Chapter 18 "Before the Battle"
Blake drew himself to his bed, lying down calmly with an overwhelmed look in his eyes.
He couldn't sleep, the warrior hedgehog just sat on his bed lost in thought.
"Sarah, how could you turn my son against me…I wanted so much for him…then I had to find out he was not the son I wished for…" he thought to himself, looking through the window.
The sound of guns were going off all around him from his soldiers, and it was hard to sleep; they worked day and night in training.
"I'm too fixated on the past, I'm a king among these fools, I don't need anybody else; and if I'm patent, I'll have the last ones to stand in my way, out of my way…" Blake said, as he drifted off to sleep.
As the night dragged on Blake found himself tossing and turning in bed, his dream was terrifying, he kept talking and mumbling in his sleep, being tortured by it.
He kept calling out in fear and grunting.
SLAMMM…Tai burst through the door.
"Sir! Sir!" Tai said, grabbing Blake's full attention.
Blake got up in a blind panic, immediately unsheathing his golden sword.
Tai gasped as he instinctively drew his blade out to meet his, blocking the swing that almost cut his head off.
Blake's heart was beating quickly, but it slowed when he realized it was only Tai.
"General Tai, you know better then that." Blake said, moving over to his bed.
On the bedpost lay his cape and armor, he began suiting up and put his sword away.
Tai looked uneasy; there was worry in his eyes.
Blake looked back at him when he was outfitted. "What was so important to interrupt my sleep? If you come in and surprise me like that again you're libel to get your head wiped clean off, I have the ears of a hawk and the reflexes to match."
He smirked. "I am impressed though, the fact you were even able to block that, now tell me, what's wrong? It had better be a valuable piece of information."
Tai kneeled and stood on his knees. "I beg your apologies Commander. But it was urgent, you were right sir, the resistance, there are at least a thousand strong."
"WHAT?!" Blake said.
"Sir, they advanced faster then you thought they would and will be here within the hour." Tai said.
Blake fastened his crown. "Is my daughter with them?"
Tai shook his head. "No, she appears to have dodged meeting with them, but the rebels are still coming and they are ready to meet our soldiers in combat."
Blake walked out the door to meet the cold night air.
He was sleep deprived but eager to see this enemy.
He flared his nostrils. "There's war in the air."
Tai looked up at him with fascination.
He turned to him quickly. "Tai, it looks like you're getting the opportunity you wanted, inform the elites to take over the western groups, you will aid me with the rest."
"Sir, our troops are still new and inexperienced." Tai said.
"So is the enemy, what weapons are they using?" Blake said.
"Mostly swords and spears, fewer guns, the ones with them are in the front." Tai said.
Blake grinned. "The rebels must have a poor general, to put the ones with the most valuable weapons at the front lines. Though this does give them more time before our men meet theirs. Get going General! I will not have an unready army!"
With that Tai ran to wake up the troops.
The area around them was smaller then usual, there were a lot of people packed there and most of them slept near the sandbag wall in tents.
There were lanterns set up; there wasn't enough time to install electric lights anywhere besides the main metal buildings Blake set apart.
The men were mostly in uniform, some in Blake's brand armor with blue cameo on and helmets, but only half of them had that luxury.
They were however, more prepared then the rebels were.
guns were very practical use and the second addition of troops were previously trained with swords, though none of them were at master level from swordplay being introduced by Blake. (The world did not have swords before he came.)
There was controversy among the men, Tai hung lanterns and started running into tents, staying professional but being sure they understood this was serious.
The troops ran to their weapons, the armor keepers and blacksmiths suited the men up as quickly as they could.
Blake's army was one thousand two hundred or more, only a small advantage on their part because this was only one base.
"At arms men! War is upon us!" Tai shouted out.
Hearts were uneasy and you could see the fear in the men's eyes.
The entire army was full of hedgehogs and a lot of them young and inexperienced as Tai had said.
Tension ruled the air and the foggy curtain of night demoralized them, it felt hard to breathe.
Still, they were more afraid of Blake then the rebel army so they did what they were told.
The battle field was clear and flat, trees to the west and the river to the east from where they stood.
A large rock perched in the center field.
Blake climbed up it, looking upon his troops.
"I told you Sarah." Blake thought to himself. "I can make something of my name."
The men scrambled to get by Blake, standing behind him.
It took about half an hour to get them ready, unusually fast considering.
Tai stepped beside the huge boulder where Blake was standing.
Blake turned to him. "I am giving you a lot of responsibility Tai, make me proud."
Tai felt energized by Blake's words and wiped the worry off his face and looked strong.
"Sir Yes sir!" the young general said.
Tai was facing the troops.
The line was straight and professional, the ones in front all holding shields, clearly defensive.
Tai had used one of Blake's battle strategies to position them correctly, Blake had gone over nearly every one with him before hand and there was one prepared for a sudden attack.
He also took to account the weapons used and the positioning of the rebel army, and how they were trained and how they were prepared to fight.
A few radicals were placed before the defensive ones, soldiers with no concern of safety for themselves or the army they served, for that reason they were very far in front and held personal weapons and personalized armor.
The elites were the third in line, perfect in all crafts of fighting and Blake depended heavily upon their speed and tactical ways of thinking.
Tai was in full armor this time, it was crafted in silver and bronze and his helmet was shaped like the head of a dragon, he looked magnificent.
Blake wore very small amounts of armor, his usual attire, to intimidate the rebel forces.
He took a deep breath and looked into the eyes of his army.
"Hello men! All of you are here today for one reason, to serve the good of this planet. There can be no order without discipline, so let's give them discipline! Let's show them what we are made of! All those who stand in our way I promise you WILL MEET…MY…BLADE!!!!"
Blake took out his golden sword; it glittered against the moon.
The soldiers started cheering, feeling very enthused, the words sounded very inspirational.
There were soldiers holding flags and the others barred weapons.
Tai yelled battle ready and the soldiers responded to it.
The battle was about to begin.
End chapter