12. Prepare for War

Chapter Twelve: JJ

 

 

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Her words rang through my head. War? The Dark Ones have already hit? Over the next few weeks Raven and I practiced endlessly. Every morning, afternoon, and evening, every single day we trained with Maikin. Raven was going to be Commander and Chief with Maikin by his side with every soldier we have. All of our allies were going to join us. Even some nonallies were going to fight with us. Knowing that it could have been them who were attacked.

Raven and I barely had time to talk. It was all battle preparations. This battle was going to be soon. Maybe a month or two? The Dark Ones clearly wanted to kill each and every one of us. I kinda wanted to see what they were going to look like. Would they look like the cloaked figures we had seen? 

I sat on the palace steps outside. The night breeze felt nice. There were soldiers at every door and window. Raven joined me. It was the first down time we had since the announcement came. We talked for awhile. It was great. But then he brought up the battle. 

" Do you think we'll win?" He asks nervously 

I nod. " I believe we will." I reply with confidence " We have thousands of soldiers from alliances alone. Then all of our soldiers. How could we not win?" 

Raven sighs. " But we don't know how many THEY have." 

I put my arm around Raven's waist. " Don't worry. Just put it out of your mind for now." I told him 

He smiled a little and I kissed him. 

We would win. I just know we will. 

********

  They next morning was full of training again. Eventually Maikin told us there was nothing more he could teach us, and to continue practicing. When I looked at Maikin I would guess he was around 20? He looked really young. 

When we took a break I thought about Kingston. How was my sister doing? Were people still searching for us after three months? What about Ravens parents? Were they worried about him? They never seemed to care, but c'mon, who wouldn't worry about their kid going missing? 

I laid back onto the grassy field. Out in the distance there were four guards. Making sure I was safe. I fell asleep for awhile, and when I awoke It was dusk. I turned on my side and saw Raven's sleeping face beside me. 

How long had he been there? The guards were still there. Stiff as boards. I didn't know how they could like a job of standing for hours and hours without moving. 

" Oh your awake." I say as Raven sits up

" I came out here to find you but you were asleep, next thing I know I am too." Raven reply with a laugh

We walk back to the palace and Ravens mother calls us to dinner for a discussion about the battle. We talked about our plans for attack and were each flank would be. We planned to surround the Dark Ones, lead them into a bowl surrounded by mountains and hide half our ranks in the mountains so they are caught off guard and thing we have barely any soldiers.

Hiding archers up on the tops of near mountains would be smart to. Lighting half the archers arrows with fire to burn down the Dark Ones infantry. After dinner we met Elessar, the archery leader, Daman the infantry leader, and the rest of the leading soldiers of each unit. 

We told them our plan for each unit and they all agreed. Daman the infantry leader was a little tough and odd. He kept a hawks eye on Raven for the next few days. I approached him one day. 

" Daman, why are you constantly following Raven?" I ask a little harshly 

He looks down at me. Damn, he was tall and built! 

" Just checking to see what kinda person we're supposed to follow. I personally don't see what is so special about him. Look at him, he's small and frail looking. 

" He is not frail. He is actually quite strong." 

Daman shrugs and walks away from me. Geez, what's wrong with this guy? 

In the afternoon we got a report that the Dark Ones would be here in a few days. Our allies arrived that evening. The plan spread around to each ally. They all thought the plan was really great. 

The following morning every soldier was getting ready to leave. Each unit went in different ways to surround the Dark Ones. It would take about two days to get to the bowl. and three days to set up our defense lines. The Dark Ones would be there in six days so we had one extra day incase something went wrong. 

Raven mounted a white horse and I on a black one. We rod side by side. Maikin and the other unit leaders were behind us leading their units around the mountains.

We took an hours break after twenty-four hours then continued for another twenty-four hours. We had to switch off to diffrent horses twice. When we got the the battle field we began our line setup. We got the signal that each unit was where they were supposed to be. 

My stomach went into knots that night. Raven and I slept in the same tent. I could tell he was nervous to, by the way he acted. 

" Raven," I pulled him into my arms. " Don't worry. It'll be okay. Just calm down." I told him

He could feel his tensed body relax in my arms. I loosened my arms around him and kissed him. I didn't know if this was a good idea before a battle so I left it at the one kiss. Raven fell asleep in my arms. I didn't move him so I laid down beside him and fell asleep. 

In the morning, we would be in the midst of war. It was so unreal. But so real all at the same time. I dreamed of Raven that night. Of our old life. I admit, this life is much more exciting. We both like it. I could stay here forever, but I knew we would have to leave after the war. Maybe come back after going home for awhile. I realized prom was in a few weeks. Whatever. I need to focus on tomorrow. The battle with the Dark Ones.