Stand Tall!

by Jambaldorj Olonbayar

“My name is Hawkins. I am sword master of Korneliusz Marshals fighting company. Now tell me who wants to be the first? Who wants to taste the judgment of the holy pope?”

“War master? Can you hear me?” asked the messenger. “Master sleeps!” war master replies was annoyed tone in his voice and gives the messenger the death look. “Yes I understand that but this is important.” Sais the messenger with fear in his face, hope not to get his head chopped off. When the master heard those words he became more curios and asks “Do tell”. When the messenger saw how the master reacted he became calmer. “It’s the pope sir. He called for crusade!”

“Did he now?”

*** *** ***

30 years ago at the training camp.

“Everybody! Listen to me! From here on I will be your leader. You are being recruited for the Templars which mean we will serve the pope. We will be his weapon like the sword is for us, we will protect him like the shield does for us. We will serve him when he calls us for crusade but until then we will train. Is that understood?” said the captain.

“Yes sir!” yells the soldiers as they were getting prepared to train.

“Good now, you will be divided into ten groups. Then you will be sent in to the forest and you guys will fight each other for the survival. We will be watching you guys non-stop and if any of you try to run away then that person will be executed. Is that understood?”

“Yes sir!” soldiers shouts out in confusion wondering if they have to shed blood from their brothers.

*** *** ***

Pope Charles’s crusade has lasted too long, many men were killed many respected lords fall, even the most respected Reece was fallen in to the hands of the foes. This is the final year. Lord Marshal an old friend of Reece has taken his place, and Hawkins came as well.

The Sand storm approaches and with it the Arabic’s charges towards the crusaders. The Arabs knew that they were coming; they have set up an ambush for the crusaders. However they have the finest squats, they have strong eyes; the crusaders have prepared for this. Now there are two questions who betrayed the crusaders and how did they get to him?

“Fighting company! Stand ready! Archers form up. Spearmen get in the line. Swordsmen with me! Stand! Hold! Hold! Hold!” shouts the commander as he prepares himself and his army to face their foes.

The scum of the earth charges towards the crusaders yelling and screaming to set fear in their hearts but it doesn’t work.

“Archers! Hold! Hold! Fire!” their arrows hits the Arabs one by one and seen them suffer and die makes us only stronger, and brings glory to us crusaders.”

*** *** ***

“War master thank you for coming, so as you know its time for war. Said the squat. “I know it is. It’s always time for war. There is only war.” Saud the master in confusion, and why did the papal state has called the crusade on Jerusalem.

“This settlement is huge my master. It has three layers of stone wall and I’ve seen their army they got to have at least three thousand soldiers sire. Do you think we will have a chance of winning this battle?” asks the squat in worrisome tone. “Have faith in the god and in yourself. We are not alone, our alia lord Marshall will give us reinforcement.” Sais the war master trying to encourage him. “Thank you. I will sire.”

*** *** ***

Back at the training the ten teams have been formed and now ready for action.

“You! What’s your name?” asks the captain. He noticed how he was fighting. “John sire. John Williams” said John wandering if he made a mistake, his face expression changed after saying his name. He did what the captain said but what was wrong?

“Good I’ve seen you in action before, and your data seems really high. You will be the team’s captain. I expect a lot from you. don’t let me down John. Now go get ready!”

“Thank you sire. I will never let you down. Failing isn’t an option for me sire.” he was relieved when the captain wasn’t going to punish him instead he became the team captain. now all he had to show was that he is worthy.

*** *** ***

The crusade continues, and Hawkins is proving his name, showing that he is a sword master. No one passed him and no one dared to come. Unfortunately it was different for his squad wasn’t worthy like him. One by one they have fallen, there were only few left.

“Hawkins take center and hold it until our riders come. Go and fast!” said his commander as the gets crowded with the foes. His sight was lost.

“Yes sire” I see them killing my comrades trying to fear me, but I know no fear, I fear no pain. “Come to me and I’ll teach you what fear is.”

*** *** ***

“I am warmaster Korn. All of you will obey me from now on, and we will ride for war by noon tomorrow. I expect you to be ready mentally, and physically. There will be no delays if anyone of you is late. You will bring shame to your names and will be considered my foe. Now everybody rest because we will ride for war.”

War master scanned the place to see whether his soldiers are ready. Are their swords sharp enough? Are their shields strong enough? Does his captains have the will to lead their soldiers? Looks like everything is where it’s supposed to be we are ready for war. Prepare yourselves my worthless foes we are coming.

Back at the training the trainees are fighting each other to show who is worthy and who has the will to serve his holiness the Pope. The higher command came lord Reece Hawkins. Searching for worthy soldiers to serve under us spearman. Searching for new hope.

“Hm. Yes he is good. What is his name?” asks lord Reece who seemd to be really impressed how one solder can lead and fight with might.

“John. Sire.”

“I want his full name. What am I supposed to do with only John. Now give his full name!”

“Sorry noble lord. Yes his name is John Williams. It looks like his grandfather was your master.”

“I see. Well, if he survives I will take him under my wings.”

“War master! Your solders are ready sire.”

“Then its time for war. My solders, my brothers, it is time. It is time to show what we are made of, it is time show them what happens when they defy our god.”

“Lord Marshal!”

The Charles’s crusade continues, and Hawkins shows no mercy to his foes. One by one his enemies come and one by one they fall. As he fights he sees his fellow comrades, his respected commander getting stabbed, but he showed no fear no weakness only his wrath. “Hawkins withdraw for now, and go back to high command and take squad 46 and 59 and push forward show them what you are made of.” Just as he says those word the enemies crushes him, the most respected commander has fallen.

“Hawkins, what word have you brought us? You know you must not abandon the battle, this better be good.” asks lord Marshall wondering what is up on the frontline,

“Our respected commander has fallen, but tears will not be shell now. He ordered me to take squad 46 and 59 push forward, and I have a plan.”

“Indeed, tell me.”

“The enemy has retreated to their Head Quarter but there defense is strong as ever, but we can use that against them. There main defense is there archers, every time we send in solders they arrow us down. Now our scouts have told us that most of the enemy’s number is low.”

“Get to the point!”

“Yes sire. Our catapults have ran out of ammos but we still have oils. We can catapult our oil to their strong hold then send in some fire arrows, which will make damage to the archers. We can use that as an advantage.”

“It seems reasonable but I must take that to other captains, why don’t you take a rest.”

“But sire we shouldn’t rest, we must push forward when we have the chance.”

“What can tired solders do? You tell me that.”

*** *** ***

“JOHN! You did well. My name is lord Reece Hawkins from now on I will be you master. Any questions?”

“No sire.”

“Good. You will serve me, and depends on how well you do your job, you will be promoted.”

“Thank you sire.”

“Tomorrow we are taking over a rebellion settlement, the pepal state don’t trust it any more. It is our duty to take it down.”

Last day of Pope Charles crusade.

“Catapults load up! Archers form up! Hawkins lead squads 46 and 59 and take the left field, be ready to attack on my command.”

“Yes sire. Ok people you heard the man. From up!”

Catalpas! Archer! Fire at all will, show them no mercy! Our catalpas has their attention every one of them are taking cover, it is our time to strike them. My lord has given me the order it is our time. As I approach I see my dead commander, his life spirit has left us but his will never leaves.

We shall strike to this rebel settlement at night but until then our spies will gather more information. John I want you to be ready, I want to test you so you will be on the front line and I will be keeping my eyes on you so as my friend lord Marshal. Now go prepare yourself.

“Yes sire.”

“My old friend Reece why have you brought me here? It is nothing but a waste lad.”

“Try to understand old friend Marshal, but I want you to see him action.”

Solders on your feet! It is time! Form up and fast! We strike when the first light is sighted.

The sun rises and the horn blows. I am just a spear man my duty is to hold the line until the big guys get here. The noble riders, heroic swordsmen, I am nothing to them in I am just a peasant.

Charge!

It is my time my day, the day will be mine and my master will notice me. God be with me on this bless me with your strength … CHARGE!

“He is good, he has my attention. Reece where did you get a man like this? I haven’t seen this much talent for long time.”

“Hahaha enough with the compliments your embracing yourself. But yes he knows how to wield his weapon.”

“I would like to have him if he is successful.”

“As you wish but here is the thing, his grandfather was my master and I want you to help him out like his grandfather did for me.”

“I shall be done.”

“It seems like our spearman did excellent job sent in the rides!”

Yes sire. He raises the green banner and the riders dashes away. Crushing everything on their way.

“The spearman did their job. Pull them out and send in the swords men and bring John here, we would like to have a word with him.”

“So Marshal what do you plan to do with him?” lord Reece asked with a suspicious look.

“Nothing that big. I am planning to put him in to the forth company with Commander Mike.”

“Wha…”

“Ah John, how would you like to serve me? You will be swords man under command of Commander Michael.”

“It would be an honor sire. However I have only one request, it is ok with lord Reece I would like to take his last name.”

“It is not a problem Swordsman Hawkins.”

“The crusade was successful. Thanks to you Hawkins. We can head home tomorrow.” Said Lord Marshal.

“Thank you sire it was my honor.”

“Sire urgent news, the papal state has sent their ambassador they would like to have a word with you and Hawkins.” Sais the messenger.

“Ah Lord Marshal and swordsman Hawkins thank you for joining me. We have read Lord Reece’s journal and he speaks highly about you and we would like you to take his place and be War master Korn.”

“I would love to your highness.”

“That’s good. Do you agree with us Lord Marshal? This is up to you.”

“Yes I highly agree. He is mentally and physically far above me and the people I ever new. I would like to recommend him.”

“Then it is settled. Form now on you will be called War master Korn.”

“Thank you.”

War Master Korn led his army to crusade as they expected this setelment was big this settlement was powerful the only thing they could do was there duty, and pray. Pray that they will get a chance to survive until the reinforcement arrives. “This battle doesn’t go well War master Korn. Our reinforcement from lord corn will not arrive for another 3 hours. Sire we must retreat.”

“No we will not retreat but we will withdraw let our solders rest.”

“Sire! The enemy broke through our defensive line they are coming.”

“What? Gourds, solders form up. We are about to have some hell of a time.”

Hundreds of enemies are approaching; surrounding War masters gourds and solders. They have nothing to fear, they know no fear, and their intentions are not to win but to do their duty, to take out many as they can, to serve his holiness until death takes them away. “One by one they fall and one by one we fall. I am the lust man standing.”

“My name is Korn Hawkins. I am War master of the swordsman. Now tell me who wants to be first? Who wants to taste the judgment of the holy pope?”