17. Fall as One

Near Crosshall

Soldiers hurried up and down making ready the army to leave. Hours passed like this and the group started to move to its new destination, to the north. Across the rampaging River Running and straight to the frozen gates of Winterskeep. Sometimes everyone has to step back and return stronger. That was their plan, to heal the wounds and to command a larger army by calling to arms the whole north.

As they continued their journey on the northern road, the common soldiers were in good mood they probably did not know about the current situation.

The sun stood perfectly in the middle of the sky and not even a single cloud blocked it's rays path. The daytimes were usually hot except if it rained and the nights were cold. The marching men started to sing about the victory of Scorpion Pass. John did not like that melody not mainly because it is proud but because it's lyrics were not about the casualties

that made people build hills from corpses. John was forced out from his thoughts by a similiar rumble.

The thundering steps of horses and charging men. John turned to the direction of his men and gave the order to pick up formation bit it was too late to come up with a plan.

The soldier from northern and riverlands hurried into the lines of defense, on the horizon everyone could see the enemy thundering towards the unprepared Meagir army.

John got off his horse and hit the animal's back to run away, he slowly walked to the center eyeing his enemy. He turned to his men, he saw Oliver, Tyris, Thomas Gard and Mexym standing in the first row ready for impact. He saw the faces of the trembling men who needs to be inspired and led to battle. He stood infront of them and shouted -I knew you all as men... until today because today we have to fight like beasts with bloodlust- the crowd started get back its barvery -Because if do not let out your inner monster then they win tge people who do not need release their inner beast because they are already monsters- he continued and the fear started to turn into enthusiasm and bravery -If I have to die today will look into the eyes of death because I now I fight by the side of the most honorable and good people in this world- he raised his hand to the air and shouted his loung out -Fall as one and rise as one!!!-.

The whole army started to go crazy, everyone roared even Tyris.

As the enemy started to close on the Meagir group, John slowly drawn his sword knowing that is the necessary inner beast he has to set free from it's cage. The army repeated his last words "Fall as one and Rise as one"

as the two armies closep up on each other. The best warriors of the west crushed with the bravest if the continent. Steel crackled, shields shattered and death ruled on the lands of the brawl.

John fought on the battlefield like he knew no line, and limit so did the othr inspired from John's speech.

John looked around he never wanted to experience the chaos of the battlefield again especially when his friends and people who he cared about. A fast thought entered into his mind: his friends. He instantly started

looking for Mexym and Oliver in the storm of the battle but he did not have more time to brood and think about these things because he find himself sorrunded with enemies, he gripped his sword stronger eyeing his attackers but before he could start personal combat a similiar man stepped into the ring of enemies... the Emperor in the West Ethan Everheart.

He did not say anything, he just stared

at hime scanning for an opening

Ethan was the one who broke the silence between them.

-You are looking for chances to kill me right?- he smirked -And you call me a monster?- ha asked drawing his weapon. John was still in silence concentrating on the fight.

They started cricle, trying to create an opening in each other's defence.

But neitger of them attacked the other

-You are wise as ever, you know the first attack is always a mistake- Ethan said while ge got himself ready for attack he taised his sword to attack

-But you know you have commit some mistakes to get forward- he said while swinging his blade John easily blocked it and turned his weapon to counter attack but Ethan was ready for it and hit John's weapon out of his hand. Ethan did not hesitate and delt a blow to his leg, John fell to his knees with a scream.

-You are not ready to die are you?- Ethan asked but he did not wait for an answer -There is a burning question inside your frozen northern heart- but again Ethan knew the answer

-I have to say it for you or you are going to do it- he leaned closer to him

John raised his eyes to Ethan -Who murdered my sister?- he spit it out

-You are going to get the answer soon- he swang his left hand and hit John to tge ground -Get him to the deepest prison cell of Goldencastle- Ethan have the command.

Two soldiers stepped next to the unconscious John and tied him to a horse.

The fight continued as the Meagir side tried to regroup. Tyris tried to find her brother in the battlefield, she totally freaked out, she lost the contact with Mexym, Oliver amd John. She kept shouting their names but the enemy sorounded them weapons drawn. She tried to defend herself from her attackers but they were faster and knocked her blades out of his hand but before the western could have delt the killing blow a huge roar interrupted the battle the fighting soldiers looked up to the sky but the rays of sun filled the sky and two large wings were visible closing up to the battlefield.

-DRAGON!- a western knight shouted to his comrades and the ranks of the west scattered into groups as the gracefuly flying dragon landed in front of Tyris who was quite shocked at the moment. -Tyranea- she whispered with hapiness in her voice dispite the battle. She raised her hand and touched. Moments later she was up in sky.

Mexym fought his way to the harponman soldiers led by Oliver.

They were exhausted by the continous combat. -We cannot hold our position Mexym! They are like a never ending ocean- Oliver shouted to

Mexym. -Just keep it up for a little bit more- he shouted back but it was not easy. The enemy never stopped coming. Despite the numbers they pushed back the western knights.

About a hundred hostile archers pulled tgeir bows aiming at Mexym and the friendly regiment behind him

As he heard the arrows whistle he closed his eyes ready to die... but at the time of the supposed impact... nothing happened. Nobody died because of those arrows.

He slowly opened his eyes and instantly spotted Merxes standing before him. He whispered his dragon's name than touched Merxes' head and he jumped up to the sky.

The Meagir sibling circled up in the air over the heads of the western who jad pire shock and fear in their voice.

Moments later flames covered up the battlefield and the burning soldier's cries filled the air like a chorus.

Thanks to the dragonfire the Meagir troops could retreat in safe conditions, and again the victory slipped out right in front of the noses of the Everheart army. That meant the Meagirs can survive and fight another day...