The Last Stand

by Zivon96

Few have dared to challenge the mighty Blackstone Legion, and all those who have done so, have met the same fate: crushed to dust beneath their armoured heels. This is the fate rapidly approaching the forces of the Warborn Union, a force formed from viking warriors and deserter Blackstone knights. As the enemy draws near, the Union's warriors prepare to make their final stand...

2. Chapter 2

Magnus grit his teeth as Takumi's blade impacted his shield. He tried to shove the samurai back, but the swift orochi training gave him ample time to roll aside as Magnus pushed forward. Now off balance, the warlord was a simple target for the orochi. Takumi gave Magnus a swift kick in the back and sent him to the ground. Moving quickly, Takumi made to finish him off, but the viking slammed his opponent's sword aside with his shield and kicked him in the knee, knocking him back and giving Magnus a chance to rise to his feet. On his feet and shield raised, Magnus charged, slamming his shield bodily into Takumi, throwing the samurai to the floor. Before the samurai could rise, Magnus was on him, holding him down with his knee and holding his sword to the samurai's throat. "Do you concede?" The warlord demanded.

"Not yet, barbarian." Takumi shot back. Before Magnus could taunt him or demand to know what he meant, he felt something tap the inside of his thigh. He had been so distracted trying to bring the orochi down, he had forgotten to disarm him. Though he couldn't see the samurai's face from behind his mask, he could tell just from the look in his eye that Takumi had a massive grin on right now. "Tell me, viking, what do you think would be worse? Cutting your femoral artery or your manhood?"

Magnus growled under his breath and got to his feet, offering a hand to Takumi to help them up. "Don't get too smug, I've still won more sparring matches than you have." He said, dusting himself off.

The orochi rolled his eyes and sheathed his blade. "You have won one more than I have. Thus far, we have had ten spars, you've won four, I've won three and we've had three draws." He explained.

Magnus gave an eye roll of his own as the two prepared for another sparring session, the warlord raising his sword and shield while the orochi kept his hand on his sheathed katana. Magnus made the first move, charging forward, shield first at Takumi, the samurai jumped back, drawing his katana as soon as he landed, the shield of the warlord deflecting his first strike and allowing Magnus to stab forward, forcing the orochi to dodge. It had been a full day since Yuki, Takumi and their samurai soldiers had been recruited, and already they had started working together with the knights and vikings to fortify the fortress and make ready their defenses. However, tensions still ran high between the vikings, knights and samurai, and it wasn't hard to see why that might be. The majority of the knights who had just joined the Union had come from the Blackstone Legion, and while they, like all the other knights who had joined, had shed their orange and black tabards for the black and purple of the Union, they were still among those who had sacked Valkenheim previously. The samurai, meanwhile, were just as in the rest of the world, the smallest faction. They were the fewest in number and had come from a culture completely alien to the men and women of the Union, and the only reason they were here was because they had infiltrated Valkenheim in retaliation for the vikings raiding their land, driving a wedge between the vikings and samurai. As though to drive that wedge further, the samurai had remained rather reclusive and all but refused to associate with the vikings and knights any longer than they had to. With three groups all only held together under the looming threat of imminent demise, it was a wonder that they soldiers had united at all and hadn't all gone to war the second the fort's prisoners were released.

Godric was nearly ready to call the entire experiment a failure when a solution came from Magnus, of all people. Midway through the day after releasing the prisoners, the warlord had sought out the brash and cocky samurai orochi, Takumi and challenged him to a sparring session in an hour to take place in the fort's courtyard. Not one to back down from a challenge, especially not from the man he saw as being beneath him, Takumi accepted, in full view of several soldiers of all factions. Just as the warlord had suspected, the news that two of the strongest fighters in the fortress were going to spar had spread like wildfire across Fort Sigrun, and by the time the hour had passed, Takumi and Magnus had walked into the courtyard to find an entire crowd of soldiers from all three factions had come out to watch the fight.

Takumi had taken one look at the gathered crowd and had given Magnus a look that bordered on respectful upon realizing that this had been his plan all along. As the two of them sparred, the crowd had roared with applause, jeers and even cheers, though when one of them would lose the match, it was more than common to hear a round of curses in either Japanese or Norse. That said, the cheering crowd always seemed to drown out the curses by the third round, no matter who won. Takumi considered this as he dodged Magnus' overhead strike and rolled to the Viking's right. Immediately getting to his feet, the orochi grabbed the warlord from behind and placed his sword at his neck, the blade just a centimeter away from breaking the skin. "And that, Magnus, is now a tie." Takumi said, breathing heavily. He sounded cocky, but knew in the back of his mind that this was largely a result of patience. On their first spar, the orochi had been overconfident, thinking the warlord to be nothing more than a brute, and so was surprised when he found out about the surprising speed that the viking had in him, slamming into him shield first and taking him to the ground. In fact, even after the first round, Takumi was still surprised when the viking took three of their first spars before the draws became more common.

"I suppose we're tied then." Magnus panted, near exhausted. "Not to complain or anything, but you sound a bit tuckered out, think we should let the troops get a few matches in?"

"Only so you can take a break for our tiebreaker, of course." The orochi said with a smirk under his mask. "I'd hate for you to be this tired when we clash again." He added, removing his blade from Magnus' neck and sheathing it at his belt.

"There would be no honour in fighting you when you're tired." The warlord said, turning to face the crowd. "Alright you lot, who's up next? Anyone want to show their skill in a spar?" Magnus' grin grew as the crowd roared in cheer. "That's what I thought! Alright, how about we get some knights in here? How about you show us that chivalry you lot are so proud of!"

Far above the courtyard, Godric looked over the sparring match from the war room. A small smile graced his face as he watched his brother in arms motivate the troops for the coming battle. Already the morale of the soldiers was going up, and once a warden and a raider took to the stage, the crowd began to talk amongst themselves, debating who would win this battle, the massive viking or the armoured knight. The lawbringer was tempted to put on his armour, grab his halberd and head outside to show these soldiers how chivalry was done, but he knew he had more important tasks to worry about. The maps of Fort Sigrun were strewn across the table in the centre of the room, maps which Godric had been studying since dawn that day, trying to figure out a strategy, any strategy that would keep them alive through the battle that would come to them in mere days. The start of the battle was simple enough, as Fort Sigrun was built into a mountainside and therefore only had one entrance: the front gate. The lawbringer knew that a good hit from a battering ram would knock the gate down in a short time, but at the same time, that presented them with another advantage, that being that they would be able to funnel the enemy into one location where their numbers would be of no help to them. Even then though, that would only last for so long until the Blackstones broke their lines and stormed the castle. And once they were in, the Union was never leaving unless they left in chains. Archers atop the walls would delay the ram and harry their forces, but with the Legion's ladders and grapple guns, they could be atop the wall in minutes. Godric sat back down at his desk and buried his head in his hands. The troops were ready for a fight as soon as one came knocking at their door, but how ready would they be once that door came down upon them?

"You look tired." A voice said from the door. Godric's head shot up from his hands and turned to the door where the kensei Yuki stood. Despite the fact that the woman, merely a day before had been locked in a dungeon cell, she looked none the worse for her hardships. She was dressed in a pair of grey trousers and a black and purple Union doublet, her black hair cleaned and combed, tied back in a ponytail. She may have been nobility, but by the fact that she was able to recover so quickly from the dungeon and dress as a commoner, she seemed more a warrior than a lord, and the massive blade she carried sheathed over her shoulder only cemented that image in his mind. "How long have you been here?"

"Since dawn." Godric replied, rising from his seat to greet the samurai noble. He stifled a yawn as he looked her over. "You certainly seem well rested for a woman whose current comrades once threw her in a dungeon. Do you truly trust the Union this much?"

"If you're asking if I trust every member of this Union, then the answer is no." She replied, walking past Godric and towards the table on which the maps rested. "I would never put so much faith in as large a group as your Union is having just met them and having once fought against them. However, you and Magnus, the two of you I do trust. I can see that the two of you are wise men and strong ones as well. And from that wisdom and strength, I can see that your men trust you as well, and if this great a number of men and women can place their faith in you, then being under your protection puts me at ease." The kensei rested her blade against the table and turned to face the lawbringer once more. "Have you eaten today? You look like you have yet to leave this chamber."

Godric cocked an eyebrow at her and folded his arms. "My apologies, I could have sworn I was speaking to a mighty samurai warrior, not my mother."

"I do not need to be your mother to tell you to eat." Yuki said, folding her arms and staring Godric down with a faint smile. "How do you expect to defend the castle when you have not eaten? Without the strength to lift your halberd, I suspect you will be a much simpler foe to fight."

Godric let out a short chuckle. "I suppose you do have somewhat of a point." He begrudgingly admitted, walking back to the map table. "But nothing too extravagant. We do need to ration our food for the siege."

"That won't be an issue, I assure you." Yuki said, looking to the door. She made a quick command in Japanese, and before Godric could ask for a translation, three samurai soldiers entered the room, each one carrying a plate full of food, one carrying various fruits and a large jug of wine, one carrying a plate of roasted meat and carrying a pair of goblets, and the third samurai carried a plate of sliced fish and vegetables and a bowl of rice. "I hope you don't mind, but I asked my men to include some foods from my homeland." The kensei said, clearing just enough space for the food.

Godric pulled up an extra seat at the table as Yuki's men exited the room, leaving just the two leaders. The lawbringer was quick to help himself to the roasted meat, which he quickly discovered was mutton, something he was more than familiar with. The knight didn't realize just how hungry he had become until he had finished three pieces of the mutton and washed it down with a goblet full of wine. He let out a pleased sigh after the goblet left his lips. "I suppose you were right, some food did do me some good."

Yuki nodded in response, taking a piece of fish for herself and eating it with a small bit of rice. "I've met warriors like you before," She said. "You care a lot for the men and women under your command, but when they're in danger, you can sometimes forget about your own health." She explained. "I admire your dedication to your warriors, but you must remember to take care of yourself as well."

The lawbringer smiled at the kensei as he picked an apple off the plate of fruits. He shined it on his doublet before taking a bite, savouring the sweet flavour of the fruit's juices as he bit into it. Swallowing the fruit, he sighed in contentment. "This is something I needed right now, thank you." He said, giving the samurai a small smile of his own. "Now all I need is to come up with a strategy for the coming battle."

"Perhaps I could be of assistance there as well." Yuki said, pulling up one of the maps of Fort Sigrun. She placed the map on the table between the two warriors, moving the food to the side as she did. "We have the advantage with the fortress, but they have the numbers over us. I know you've considered this, and I assume you have some kind of idea of how to use this to our advantage."

"I do have one idea." He said, gesturing to the fort's wall. "We can have our archers fire from atop the wall, especially since your men include archers."

"Takumi is an expert archer," Yuki added. "He can lead yours."

"I've heard stories about samurai archery, I look forward to seeing it." Godric continued. "Then we have the gates. We know they can be battered down by a ram, after which there will be no way out for us. The advantage we have here is the mountain, it'll be hard for the Blackstones to got their ram up the mountain, and we can take stones from the mountain to barricade the gates. But will that be enough?" He muttered.

"I might have a suggestion." Yuki said, gesturing about twenty yards outside the walls of the fortress. "I've been searching through the fort's storage, and I found something that may help. There's a supply of oil used for lanterns in the storage room, and even if we use oil for days, there will still be enough to use the strategy I have in mind." She said, pointing to the location outside the fortress. "It would be quite easy to cover the entire width of the mountain path in oil, after which, a single flaming arrow could set the path alight."

"And take several Blackstones down in the process." Godric muttered. "If we time it right, we may even be able to burn their ram."

"Exactly." Yuki concluded. "You focused on the enemy coming from outside the walls, all I needed to do to help was show you what was inside the walls."

"I should thank you, Lady Yuki." The lawbringer said, turning to face the sword saint.

She merely looked back at him with one of the small smiles she had become so famous for in her time at the fortress. "I simply made a suggestion, you did the rest of the work. And please, while I am here, I am no lady. Simply call me Yuki."

"You were still of considerably aid, Yuki." Godric replied. "The company, the food, the oil suggestion." He leaned back in his chair slightly. "Normally the strategy is left up to me while Magnus keeps the men motivated."

"He does certainly have a talent for that." Yuki said as the sounds of combat floated up from the courtyard once again. It seemed like the troops were having a good spar and the crowd was really getting into it, with the cheers only getting louder and the sounds of steel against steel echoed through the fortress as warriors clashed. "He's managed to turn three factions of warriors into one unit with something as simple as a sparring session under the threat of looming invasion."

"It's a viking tradition. A good sparring session gets the blood flowing." Godric replied. "It's surprising how well it tends to work."

"Hmm…" Yuki said, listening to the sounds of combat from outside. "Perhaps you should join in. Anything to get the blood flowing after being here for so long."

"I am starting to get a stiff neck after looking at these maps for so long." Godric muttered. "It'll take some time to get my armour on, maybe I should meet you at the courtyard."

"Take your time, but I had better see you there." Yuki said, rising from her seat and collecting her sword. She didn't say another word as she left, merely giving Godric one more of her smiles.

The lawbringer could only return the smile as she exited the room. He stood up from the table and began to collect his armour from the corner of the room, summoning his squire to aid him.

Outside, the sparring matches continued, Takumi and Magnus watching as the shugoki and berserker clashed, the viking warrior deftly dodging the heavy strikes of the demon masked samurai's kanabo club, but seemed unable to land a solid hit, as the massive man would block his strikes before knocking him back with his club.

"Your warrior is impressive." Takumi commented as the berserker deftly swung both his axes at the shugoki. "But not impressive enough. The shugoki will take this battle." Just as the orochi predicted, the berseker's axes were parried off the shugoki's kanabo, the massive warrior following this with a strike to the viking's gut with the butt of his weapon.

"I wouldn't be too sure of that." Magnus replied. "Have you ever heard the riddle of what is stronger than steel? We vikings have an answer to that: blood, blood and fury. That is the berserker."

True to Magnus' word, the berserker threw his axes aside and grabbed hold of the kanabo. In shock, the shugoki was unable to respond as the berserker slammed his fist into his skull and knocked him back. His opponent dazed, the berserker threw the kanabo aside and leapt upon his opponent, throwing the massive man to the floor and choking him in the full mount.

"Enough!" Magnus called. "I think that's enough for this fight to be called."

Taking a breath, the Berserker got back to his feet and held a hand out to the Shugoki. The massive warrior looked at the outstretched hand, but brushed it aside, grumbling under his mask. The japanese giant pushed himself to his feet and stood his full height, looking down into the eyes of the berserker, the viking warrior glaring back with blazing eyes. The crowd held its breath, Magnus and Takumi both reaching for their blades instinctively. However, it would be deemed unnecessary as the shugoki placed a hand on the berserker's shoulder. "Too heavy." He said, gesturing to himself.

The berserker responded with a wicked grin. "Is that a challenge, you big bastard?"

"No." The large samurai replied, gesturing to himself. "Too heavy."

"Alright you two, settle this one later." Magnus said, stepping in between the two soldiers. "I think we can call this one." The crowd roared in cheers for the two warriors as the shugoki hoisted the berserker onto his shoulder, the viking warrior roaring in triumph, managing to make himself heard even over the noise of the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen of the Warborn Union and all allies we hold dear, I must say, I am proud to be standing with you in the coming battle!" Magnus shouted out, the crowd cheering him on. "When Godric and his troops were first found in Valkenheim after the Blackstones raided our lands, it was hard not to kill them for what they did to us," As the Warlord spoke, many of the knights in the audience looked uncomfortable, staring at the ground where they stood, and rightly so. They knew what they had done in the past, and knew that if they were any less fortunate, their heads could have been decorating pikes outside a viking stronghold for their crimes. They had killed many, and many of those had likely been allies or friends of the Warborn clan. "And I know that many of the samurai here have had a hard time trusting those who imprisoned them and who raided their lands." At these words, the vikings in the crowd became silent, knowing that while what they did needed to be done, to restore their spirits and granaries, many were lost on both sides of the Great Raid. "After all we have done, though, I can only say that as I look out over the crowd of people, no, warriors who stand before me now, all I can say is that I am proud to fight alongside all of you." The crowd began to murmur to themselves as the warlord spoke. "We've all fought against our enemies before, but how many of us can say we've fought next to a ferocious viking in the heat of battle as they toss their foes about like grass in the wind? How many can say they've had a steadfast knight stand next to them, armour mighty enough to deflect any blow? How few can say they've done battle alongside a lightning fast samurai soldier, their blades shining as they cut through any man foolish enough to fight them? Until now, I know few of you could say all three of those were true, but now, as we all stand side by side, our enemy approaching, we know how it feels to unite with ones we once called enemies." Soldiers in the crowd looked to one another, eyes meeting with those of the ones they did indeed call their enemies not long ago. There was no more time for hatred of one another, not when the enemy bore down on them so closely. "Godric said something to me yesterday, something that hit me where I live, in my warrior spirit. I don't know whether when we die whether we'll land in Valhalla, God's Heaven or the Hell of the Devil, but should we fall when the Blackstones arrive, then I'll gladly see each and every one of you who fall with me there. And should we get there, let's make sure there are a lot more of them than Union warriors in the afterlife! Let's show those monsters just what a united force can do!"

The crowd roared at Magnus' words as Takumi watched from the sidelines. The samurai was impressed with the warlord's words, and though he wasn't sure he believed they could win, with the sheer amount of adrenaline he'd gotten through the sparring matches in the courtyard and Magnus' sheer charisma, he felt ready to take on an army.

"You've all joined this army to fight against the Blackstone Legion," Magnus continued. "Viking tradition led me to host this little sparring session to get the blood pumping. So while we're here, how about we keep the viking traditions going? The fort's great hall has been prepared for a grand feast in honour of the coming battle! I invite each and every one of you to join me there as we enjoy what may be our last night in this world! If it's going to be the last night, then let's make it a great night, who's with me?"

The roar of the crowd echoed through the mountains as each and every warrior there felt their adrenaline surge. The vikings all knew just what a pre battle feast looked like, with the mead flowing and the meat cooking. The knights and samurai were more than happy to put their discipline aside for the night and enjoy what, as Magnus had said, might just be their last night alive. Takumi looked over the cheering crowd of warriors and smiled beneath his mask. The samurai found it hard to believe he had once held the vikings in such contempt, and even found it hard to remember the Great Raid. It was far from banished from his mind, but the looming threat of death by the Blackstone headsman combined with the adrenaline from combat had forced those thoughts to the back of his mind.

A clear voice rang out over the noise of the crowd. "Will the sparring ring be left open?"

Takumi, Magnus and the crowd around them turned to the source of the voice. The knight, Godric stood before them in his full armour, his massive halberd slung over his shoulder. The lawbringer was already a large man, but when dressed in his full suit of armour, he seemed massive in comparison to any other man. The halberd he carried helped even more in that regard, the giant polearm had a sturdy shaft, a massive cleaver like axe head and a sharpened spike atop it. It was the kind of weapon that made a man feel as though he could take on an entire army by himself. However, the knight was hardly on his own. Standing next to him, not as tall, but just as proud, was lady Yuki, dressed in her former red mask and kabuto, but having dressed herself in cloth of purple and black, the colours of the Warborn Union. Over her shoulder was her nodachi and, while it wasn't as large as Godric's halberd, the weapon had air to it all its own. It took considerable skill to wield, and not just anyone could do so. But a kensei could.

"For my brother in arms?" Magnus declared, stepping forward to greet Godric. "It's always open. Care for a spar with your old comrade?"

Godric shook his armoured head and clapped his brother in arms on the shoulder. "You, my brother should open up the feast for our warriors. After all, it's only right for the master of the house to start the celebration." He said as he gestured to Yuki. "And besides, I already promised my time to another."

The warlord grinned like a madman before clapping Godric on his armoured shoulder. "Then show her what one of you noble knight types can do, eh?" He said with a hearty laugh. "Anyone who wants to see these two square off is welcome to stick around a bit more. Anyone else, the orochi and I are headed to the great hall for a grand feast!"

Several cheers erupted at the warlord's words as he led the warriors into the fortress. Takumi stayed behind for a bit longer to speak to his lady, however, a look from her and a simple nod were all that were needed to tell him what he needed to know. She wanted to see just what this knight was made of, and wanted to test that herself. Takumi watched as Yuki and Godric took their places on opposite sides of the courtyard, the kensei raising her nodachi and the lawbringer holding his halberd across his body.

Takumi was tempted to watch the battle, but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. "Come on," Magnus said. "The troops are going to want to see you at the feast too. Gotta let them know the samurai are just as human as the rest of us."

Takumi fell into step behind Magnus as the sounds of battle began to fade behind him. He heard one last impact of Yuki's nodachi against Godric's Halberd before he and Magnus stepped through the fortress' gates and into its interior, the sounds of combat being lost amidst the sounds of people and the growing din of the beginning feast in the great hall.

"What did you mean by let them know we're human? Have you not seen us without armour?" The orochi asked, removing his helmet and allowing his black hair to be set free.

Magnus copied his actions, removing his own helm and shaking loose his lengthy brown locks. "It's not that, and believe me, I've seen for myself what kind of a man you are. That said, there are two ways to get to know a man. To face him in battle is one, and the other is to share a drink with him. You and I have faced off in battle, as have some of our men, but all they've seen of us is the side of us that is seen in battle. They know that in the heat of battle they can stand with you, but that's all they've seen so far. They need to know, especially in a situation like this one, that they're not just standing with warriors in battle, but they're shedding blood alongside family. The vikings fight in clans, we battle for our brothers and sisters in arms. We need our men now to feel that way towards one another, and the best way for them to do that, is to see you and I sharing drinks tonight."

Takumi frowned. "You would drink when battle approaches?"

"Aye, I would." Magnus replied. "And once we win over the Blackstones, we'll drink again."

"And if we don't win?" Takumi asked. "We're not exactly at an advantage in this battle."

"Then I'll be happy to share a drink with you in Valhalla." Magnus said as he led the orochi into the great hall.

Takumi could only look about the hall in wonder. The room was massive, capped with an arched ceiling and adorned with tapestries of viking mythology. At least, The samurai assumed it was viking mythology that depicted images of warriors doing battle with great wolves in icy backgrounds, or armies marching to war with one another, or the massive image of a great tree that adorned the largest tapestry in the hall. His eyes were drawn to several images, including that of a massive man, red hair billowing in the wind as he grabbed a massive snake by its tongue and held aloft a hammer as lightning struck it.

Magnus followed his gaze to the image and clapped him on the shoulder once again. "Looking at the image of Thor at Ragnarok, eh?"

"What?"

"I'll tell you what, there's a seat saved at my personal table at the head of the hall for you, boy. I'll tell you the full story." The warlord said, leading the awed samurai through the hall. The scents of mead and cooking meat were almost overpowering, and the sounds from the corner of the hall of a band playing their instruments was flowing over the room, lifting spirits and raising cheers from all.

Takumi looked at all of this, this chaos that the vikings seemed to revel in. Anyone who walked into the hall seemed to be drawn into it already. He looked amongst the crowd of revelers and was more than shocked to see his own samurai comrades joining in on the merry making. The air of desperation never seemed to leave the air as these men and women knew they would likely die, but at the moment, the satisfying fatigue of the sparring session combined with the pleasure that was the music, food and drink that the vikings had offered was somewhat taking that over. At least it seemed that way. Takumi had a strong suspicion it was as Magnus had said before, that this might be their last night in this world, and if it was… "I'm going to make this a good night."

"That's the spirit!" Magnus roared. "Let's get a few tankards up here! Let the mead flow!"

The great hall erupted in cheers, and even Takumi was inclined to join in as the hall roared in joy. Magnus was right, this was what made people human. Everything was here. The spirit of unity with those one would serve with, the sensation of a great meal accompanied with plentiful drinks to raise the spirits. He could feel his own spirit rising with those of the rest of the warriors, and in that moment, he was more than happy to let it rise, especially if it might leave his body any day now.

With that thought in his mind, the samurai more than happily accepted his tankard of mead, tossing the alcohol back and chasing it with a healthy portion of the sweet meats that were being brought around. While some might think this wasteful, Takumi knew otherwise. Meat would only last so long before it spoiled, making it next to worthless in a siege. The vikings seemed to know this as they served it in large quantities, along with anything else that would easily spoil. That thought hardly crossed his mind, however, as the orochi was far too busy enjoying his food and drink to think about the oncoming death that soon awaited him.

The alcohol dulling his senses, Takumi was still well aware of the story being told to him by Magnus. The samurai relished in the epic tale of the Thunder God Thor as he did battle with the serpent Jormungandr at the end of the world. The story stood out to him as the heroic figure of Thor fought the mighty snake, only for both to parish at Ragnarok, the end of the world. If that story related at all to the situation the Union faced, then he could only hope that they would take the Blackstone Legion forces with them when they fell.

With the flowing mead, stories and songs filling the great hall of Fort Sigrun, Takumi could easily believe that they could do just that.

"Alright, everyone, listen up!" Magnus roared over the crowd of guests, rising to his feet. The hall fell silent at his words, waiting to see just what the warlord would say. "This is something that needs to be said and needs to be heard, by all of you. I won't lie to you, the coming battle is going to be a tough one. The enemy has us outnumbered five to one and we have our backs to the wall. But, we have two advantages that they can only take over our dead bodies. The walls of Fort Sigrun are all but impenetrable, and only one army has ever managed to take it. There's a reason the Blackstones didn't even try before, and that reason is that if there's one thing they can't beat, it's viking warriors using their own engineering against them. The other," Magnus said, gesturing to the entire hall. "They hold the numbers over us, but that's all they have. We've got former Blackstones in our ranks, and with their strength," The knights in the hall looked up in pride of their choices with the Union. "The ferocity of the vikings," Several vikings raised their glasses and drank to their might as warriors. "And the wisdom of our new samurai allies," the samurai in the hall nodded in silence at the warlord's words. "We have a united spirit that they can never replicate, no matter how many of us they recruit. Apollyon can only imitate the united force we have today, and even then, she can't hold a candle to us!" Magnus declared, raising his mug of mead, a gesture followed by all those who shared the hall. Setting his mug back on the table, the warlord hauled Takumi to his feet next to him, the samurai bewildered at the gesture. "When the day broke this morning, this man and I could scarcely stand one another, but look at us now. You can only know a man if you battle with him and share a drink with him. Today, we've done both, and so have many of you. Today, I look among you and I see all of you, knights, vikings and samurai alike, all as one, united but unique. I look at you and can only feel pride. Whether we live or die, when this battle ends, it will go down in history!"

Takumi could only join in as the entire hall roared in response to Magnus' words. Combined, the adrenaline and camaraderie were raising his spirits and drowning out the knowledge of their likely deaths in a matter of days. There had always been the knowledge that he would likely die in battle, but that hardly put his mind at ease. But knowing that he would be in battle alongside not only his liege, but these new allies was beginning to do just that.

From across the hall, Yuki watched as Takumi gave his cry of triumph with pride. She knew Takumi was a hard man to impress, but somehow Magnus and his viking charm were enough to bring the once harsh samurai into his good graces. "Your friend is most impressive." She said, looking at Godric, the lawbringer having brought the two of them down to the great hall to partake in the feast. "He managed to bring all three of our factions together as one."

Godric nodded in agreement. "He's not just a friend, Yuki. After fighting so many battles with him, Magnus is closer to a brother than anything else. We've shed blood together too much for any other title to fit."

"And now you will shed that blood alongside my warriors." Yuki added. "Does that make us part of your union?"

"Should you decide to stay after the battle." Godric said.

"And not if I survive?" Yuki replied. "You didn't mention survival."

"Because I'm still not sure if we will." The lawbringer explained. "We have the high ground and the superior fortifications, but in a battle, those things only matter so much. But since you'll be standing with us on the field of battle and willingly fighting with us, I consider you a member of the Warborn Union by virtue of desperation in combat."

"What an honour." the kensei chuckled. She offered the knight a smile, one he gladly accepted, before calling over a server and offering him a drink. "To the Warborn Union." She said, raising her mug.

"And to its newest members." He replied, his own cup rising to meet hers.

As they ate and drank, the night continued on, the moon glowing in the frigid mountain sky as more and more members of the Union, new and old alike, retired from the hall to their own quarters. Soon enough, few remained in the hall aside from Magnus, Takumi and the remainder of their table. Magnus and Takumi were still enjoying the night, as were those who shared their table, their mead altered minds keeping them telling stories long into the night and with the tales growing ever more grand, none of them wanted to leave. Magnus gave a hearty laugh as a warden by the name of Wilhelm told of his encounter with a bear in the forests of Ashfeld, the knight almost dying right there as he had left his sword at camp when he left to take a walk in the woods. Calming himself, the warlord cast his tired and drunken eyes about the great hall, looking to see if his brother in arms was still present, however, it seemed that in all the confusion of the feast that Godric had taken his leave early. Magnus gave a quick chuckle to himself. Godric was a good brother to he and his men, putting the safety of the Warborn Union and its members above all else, even his own enjoyment. While the warlord appreciated everything the lawbringer did for them, it still didn't stop him from wanting the knight to be able to enjoy himself just once, especially on what might be his last night on earth. The viking warrior let out a heavy sigh and shook his head. That was just one more reason they needed to survive the coming battle. After the battle ended, Godric would be in need of a celebration for all he had done.

Takumi's mind was full of similar thoughts, though of a different individual. Lady Yuki had led their forces for more years than the orochi could remember in his current state, but to him, it seemed like she had always been at the head of their admittedly small band of warriors. Though they served under the rule of one of the many noble houses in the Dawn Empire, Yuki and her band had made somewhat of a name for themselves in the Myre. They had seen enough success, after all, that when warriors were assembled to seek retribution against the vikings after the Great Raid, they had been quickly selected. It was largely thanks to Yuki that they got this far though. The kensei was not only a mistress of the blade, but also a master strategist. They were always outnumbered in their battles, but the samurai somehow always managed to outwit their opponents, usually finding a way to separate them and then pick them off one at a time. Samurai were well known to be the smallest of the factions, but at the same time, they were also some of the most skilled, their desperation leading to them becoming that much stronger in order to keep up with the other two factions. Yuki took this a step farther with her strategies, always managing to make a numerically superior force divide itself and follow them into areas where their numbers were of little use, choke points, dense woods, near cliffs where archers could rain arrows down upon them. Each battle she fought in the Myre, she managed to eliminate all enemies. It wasn't until a surprise attack against them by the Warborn Union that they even suffered a defeat, but in the unfamiliar cold of Valkenheim, they were taken by surprise and unable to make a sufficient counterattack. They were surprised when the Union did all they could to take them alive, disarming them when they could and cutting them off from their return to camp to re-arm. Yuki stopped them from rushing to their deaths, however, and saved them from themselves. Takumi had doubted her at the time, but she must have trusted the Union to not put them to death. And seemingly, her trust was well placed.

Takumi looked about the hall for his liege, but it seemed she had left the feast already. It was likely she had decided to leave early for the night. While she was usually one to come up with the winning strategy in combat, often she would avoid any celebration. It seemed that the smell of freshly poured sake was enough to drive her off sometimes. He knew this wasn't completely true, as he had seen her enjoy at least one mug of mead before he became lost in the storytelling. It gave him just one more reason to want to survive this battle, to show Yuki some appreciation and allow her to enjoy one night of her life.

Takumi was pulled out of his thoughts and back to reality by a roaring laugh from Magnus as one of the vikings finished yet another story. The samurai wasn't even sure what the story had been about, but he would be lying if he didn't admit that the camaraderie and the mead were making him much more willing to laugh than he usually was. Though he had once judged the vikings as a bunch of cave dwelling barbarians, he could more than happily say that he was wrong.

The sounds and echoes of viking laughter carried out from the great hall and into the night air, though Godric lost the sound of them when he closed the door to his chambers some time ago. His armour now removed and placed on an armour stand, Godric sat at his desk in a black tunic with the image of the Warborn union emblazoned upon his left breast, the image of a pair of viking axes crossed over a knight's heater shield. It had been a symbol of unity for them, and likely the banner they would all die under in the coming days. It was Godric's job to ensure they lived, however, and that was why he sat at his desk that night, pouring over every detail of the proposed strategy and ensuring every detail would be correct. In his mind, he knew that they had done all they could to ensure their victory, but there was still part of him that insisted on reviewing the plans just one more time. He let out a heavy sigh as he ran his fingers through his locks of black hair.

"First I remind you to eat, do I now have to remind you to sleep?"

Godric looked up from his maps to see Yuki standing in his door, dressed in the same purple Union doublet she had worn when she visited his chambers earlier that very day. Her armour had been removed from the day's festivities, and her nodachi was nowhere in sight. "Perhaps." Godric replied. "Though perhaps I'm simply not tired."

"After such a day as today, strategizing, sparring and feasting, I doubt that." She said as she stepped into the room. Godric rose from his seat to meet her. "It will not do for a commander of your rank to fall asleep on the field of battle from lack of sleep, you really should rest."

The lawbringer sighed. "This is the largest battle I've ever been in command of, and my forces are at a disadvantage." He said, pacing a short distance in front of her. "I want us to live through the coming battle, but," He sighed heavily, coming to rest in front of her and looking down at his feet. "To say the odds are against us is an understatement."

"I know your feeling." Yuki said. Godric, intrigued, looked up into her eyes as she spoke. "When I led my samurai in battle, we were always among the smallest force on the battlefield. Any battle we fought in would see us outnumbered two to one at least. Strategy was all that could save us, and often, it was the only reason we survived." She placed a hand on the lawbringer's shoulder, though soon moved it to his cheek, running her thumb over his trimmed black beard. "You care for the men and women who fight with you, and with the plan we've made, we stand the best chance we can right now."

Godric sighed once again. The concern about the coming battle was still very much present in his mind, but at the same time, he knew Yuki was right. He could sense that she knew just as well as he did that they were outnumbered and against the wall, but he could also tell that she believed what she had said at the very least. The knight turned and walked over to his desk, opening one of the drawers on it and removing a glass bottle and a pair of glass cups. "I'm never going to lose my concern for my men, but as long as I have at least one night left to live, that means I don't need to keep saving this. Would you like to share it with me?"

There was little light in the room, the only sources being the bright full moon out the window and the two torches on the wall opposite the door. However, even in the dim light, Yuki could see the dark red contents of the bottle Godric held. The samurai noble smiled and stepped forward, taking one of the glasses from the knight and allowing him to place his own on the table. He opened the bottle and filled both glasses halfway before picking his up. "To you." Yuki said, raising her glass. "A leader who has earned his position among his soldiers."

"And to you." Godric responded, meeting her glass with his own. "A fellow leader who more than earned the respect of friend and foe."

The two drank of their glasses as one, the rich bitterness of red wine settling over them. The room was silent as they drank, the only sounds being the crackling of the torches as they bathed the room in a fiery orange glow. Neither warrior could meet the eyes of the other as they sat in silence and drank their wine. The air of desperation still hung in the air, both soldiers still knowing that the coming days would bring battle and siege, but at the same time, both felt somewhat comforted by the other's presence.

Yuki rose to her feet first, Godric soon mimicking the gesture. "I should return to my chambers." She said, unable to meet his eyes. She had faced down countless enemies on the field of battle, but now, of all moments, she was unable to meet the eyes of one knight. In the past, she had stared through the eyes of a knight's helm and into the windows to their souls, but now, even as the unarmoured lawbringer stood before her, she found herself unable to meet his gaze. "You promise me you'll get some sleep tonight." It wasn't a question.

Godric merely nodded, the large knight trying to look upon the samurai before him. "For you, of course." He replied without thinking. The long hours of strategy and sparring weighing down on his mind, making him unsure of what he had said other than an affirmative.

"Good." Yuki replied. She knew that she had said she was going to leave, but neither one seemed willing to move from where they stood now. So they stood, each one unable to meet the eyes of the other. Slowly, but surely, their gazes met, only for Yuki to once again turn away, clearing her throat and stepping away from the table.

With a deep breath, Godric reached out and took her by the hand. "Can you stay for longer?"

The samurai turned, taking Godric's hand in her own and turning to face him. Their faces held nearly the same expression, and each one recognized it in the eyes of the other. "I think I will." She said simply, taking another step closer.

"Thank you." He replied.

Neither spoke, both seemingly waiting for the other to move first, to tell the other just what they wanted through either words or actions. Deciding actions spoke louder than words, Yuki made the first move closing the distance between the two warriors and capturing Godric's lips with her own. The knight's arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her closer, as she did the same, draping her arms around the back of his neck. Even when they parted for air, no words were exchanged as they began feverishly pulling at the clasps on one another's clothing. As the light of the moon and the room's torches reflected off their bodies, what each one saw in the eyes of the other was brought all too clearly into light: desperation and longing.

Life was precious, and while both had spent much of their warrior careers ensuring the survival of those who served under them, neither one had taken much time to consider their own desires. Godric's life with the Blackstone Legion had been the life of a wolf, going with his pack into battle and tearing apart any who opposed his fellow wolves. With the Union, his life had transitioned from the position of pack member to pack alpha, all the other wolves knowing his place over them and putting the fate of the entire pack in his hands. Yuki was unable to change that, but as he looked over the bare form of the samurai woman, he knew from the words she had said, the look in her eyes and the form of her body he could tell that she was the same. She led her own pack as their alpha. She knew what it was like to lead and to constantly fret over lives lost. Now, just for this one moment in the face of imminent death, they could care for themselves for just this once.

In this mix of lust, desire and desperation, there was little room for love in either one's mind, and whether it was there or not was irrelevant to both. If this was to be their last night on earth, then they were determined to not waste it.

If they would die tomorrow, then they would say that they at least had given tonight to themselves.