Image by @wakeupkitty
King Caesar had his crown shining bright like the sun, and bravely he rode on his horse, wearing clothes made of glittering gold. Marching behind were the king’s army; they were like shadows of the past, some marching, some riding, swords and spears glittering in the morning sun, a sign that they had been properly sharpened and ready for battle. Ravens circled above, squawking like they knew something we didn’t.
"Halt!" cried a voice from the bushes.
King Caesar's eyes narrowed. "Who there?" he bellowed, hand on his sword.
“It's an ambush!“ King Caesar's general yelled in fear.
From the bush emerged the enemy soldier, fierce and ready for a fight. "Your Majesty," he sneered. "Finally, you stumbled into our trap!"
The king's face twisted in surprise. "A trap, you say?"
"Indeed, Caesar. We’ve been waiting for this moment." A man who appeared to be the king of the enemy soldiers said he was emerging from the bush, grinning wickedly.
The king’s heart raced, but he was no coward. "Prepare for battle, men!" he commanded, drawing his sword and jumping down from his horse.
His army sprang into action, swords clashing, horses neighing, and chaos engulfing the battlefield.
But amidst the fray, the king noticed something strange. "Where are they all coming from?" he muttered, watching as enemy soldiers poured from the bushes like ants from a hill.
"They're much, Your Majesty!. We’re surrounded,” cried King's Caesar's general, panic creeping into his voice. “I advise we retreat and live to fight another day.”.
The king’s mind raced, searching for a way out. Suddenly, he spotted it—a narrow path leading through the trees. "Follow me!" he shouted, leading his men towards the safety of the forest.
But the enemy was relentless, chasing them through the trees, arrows raining down like hail. "We can’t keep this up, Your Majesty!" gasped a soldier, clutching his side where an arrow had pierced his armour.
The king’s jaw clenched; he knew they wouldn't outrun the enemy soldiers. He looked around and saw his soldiers wounded and falling in battle even as they ran. Determination burning in his eyes, he decided it was better to die gallantly fighting than running but still die.
“Halt soldiers!” He commanded. “He who is a coward can make a run for it home; hopefully you get home alive to tell the tale to our people of how we died fighting for them. But for those who wish to die fighting with the King today, we’ll make our stand here. He looked around; only a handful made the run home but couldn't get far before the enemy spears got to them.
Drawing his sword once more, the king declared. "For king and country!"
“For king and country,” his soldiers replied, looking at each other as if to say goodbye with their eyes.
And so, with bravery in their hearts and steel in their hands, King Caesar and his army fought on, against all odds, until the last one of them fell and victory was the enemy.