Chapter Sixty Four

Return of a Warrior

MELODY

The mid-afternoon sky was depressingly bleak. Absentmindedly looking seaward through the embrasures, Melody watched the dark, grey clouds rolling over the horizon, obscuring the sun somewhere above them. Snow was falling again as usual, though it was a light one unlike the blizzards she'd been through in the past few weeks. To think after all that'd happened, she was here in the relative comfort of Fort Steinfall. It'd been four days since she, Deirdre and Eleanor had returned from the Temple of Hoffensol and frankly, she still wasn't used to the fact that she was no longer out in the terrains, fending for herself against the harsh climate and the beasts that lurked about. Here in Fort Steinfall, she was safe. At least, for the time being anyway.

She'd spent the last couple of days mostly by herself. Sure, she'd spoken with Anna and Kristoff on a few separate occasions, but apart from that, she hadn't had much contact with anyone else - even Deirdre. She'd told herself and others that she just needed the time to recover and prepare herself for the battle that loomed large over the Coalition. The truth was, she just didn't feel like speaking with anyone at all.

Melody sat comfortably in her new quarters - the one she'd been sharing with Deirdre since the entire fortress was occupied by the entire Coalition and the League of Sorcerers, not to mention the Exonian prisoners of war. Deirdre was out at the moment, having said something about helping to make sure the sorcerers were ready for the coming onslaught. This battle with the Imperial Horde was going to be a major one, perhaps larger than anything the Coalition had ever faced before. Kane was coming against them with everything he had, with countless divisions of the Imperial Horde meant to crush them once and for all. After all they'd been through, it had all come down to this.

Her hands began trembling again at the stress of it all, and Melody sighed exasperatedly. She really ought to go see Holli. Anna and Deirdre had pleaded with her to do so, but deep down she knew that as good as Holli was, the young witch doctor wasn't going to be able to help. Her problem was psychological, while Holli's expertise revolved around healing physical injuries.

And then there was the matter of her pride. She didn't want anyone else to know that she was suffering from trauma. Everyone in the League as well as the Danish troops knew her as the fearless princess of Denmark and she didn't need word getting out that she had a problem.

"Seriously?" Maui clicked his tongue and peeked out the embrasures too. "I don't believe it."

"Don't believe what?" Melody asked.

He half chuckled and shook his head. "You're worrying about your pride when we're on the verge of a major battle with the Empire? Really?"

"We?"

"Oh, right," Maui scratched his bald head. "But that's not the point."

"I know." She exhaled and turned away from the embrasures. "You don't have to remind me."

"Looks like I do. You've forgotten what's important and what's not."

"Oh?" Melody folded her arms. "And I assume you remember. My conscience, that is."

"You really think the League or your people care that you're suffering from trauma?" Maui paused. "Wait. That didn't sound right. I meant do you really think the fact that you have a problem is gonna make you appear any less of a hero to the people down there? After all that you've done for them and all the times you've proven yourself to be a true Warrior, what do you have to lose? They love and respect you for who you are, not the baggage you carry."

"That…that was actually pretty good," Melody admitted after a moment's silence. "But I don't know."

"Don't be stupid. Anna, Deirdre and the rest, they care for you. They wouldn't want you to go through this alone."

"I've got you."

"You and I both know that's not really true." He gave her a rueful smile.

She blinked back tears. "No."

Maui put his heavy hand on her shoulder. "Talk to someone. Maybe Anna - no wait, she's probably busy making sure everything is in order for the siege. Maybe Deirdre - no wait, she's busy with the League." He shrugged his shoulders. "Just…talk to someone soon, alright? You're going to need your friends to support you."

A series of rapid knocks came at the door of her quarters.

"You better get that." Maui winked at her.

Rising from her seat, Melody crossed the small room hastily and opened the heavy door. A familiar ruddy face grinned at her.

"Oliver!" She said, unable to stop the smile spreading across her face. "What are you doing here?"

"Happy to see you too," he adjusted the sleeves of his dashing brown officer uniform. "Thought you'd be happy to see an old classmate from the Copenhagen High days," Oliver opened his arms and gave her a warm hug. "When Ivon and the rest of us heard you were back, we thought you'd come down to check in. Frankly I'm surprised you still haven't shown up yet."

"Sorry. Had a lot on my plate." Melody murmured.

"Clearly," Oliver glanced at her relatively empty quarters. "I see you've been busy."

"Sorry. Just…a lot on my mind."

"How're you doing? We haven't seen you since you left for that mission with the Warriors."

Melody looked away.

"Yeah…I recognise that look." Oliver said slowly. "You used to give that look whenever you didn't manage to hit all the targets during archery class. So what's going on with you?"

"It's a little more complicated than that. I…" Melody shook her head. "Now's not a great time. Maybe I'll tell you on the boat once we're out of this damn country."

"I'll hold you to that promise. Oh, and that reminds me," Oliver straightened. "I came to tell you the sentries on duty spotted ships in the distance."

Melody's spirits lifted. "The Agrabanian Highlanders?"

"Who else would be sailing across the ocean during winter to come pick up our sorry asses?" He chuckled at his own joke. "Think about all the booze they'll have on their ship?"

Melody couldn't help but smile again. "I'm pretty sure the Agrabanian don't drink. Last I heard it's against their culture."

"Damn it," he looked rather disappointed. "Anyway, the Field Marshal is giving orders to have the first wave ready to embark the moment the first ships dock."

"We're finally getting out of here," Elation suddenly overtook her. "I can't believe it."

"Believe it. I can't wait to get away from this damn country," Oliver shuddered dramatically. "Anyway, I should go help Ivon and the rest prepare for the evacuation."

"I'll walk you out."

To her bemusement, Oliver feigned confusion. "The great Princess Melody stepping out of her quarters? Is the war over?"

Melody chuckled and punched him lightly on the arm. "I'll drop by the Danish camp later. I've got someone I need to see first."

###

The atmosphere certainly felt different. Obviously word had travelled quickly, for the soldiers all seemed restless to leave and excited to finally be getting off the Empire's coast. As she walked down from the tower and out into the field where rows upon rows of tents had been pitched, Melody could see that the soldiers in the spirit of a mass exodus.

She noticed that the Vjormans and the first two divisions of the Molcorrans had already collapsed their tents and prepared their kits neatly, and surmised that they were the first wave to go. Which sort of made sense. The Vjormans had taken rather heavy losses and hits during the campaign and were in the worst shape. In a way, she was glad for August that he and his men would be safe on the ships soon.

The Molcorrans however, were in the first wave for a different reason. They weren't the best at artillery, which probably explained why Field Marshal Frederick didn't factor them heavily into the defensive measures. Besides, with limited room on the walls and in the towers, there was no way for every soldier in the Coalition to get involved, and so Frederick had probably assigned the best soldiers suited to defend Fort Steinfall to the last wave.

Melody knew she ought to find Anna after this to ask about the full plan. She'd been out of it for far too long, moping around and feeling sorry for herself. There was a determination inside her to do something useful again to atone. She wanted to be on the battlefield again, in spite of the fact that she was still suffering from trauma. Damn it. Does that make me messed up? She didn't know. All she knew was that she needed to feel like she was doing some good again.

She finally came to the site where the League of Sorcerers were camped. It seemed that they weren't preparing to leave just yet. Anna had told them days ago that they would be pivotal to the defense of Fort Steinfall. Their long range sorcery would help to keep the Imperial Horde at bay and the artillery from destroying the walls and towers for as long as it took for the Coalition to evacuate from the coast.

"Melody," Deirdre emerged from behind one of the tents. "Good to see you out again."

"I guess it's time to pull my head out of my ass," She said. "Where's Holli?"

Deirdre's mouth turned upward slightly and motioned eastward. "She's at the medical tent not far from here. Just four rows down, you'll find a large open sided tent with many sickbeds. You can't miss it."

"Thanks," Melody turned to go but stopped. "How's the preparations going?"

"The League's ready, though they're a little nervous. The fate of the Coalition's survival rests quite heavily on their shoulders," Deirdre sighed. "And you?"

"I don't know," Melody admitted. "But I know I have to join the battle. Trauma or not, I'm not going to sit this one out, not when I can finally do some good again in one of the only ways I know how."

Deirdre looked thoughtful, then nodded. "Take care of yourself."

"I will." Melody trudged off in the direction Deirdre had indicated. She found Holli exactly where Deirdre had said she would be.

A large medical tent stood in a small clearing, stacked with numerous cots full of soldiers with wounds or fevers. The entire tent stank of sickness and blood, not to mention the smell of flesh and vomit. Regimental surgeons were bustling about, bloodied gloves on their hands and shouting to one another for aid. And in the midst of all of it, the moans of the wounded. Feeling sick to the stomach, she almost wanted to turn round and leave, but she caught sight of a petite girl outside the tent, seated on a simple wooden stool with her head in her hands and her clothes stained with dried blood.

"Holli," Melody called out as she walked towards her.

The little witch doctor took her head out of her hands and looked up. She looked older and more weathered than she'd been a few weeks ago. "Melody!" She exclaimed, pushing aside any fatigue she'd just displayed a moment before. "I heard you were back. I'm so glad you're alright," She paused. "You are alright, aren't you?"

"That's actually why I came to see you," Melody sat down beside Holli on the snow, and the sorceress was prompted to put aside her stool to join her on the ground. "Something's…not right with me."

"Oh?" Holli frowned. "What's wrong?"

Melody lifted a hand for Holli to see. It was already shaking by itself and needed no coaxing on her part.

"Oh," Holli dragged out the word and cast her eyes down to the snow. "I'm sorry."

"You can't help me with this, can you?"

Holli shook her head. "Not permanently. I can only heal with physical wounds. Whatever you're experiencing, it's…psychological, in turn manifesting into physical symptoms. I can cast a spell that gives you temporary relief and restore your hands, but it'll only last as long as the next time you experience another psychological attack."

"I'll take it," Melody said quickly. "I'll take whatever you can give me. Just…I just need to feel normal again, even if it's only for a while."

"I'll help you, but you'll need to figure this thing out on your own." Holli said. "I'm guessing it's something that only started after Maui's death?" She raised her hands cautiously. "None of my business, I know."

"No, no. It's alright." Melody exhaled a long breath. It seemed that word had spread since her return. After all, it was hard to ignore the fact that they'd come back without Maui and the rest.

"If it's trauma you're dealing with, you're going to have to face it and find a way to make peace with yourself," Holli said. "I'm no expert at that sort of thing, but I know you'll find a way."

Melody nodded. "Thanks. Now about that temporary spell?"

"Okay," Holli reached out with clean gloves and beckoned for Melody to lean closer. With that, she placed both hands on the sides of Melody's head.

A warm sensation began to trickle through Melody's body, something she couldn't explain. But as Holli uttered some foreign words under her breath, she could feel her heart rate slowing and the anxiety in the back of her mind dissipating. It was as though a wave of calm had washed over her, destroying every sense of guilt, anger and desperation, giving her a clean slate to start over with.

"How do you feel?" Holli asked cautiously as she retracted her hands.

She looked down at her hands and clenched her fists. They felt steady again, with no trace of shakiness. Her breath was calm and there was a determination, a fire deep in the pit of her stomach. For the first time in a long time, she felt good.

"Alive," Melody said with a grin. "Thanks to you."

A loud trumpet blasted from one of the towers facing inland. The sound was taken up by more trumpets across the wall and the atmosphere palpably tensed. Soldiers stopped whatever they were doing and froze, the momentary silence being broken by frantic whispers which turned into shouts as men and women began scurrying to their positions.

"They're here," Holli turned pale and scrambled to her feet. "It's too soon!"

Fists unclenching by her side, Melody took off sprinting in search of Anna.

ANNA

The blasts of the trumpets reverberated from tower to tower, echoing throughout the entire fortress. Its meaning was chillingly unmistakable. Her jaw clenched as she rose to her feet, knowing that it had to come sooner or later.

"As we planned," she nodded at Field Marshal Frederick, who was standing by the embrasures with his hands behind his back.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Frederick ripped off a crisp salute, apparently unaffected by the knowledge that they were about to fight their fiercest battle yet. He turned to his messengers and calmly gave them their orders to deliver to the general staff. They in turn saluted and dashed off.

"We should get out there," Anna grabbed her winter coat and checked to make sure her sword and pistol was on her hip. She ignored the tiny feeling of nausea gnawing away at her stomach.

"With all due respect, Ma'am, His Royal Highness-"

"Not now, Frederick. I've already heard why my husband doesn't want me out there a hundred times." She stopped at the doorway. "You coming?"

Both she and Frederick debouched from the tower and onto the wall, where the Einsfeltai and Danish artillery teams were rushing to their respective batteries positioned all around the star fort. The artillerists shouted to one another, moving like well-oiled machines, having already prepared for this moment. The crates of blackpowder and wagons of ammunition were wheeled into place a good distance from the guns themselves.

Anna could see the scouts who'd signalled the tower sentries running as fast as they could through the snow, avoiding the palisades and booby traps that the Coalition had laid over the past few days. One could say that they were the unsung heroes who'd given the Coalition enough time to take up their defensive positions. If she was correct, the Imperial Horde would be coming out of the forest in mere minutes.

The sorcerers were beginning to stream up the stone stairwells to take their places in the gaps beside the artillerists on the walls. Deirdre was at the far end directing traffic, spreading out the sorcerers all along the walls to ensure the artillerists were well covered. Anna saw faces she recognised as well as many she didn't, a testament to how large the League had grown.

Thankfully, Kristoff wasn't on the walls as he was busy arranging the various waves of Coalition soldiers for evacuation. As worked out in advance with the rest of the Confederation, the moment the ships arrived, the first wave comprising of the Vjormans and two Molcorran divisions would embark. The second wave would comprise of the two Xerflorian divisions - their famous cavalry wasn't exactly going to be useful in this battle - and the third Molcorran division. The Einsfeltai, Danish, Northuldra and one Arendellian division came next, while the second Arendellian division, the Einsfeltai and Danish artillery and the League of Sorcerers would be the last to board. Those in the later waves had been strategically chosen by Frederick to defend Steinfall after he'd gone through the strength reports and decided which troops were the freshest and most intact out of the entire Coalition.

Anyway, it was a good thing Kristoff was down on the ground while Anna was up on the walls. She didn't exactly want to argue with him again, especially after the spat they'd had four days ago. The two of them still hadn't patched things up yet, and there was a bit of tension whenever they were around each other. Was this the way marriages worked? Were husbands and wives supposed to go through things like this? Anna didn't know. After all, their lives were anything but normal.

"Anna!"

She spun and was surprised to see Melody sprinting towards her. The girl hadn't surfaced for days, presumably having locked herself in her quarters to brood.

"What's the plan?" Melody came to a halt before her. Now that Anna got a closer look at her, the princess looked a lot better than she had since her return.

"We're on the last wave out of here, so we gotta shell the enemy with everything we've got and stall them till we can get everyone on the ships. The sorcerers will stop the enemy artillery from destroying the fort, but there's only so long they can keep it up. We will-" she trailed off as she noticed the compound bow in Melody's hand. "Haven't see that in a while," Anna met her eyes. "You sure you're up to this? You know, what with-"

"I'm good," Melody brandished her bow with confidence. "Just point me where the fight's going to be."