The Blade Summoner

The next morning we all got woken up early. Some elves had the habit to stay up late, so we got them to stay up a bit longer and wake us up. It worked quite well, everyone was awake and gathered before the sun raised. There is not much left, but to eat breakfast and... the attack itself.

After the army chugged down their fruit juices, they fastly ate their soup and their bread, seemingly excited to start the fight. Some were more scared, some were less. The difference was easy to see, those who were still laughing even though they were pale were not too scared. Those who silenently sat there were more problematic. I called out to my generals, asking them to help me gather them around on the free space - this time for a more serious project. Project: Raising Morale.

Our troups gathered around with some still having a bread in hand - one guy even holding his soup. It was pretty obvious that they would listen, though. They might be holding them, but no one is eating. No one is talking. The silence was then broken by my cough.

Ce:" Okay. I know you are scared. I also know the reason and that that fear is not something to overcome. I won't ask you to. But what I do ask you to do, is to use that fear instead of letting it control you. Fear is not a bad thing: It makes you more conscious of your opponent, more careful in a fight, but that only counts if you aren't trembling too much to hold a sword. I'll say it bluntly, we don't need fighters that don't want to fight in a battle. Neither do we need dead fighters. Who doesn't feel capable of fighting stays here. No exceptions, no punishment if you do so."

L:" Exactly. Everyone was too scared to do something once. Some learned that their fear was unreasonable, some learned otherwise. Take Servve as an example. This idiot doesn't even know the word! But all of you are skilled fighters, you all have backup by comrades. And if enough swords are molten together, you get one hell of a shield"

Ce:" I'm not going to lie. There is a chance that we lose. There is a chance that each and everyone of us dies. But are you really expecting to fight a war without risks? Do you really think reclaiming our home wasn't bound to sacrifices? Well, it is your choice. But like Laurin said, the more fighters we have - the less casualties we get struck with.

A moment of silence, then slow stomps telling us to start walking.

Ce:" Is that your answer? I cannot hear it?!"

The army stomps as loud as they can, smashing their shields against their swords.

Ce:" Now THATS a yes!"

With that I started walking. Through a few preparations, we had obtained one of the flying ships the demons had - why not put it to use? Our way would've taken twelve hours, but with the smoothly gliding sailing ship, it was a sixth of the original time. The army was less exhausted too. But I am somehow surprised how all of us fit onto this thing...

Ce:" Remember our plan, sneak behind with the hole - then charge forward and collapse onto them from both sides. Also remember the dragon illusion, try not to get irritated - this will get into a mess as it is, we can't need any more of it. Generals? Take your troups lead!"

My generals pound their fist on their heart, then go and give commands to their individial divisions. The plan was about to start.