Fruits of Many Lost

Ixander then prepared his troops in a formation in front of the palace as they are expected to depart the capital, returning to Livinia to know the situation that is amiss.

Ixander went to the hall for him to be received in an audience. The Queen is seen sitting at the hall, among the nobles of the realm. In there was the retinue of Generals, alongside Farkan, Gabgor and Harkab. They all genuflected before the majesty to await as to why the Queen has called the civil and military officials in the immediate vicinity.

"People of Carab. I, with my very intentions aligned, have taken my decision and have thought of such properly. Ever since the year eighteen-fifty-six, the year I ascended to the throne, marshal Farkan has lead the state of affairs and has been my faithful chancellor throughout the years" said the Queen.

"I do not intend to shoulder the responsibilities of a ruler anymore to the marshal, and I intend to take the reins to lead the Kingdom of Carab as a Khatana. I shall take on the name 'Tanya', and will be the first to take on the name. I shall be named Khatana Tanya the first" announced the queen.

She then picked the Kingdom's crown from the cushion it lay on, and put it atop her head. She removed her muslin veil and it revealed a dark, shining hair against the sun that refracted through the windows of the palace. She then wore the crown completely to her head. The Generals, following the tradition of crowning a monarch, raised their sabers in loyalty, but Ixander stayed genuflecting. He was then confused as to why they raised their sabers. Ixander then, not wanting to be out of place, raised his saber, not knowing it symbolizes loyalty to the crown of Carab.

The nobles and the Generals who raised their sabers were shocked when Ixander raised his saber. The queen however grinned.

"Ah, It's reassuring that the Livinian is to be loyal to the crown of Carab…" said the queen.

Ixander then was more confused. 'What? What does the saber raising mean?' Ixander thought. Then, everyone in the retinue facing the queen giggled, even the generals that are considered spiteful against Ixander laughed.

Farkan then disruptad by crying "GLORY TO THE QUEEN! GLORY TO CARAB!"

It was then followed by cheering from nobles as they raised their fist to the air in a happy cheering to praise the queen. Indeed, Khova be with Carab, and its new Queen.

After the entire ceremony, Ixander then went out of the hall to manage all his belongings from the assigned bureau and chamber that is for him. He is to pick those papers up before leaving to go to Livinia. However, he was stopped by the retinue of Generals who was spiteful of him.

Leading them, of course, was Harkab. In the beginning, Harkab was spiteful of Ixander, all with envy and annoyance as to why Khova has blessed him with such talents, and not anyone in the retinue of the Generals. Harkab, however, is not here to deliver his spite nor to renew his anger against him.

Harkab removed one of his gloves, reached his hand out to Ixander. In turn, Ixander looked at him and removed his right glove as well. Ixander then shook his hand, and Harkab shook it as well. They then stopped and took their hands away.

"You are a proven commandant, I shall concede to that truth" said Harkab.

"Assume, however, that I am not a perfect man. I have demonstrated such when I was jeering at you and your retinue's incompetence. Pardon me. I just said what is needed to be said" said Ixander.

"I should be saying the pardon. I spitted on you, judged you preemptively and did not give you an opportunity to prove your worth" said Harkab.

"Not to worry, we all have our flaws, just as I have mine" responded Ixander.

Ixander then left the premises of the retinue of Generals and went inside his chamber.

Harkab then spoke to his fellow generals, saying "We have to prove ourselves much more competent. If he can do everything without our command, then we are irrelevant. We must defend not only in accordance of our virtues, but for our nation."

Farkan was listening from behind, then he left. Farkan thought 'Ixander really did change everything. Thank you, Ixander.'

Meanwhile, inside Ixander's chamber. Ixander wrote to the queen, saying:

"To the dearest Khatan Tanya,

I am truly honored to be a part of the defense of your nation. However, I cannot simply give up my homeland, Livinia. I would like to swear fealty to protect you. However, I have my friends and companions back at Livinia.

Thank you very much for giving me a grand opportunity to provide service to her majesty. If time demands, and if Carab demands on its direst moments, then I will come back.

Signed,

Ixander, GQ. MsKK. Am Fortisfostram"

Ixander then wore his hat, asked an aide to give the letter to the queen. Ixander then rushed to his army of remaining three thousand men.

Ixander saw that a marching band is directly behind Ixander's army. Ixander then nodded at the marching band and began reviewing his troops. He walked through ranks of his soldiers who are in attention whilst being reviewed. He was accompanied at his left side by an officer with his saber unsheathed and pointed downwards.

The officer then saluted with his sabre at the end of the lines. The officer then expressed his gratitude to Ixander, "Midzhahiyeti haman-deranti, Oumanoglui Ikshandhar amlunuit."

Ixander just nodded, then he rode his horse. They then marched towards the gate, going outside marching towards the caravans that will be their transport back home. It was significantly smaller in number than when they arrived at Khatanabat. Two entire months, or the rest of the summer was spent by Ixander's men at the premises of this capital.

Ixander then looked back at the gates of Khatanabat, then he led his forces outside the gate. Meanwhile, a galloping horse rode through the lines and columns of troops, just stopping in front of Ixander. It trampled just as it stopped. The rider was no other than the queen, still in her morning satin and muslin clothing.

Her tanned skin, and dark hair reflected the hot summer sun that is about to end. She rode near Ixander, carrying what seemed to be a medal. She spoke nothing. She placed the medal of courage and valour, the highest medal to ever be given to an individual by a monarch of Carab.

"I…I am hono…" Ixander was supposed to say 'I am honored' but he was suddenly kissed on the lips by Queen Tanya.

The soldiers behind Ixander cheered, and whistled at what they saw. They all hugged, even the Carabians who were stationed. They were in the peak of their joy. The Queen then whispered "Make sure to come back, 'twas the best night with you…"

The Queen rode back, and Ixander was frozen at his position.

Truly, it was quite roudy. So, without interruptions, the entire army of Ixander of three thousand went back to Livinia without interruptions.

At last, Livinia! Ixander arrived at a place, where for more than two months in comparison to Carab, he was familiar with. Upon arrival at Nuem, the generals and officers had time to greet him back, but not Marmaligos and Mazimier, as they were too busy dealing with the situation and holding onto the repairs of the trenches. It was reported that a week ago, a cavalry squadron breached one of the lines, and an entire army of Albanese troops charged through a bridge in rapid advance, one part of the line almost broke, but it was a pyrrhic victory for the troops of Marmaligos on his right flank.

However, it was called a pyrrhic victory simply because in only a couple of days, Albanese troops will make a breakthrough if they have not repaired the positions. Albanese generals at the opposite bank of the Livinian River are aware of the situation, and this was all explained to Ixander.

Ixander then asked immediately: "How many days is the estimated attack?"

"Four days, sir, and the entire line of trench networks were met with continuous bombardments, we will not be able to repair the trenches…"

He then hurried to the positions near Alatsto and indeed, the officer wasn't lying. The trenches were deformed, the gabions were tattered and some of the artillery pieces were dislodged from their positions. In other words, if Ixander had not arrived to decide for the better or for worse, the defenses might be breached and Livinia is done for.

Meanwhile, a band of soldiers just by the side near the trenches and the fortification station sang. One of them strung the guitar in a tune that was again, familiar to where Ixander was. Then they sang:

"O Livinia I fight for you dearly

O Livinia, you give me strength

I'll be ready to shoot freely

Even when I tumble sickly

For I'll fight all through the length

For my mother, father, daughter

For my sons and my dear wife

Justice, freedom, for it I'll strike

Hardy men are we so alike

But I fight not for my life

O Livinia, my life is yours alone

O Livinia, let my loves live

I leave my destiny to you

As you've done your love for me too

O Livinia, I love you…"

Ixander's eyes watered with what he heard. He never knew until now how valorous and willing were his soldiers to fight. When he saw their faces devastated when they were retreating from Axan, he only noticed the fear as they thought there would be no hope. He did not know that his men were holding on to the hope that will bring them up, wherever they may end up.

"You men, who do you fight for if the King is gone?" asked Ixander.

"King? We will not fight for anyone sir. If the king is to be dead, someone will replace him" said one of the soldiers.

"But this," continued the soldier while standing, and pointing at the entire horizon "…this cannot be replaced…"

Ixander looked at his passion, and asked "What is your name?"

"Felix sir, I was one of the original men of yours, I fought with you during your first raid at the bandits in the forests of Axan…"