By Hanny Morag
That same evening, Nabar communicated the plans to the enemies without anyone knowing. They were fully prepared with all the necessary tactics to counter the attack of the soldiers of Hashmaim when they finally notice their city is under attack.
Nacca and those accompanying him were spending the last day on the sea because they were very close to the city. It was quiet until they began to hear a strange sound from the forest on the west of the river. Zarius was quick to identify the people approaching with the power of his eyes. "Nacca, we must hurry. I think war is upon us already." Nacca recognized the sound. The sound of the drum of war by the evil forces. Creatures with a terrifying look. Without being brave as a soldier, you would be on the ground before stabbing you with their sword.
"We must warn them that the enemies are marching towards the gate of the city before it will become too late." Prince Balin told everyone as he attached a message to his falcon to say to Prince David and his soldiers to march towards the gate for battle as the enemy would be upon them by the next evening.
Back in the city, David has not only worked on the war strategy. He is also making efforts to get to the root of the voice corrupting the people and vindicating Gaius from the implicating situation he has found himself, but nothing seems to be working out.
The falcon arrived at the palace right when Nabar was there. She landed in front of him. He removed the paper attached to her feet and decided to read the message to everyone.
"The city will be under attack. Gather all the soldiers to fight. The enemy plans to take the back gate of the city because they are aware of the defense at the front gate. Make haste because war will be inevitable by the evening of tomorrow." Nabar gave different information regarding how the enemy has planned to attack the city.
Stephen, who is one of the guards given the opportunity to fight as a soldier, secretly approached prince David and told him he doesn't see why the enemy would want to take the north gate of the city before attempting to make the western entrance. It sounded like a conspiracy to David, so he decided to speak to his father about it.
Soldiers have started marching towards the northern gate. An order has been given that the western entrance should also be guarded, but attention should be focused on the Northern gate. David told his father he doesn't trust Nabar, but for reasons no one could understand, everything that comes out of the mouth of Nabar began to make sense to the king more than anyone else is saying.
"This is madness. The king wants us to go with the decision of Nabar." David told Stephen, who was equally surprised about the whole situation. Stephen suggested that they make arrangements to double the forces on the western gate secretly to give the city a survival chance. It was the only option they have since the king has also decided to dance to the tune of Nabar.
Stephen and David quickly prepare for the secret movement of more soldiers to the western gate to repel the enemy when they attack. Just when the instruction was given to some trusted soldiers to take positions there, Nacca and others arrived at the shores of Hashmaim.
Nacca and prince Balim were filled with surprise when they noticed the opposite of the instruction given in the information sent to the city was happening. They made their way to the palace very fast to inform the king about his mistake.
David was more than excited to see Nacca, Zarius, Aryan, and Prince Balin before his attention was drawn to the strange-looking little girl he did not recognize. Elder Kabuza already returned to the Sanctuary with another boat. He didn't enter the city. David has so many questions running through his mind, but time won't permit him because of the situation he has to deal with as the commander of the army of Hashmaim. He kept them to himself as he followed Naca to see his father.
Nacca demanded to know who read the instruction on the letter sent through the falcon to the city, and the king told him Nabar. At this point, it was like a veil was lifted from the king's face as he began to realize that it doesn't make any sense for the enemy to decide on attacking through the Northern gate. Nacca told him the enemies are marching towards the western gate, and they will be there by tomorrow. They began to change their battle formation immediately.
The king ordered some guards to bring Nabar to the palace, but it was strange how he was nowhere to be found within the city. The king immediately understood Nabar had fooled him. There was nothing he could do about the situation because he had to focus on winning the war, which is almost impossible with the current number of soldiers. Nevertheless, the king encouraged everyone that remains loyal to him to stand and fight, for it is better to fight and die on the battlefield than to sleep like cowards and await judgment from their enemy.
The sound of drums began to echo through the night. A sign that the enemies were close.
Before the war would begin, Aryan and the little girl were put in the care of princess Esther. The princess, Gwen, Linda, some maidens, and other top-class women in the city were kept together.
War never ends without tragedy. Mothers began to cry and pray for their children's safety, who was part of the soldiers risking their lives to keep the city safe. Wives were bracing up for the worst as they encourage their little children not to give in to fear. They told their children their fathers would be back alive even when they are not sure about it. Men who have grown too old to fight wished they could sacrifice themselves so that the young ones won't have to die.
The night was over faster than ever. No one slept because of fear the horror of war brings. It made everyone stay awake as they expect to start hearing the swords' clashing and the falling of walls anytime soon. When everywhere became bright enough for people to see each other's faces, a long time visitor came to the city with what anyone would refer to as good tidings.
Elder Kabuza has not entered the city for ages. He came early in the morning when the sight of the enemies appears blurry to the eyes because they were still far away. Soldiers have lined up outside the gate of the city, while those who believe the king is evil for not releasing to the enemy what he wants, stayed in the town. It is not only dangerous for them to stand and fight. It is also disastrous for them to be within the city because they might start attacking the people who trust the king's judgment.
Everyone was pleased to have elder Kabuza join them. Kabuza presence increased the people's hope as he began to address a delicate situation that could increase their chances of winning the war.
Since the arrival of Nacca, Nabar could not be found. He knew he would have to explain to the king and everyone why he deceived them concerning the information sent to the city.
Elder Kabuza being a man that could read and manipulate minds, understood why the city was divided against itself the moment he stepped into it. He ordered one of the rebellious soldiers to be brought to him. He entered his mind and was able to free him from the torment of the voice controlling him. He reached out to several people at the same time, including citizens that were not in the military.
All the soldiers that got released from the spell of the voice joined the line up immediately as the enemies drew closer. The king remained in the palace while elder Kabuza departed before it all began.
Nabar has hidden himself underneath his house. He has created a secret underground space in expectance of a day when things begin to turn against him. Not only is the place a secret hideout for him, but it is a tunnel leading to a place no one would ever expect.
The frontline was set. David stood fearless in the company of Nacca, Zarius, prince Balin, and several men of honor as the enemy's faces became a reality to all of them. "Battlefield, a place where only men stand with the courage to either exist for victory or die to be honored forever." David began to charge his men. He boosted their moral until fear disappeared into thin air.
"Humans, there won't be a need for bloodshed here today if you can quietly hand over the girl to us." The horror in the commander's voice was enough to make the soldiers quit, but it seems they were all ready to embrace death than shame.
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