Book 10: Chapter 26


    Marvel Do you really have to do this?


    The panther turned his head around to look at the thin dress. He nodded, Yes, I must. I cant control what the three other tribes do. Ive already done what I should, but they still dont understand. However, I cant just watch those humans run rampant here in ournds. We are not fighting a war to expand, but one for our lives!


    But if you leave, the other tribes will not


    We will die all the same if I dont leave.


    Marvel looked at his wife and gave her a gentle forehead kiss. He softly continued, Our tribe has always lived here. We cannot be selfish fools, like the other three tribes, for our own sake. If we do not make a stand, nobody will. I would rather die on the battlefield than let the humans capture me from my bed.


    Then, I


    Marvel gently stroked his wifes slightly bulging belly. He bit down on his lip with self-me and apologetic feelings, Im sorry, my love. I cant protect you and our child by your side. I can only say that we loved at the wrong time, but you must believe me. I am going to the frontlines for our child and your sake! Our child shouldnt be at a continent that has crumbled. He should go to an expansivend!


    I know. I know. I love you. I love you.


    She repeated every sentence twice. He grabbed hold of her hand with his ws. The moonlight finally shone through the clouds, lighting up her pointy ears.


    The wife looked at her husband. The panthers green eyes contained his passionate love. He kissed his elven wife. He then looked into the distance and in a voice of concern, said, This wouldnt have happened if the previous King was still alive. Though our Queen is smart, she wields no power. The elves saved the North, but they havepletely forgotten the gracious act of the elves. I cant retaliate as a tribe leader and for our tribes sake Otherwise, the Moon Fox Tribes end might be our future.


    His wife looked at him and responded, I know; I understand your situation. However, I hope you can survive. No matter what, I hope you can survive.


    I will. I will do my best.


    He nodded, and then looked toward the South. He took in a deep breath and suppressed the tears that were on the verge of escaping. He no longer remembered how long it had been, since he was in so much despair. He had been through many dangers and countless ordeals, but that was the first time he was faced with despair.


    He wasnt against the four tribes overruling the Queens ideas. What he had for her was merely respect, not loyalty. When faced with a decision, he wisely chose the side with more power, and it seemed that he betted on the right side, but now, it appeared that he was wrong.


    The fate of the North was in the hands of a few morons. He wasnt against the war. They were fine if they just nned properly, but he never expected two fatal mistakes to be made. Everything had gone wrong. The side that had the initiative was now in a passive position. If the humans fortified their defences and cut off their supplies, the anthropoids only option would then be tounch an all-out attack. Letting those anthropoids who dont know war n for the war was the biggest mistake!


    He knew that one man couldnt change a war, which was why he felt despaired. He might not be able to change anything regardless of how brilliantly he fought on the frontlines, so he had to go despite his own despair.


    He wasnt fighting just for his wife and child, but also for his honour as a noble. He wasnt a coward. Honour flowed in his blood. His ancestors blood once flowed in the Norths soil. How could he fall after burying his ancestors?


    He had to head south. He had to fight with the humans. He didnt want to be buried with those other anthropoids even if he only had this army alone and even if he had to die.


    ============


    I silently acknowledged what Ling Yue said to me.


    I looked at the soldiers below. It was night time, but I could see everyones face lighted up by the mes. They looked up at me as they awaited mymand.


    I was now wearing the Elven Kings war cloak and held the Elven Kings sword in my hand. They were the honour Mommy Vyvyan and the Gdriel gave me. The red scarf at my neck swayed gently. It was very simple in design and old, but it was Mommy Elizabeths protection for me, nheless.


    I took out a protective amulet from my shirt, and gave it a gentle kiss.


    Nier gave me the amulet. It was the same as the one I took with me to the desert, except that this one was made by the two of them. I looked at the small protective amulet as though I could see the two of them together. I ran my hand that had gotten used to holding a sword on it as if I was engraving time.


    Soldiers, I dont need to say anymore, right? Your mission is simple. Get into the North, and defeat all of our enemies that dare to stand in our way. Then let us regroup inside the pce!


    As I looked at the soldiers below, I violently mmed my sword on the rock in front of me. The soldiers below shouted out in sync. All of them wore looks of excitement on their faces.


    It was understandable. We were finally attacking after doing nothing for days. I didnt prepare any camouge gear. However, it was deste in the north, so theyd see our preparations to cross therge canyon if they looked closely. I didnt even hide our simply constructed bridges.


    There was no reaction from the North, however. Though I knew that the four tribes were somewhat estranged with each other, and leaving their zones meant that it was likely theyd be attacked from the rear.


    <em>Arent they being excessively selfish here? </em>


    <em>The North is faced with a life and death situation now, and yet theyre refusing to attack?</em>


    <em>Is the North history or do they still have strength when theyre on theirst leg?</em>


    <em>Im actually starting to feel flustered now I really cant make sense of what the anthropoids in the North are thinking. Theyve divided up the ruling rights in the North, yet they arepletely distrustful of each other. They should be aware of the severity of the current situation, yet theyre still unwilling to suffer personal losses.</em>


    <em>Theyll die even if they dont attack. Theyd rather cling to the notion of death and waste away, because they dont trust each other, yet they believe that someone will strike in their ce.</em>


    <em>What sort of thinking is that?</em>


    <em>I dont get it.</em>


    <em>But thats good, isnt it? If thats the case, Ill be able to get right into the North. With the most likely ce to be attacked from brought under control, we wont face any attacks.</em>


    Oh, right, I have a new order.


    I looked at the soldiers below and cleared my throat. I looked at Ling Yue behind me; then turned around and said, Do not kill civilians without my orders. No plundering, and no damaging civilian structures. Were soldiers, not thugs. If I find out someone disobeys my orders, Ill have you killed regardless of who you are or your rank.


    Roger!