Friendly Enemies

Chapter 2: Deployment

One hour before dawn, we packed our bags and brought our rations for the upcoming march, we were arranged into a marching formation Fifty files wide and a hundred ranks deep (50x100), this formation allows us to cross narrow roads, and will have us prepared for any ambush attacks. We formed 10 formations for there are 50 thousand of us.

We are assembled outside of the capital to prepare for a 10 days march, and then suddenly, along in the eastern horizon, arose silhouettes of tens of thousands of soldiers, varying from spearmen, swordsmen, archers and cavalry, along with tens of thousands of the empire’s banners gracefully dancing in the wind, their formation stretched from the edge of the horizon to another, the thud of their synchronized marching feet can be heard from over great distances as loud as our beating hearts, as they approached, dawn arrived, as the sun shines upon the land, they can be seen more clearly, revealing the blinding flashes of their glistening weapons and armor, and the bright and shiny red color of their clothes can be seen!

“Ah I’ll never get tired seeing this.” Said Commander Vyn as he approached to lead us, “Oh I almost forgot to tell you guys, you’re not the only recruits, hundreds and thousands more are marching all the way here, everyone across the regions of the empire are on its way here!”

Then on the western and southern horizon, more armies showed up, we were suddenly surrounded by waves of waves of soldiers joining us, “Ah there they are, be sure to make friends with everyone, men!” Said Commander Vyn.

As everyone has lined up and prepared to go, we began our march, “We’re so many I feel like we could trample an army of elephants.” Says my friend Finis, “I bet even hordes of dinosaurs!” I replied.

As our million men strong army marched, our commanders slowly began singing including our Commander Vyn, also slowly, the soldiers sang along, it is a song that were taught to us two weeks ago. A song to mock our enemy, a song with a fast-paced tune.

“As we march, we bring our people’s excite,

  As we march, to purge our enemies in sight,

 Their armies are futile and easy to tear,

We’re a force to inflict them ruin and despair.”

As we sang our song, we became confident, we feel like we could conquer the whole world!

After a day’s worth of marching, it was night time, we encamped on a nearby river bank, parallel to our road, “Tomorrow, this river bank would be streaming along with us.” Says Finis as he sat beside me, “I can feel tomorrow’s going to be great day.” I replied, we carried on with our conversation as the refreshing sound of the streaming water muffles the noises created by the main camp, and out of nowhere Commander Vyn approached us, we stood straight facing the commander, held our spear firm as a form of a salute, “At ease gentlemen.” Commander Vyn ordered.

Commander Vyn asked “Why are you guys away from the main camp?”,

“We like it peaceful sir.” We replied,

“I see, me too.” Says Commander Vyn,

 I took the opportunity to ask Vyn for a favor “I know I may sound arrogant here sir, but may I please have a sword instead of a spear? I am at my full potential if I wield a sword.” I asked.