April 20, 4000 BC, Berlin, Barracks
Despite the illuminated curtains covering the square holes in the barracks, signifying morning and thus the beginning of my patrol shift, I made no effort to get out of bed. My mind was still racing will the events of last night.
After a somber trip back from the Barbarian Encampment with the hostages, back from what was supposed to be an easy in-and-out mission, we made our way to the Palace to meet with Lord Bismarck. What ensued was an awkward conversation at best, as we all half-heartily pieced together what was supposed to be a crisp and detailed report from our now dead leader, Alex. Lord Bismarck gave us his condolences – a gesture that meant all the more due to his genuinely disappointed tone – and appointed George our new leader. He then informed us we were on territorial patrol duty until a replacement for Alex could be found. The new Archer unit had been trained and deployed to the southeast last night upon our arrival on exploration duty.
With a groan I rolled out of the hay bale and cotton sheets that were my bed to find Lucas and Alfred strapping on their belts. We exchanged mumbled "Good Mornings" as I walked passed them to the bathroom. I splashed some water on my face and began to dress.
When I came out I out I noticed Carl, Ralph, and Peter had returned from the early morning shift, and had wasted no time crashing on their beds.
"Ready to go?" Lucas asked me.
I nodded, and we left the Barracks, with the only sound remaining being Peter's snoring.
Once outside Alfred spoke up.
"Erik, while you were in the bathroom Ralph told me the funeral for Alex would be later this morning at the foot of the Monument."
I gave a grunt of acknowledgment, and we continued in silence until Lucas spoke up.
"You guys hear about these 'horse' things they discovered?"
"-was a great leader, and a good friend."
George was met with somber applause as he stepped down from the platform erected in front of the monument. Upon it stood a wooden shroud that had been made by some engineers overnight.
We hadn't actually brought Alex's body back like we do today; back then there was no embalmment so the body would have just decomposed over the weeks of travel.
With George's eulogy done, it was time for Lord Bismarck to say some words. As he made his way up to the podium the air was thick with silence. Bismarck had an air of power surrounding him that humbled anyone in his vicinity.
He turned to the crowd and spoke.
"This is the first death of our civilization. It is cruel that the first of us to be gone was one of the strongest, a beacon of hope in these times in which we are all trying to discover ourselves. My last words with Alex were when I summoned him to the palace in the middle of the night. He showed up quickly, eager to due his duty. When I told him about the hostages, he displayed no hesitation in mounting a rescue mission. I would be lying if I said this did not bring pride to my heart, for this clearly indicated I had chosen correctly in the quest to find a leader for our brave and noble Warriors. For indeed, it was Alex's inspirational attitude that made him the great man he was. His legacy shall stand. His memory shall not fade. Germany has lost one of her finest."
There was a roar of applause for Bismarck from both the audience and us Warriors. I even think I saw Peter shed a tear.
"Sir! Sir!"
We all turned to see one of the militiamen sprinting toward us. The crowd parted in awe as he collapsed in front of Bismarck.
"What is it?" Bismarck barked.
The militiaman took a few breaths before saying words that would change the course of the entire fate of Germany.
"The archers sir, they're back. And they're not alone."
Bismarck started issuing commands immediately.
"All citizens, back to your homes! Warriors, form up on me!"
We instinctively formed ranks around Bismarck and began to march toward the southern wall. On our way Bismarck gave explicit instructions to George, who was at his right hand.
"The note the militiaman gave me from his commander stated that all they know is that the newcomers are either friendly, or somehow manipulating our Archers. I want your men to appear threatening, but non-hostile. If this truly is to be our first meeting with other human beings other than barbarians, I don't want to start a war."
"Yes sir."
When we reached the southern wall Bismarck ordered the wooden gate opened so we could exit. The militiaman complied and did so. We stepped outside, still in formation.
Before us stood our own Archers, looking somewhat nervous but stalwart. Next to them stood another set of archers, but these ones were distinctively different to our own. They had streaks of red in their uniforms, a stark contrast to our consistent gray, and their bows were much larger and, to my horror, seemingly more advanced.
Bismarck began to speak.
"I am Lord Otto von Bismarck, leader of Germany and all her people. Welcome to our fine capital, the city of Berlin."
There was silence for a moment, until one of their archers, who I assumed to be the leader, stepped forward. And then something strange happened. Although he spoke a language I knew not to be German, I understood him perfectly. A quick glance at my cohorts showed the case was the same with them.
"Greetings and good fortune upon you, Lord Bismarck. I am Henry, leader of the 1st Longbowmen and representative of Queen Elizabeth and her kingdom of England."