As the dawn breaks, and the rays of the sun falls down on the encampment of the besiegers, Kaven Enlien exits his tent resplendent in his armour, and carrying his helmet under one arm.
Drawing in the air he looks around. The smell of the hundreds of men around him are momentarily gone, replaced by the fresh and crisp scent of spring. The men, soldiers from almost one third of Anuire, are all standing ready - all deployed out in their units looking towards the castle in the horizon, and dressed in full combat gear ready to hear his orders. Here both warriors new to this front and those that have been here for more than a year stood, and eager faces mixed with the weary and worn, yet all seems aware and determined in the face of what will undoubtedly be a bloody fight.
As Martin, his squire, appears next to him, carrying the Baron's shield upon which his personal crest, a tower over crossed spears, share place with the motif of the Celestial Spell, Kaven exhales slowly. He watches with fascination as his breath is visible for a brief moment in the cold morning air, then finds himself drawn back to the present.
Giving the briefest of nods in gratitude he takes the shield from the hand off the youth. A hint of something - resignation perhaps, or remorse? enters Kaven's mind as he notes for the first time that his squire appears almost half a head taller now, than he was at the start of this campaign. He must be closing on his fifteenth - or possibly sixteenth - summer now? Scolding himself for not knowing, the Baron made a note to himself to ask later, If there would indeed be a later for both of them.
Martin had asked, almost pleaded, to be allowed to fight in this battle and Kaven could do little else, but submit in the end.
Feeling himself sigh inwardly, though to the men he gives a bland smile, Kaven steps forward and turns to address the men, drawing deep on his oratory skills once more. Hopefully for the last time in a good long spell.
"Men of the South! Men of the East and of the West!"
The Baron gazes out across the men, knowing that although he can't discern their individual faces, to the man in the crowd it might well seem that he is looking directly at the him.
"In what seems as another lifetime, I made a promise to rid these lands of the plague that has so sorely taxed the lands and bathed it in the blood of innocents.
In what seems another lifetime, I rode out, at the head of a small contingent of dedicated soldiers, leading them forward, to drive back the forces of Brandon Boer, and liberate the people of Taeghas. Yet here I stand, not at the head of a small contingent, but at the head of one massive body, hellbent on nothing but justice - on reclaiming what Brandon Boer has unrighteously taken as his own.
We have come far from then to now, but it has not been an easy journey. Each step we have taken, has been paid for in full. Each conquest has been fouled by a foe that is determined to do nothing but damage the lands and it's people - to kill for the sake of killing and grab what was never theirs!
In the last year we have bested our foe at every turn. We have driven him back, and freed Taeghas bit by bit from it's oppressors! We are almost there..." he half turns and points towards the castle. "... That is the last bastion between our force and the very heart and home of those that have wronged us all! And now, the people of Taeghas has grasped arms themselves, and have come to our aid, determined to oust their enslavers and live once more in a land that is their own!
I say we push them out! I say we send a message to Brandon Boer, that the land of Taeghas are not his for taking, and never where! I say the men of the South Coast, the men from Ghieste and the East send a message to Brandon Boer that he is *not* the ruler of all he beholds - and that the Gods themselves take offense at his presumption!"
As his voice raises, the Lord Baron becomes more agitated himself and begins pacing back and forth.
"We are the instrument of blessed Haelyn himself, come forth to smite Boeruine for its actions! We are the instrument of the Silver Prince, furious that those who are tasked with preserving the mystical energies, would unleash the foulest of sorceries upon his faithful!"
Kaven stops and turns, facing the men.
"KNEEL!" He yells in such fierce a tone, that those nearest drop to their knee before even registering the word.
"Kneel and give thanks to the gods, for the opportunity to enact their righteous vengeance! Kneel and show respect, that you be given the opportunity to serve your gods in such a way! Kneel and pray for their guidance when we push for one last time and once and for all throws the Pretender's forces back to the hovels and huts they come from! This day does not belong to men - it belongs to the Lawmaker! It belongs to the Silver Prince! Kneel and show your gratitude!"
Uncaring, whether his clothing or armour is soiled by the mud on the ground, the Lord Baron throws himself on one knee, quickly drawing his sword and planting it tip first in the ground. As he places touches his temple to the pummel, the first words of the soldiers prayer spills out of his mouth, born on the wind alone at first, but then increasing in size as more and more soldiers fall in, and the number of praying men rises. The words all fall together, forming an incomprehensible ocean of mumbling voices that seems to reverberate in the very core of the individual.
"We thank you, O Divinities, for all the blessings which you give us.
You have kept us by your powers in good health during the night and you have called us up from sleep, that we may enjoy the light of day and to marvel at your majesties.
We entreat you, O Divinities, grant that we may live this day without danger or sin, but full of your mercies and your divine care.
Protect my family and the families of my fellow-soldiers from all evil.
Enlighten the peoples who conquer and torture other nations; make them repent and seek peace, leaving other lands and their dwellers free.
Open the eyes of our mind to see your divine law and incline our hearts ever to do your commandments, to the glory of your holy names and reign ever after, your wills be done..."
