In the field

Kael slips out of the city unnoticed. Under cover of darkness, it’s a simple task, and soon he’s moving through the forest towards where the champions agreed to meet. The melancholy goodbyes with Evie replay in his head as he moves, and he can still feel the softness of her lips against his as they shared a farewell kiss.

Kael’s thoughts return to the present as he spots Orin and Koa in the shadows. He raises a hand in greeting as he approaches, and they nod in response. Much like him, they’re armed to the teeth, with multiple weapons to compliment their signature armaments. Orin has his ornate longsword at his hip, and is wearing relatively light armor, preferring to use his superhuman speed over heavy plate. Koa is precisely the opposite, practically covered in heavy armor that doesn’t slow the giant one iota. His massive warhammer rests in a harness on his back, within easy reach. A normal person would barely be able to lift it, but Koa can wield the immense weapon with ease.

Before Kael can say anything, Ria approaches as well. Cutting an impressive figure in her plate armor, lighter than Koa’s but no less protective, she nods in greeting as well. Her hands rest on her hips, just above where her favored twin axes are resting in their sheaths. The four of them take a moment in silence together, before wordlessly moving out, heading towards the location of the army encampment. Ria stops short, taking ahold of Kael’s wrist for a moment. When he turns to her, she gives him a quick kiss, and a small smile, before turning to follow the others.

It’s not long before they arrive, and head into the camp. General Gavras is easily found, in the command tent with his leading commanders. As the champions walk in, he stands, the relief plain on his face.

“You’re here. Good. I won’t waste time with details. Expect fighting to break out tomorrow.”

The four of them glance at each other. Ria speaks first. “So soon? Things have heated up quickly.”

The general sighs. “Very quickly. I received a message from Karlia just a few hours ago. They said if we did not make way and cede the city to them, they would attack. They claim that Foresthearth is Karlian territory by right.”

General Gavras shakes his head. “They give us until noon. You can guess what my response was.”

Orin grins. “Well, we didn’t get all dressed up for a party.”

The general nods. He leans over the map on the table, with the position of the army marked out. “I’d like the four of you on the left of the center. My heaviest infantry will follow your speartip, and try to **** a wedge through their lines. With any luck, you’ll cause enough chaos that we can roll up their right wing, and envelop the rest.”

Kael watches the general as he speaks. Armed and armored, the man is clearly ready for action at any moment. Despite the grey in his dark hair and the stubble on his face, he moves with the vitality of a much younger man. Only the tiredness in his eyes betrays the fact that he is clearly operating with a lack of sleep. Nevertheless, General Gavras is a respected figure, both for his tactical acumen, and his grasp of the flow of battle.

Koa looms over the map. “This is all fine on paper. What will happen when it comes to steel?”

The general chuckles. “If I knew that, I’d be a seer, not a soldier. No battle plan survives contact with the enemy. We’ll improvise, as always. You four are smart, you’ll handle it, I’m sure.”

Orin laughs. “Some of us are smart, anyway.”

Koa places a heavy hand on Orin’s shoulder. “Big words, little man. Back them up on the battlefield.”

Kael cuts in. “And what’s the plan if things go poorly?”

General Gavras shakes his head. “If it does, then that’s it. So don’t let that happen.”

The four of them nod, giving him a salute, which he returns. “Now, go rest. I want you all prepared for tomorrow.”