The shadows have long since grown and faded as night has once again fallen on the camp. But tonight we have reason to rejoice, for victory has been won!
We are finally on our way back to Krespania. When we made camp, my Lady insisted on writing of the consequences of the ambush but I refused. She was exhausted and barely able to hold her Jomacha cup. So she entrusted the duty to me. Thus this entry will be written by Meredith de Barra, her lady-in-waiting.
In light of this responsibility, I shall take the liberty of starting my short narrative near the beginning but from a different standpoint. Worry not, my Lady's accounts will not be revisited.
When the hour for battle arrived I implored the Queen not to go. I told her her presence in the camp would be enough to incite courage in the men's hearts, but alas! She is remarkably stubborn and, I'm afraid, too adventure prone. Those of us remaining watched as they road off, the Queen leading her men to the rescue of the small kingdom of Kordana. When they were out of sight, I returned to the tents to help prepare for the coming injured. I will readily admit my frustration at not being allowed to accompany the Queen as I was accustomed to. Though I cannot measure up to the strength and experience of her bodyguards, Joktan and Jokthan, I was determined she needed me.
Reports of the battles' progress came too intermittently. We held our breath as our horsemen advanced from both sides of the Lorate army and drove them back to their camp. And when they succeeded in ousting the enemy from their own camp, we cheered for joy. But the next part of the plan was the essence of a good battle scheme. There was no surety the Lorate's would head for the Kruhn Ridge. They very well could have headed west further across the Valley of Kordana but the Queen's military commander, Emilio de Casimiro, a seasoned soldier, had a feeling the Ridge would be their escape route.
As our commander had suspected, the frightened Lorates fled the valley and headed straight for the westernmost part of Kruhn Ridge, seeking a moments solace to regroup and strengthen their members.
With thoughts of hope no doubt spurring them on, the Lorate army climbed the ridge and was soon out of sight of Kordana. But from nowhere, Krespanian archers penetrated their ranks. They were in fact hidden all along the mountain outcrops prepared for the enemy's escape. What remained of them was met by the remainder of our own army and it was soon apparent who was the stronger of the two. Now in captivity, the surviving Lorates are awaiting the decision of whether they live or die.
While I write, I hear the joyful voices of the men through the tent layers and I know that their happiness will only escalate the nearer we draw to LunaMara castle and home. I am so glad to be returning home, as I know everyone else is too. When we arrive the whole of Krespania will be crowding the streets to welcome us and their young leader, Queen Emerald. No doubt there will be feasting and all sorts of merry-making for at least a week. Only I wish the men would have some consideration at this moment for their tired Queen. Aside from mere battle fatigue, she suffered a dreadful blow to her arm. It is not broken, only severely bruised, but she needs as much rest as she can get before we continue our journey home tomorrow.
And I suppose I shall leave you at that. We are all very grateful the Lord has so blessed us. We sustained very few injuries and all went according to plan.
In grateful relief,
-Meredith de Barra,
Lady-in-waiting
(Blog Post Courtesy of Amy Molloy)
(http://overthehorizon-goldensails.blogspot.com/)
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