by Dane Bagley
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Aiden’s troops grew slower and more fearful the closer they got to the forests edge. He let them stop early and sleep early the night before, but he woke them in the pre-morning hours that day again. The men were groggy, and hurting, and sore. They knew that they were going to reach the edge of the dark forest that day and had no motivation to move. Still, Aiden and Jashion had withstood the dark forest, and in some ways the men were more intimidated by them than by the wolves.
Lieutenant Janks joined Aiden and Jashion as the dark forest came into view. They watched as the armored armies of Agedon entered the dark forest. The men of Cardsten stood in awe as Aiden held up his hand.
“We’re too late, General,” said Janks. Aiden stood in silence and Jashion hushed him. Janks shot Jashion a look.
“General…”
“Silence,” whispered Aiden.
They watched a moment longer and then the sounds of shouts and of metal clanging and of howling were heard. Wolves came into view and attacked the men still entering the forest. An audible, ‘awe,’ could be heard from the men of Cardsten.
“We must retreat,” said Janks, “all is lost.”
“Not by a long shot,” said Aiden. “We enter the forest further east, behind the wolves.”
“What?!” said Janks.
“We’re providing reinforcements; we are” said Jashion.
Janks didn’t understand why the wolves needed reinforcements.
They began to march, and in half an hour the armies of Cardsten, behind Aiden and Jashion, entered the dark forest with trepidation.
