Page 116 of Once Upon a Crown
“Get ready to strike again!” Alastor shouted behind me.
Tents were on fire — soldiers were screaming, running around without their armour. The Argonian army had fallen into chaos, but I knew it wouldn’t be long before they coordinated themselves again. Already a few of them had their shields ready for the next assault.
“Now,” I told Alastor, and he gave the signal to the archers. Once again, the arrows rained down on the Argonians, killing some, wounding more.
In the next few minutes their archers started to respond, managing to hit a few of our own. When they finally got into battle formation, I began to ready the cavalry.
My horse stomped nervously, knowing that whatever was about to come would not be good. I tightened my grip on thereins, searching the crowds until my eyes landed on one very particular figure.
Aries stood at the back of the army, close to his tent, armed and ready for blood. Though it was quite a distance, it was as if something in my gut knew he was watching me, daring me to come for him.
The cavalry descended, meeting the Argonian forces midway up the hill. There were so many of them. Men on horses, foot soldiers, some with spears. I needed to find a way through all of them if I wanted to get to Aries, but more importantly, to Elara.
Mannik and Stapleton’s men flanked us, coming from the left and right as we tried to cage in the army. Swords, horses and men collided. I could practically taste the blood in the air.
For a second, I was pulled outside my body as I witnessed the carnage before me. I was the young prince again, on the battlefields of Argon. Panic surged up inside me. Every choice I’d made, everything I’d done was to try to avoid this situation, so I would not find myself back in this position.
I shook my head, trying to regain focus. This was inevitable. This was always going to happen. I merely had to accept it. Today would be the day that I finally faced my demons.
And then all I could think about was Elara. And there was something to fight for. Something more important than my own survival.
I headed to the right, where our men appeared to have the upper hand. The battle became a blur. I swung my sword in every direction, every soldier having become an obstacle between me and Elara.
At some point, someone knocked me off my horse and I hit the ground with a hard thud. It was an effort to get air into my lungs again. A sword came down hard on my armour.
I took out a knife that had been strapped to me and stabbed the soldier in the leg, giving me enough time to grab hold of my sword and run him through.
And then I found the next soldier and the next, killing them one by one. And with each soldier, I got closer to the large tent that loomed at the base of the mountain. Only I could no longer see Aries himself. He had to be somewhere in the fighting. I had no doubt he would find me again.
I made my way along the side of the battleground, trying to avoid the centre where the fighting was thickest. Alastor was close behind me, constantly having my back. We fought together until I could finally reach Aries’ tent. There was no one outside to guard it. I couldn’t even be sure she was in there, but I didn’t know where else to look.
Alastor and I sneaked around the back of the tent, and I carefully lifted the canvas.
“You keep watch, I’ll go inside.”
Alastor gave a nod and held up his sword, ready to strike.
I climbed into the back of the tent, trying to make as little noise as possible, should someone be ready to chop my head off.
My eyes fell on her silhouette. She was seated in a chair, hands clutching the armrests as she looked out onto the battlefield.
I stood up straight. “Elara.”
Her head turned. She was out of the chair immediately, running towards me. I caught her in my arms, pressing my face into her neck, taking in the scent of her.
“You’re alive.” She breathed out with relief. “You’re still alive.”
I pulled back to inspect her for wounds, but she appeared unharmed.
Her eyes widened as she took in the state of me. “Are you hurt?”
I had to have been covered in blood from head to toe by now.
“No, I’m fine.” A little worse for wear, maybe, but still alive.
“I don’t know where Aries is. I lost sight of him in the battle.”
I placed my hands on both her cheeks. “Elara, I want you to listen to me very carefully.”
