My army was taken aback. (Patreon)

"TIS NAE REEGHT," MacBrock bellowed indignantly.  "ATTACKIN' ERE THE LAST MEAL IS SARVED.  CRAZED, PITIFUL STRATEGY FRAE TH' MARHAL.  THEY'LL NE'ER MEK IT DOON T'US LADS ON EMPTY STOOMACHS, FEAR NOT."

"GIT ON YORE FEET, YA LAZY SCALLYWAGS," Burnside yelled.  "That there opposin' army ain't foolin' and neither am I.  I'm a-comin down thar, and any yall what ain't ready to move is gonna hafta deal with me!"

With that, she vaulted over the railing, and sounds of mayhem erupted from my army's camp.

"The enemy is making aggressive movements!" Theromyathus screeched.  "Form up in battle lines!  Elite Shrubs to the front!  On my command, we advance, to bring justice to the arch-traitor Adler!"

"Doomer of Kings!" Edessa added, as she began to weave some scary-looking magick with her battle staff.  "Corrupter of Floozies!"

"Enemy of the Vulpitanian Republic!" Vulpsmarshal Sweetcheeks declared, as he twirled his morning-star above his head.  "Spoiler of pies!"

"Spoiler of beautiful & virtuous vixens!" Avogadro shrieked angrily as he pushed his way to the front of the ranks.

"You'd best stay here, Your Majesty," Ms. Thomson advised me.

"I should be down there, leading my men into battle," I protested.

"You are too important to risk," she countered sternly.  "I will co-ordinate the attack.  You must remain here in this elevated vantage where you can survey the field and shout orders.  Use your bow to pick off strategic targets.  Aim for ranking officers.  And dodge any shots that come your way.  Good luck, and I hope to speak with you again when the battle is over."

Thomson bounded down the stairs and left me alone on the tower porch.  I nervously drew my bow and watched the two armies advance toward each other.  Theronmyathus' troops were orderly and disciplined.  My own forces looked like a disorganized rabble, shambling forward only because Burnside was jabbing them in the back with sharp objects.

I thought that perhaps if I shot Theronmyathus, this would end quickly with the Albric Tor defenders routed in confusion?  Or, more likely, Avogadro or Sweetcheeks, or perhaps even Edessa, would assume command if the eagle fell.  I felt less qualms about shooting the mole or the fox .. but could I shoot the Queen?  She had conducted herself in a manner bordering on Unseelie through all of this, but still - she was pregnant with Estmere's child.  Estmere's semi-lowfolk, half-scuti child.  And furthermore, what kind of femme was she, to be fighting in her condition.  She had been out for my blood since before Nidab & Semos came.  Perhaps she needed to be stopped...

I slowly nocked an arrow and raised my bow.

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