Chapter Five: War
War was declared two days later. Tortall was the country that declared war first. Tusaine had made another attack on Tortallan soil. King Krystopher was tired of it. He declared war on Tusaine and sent his knights off to forts on the Tusaine/Tortall border. Especially on the Drell River Valley.
Nicola was stationed as the commander at one of the new forts at the Drell River. Evan, as chief healer, was there with her. Nicola couldn't say she disliked it, but at the same time she couldn't say she liked it. But she didn't really notice him very often because he was so often in the infirmary working, while she was drilling troops and getting ready for battle.
The first battle happened a week after they arrived at the fort. Nicola had been in the middle of eating when she heard the horn calls. She listened carefully, recognizing the sounds for enemy. She cursed softly and jumped up and raced off to get her armor and her sword and spear. She got ready fairly quickly.
She got her troops ready as fast as she could. She trusted that they would do well in battle. She knew the three main commanders of the King's Own. She knew they were tough and strict, and yet friendly at the same time. Good-humored men, they were. A few of the best men she knew.
She was nervous. This was her first battle that she was commanding. As they lowered the gate, she prayed to the Great Mother Goddess and Mithros. "Great Mother and Father, watch me, guide me, lead me. Do not let me fail my men. I beg of you, keep my men safe."
With that, she rode into battle.
The battle lasted a full five hours. It was a victory; a victory for Nicola and her men. They rejoiced at the fact that they won. Nicola had been hurt though.
"Gods-curse it all, Evan! I am perfectly fine. Now let me up out of this bed this instant!" Nicola was, to say the least, angry and frustrated. She was stuck in a bed in the infirmary, a bandage wrapped around her right arm, with Evan standing over her, frowning at her.
Evan scowled at his patient. "Shut your mouth, Wildcat. Learn to behave and let people take care of you for once! You are not perfectly fine. You had a sword almost go clean through your arm. You are incredibly lucky that you'll be able to keep the arm." He was frustrated with Nicola. She was too stubborn for her own good. It was quite annoying too.
Author's Note: I know I haven't even finished this chapter. But this story will not be finished. I haven't gotten that many reviews, for one. Also, I just can't seem to work on it. I'm stuck. I have been for quite some time now. I love you all! I'll begin work on another fanfic later on, maybe.
Midnight-