Bride of the Dark Lord

#75 Last Preparation

Marjol.

I rubbed the heiress's signet ring on my left index finger.

Marjol.

Since I left there, I have not worn this ring. 'Cause, all I felt, was guilt. Guilt, that I was incapable. An inefficient leader. So, I pulled the signet ring off. For I had become someone I no longer recognized.

But now, I've worn it again. To give me strength, and remind me of who and what I was fighting for.

Marjol. Armalith.

For peace, and freedom of all.

I pushed my sword into its sheath on my waist, and a moment later, mounted the black horse that I was to travel on.

I patted it. And gently, we moved out of Aurora's stable.

And as I was out in the rain, the first persons I saw, were Ashton and Cederic.

I hope they were not here for Regalis.

"Were you really about to leave without us?" Cederic said.

"She was" Ashton answered.

"If you are here about Regalis, I don't..."

"We're here for Armalith" they both said, "this is where Nadia would really want us to be" Ashton added.

"You won't say it. But I'm sure you saw something. Like the vision at the camp".

I breathed in. Unable to repeat what I'd seen. It still pierced my bones and left my jaws, incapable of speech. As I still feared, that despite what I had done to hinder him from leaving this village, my vision would still somehow come to pass.

From behind Cederic and Ashton, came the neigh of horses. And soon, the riders pulled up in front of me. Beside Cederic and Ashton's horses.

It was Duncan, from the Northern military camp. Along with his friends, Aurora's sons - the Walter brothers, and about thirty other soldiers.

If I was right. I had saved each of these soldier's health in the past.

"You didn't think we would let you enter the Capital alone, right?" Udolf, Aurora's son, the one I saved, while he was choking to death, said.

"You saved Udolf" Wilder, the eldest among the siblings said, "so, we're here to help you in any way we can".

That touched me. People, I helped months ago, and I've almost forgotten about, were now here to help me in battle. I, a woman.

My eyes went to the other soldiers. Then, Duncan. The last night I saw him, was the night I helped detect his smoke inhalation injury.

"I owe you" he said.

"You don't..."

"No" he said, "I won't be alive today, without you. A woman. And though, you're not a male. Still, you'll lead us into battle. And I'll follow".

"You've earned it" Duncan said, "all women have".

And as I started to pull the reins of my horse for us to leave, it occurred to me. "And Brayton?" I said to Duncan and the Walter brothers, since they had not left the North that long.

Udolf sighed, "the General has still not left Lady Nadia's side".

Upon Nadia's death, somehow, the truth just came out. That the respected General Aldrada, 'son' of the retired Commander-in-Chief, was actually a female.

"I think, he really believes Nadia could wake up at any moment. And so, doesn't want to leave her side" Ashton said.

And my heart wept.

Brayton. Unable to move on. That was what love did. As you wished you were much more kinder and more loving to that person you loved, before they crossed to the Great Beyond.

And Duncan said, "you know what? When this battle is over. You know one of the things I will do? I'll recommend that women be able to join the army".

And the soldiers, behind him chorused in agreement.

"Women, like you and General Aldrada. And all kinds of women. We all, can serve our country together" Duncan said.

I smiled. For words like these, to leave Duncan's lips. It was amazing. Truly magnificent.

And the Mother of Light knew I looked forward to that day, when Armalith would've female soldiers, female Ministers and female Governors. It was possible. An Armalith, without slavery. Where both genders were equal. And the women, wouldn't have to be forced into marriage, with a collar of death. And young citizens, called slaves, wouldn't have to 'earn' their own freedom through some silly gladiator's match. 'Cause in this country's constitution, they were born to be free.

And oh! What a beautiful Armalith, that would be.