The dreaded week is fast approaching. Now, today is the day where we are about to face the chaos. We have been doubling, tripling our efforts just to match their forces with our defence and strength. I have been on par with Fergus as we trained side by side using different kinds of weapons. From the traditional long sword up to the bows and arrows, as well as spears.
It has also been a few days since I went to my father's room. And up until now, I still haven't figured a thing or even just a little clue as to why my father wrote a letter to my mother, asking for her forgiveness even if she is no longer in this world. It cannot be deemed as something like redemption because the letter is just a full display of begging for pardon.
"Kindly prepare everything in an orderly manner. We might be in a total haste during emergencies so it's better if it is properly ordered to avoid any marked up confusion later on," I calmly ordered a maidservant as I was busy preparing the weaponry. As soon as the maidservant went out to act on my orders, Fergus entered the room where I was arranging the weapons.
"Are you ready? You have been giving your best and putting too much effort in this," Fergus probed as he took a sword from the table. Removed its scabbard and slashed it forwards trying to whip out its strength and sharpness as the sword cut off the wind.
I sighed and looked at him directly. "Dear Fergus, I am not, and will never be ready for a battle, lest a war. Bloodshed, violence, swords, and wars were never my thing. Yet, we are left with no choice now. We only have two options. To win the battle, or lose it completely. To survive, or to perish. Now, the choice is ours to make. It is up to us on what path we will take. It is either we choose to live and see the sunlight of the tomorrow, or choose to close our eyes and succumb into the darkness. All we have now is to choose between the options. We'll go with the former, or deal with the latter."
I smiled at him weakly as I made my point. "I hope it is clear to you now. I can prepare for everything except for this. I cannot bargain with the lives of the many just to satisfy and save a few." I nodded at him, picked up the stack of swords that had been arranged and left the weapon room. Leaving Fergus standing there, contemplating on what I have said.
With a slumped back I looked down while walking. I am trying to give a brave facade. I am trying to be strong. To stand firm in this time of crisis. I am trying to be the shelter, the strongest wall, and the pillar of strength for my people. For Duncan, for highlands, and for Scotland.
I went to the field where our forces are arranging themselves in several rows ranging from the front defence up to the last row of back up. Fortunately, some forces from other kingdoms have arrived on time and are currently here with us. As per additional backups and resources, they are still on the way and hopefully, they can give us a hand in the middle of the battle.
When I heard that the additional forces had arrived, I was given a chance. I gleamed of hope and started to see the rays of sunlight. It is like the grey clouds have finally left and only the clear blue skies can be seen. A new wave of courage surged within me. I thought to myself, we can do this. We already have equalled their forces and we have twice the burning passion as them.
The soldiers greeted me when they saw me watching from a few feet away from them. The three generals also looked at me when they heard the soldiers' greetings and walked towards me. I lifted both of my arms and showed them the swords in my hand. They took it away and distributed it evenly to everyone there.
I heaved a deep breath and gave them a stiff yet genuine smile. "Before heading towards the expected yet dreaded place, I just want to sincerely give my appreciation and gratitude to all of you. We have been living in fear these past few days and I know all of us have been hard on ourselves. Now, we finally reached the day where we have to make sacrifices and risk our lives. Accept my bow as a form of deep gratitude. I could never say enough kind and fancy words to appease all of you but thank you for the unwavering service."
All of them also gave me a bow and a bright smile. I thanked them again and left them for final preparation before going to the facility. We are not going to bring anything nor have to move things and switch places because the border that we are talking about is near Duncan. Well, not exactly near because the border is in between south and southeast of Scotland. Nevertheless, we have contacted several cavaliers and that they will provide transportation for the medicine and food to go back and forth from the facility to the base camp near the borders. It is of utmost importance to keep them stored in a place a bit distant from the exact warzone to avoid being damaged or being attacked by the enemy.
I checked the facility. Nana greeted me and talked to me for a while before leaving as she was the one that I assigned to be incharge of taking care of everything that we needed to bring. I already instructed them and arranged the herbs and did everything as I could to help them prepare. Now they are mounting it slowly on some chariots to be brought to the base camp. A dike was made days ago for a hideout and luckily for us, a bunker is near there so we could definitely provide shelter for the wounded and we could move some herbs and first aid there.
"I will head first as I will go check the King and the Queen, please facilitate and take over here," I told Nana in which she gladly agreed. I also gave everyone there a word of thanks and appreciation as well as some encouragement. They later gave me a smile and assured me that they will also do their very best for Scotland.
I reached the Duncan manor in no time and went straight to the chamber where the King and Queen reside. I knocked on the door as lightly as I could and heard a muffled voice telling me to come in. I saw the King wearing his best suit and an armour around him. With a scabbard already on his right waist while he is holding his bright sword in full glory.
"My dear, are you nervous about the upcoming war?" The gentle voice of the Queen rang in my ears. She pulled me towards her and guided me towards their bed. She made me sit there as she undid my hair slowly, I guess to tie it in a completely different style so it won't get in the way.
The King looked at me, his eyes telling me that he was also asking me the same question the Queen had asked. I lifted one side of my lips to a small but sad smile and nodded a little. "This is no blitzkrieg. We have been expecting this war and agreed to a specific time and place yet I don't think I'll be at ease with all of this."
The Queen held my shoulders giving me assurance. I touched her fists that are resting on my shoulders and continued, "We are going to risk numerous lives here. Destroy them and save ourselves. I know this is pretty normal most of the time but I cannot fathom the thought of a human taking another life of the same species as him. A life for life, a death for death, it is never really a concept for me to take one in exchange for what was taken first. Who knows what might happen in the future. It feels like I'm sitting on a chair, watching a coin in the table spinning. Anticipating whether it will fall on tails, or fall on heads."
"I understand what you are trying to say, Victoria. When I was first crowned king, I knew what lies ahead. How much blood I will see and how much lives will be taken away from me. Yet, I stood firm on my ground. I never once faltered by the raging storm. Just like a tree in the middle of the raging winds and seas, I may have bent, but never uprooted. I know you are strong, you just have to hold your ground and never let go of it. No matter what happens, it is always an unsaid rule after war that survivors should always move forward."
The Queen finished styling my hair and stood beside the King. "Victoria, I trust your uncle. He will always keep you safe no matter what. You are his only niece. I also agree with him, you have been the strength of Dhncan ever since your mother left us. You served as the light and the walls. The flame that keeps on burning to provide warmth to those who surround it. Believe in yourself."
I smiled at her. As I was about to say something, the King interrupted me. "The Queen is right, now go ahead, Victoria. Prepare and wear your best armour. We will be heading to the borders with the knights immediately after the thirteenth hour. Might as well be earlier than them, than receive a surprise attack when they get there ahead of us."
I immediately followed the order and went to the room. There I saw Fergus, also getting dressed. In full body armour with a scabbard and a shield. A knight, indeed. I greeted him and also got dressed. Similar to Fergus, I also wore a full body armour, only that our sword is a little different. My sword has a gem in the holder. And my name is on it, written in my mom's handwriting. I remember receiving this gift from her when I was eight. Saying that someday— one knows what the future holds —but she wants me to use this when the time comes.
I am now loaded on Storm. She, as well, wears an armour in her face. She neighed loudly as I pulled her rope to hush her. We are now in front of the enormous gate of the Duncan Manor. With the King and Queen on the very front. Fergus and I are beside each other on the left side of the king, a few steps back from them, then two other high royals on the right side of the Queen. The whole forces are on our back, also in their horses. The clashing of their metal armour and the swords they hold signifies that they are ready to head towards the battle.
The children and pregnant women are left here being heavily guarded. We have a secret base in the manor in which they used as a shelter now. No one knows it, but still I kept some guards and servants here to keep them safe. As per the other women, all of them are already in the bunker at the border. Two of the servants are also in the gate, waiting for the King's signal to open it.
When that gate opens, it will be now or never. A do or die. I let out a deep breath when the gate slowly opened. With the command and the lead of the King, we hit our horses and ran at the same fast pace. We are now entering the war. Heading towards the border.