust the cloak and see you next time!