The Most Powerful Prince Crown

Blood Spilled Again

Hundreds of soldiers were inspecting the fortress and ensuring its safety, Prince Arshakein and the commanders gathered to strategize. The wide-open map of Pepperland Valley was referenced along with several smaller plans.

"We should dig a two-layer trench, Your Highness. This will make our archers more effective," said Ron, the senior commander he trusted the most. His voice was not so loud as it had been eaten away by his age.

"Where will our horsemen be placed?" asked Prince Arshakein while analyzing the strategy described by Ron with a piece of drawing.

"Here, Your Highness. The cavalry will advance after the archers have weakened the front of the enemy forces," Ron responded. The other commanders nodded in understanding.

"That's a good strategy, Mr. Ron. But what if the enemy mobilizes its cavalry first?" said the young commander, breaking Ron's strategy.

"Perhaps we can counter this with cannon fire first?" said Prince Arshakein. "Medium-range cannon fire is more effective than arrow launches; it can anticipate the opposing cavalry. After that, we'll follow up with the archers," said Prince Arshakein as he drew his idea on a blank sheet of paper.

"It must be with precise timing, Your Highness." The commanders accepted Prince Arshakein's idea with relief.

"Of course, the arrow launch should arrive less than three seconds after the cannon is fired. The cavalry starts launching five seconds after the arrows." Prince Arshakein nodded firmly.

Outside the meeting room, the soldiers set up small tents for medical purposes. Women were brought in with medicines and first aid kits, all of them still on their way. Strong logs were split and plugged in as a backup for arrows.

The night was not so bright, only a few small torches were lit at certain points to make sure no enemy had sneaked in. Pepperland Valley welcomed the victorious warriors back to the fight. The vast lowlands seemed insatiable in swallowing millions of human lives over the past hundred years.

"We must finish before the dawn of the day, hurry up!" Prince Arshakein shouted encouragingly to his soldiers.

The clanking of swords being sharpened and the screeching of old cannons kept all pairs of soldiers' eyes from falling asleep tonight. Many tears were held back because they remembered their beloved family or because they remembered their father and brother who had preceded them in the previous battle.

Prince Arshakein sighed on the small platform accompanying his soldiers who were getting ready. The stilt house built between some towering trees was deliberately not lit. Prince Arshakein needed quiet so that it would be easier for his mind to work.

"Your Highness, I'm sure this will all come to an end. Seodurnag should not be at war," his bodyguard whispered soothingly.

"We all hope so too, but look at the reality. We just have to face the reality, too high expectations are just an illusion," Prince Arshakein hissed in a slightly trembling voice.

All the warriors worked hard for maximum preparation, and the woman who took care of the medical needs arrived at midnight while bringing enough food. Prince Arshakein asked the soldiers to rest in turn and take their food rations.

"An additional thousand wooden arrow shafts have been collected, Your Highness. There are still half of them that haven't been sharpened yet," Ron reported.

"That's good. Mr. Ron, fill your stomach first before the dawn of Jezib appears. We need to prepare early," Prince Arshakein responded.

"Yes, Your Highness."

The break of dawn was a deadly gamble for Seodurnag's army. A few moments too late and all hell would break loose. The line of soldiers was to the west of Pepperland Valley so their troops faced east when fighting.

The commanders checked the formation of each of their troops. Prince Arshakein stood on the stilt house of the fortress wearing his regal robes covered with iron shield plates. His face looked sternly at the thousands of soldiers who had lined up neatly under the dim moonlight.

There was no sound except the chirping of night insects, Prince Arshakein was sure that every pair of ears in this valley was only listening to their heartbeats. Their determination was the only thing keeping them on this deadly ground.

Meanwhile, it had been ten years since Prince Arshakein had fought in this valley. At this moment, his life was on the line once again.

A faint, sharp yellowish tinge emerged on the eastern horizon. It signaled that the respective armies of the two kingdoms were allowed to attack each other.

"ATTACK!!!" Prince Arshakein exclaimed, a single teardrop escaping his eye.

"Attack!!!" The commanders of their respective armies followed the call of Prince Arshakein, their Grand Commander.

The cannon roared, sending tremors through every soldier standing on the soil of Pepperland Valley. Another boom boomed and was immediately followed by a volley of arrows from the archers stationed in the second trench. Cries, screams, the sound of blood spurting, and the whinnying of horses blended.

"Archers retreat, retreat!!!" their commander shouted, which sounded like a shout.

The archers closed the trench above them and retreated through the underground passage to take turns with the horsemen. The clomping of the creatures' well-trained feet shook the earth's surface again, but it only lasted a few seconds.

Blood began to spill and stain the earth beneath them while swords and machetes continued to clash. Heads rolled across the now reddish dust. Pepperland was again taking thousands of lives for who knows how long.

"Kill any of your friends who dare to surrender!" Ron's hoarse shout rang out among the blazing soldiers.

"We have all sworn by Seodurnag and the Great King Meghalodein!"

Prince Arshakein watched with his own eyes as his soldiers died, unable to imagine the anguish of their children and mothers and wives. But all of them, even all the people of Seodurnag, had taken an oath. If they wanted to live in this country then everything they owned belonged to the kingdom as well, including their lives and families.

All men are warriors, all toddler boys are future warriors, and all women must continue to produce offspring. The kingdom will send infertile women as medical personnel who will take care of the soldiers when they go out to fight.

"The opposing army is almost depleted, Your Majesty. We only have a quarter of our troops left. Do we need to mobilize reserve troops to take out the...." Ron said with his breath caught in his throat. There were streaks of blood on his face indicating that the old man was injured.

"Enough, there's no need," Prince Arshakein replied, cutting off his commander's explanation.

"Let the Gordeganemian leaders live as long as we don't run out of soldiers. The war is not over yet, I am sure there will be other wars in the days to come," Prince Arshakein continued.

The wooden floor where Prince Arshakein was standing suddenly swayed, Ron immediately drew his sword with a distinctive swishing sound.

"What's wrong with this stage?" Ron shouted worriedly.

"Protect His Highness the Prince!" The shouts of the soldiers running below them could be heard.

"Your Highness, our fortress is surrounded, the enemy troops are sending their reserves," Ron said tremblingly.

Painful groans emanated from the castle hallway, accompanied by the clinks of spears and the clash of swords. The fortress had been infiltrated by enemy troops while the soldiers and guards were fighting back.

"Protect the Prince!" Another shot rang out.

Ron broke the steps leading to the stage with a nearby iron rod, while the guards pulled Prince Arshakein to a more hidden booth and surrounded him with iron shield plates.

***