William’s shadow cast down the hill from where he stood, overlooking the valley. The darkness grew across from him as the sun was beginning to set and he heard the distant rumble of the Ardentorian army adjusting their formations. The drums and chanting from across the valley were deafening as William’s knuckles were white with tension from the grip on hilt of his sword. He adjusted shield, as he awaited the carnage to come.

Suddenly, everything grew silent except for his own breath. Fiery streaks shot up from the horizon and across the sky like shooting stars. William’s eyes widened watching the flaming arrows leave a crimson glow behind them, waiting for their descent. The flames began to flicker and dance as the arrows began to fall towards William’s lines.

“Shields!”

The command echoed through the line and William gaged the drop of the arrows to best tuck himself behind his shield. He felt the sharp strike of an arrow embed itself into his shield and he braced waiting for the fiery rain to end.

“The god of war smiles upon us!”

Gregor, William’s companion, broke free from the cover of his shield, welcoming the chaos to come. He was much less cautious than William and almost half a man taller. Gregor was built as tall and as strong as the god trees themselves. His courage was intoxicating as others began to follow his lead but not all we blessed by the gods. One poor bastard was struck through his eye. As the arrows diminished, William lowered his shield to see the small fires spread across the battlefield with some fires grew marking the unlucky who did not make ready.

The sound of thunder grew closer as the feet of countless men in the darkness came to break the lines.

“Shields!”

The line made ready as Gregor tossed his shield to pick up a second axe to match the one in his other hand. He let out a defening war cry. The once serene landscape is now transformed into a battleground, a place where heroes are born and legends are forged. William knows his must stand tall and hold the shield wall.

The crash of steel and wood collide and the line is pushed as it absorbs the blow. Willams feet slid up the hill and as the pressure released he opens his shield and thrust his sword through the throat of the unlucky attacker. William pulled his sword back and his shield up as an axe cracked into the edge of his shield. The Ardentorians were advancing Gregor let out a roar!

“Heave you heathens, you want to meet your peace?!?!”

The slope of the hill was on their side. William pushed with his shoulder deep into his shield. The line gave a push that knock the enemy farther down the hill, causing some to clumsily fall on their own feet. The line trampled over them casually striking their lives away as they advanced.

“Charge!”

The command was given. The line broke. Gregor broke through men like a ship through the waves of the Darrlick Sea. William’s eye narrowed as he chose his target. He brought is sword down and through his enemies shoulder. Before he could ready himself, a sword skipped off his shield and struck his thigh. William fell onto his back and his enemy towered above him with his sword held high. Willam’s hand patted the empty ground searching for a weapon. His heart was pounding and a cold sweat dripped down his face as he prepared to greet the gods.

With a crash, Gregor tackled the soldier folding him to the ground. Gregor quickly grabbed William’s shield. He gripped it on both sides, brining it down on his foe’s helmet over and over. The helm caved inward as the gurgling stopped, Gregor reached out his hand.

“There’s more work to be done, and it’s not down there.”

As William rose, he knew today he knew this battle was one songs would be made, heroes would be remembered, and it would be the first day to the end of a tyrant’s reign.