I notched an arrow in my bow, fingers loose around the bowstring as I waited for the enemy to draw nearer. Beside me, Davin fumbled with his quiver, dropping two before securing a trembling arrow against his bowstring. His eyes darted to me. “How are you so calm?” The thundering of hooves, even at this distance, almost engulfed his words. I flashed him a fierce grin. “Don’t you feel it?” He looked at me quizzically. I wasn’t sure I could explain the thrumming of my heart, the sureness of my grip, or the fire racing through my blood. This. This had been the moment we had trained for. The moments we sat around the fires pondering, wondering if death or glory would lie in wait for us. Finally, it had arrived in furious, thrilling splendor. I could not bring myself to be anything but enamored with the promise of battle that raced to greet us. “The enemy comes regardless, my friend,” I said. Turning my eyes back to the fearsome shapes charging toward us, I raised my bow, sighting down the shaft at a rider outpacing the rest. “Ready your bow. They are almost in range.” Davin’s tongue flicked out, wetting chapped lips as he shakily raised his bow. I heard him muttering prayers to the gods, wondering if they bothered to listen anymore. Why would they care the fate of the battle? Offerings had already been made to honor them. They had gotten what they required of the faithful. Pulling my bowstring back, my breath filling my lungs as I watched my target draw nearer. Sun glinted off the arrow tip as I slowly exhaled, releasing my bowstring. The arrow sped off, a thin line against a gray sky. Around me, the twang of other bowstrings sounded, a flock of arrows rushing to meet mine. I didn’t spare a moment to see if my arrow found its mark. I knew it would, but that rider was but one in a tide of others eager to plunge their blades into our chests. Pulling three arrows from my quiver, I clutched one between my teeth, firing the other two in quick succession. The sound of bowstrings was swallowed by the battle cries and orders being roared around me. Captains paced the walkway behind us, hands resting on the pommels of their swords, itching to pull the blades. “Davin!” I shouted as I spat the third into my awaiting fingers, firing and drawing three more. “Loose your arrows!” Davin had frozen, the fletching of his arrow flat against his cheek. I loosed four more shots, nearly emptying my quiver, but he had yet to let loose his first. Growling, I yanked the arrow from his bow, pulling the rest from his quiver before shoving him below the low wall. I moved to cover both our spaces, loosing arrows in a fury of movement as a squire slunk behind, refilling both quivers. The barbarians were nearly upon us. I could see ever shot land at this distance, and my aim continued to drop from the horizon to the stretch of land before the stronghold. “Stay the bows! Ready the horses! Pole arms ready!” A captain shouted behind me. I loosed my final arrow, watching it fell a mountain of a man wielding a fearsome axe from the back of his shaggy steed. I reached down, grabbing Davin by his tunic. I hauled him up, thrusting our quivers and my bow into his hands. “Take this and barricade yourself in the barracks. Stay out of the way. I’ll find you after.” Davin nodded furiously, clutching the empty quivers and bow. His feet scrambled on the walkway as he flung himself down the steps. I watched him race toward the barracks. “Aldith! Find your horse and ready yourself with first wave!” “Aye!” My feet flew down the steps, racing toward the stables as Tawyn brought out Thran, my warhorse. The dark-gray gelding stamped his hooves, anticipation radiating from his sleek coat. I swung into the saddle, slinging my shield across my back, reins in one hand while I drew my sword with the other. “First wave! At the gates!” I leaned down and whispered in Thran’s ear, “Ready, boy?” He blew out an eager gust of wind, nodding his big head. I smiled, taking my helm from Tawyn. “Gods bless, Aldith.” My smile faltered, but I nodded cutely, donning the helm and guiding Thran to the gates. As they readied to open the gates, I glanced around. Many whispered to talismans, eyes closed in quick prayer. I turned my focus ahead. It wasn’t that I didn’t believe in the gods. I knew personally that they existed. I also knew they had little interest in the affairs of men, though they liked to meddle in them when it promised entertainment. The gates opened and we surged forward. Thran thrust forward, his mighty legs powering us through the ranks until we lead the charge. I drew my sword, feeling the fire roar through my veins as we rode towards the horde. Drawing in my breath I let loose a booming battle cry. It echoed across the battlefield, emboldening the men behind me. They joined in until as one we roared down upon the barbarians, coming together in a clash of steel and horseflesh.