by Dane Bagley
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Despite the battle armor, Terrence’s troops moved at a quick pace. King Darron Drake felt satisfied with their strength and endurance. The edge of the dark forest was just in view. Terrence held up his hand and the men stopped. Dusk was just beginning to settle.
“My king, a night’s rest here would be ideal. The men will be rested and strong. If we start before sunrise, we will enter the dark forest at dawn and will be at them with our strength and their weakness.”
“And if they should see us? If the beast leaves its snare and comes this way, we will be unprotected.”
“Yes,” said Terrence, “then it is good that we’re still marching strong because the battle will be tonight. The dark forest doesn’t truly provide much protection. Our protection is our armor, or strength, and our steel. I’d prefer to fight in the day, but we will fight with our fury at night if they come to us.”
“Good,” said the king.
As night fell, Terrence watched the men. They turned and looked when they heard a distant howl. Terrence gave them eye contact when they showed fear. Slowly he calmed his men and slowly they drifted to sleep. He heard the howls increase as the night went on. The wolves knew that the men were at their doorstep. The wolves were assembling. The mornings battle would be fierce and that was just the wolves. Terrence knew not how they would conquer the dragon.
In the predawn hours Terrence woke the troops. He’d slept just enough that he felt strong. The men awoke with both an excitement and a foreboding. They nervously and excitedly grabbed their shields, and their swords, and completed their armor.
“I’ve survived two winters in the dark forest and I’ve killed many a wolf. They are deadly and fierce, but so are we. Today is not a battle, but rather a fight to the finish. If we do not prevail, there will be no home to return to. Our wives and our children depend upon us, as do all the inhabitants of this land. Fight for your life. Fight for each other. Fight for your king. Fight for your liberty. Fight for Agedon!”
Cheers erupted and King Drake nodded. Terrence placed his helmet on and so did all the men. Terrence began the march with his King flanking him on his right and Jack flanking him on his left. Terrence and his men were ready. More than ready.