Bitter Fight

A messenger reached Kalen shortly after I wrote my last message to you. Another invading Ansgarian army struck across the border. The Boadhagh army moved to intercept the incursion.

Leading elements of Kalen's forces reached the varlets a day later. We have been fighting until yesterday evening. We finally were able to beat them back across the border.

Losses have been high. Kalen is grieving his slain warriors. Those of us who remain can only rest and bury our dead. It was a long and bitter fight.

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Sleep Well

The Ansgarian army was driven back into Rivalin today. Kalen used his archers to shoot an arrow storm of flaming shafts into the enemy columns. The invaders died in droves as they panicked and ran from those who set them afire. The use of fire finally balanced the immense numbers sent against us.

Windfire and I launched ourselves at those retreating. The Long Riders waded in among those fleeing as well. Thousands of the tree-like soldiers perished this day.

Tonight I shall sleep well.

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Doomed

The Boadhagh army was on the move towards the invaders as Windfire and I galloped towards the Ansgarian forces. They met today in battle. I slew I know not how many. At nightfall, the two armies withdrew from one another.

Kalen, as always, used his troops wisely and well. But with the vast numbers facing him, all he could do was halt the Ansgarian army's advance. He is thinking now before the fire, his eyes with a distant expression.

I only hope he comes up with a way of defeating the hordes facing us tomorrow--or Boadhagh may well be doomed.

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Momentary Quiet

The fight to keep the remainder of the Ansgarian army from getting through the Pass continued both yesterday and today. I must admit I am completely spent. Windfire no longer snorts flame. But how long that will remain to be true none of us here know.

A messenger came King Airell with a commendation for all of the Boadhagh warriors who fought off the incursion. It brought grins to many weary faces.

Even though no more Ansgarians watch us beyond the Pass, a strong watch has been posted this evening. I only hope not to be wakened this night for another attack. My muscles are supremely sore.

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Battle

Windfire (as always) was right. Another Ansgar army attempted to march through the Pass two nights ago. The fighting was bitter. The Boadhagh archers with their flaming arrows stopped the tree-like soldiers from crossing into the kingdom. The fires started among the enemy troops caused panic and confusion in their ranks.

Windfire and I rode among those who remained. Deathsong set many afire. And others I smote with the sword's edge.

Yet, even after such a loss, they came at us again the next day. The only thing I have ever seen an Ansgarian fear is being set on fire. Even with the possibility of that, their ranks marched towards us again.

How can you fight such courage and hope to win? I wonder sometimes.

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An Ominous Report

King Airell told me several days ago Ansgarian scouts were watching the Pass. Both of us feared what such news foretold for Boadhagh.

Windfire and I went to the Pass and joined the Boadhagh soldiers guarding it. They pointed out to me the tree-like soldiers in black and gold uniforms observing us. My warhorse snorts fire now. So battle is imminent. We await whatever the Ansgar army throws at us.

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A Soldier's Way

I am a soldier, a warrior. I trained to fight all my life--my father trained me well to use Deathsong. War is all I know and fighting is what I do best.

My lust for vengeance against the Ansgar Empire makes my thrusts with my long sword against their soldiers harder and quicker. I sometimes think that anger against them helps keep me alive when I should perish in battle.

As a warrior, I have simple values; duty and honor I value above all else. And so I continue to fight to keep Boadhagh free and someday liberate Rivalin from the yoke of Ansgarian occupation. I have a duty to my father to take the throne, even though I think myself unworthy of that task.

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Pondering

There are times, even with my lust for vengeance against the Ansgar Empire, when I wonder if I shall ever succeed. Seeing hoards of Ansgarian soldiers charge towards me without fear time and again makes me question if it is even possible. Remembering my fight against their encroachment across the Boadhagh border last week had me pondering this morn if what I seek is futile.

Windfire nudged me several times while I rubbed him down today, encouraging me that all is not lost. I know he is right. Yet, I cannot help but wonder about that as well as my fitness to be king of Rivalin.

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A High Price Paid

We finally succeeded in pushing the Ansgarian encampment back across the border yesterday. But nearly forty of the Long Riders perished these last few days. That is too high a price to pay for our continued freedom.

I feel responsible. I feel as if I could have done more to prevent those deaths.

Windfire assures me I could have done no more. Nor can I think of anything else I could have done. But, I'm still haunted by these deaths. Some of these men were my friends. There were tears in my eyes as I helped bury them.

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A Hard Day

It was a hard day yesterday. Between Deathsong and Windfire, many of the Ansgarian soldiers were set afire. My black warhorse trampled numerous other members of tree-like encampment. But the Ansgarian warriors have no fear. They fought hard against our intrusion into their camp.

Part of the Long Riders intercepted reinforcements coming to them. It was a bitter fight. Their leader told me after nightfall his own losses were high.

The camp is still there and have more replacements for those they lost. Another hard day is before us today, I fear.

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No Chance to Rest

We fought against the oncoming Ansgarian army all day yesterday. Windfire set many of the tree-like soldiers aflame as I hacked and slashed them. When Deathsong gets close to an enemy, it no longer erupts with blue-white energy. It seems to know its blade must do the work.

And work it did yesterday. Cutting through both leather armor and their own bark is trying. I must use more strength to penetrate both. Between our efforts and those of the Long Riders, the assault was halted--at least for the moment. They have a small encampment on the Boadhagh side of the border. And it will be from there that they will attack again.

Once more I must use Deathsong this day to push them to retreat. I only hope I have the strength.

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My Only Hope

Kalen received a message before dawn this morning; another Ansgarian army is invading Boadhagh from further afield. He is sending the Boadhagh cavalry (who we call the Long Riders) to harass and impede the progress of the invaders.

He has asked me to go as well. I have saddled Windfire and will proceed as swiftly as possible to where the varlets are crossing the border. Windfire and I shall reach the enemy long before the Long Riders do. Windfire's speed far outstrips any horse I have ever known.

My only hope is that we can slow down or perhaps stop the enemy until the Long Riders can reach us.

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My Worry

Kalen celebrated heartily last night our victory over the invading Ansgarian army. But I did not participate. For Windfire still believes battle is imminent. He snorted fire when I told him of Kalen's joy.

So I stood watching the Pass last night with a half moon as the only light illuminating the way. No one approached. Yet, I am still uneasy.

Something will happen, I think--and soon.

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Solution

Kalen, as always, found a solution to the problem of fighting the much larger Ansgarian army facing us in the Pass. He had the many archers the Boadhagh army possesses fire flaming arrows at the tree-like soldiers.

Chaos ensued as those set afire panicked and collided with their brethren. The pending attack early this morning fell apart. Those who survived retreated.

I know not how long it will be until the Ansgarians strike south again. But it will be all too soon, I fear.

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A Long Fight

Kalen and I were up well before dawn moving the army to the Pass. We stood watching the Ansgarian army near the Pass late this morning. He is worried we shall not succeed in stopping the varlets from entering Boadhagh. I share his concern--I know not if we shall triumph here. It would seem a long and bloody fight is before us.

The Angarians vastly outnumbers us. Numbers alone can many times win battles. My only hope is Kalen can find a way to once more outwit our opponents.

Windfire snorts flame now. He knows battle is near. I only wish I lusted for it as he does.

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Sitting Before My Mead

I sit in the great dining hall of King Airell's castle. A large hot meal is before me. The several fireplaces in the chamber all have fires burning. Yet I still feel chill.

Windfire and I spotted a Ansgarian army moving towards the Pass--the opening in the mountains between Boadhagh and Rivalin. We dodged their cavalry before returning to the king's castle.

For a reason I know not, I just thought again of the girl who rejects me because I'm royalty. And my hunger has abruptly disappeared.

I cannot be a king. For all I want to be is a commoner.

Bruce Skye, fantasy book, fantasy novel, Grayrider, new book release, sci fi fantasy, science fiction and fantasy