by Donald Davis
Joshua cut down a few more men before a warhammer came swinging in his direction. Luckily, he evaded in time. Joshua stood back to see a tall middle-aged man who appeared to be muscular while wielding his warhammer. The man almost reminded him of his father. He moved forward brought down his hammer with a mighty swing. Joshua dodged backward, watching the dirt fly up from the blow.
Joshua went in for his own attack but stopped when an arrow struck the man in the side. Without realizing it, they had reached the city gate. The archers fired arrows from atop the city wall. As the man struggled with the arrow in him, Joshua rushed forward and stabbed the man straight through his throat. Blood gushed, and he fell over dead.
The fighting continued for several more moments until it appeared that the king’s men were still outnumbering the Bracken army. Joshua saw that their forces were dwindling. Even the archers who were helping at first were slowly being taken out by the king’s archers on the field. Joshua’s back was now literally against the city gate. He tried pushing back the enemies as much as he could, but it was no use. The enemies kept pushing forward until they were almost through the city gate, with no one to protect the city on the inside. Joshua and his remaining men tried resisting, but there were just too many. This is bad, Joshua thought. Is this how it ends?
Everything seemed hopeless. Then out of nowhere, a loud horn sounded in the distance. Both sides stopped fighting for a moment and turned to look at where the sound was coming from. Over in the distance, there were more men at the hill who were approaching. There were close to a thousand of them if Joshua had to guess. Joshua accepted what had happened. We have lost.
As the men got closer, Joshua realized something. Wait a moment… Those are Yordenfall banners! A thousand soldiers screamed as they approached the battle. Roland and Evalyn, they came through after all! The soldiers rode closer and closer. The king’s men were unsure what to do, as they would now be trapped between Joshua’s forces at the gate and the Yordenfall army at their rear. Before they could respond, the Yordenfall army was there. When they had reached the king’s men, they plowed through them almost effortlessly, breaking their ranks.
All of the king’s men were desperate, searching for a way out. They were indefinitely caught between the Bracken and Yordenfall armies. Yes! “Yes!” Joshua shouted. With that, he knew they had been victorious. He raised his sword once again. “For Asedith!” All men near Joshua joined in. “For Asedith!”
Within the next hour, all of the king’s men were either dead or in chains. Joshua met up with Garron and one of the commanders of the Yordenfall army as they walked into Treadrock. “Roland and Evalyn send their regards. When word had reached Yordenfall about the king calling his allies to assault Treadrock, our lord had a change of heart. He deployed most of the men at his disposal to send here. Looks like we arrived just in time too.”
“Yes, you did,” Joshua said. “Before you arrived, the battle truly seemed lost.”
“Joshua” Garron spoke up. “What of Grayton?” He had not seen what transpired on the battlefield. Joshua closed his eyes and shook his head. “The loss of Grayton is a tragedy, to be sure,” Garron said. “He will be missed.” Joshua nodded. “That he will, but he died for a greater cause. He served Asedith well to his last breath.”
Terra sat in the main chamber of the leadership hall, waiting to hear of the outcome. She knew that the battle must have ended since the shouting had ceased. Then, the doors flew open. Terra gasped as she turned to the door to see her son entering with Garron and another man. “It’s over, mother,” Joshua said. “It’s over.”
Chapter 24: The Siege of Roseshire
It had been two days since the great battle at Treadrock. It took time to gather all the bodies to be moved and for the men who had survived to rest. Joshua, Terra, Garron, and the commander of the Yordenfall forces, Samwell, all sat in the main chamber of Treadrock. Samwell was a middle-aged man just over forty. He was bald with a full black beard, and in great shape for his age.
They found Grayton’s body and had given him a proper burial the previous day. Their goal was to allow the men time to mourn their losses and rest for a couple of days. “Alright, the time has come,” Joshua spoke. “We prepare for departure immediately.” Garron nodded. “Very well. With most of their forces gone, Roseshire’s defenses should be run by a skeleton crew.”
“Precisely. We can’t allow Braden to regroup or recruit more men. This is the perfect opportunity.”
Samwell spoke up, “I agree. After we take the city, the war is over.”
“So, what is your plan, Joshua?” Terra asked. “Last I checked, our forces are just under two thousand. Over half of our army was lost to the battle before the soldiers from Yordenfall appeared. Do you still think that is enough?”
“It’s enough,” Joshua responded. “As I said before, Braden probably sent out most of his men to the battle. According to the scout’s report before the battle, he should now be down to five hundred men, maybe less. There’s no way that he can hold the city with so few. So, I have laid out a map of the city.”
Joshua pointed to the map that laid on the table in front of them. “As you see here, there is a small passage that leads close to the castle. Though it is small, I want several men to go through here. If we make it through, it will be to our advantage. Samwell and Garron will lead half of the army and will attack the main gate to distract them. Since they have few men, we need to draw their attention. I will lead the charge through the passageway. When I manage to make the way through, I’ll go to the closest gate and attempt to open it from the inside. That’s where the other half of the army will be waiting to enter the city. From there, the men who enter will cross the city and attack the men from the inside to open the main gate. Once that is done, we will regroup and march on the castle to draw out Braden and capture the city.”
“Sounds like you’ve thought this through,” Samwell said.
“Yes, the time strategizing with Grayton at Keridion is paying off,” Terra said. “We have always tried to be prepared for the worst. Though sometimes it doesn’t always work.”
“Alright,” Joshua spoke again. “Does everyone understand the plan?” Everyone either nodded or simply said “Yes.”
“Good,” said Joshua. “We move out immediately.” They all stood up to walk out of the room. “We will not fail.”
Garron stood in the distance, admiring Roseshire. This was the first time that he’d actually seen the city for himself, so he wished that it were under better circumstances. He looked at the impressive architecture of the walls and buildings. He also really enjoyed the look of the unique trees that grew there with white bark and orange leaves. Aside from the kingdom being at war, the city itself still seemed so peaceful.
Garron looked at the main gate, lying in wait to attack. Joshua and his men would be arriving at the passageway at any time. When he reached the passage, he was to light a fire to send a signal to Garron to proceed with the attack. According to Joshua, he would be able to clear through the passage quickly if Garron and Samwell did their part in attacking the gate. They would just have to hold off long enough for Joshua to open the other city gate to allow the rest of the men in the city. Once that happened, they would be able to attack the city guards from within.
Samwell walked to where Garron was standing. “Beautiful city isn’t it?” he asked. “It is,” Garron said. “This is my first-time laying eyes on it. Yours?”
“Nah, this would be the second time I’ve seen it. I came by once a long time ago back in my youth. It’s still beautiful.”
“I just like to think that we have so much potential to make the kingdom a better place,” Garron said. “Nobody is perfect, but I believe Joshua’s heart is in the right place. He would make a good king. With him taking power here, I feel as if the kingdom would be a safer, happier place to be.”
“I haven’t known the lad very long, but he does seem determined. You say that his sister has been missing for months
?”
“Yes. Braden married her while Joshua was out on a mission. Apparently, he locked her away and wouldn’t allow visitors. Once Joshua returned from a later mission, she was gone. The king claims that she was kidnapped but we suspect that she escaped and that he doesn’t want to admit what happened. And before all of that, Joshua has his suspicions that Braden plotted to take the crown from his family.”
“I see. Can’t say that I blame him for wanting to exact revenge. From what I hear, he is a good man though. Lord Roland and his daughter speak of him fondly, and often.” At that moment, Samwell and Garron saw smoke rising in the distance. “There!” Samwell pointed.
“That’s it,” Garron mumbled. “Men, prepare to charge! The moment is now!” Garron and Samwell mounted their horses and prepared for battle. Once the men had prepared, Garron gathered them together. “Remember what we fight for on this day. For a better king, and a better Asedith. At the end of today, Roseshire will be ours. Together, we will stand tall!” The men lifted their swords and shouted. “Now, with me!”
Garron and Samwell charged in front of the army, leading them to the gate. Everyone shouted as loud as they could as they approached the city. The goal was to draw the entire city guard to the main gate. As they approached, men could be seen preparing on top of the city wall. In just a few short moments, the Bracken army was bashing the main gate. There were a thousand soldiers in this half of the army and at this point only a hundred guards on top of the wall.
They continued bashing. Meanwhile, the soldiers on the wall were steadily throwing things down at them. Some of the soldiers were archers and proceeded to take them out. Garron, Samwell, and Joshua had planned to lose men by taking this approach, but all they needed to do was hold off until Joshua managed to open the gate on the other side of the city.
Some of Garron’s men made their way through the army to the gate with a ram and started ramming the gate. As they did this, guards continued gathering on the wall. They appeared to have three hundred men now. The archers in Garron’s army would occasionally take out some of the guards with their arrows. Each time someone was struck, they would fall off the wall and hit the ground with a loud thud.
They continued the attack and ramming the gate until there were five hundred men gathered at the wall. Several of them had bows and arrows and were firing at Garron’s men. All right, Garron thought. Joshua should be here at any moment now. The men continued firing on the Bracken army until they lost over two hundred soldiers. Come on, where are you? More and more of Garron’s men were struck with arrows. There were now three hundred dead. At this rate, the king’s men could overrun them.
Joshua, if you take any longer, we could potentially lose this fight. The barrage of arrows continued until Garron noticed some of the city guards turn around. “Hey, they’re inside the city!” One of them shouted. Garron laughed aloud, knowing their plan had worked. Most of the guards on the wall turned and ran into the city, fighting Joshua’s men that had been let in on the other side. Garron could hear shouting and the clash of steel from the other side of the wall. This went on for a moment, then the gate suddenly opened. Joshua stood on the other side. “Inside, men!” They shouted and rejoiced as both halves of the army reunited and defeated the remainder of the city guards.
Over two hundred of the Roseshire guards were cut down during Joshua’s invasion of the city. After he and Garron managed to get their army inside the city, it only took a few moments for the rest of the guards to surrender and join Joshua’s forces. Joshua, Garron, Samwell, and the army walked through the empty streets of Roseshire. Everyone within the city had run into their houses once the fighting began.
Joshua, Garron, and Samwell all stood together as they and their army approached the castle, where Braden would be. “What took you so long in getting to the gate?” Garron asked. “If you would’ve taken much longer, we would’ve lost half of our men.”
“Sorry for that,” Joshua said. “There were indeed guards positioned in the passageway, more so than I thought there would be. Until now, the passageway was a secret that was only known to the king and the royal family.”
“At any rate, our plan worked. So, do you think Braden will surrender the city without a fight?”
“Doubtful, but no one can know for certain what goes on in Braden’s head. The only thing left to do is to climb the steps up to the castle.”
They all continued to walk in the direction of the castle until it came into view. There only appeared to be a few men stationed throughout the castle. When Joshua approached, he could see someone standing on the lower balcony. It was Braden.
The balcony itself was high up but close enough to be able to make out who was standing on it. Joshua could see Braden’s mighty frown from the bottom of the steps. As Joshua climbed, he called out to him, “It’s over, Braden. We’ve killed half of your remaining guards. The ones that didn’t die surrendered.” As Joshua continued his climb, Braden stood silent with his face growing angrier with every step. When Joshua and his men got halfway up the steps, Braden shouted, “I wouldn’t take another step if I were you!”
Joshua looked up at him. “It’s over. Just come quietly and nobody else has to die.” Braden’s face was as red as an apple. “You keep that in mind. Nobody has to die. Joshua, I’m going to give you the chance to surrender and leave this city. If you call off your rebellion and back down, I will let you and your people live. You will leave Roseshire, you will leave Asedith. Your men will be punished and swear fealty to me once again. Nobody else has to die.”
Joshua stood in silence for a moment. Braden clearly isn’t one to know when he is defeated. “Braden, are you going to come down here and surrender or do we need to climb more stairs?”
Braden stood in his own silence, anger rising. “Very well,” he said. He called out something to someone in the room behind him. When he did, three of his guards stepped out onto the balcony with him. They each had a person that they were holding in their grasp. Joshua quickly recognized the hostages as Roland, Evalyn, and her mother, Avice. “Remember,” Braden said smugly. “Nobody has to die.”
Joshua was speechless as Braden continued his rant. “I received word of Yordenfall deciding to send men to Treadrock, and not to fight for me. I must confess, I was outraged when I heard. If not for these traitors, we would’ve defeated you there. I was outraged. I had my scouts who were stationed in Yordenfall kidnap them during the night after their army departed. Once they arrived here, the guards informed me that Evalyn was expecting a child.” Braden gave Joshua a smirk. “Then I remembered hearing of the assassin who attacked you. After that incident, you had gotten close to them.” He then turned to Evalyn. “Perhaps a little too close.”
Joshua looked up, trying to look into Evalyn’s eyes. All he saw in her was fear. He grew angry and looked at Braden. “If you hurt her, I swear that I will kill you.” After he said that, one of Braden’s men cut Avice’s throat. She bled out and fell over dead. “Mother!” Evalyn shouted. Roland was outraged and tried fighting off the guards, but they forced him still. “You’ll pay for this. You call yourself a king? You’re nothing!” Braden grew angry again and struck Roland with his fist. He then looked at Joshua. “I mean what I say, Joshua. You so much as climb these steps and they’re dead.”
Joshua didn’t know what to do. He wanted Braden to pay, but he didn’t want anything to happen to Roland or Evalyn… Or his unborn child. As Joshua contemplated on what to do next, Roland shouted, “Do it, Joshua! Climb these steps and finish this!” Joshua hesitantly started climbing the steps once again. Braden took out his sword, the one that Joshua had retrieved for him at Treadrock long ago and drove it through Roland. “No!!!” Evalyn shouted. She fell into tears, barely managing to stand up with the guard holding her still. “Roland!” Joshua shouted. “That snake,” Garron mumbled. “He actually did it.” Braden pulled his sword free and stabbed him through once more. When he pulled free this time, Roland fell over lifeless.
; “I warned you,” said Braden. “Now is the time to decide, Joshua. Do you really value a crown more than your true love and your child?”
Joshua didn’t know what to think. They had come all this way, but was it truly worth it? Evalyn was the only person that Joshua had ever loved. And the thought of becoming her husband and the father of her child made him happier than anything else had. He looked up to Evalyn. She then turned to him. Tears flowed down her face. She shook her head with great sorrow.
“My lord,” Samwell whispered from behind Joshua. “I’ve known Evalyn for many years now. And I love her as well as you do. I’ve seen her grow from a young teen into the amazing woman that she is today.” His voice broke off for a moment. “But we must remember our cause. Everything that we’ve done, the men that have died for us, how far we have come, it can’t all be for nothing. Evalyn’s life will impact your life and mine, but winning back the crown? That will impact all of Asedith. By doing so, we can guide and protect the entire kingdom.” He put his hand on Joshua’s shoulder. “I know it is hard, but sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the good of the world.”
Samwell and Garron noticed the tears that were flowing down Joshua’s face. “Yeah,” he said as he sobbed. “I know.” At that moment, Joshua made the hardest decision of his life. Joshua took another step. Then another. “Don’t do it, Joshua!” Braden shouted. “I’ll kill her!” Joshua didn’t reply. He continued up the stairs as he sobbed. “Stop,” Braden said as he slowly started to panic. “Stop!” Joshua continued.
Braden surged with anger, as he knew that his plan had failed. He grabbed Evalyn by her hair and pulled her up to her feet. Braden took his sword and cut her throat. As the blood rushed out of her, Braden took her to the edge of the balcony and threw her off. Evalyn went falling until she landed at Joshua’s feet. She was dead, Joshua knew, but she still had tears on her cheeks as well as an expression of horror on her face.
