Chapter 13

The whole army that consisted of newly grafted soldiers and war heroes who had fought with King Philip marched out to the battlefields with their squires, maids, and a few helpful hands. Both squires and extra hands helped to build tents. Words had reached the Camelorn army that the Amires had set the northern villages on fire, killing, raping, stealing, and destroying. Octavius had hastened Gustoff with the weapons, getting more than 3000 swords, shields, and clubs, the trained archers had been supplied with new quivers, arrows, and new bows all with Ashterah's emblem, the foot soldiers marched in front with boxes of fire powder, horse archers and captains held their horses and led them to the makeshift stable the squires built while battalion leaders assembled to supervise. Octavius, Garius, Festus, and two more generals; Calors and Inobus supervised the all-around activities. Octavius walked slowly in the direction the maids went carrying woods for fire, pots, and pans to cook with, he noticed a few of the maids carrying blankets into some of the men's tents. They had marched all morning and had arrived at the army camp 50 yards away from the enemy camp and most of the men who hardly stayed away from women had already purchased the services of some maids for the night. He caught sight of Angus walking around the camp in his plain brown tunic and sandals, he was with a dagger and was approaching one of the maids skinning rabbits. He smiled.

He will never understand his brother's randy character. He was quite content with the one woman in his life. Emilia. He smiled at the thought of her and slipped his hand into the pocket of his tunic removing the letter he had received from her two days ago.

Her parents had given their consent, thanks to the fates, and had started making preparations to come to Camelorn until they had heard about the war with the Amires. King Festus Ing Avia had wished them good luck and the blessings of all gods of Camelorn and Intavia, plans were made to start the wedding feast the moment the war ended and Octavius swore to Emilia that he would return whole. She had written about her hope for a future with him, one of many children; boys and girls, running around their home with laughter and mud all over their arms and legs, he smiled at the image. He couldn't wait till it became a reality.

Suddenly he felt the heat behind his neck, the breath on his neck, something that had become a constant since he visited Ashterah. Her constant presence was menacing and though she was still to show herself to him in person she made her presence known when the feel of her moved to certain parts of his body, she appeared around him without being seen when he trained and whispered seductive words into his ear, moved her unseen hands around him until he gritted his teeth to keep from crying out loud in frustration. And she laughed and mocked him, her voice echoing in his ears and every time she came he felt guilty and foolish, felt like he was failing Emilia over and over.

This time her presence was swift and he felt her smile, thankful he couldn't see her face and the smugness on it. He felt her close by his ear and just as quickly she was gone.

As he sought to get his bearings he felt a sharp poke on his right shoulder down, he was startled and realized Garius had been standing in front of him the whole time.

"Your Highness?" Garius's brow was furrowed in concern.

"Garius," he replied almost stumbling over the name.

"You look a million miles away from your men. I have told you, Octavius, a king does not concern himself with thoughts of frivolities when at war."

He laughed and tilted his head towards the men who were discreetly following after the maids who had entered their tents "What about them?"

"They are not leaders. You are the one they are all looking up to, Your Highness. This is the first time you are leading your men into battle and while I know that your years of sword training will pay off I can tell that something troubles you. What it is, Octavius?"

He considered telling him about Ashterah's sudden obsession with him but decided not to after all because everyone, male or female, considered themselves favored if the gods took a liking to them. People sought to be claimed by the gods but he didn't, not when his heart belonged to another. Garius and every other man would laugh if he told them he disliked the war goddess's interest in him. They would think him foolish to not want to be claimed by her.

"Nothing troubles me, Garius. I am just worried for our men."

Garius patted his shoulder "You should not worry about them Your Highness, you should rest tonight so that we will be ready when the enemy wave the signal. Come, my prince, and rest, you need your strength." He started to lead Octavius to his tent that was set up in the center of the camp when a young foot soldier who was no more than eighteen ran up to them breathing heavily.

"Your Highness, the enemy has raised the signal," he panted pointing in the direction of the base where the Amires had set up their camp which wasn't very far from the village they had destroyed.

Octavius, Garius, and a couple of other soldiers ran to look, and there from the camp rose thick black smoke and the red, white, and green flag of the Amires. Octavius turned to Garius.

"Are the spies in place?" he whispered.

Garius nodded discreetly. Early that morning Festus and Garius and sent spies to the Amire camp ahead of them and so far none had returned dead which was a good sign. They had a bit of advantage even though it was without doubt that some spies had also been sent to the Camelorn camp. Octavius with the helpful, albeit grudging guidance of Ashterah, had trained intelligent Scavaer, assassins, to discreetly pick out the traitors in their army and so far more than ten men had been silently killed and dumped in the desert on their march to the camp. There were more traitors but he was confident that the scavaers would fish them out.

Octavius turned on his heels and marched to the center of the camp and spoke. "Men of Camelorn!" he yelled.

He waited until the soldiers moving around stopped what they were doing, all of the archers, shield bearers, human battle absorbers, the horse soldiers and their captains, and all of the others paused and turned their attention to him.

Garius and Festus stood at his left side while Angus who had finally found strength as the captain of archers stood by this right. Men who had entered their tents with maids came out strapping their tunics, hooking their daggers in place.

Satisfied Octavius began. "Men of Camelorn, the enemy has given their signal. Unlike other times we have had only a short time to prepare ourselves. We have rejected an alliance with Amire for the sake of our kingdom, for the love we have for our kingdom. Tomorrow you prove how much you love your kingdom by fighting for her, tomorrow we march into battle so I advise you men of Camelorn to rest well tonight for the morrow will be tortuous with the heat of battle. Men of Camelorn fight for your nation but fight with an eye out for your brother, watch your brother's back and the gods will give us victory!"

The men hailed and yelled chanting his name and calling on the gods. Festus nodded slightly at Octavius, Garius nodded and Angus clapped his back.

"You are a good leader, brother"

Octavius nodded but knew that the war would prove it.