Day 26 – Morning
The sun barely crested the horizon when a warning call rang through the camp.
"Riders! South road!"
Alexander was already on his feet, rushing to the barricade. He climbed one of the newly built watchtowers, peering into the distance. A dark cloud of dust rose on the horizon—an army on the march.
The Baron wasn't wasting time.
Elias joined him, eyes narrowing. "That's a war party."
Alexander's grip on the wooden railing tightened. "More than that. He's bringing everything."
Below, settlers scrambled to prepare. Weapons were distributed, barricades reinforced, and scouts were sent out to gather intel.
Marcus, the former carpenter-turned-defender, strode up with Gareth. "We've got enough supplies to last a siege for a few days," Marcus said, "but if they surround us, we're trapped."
Gareth grunted, hammer resting against his shoulder. "If they bring siege weapons, these walls won't hold."
Alexander turned to one of the scouts. "How long before they reach us?"
The scout shaded his eyes, scanning the dust trail again. "Less than a day. If they march through the night, they'll be here by sunrise."
Silas, standing nearby, crossed his arms. "They'll attack the moment they arrive. The Baron won't give us time to prepare."
Alexander nodded. "Then we don't wait for him."
The Final Preparations
A war council was called in the heart of the camp. The settlement's key men—Alexander, Gareth, Elias, Tyrell, Marcus, and Silas—gathered around a hastily drawn map of the surrounding terrain.
"The Baron's forces will come from the south," Silas began, tracing a line with his finger. "They'll expect a direct assault."
"But we don't fight fair," Elias said, smirking.
Alexander nodded. "Exactly. We make them bleed before they reach our walls."
He turned to one of the more experienced scouts. "Set up archers along the forest line. The trees give us cover."
"Understood," the man said, already planning the ambush.
"Gareth, Marcus, reinforce the barricades. Anything they can climb, break it. Any weak points, strengthen them."
"We'll make sure they regret stepping foot in this place," Gareth promised.
"Elias, Tyrell," Alexander continued, "you're leading a hit-and-run force. Take some of our best fighters, strike from the shadows. Keep them off balance."
Elias grinned. "Now that's my kind of fight."
Tyrell cracked his knuckles. "Time to make them suffer."
Alexander's gaze swept over his men. "We don't have the numbers to win a direct fight. But if we make them bleed enough before they reach the walls, we have a chance."
Silas leaned forward. "And if they break through?"
"Then we fight until we can't anymore."
The tent fell silent, the weight of the battle settling over them.
Gareth exhaled slowly. "We've come too far to let the Baron take this from us."
Alexander met his gaze. "Then let's make sure he doesn't."
The Baron's MarchThat Evening – The Baron's War Camp
The Baron sat atop his warhorse, watching his army spread out beneath him. Hundreds of men, well-armed and well-trained, moved in disciplined ranks. Torches flickered in the twilight, casting long shadows across the field.
His second-in-command, Captain Darius, rode up beside him. "Scouts report the rebels are preparing defenses."
The Baron sneered. "Let them. They're delaying the inevitable."
Darius hesitated. "They've grown stronger, my lord. This isn't just a band of outlaws anymore."
The Baron's cold eyes turned to him. "And yet they still cower behind wooden walls like frightened vermin."
Darius lowered his head. "What are your orders?"
The Baron exhaled slowly, gazing toward the distant settlement. "We march at dawn. Crush their defenses, burn their homes, and bring me Alexander Maxwell. Alive."
Darius nodded, but there was unease in his expression. "And if he resists?"
The Baron's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Then we make an example of him."
The Night Before Battle
Back at the settlement, the air was thick with tension. Fires burned low, casting flickering shadows as men prepared for the coming storm.
Alexander stood near the watchtower, staring into the dark horizon. He could already feel the rumble of the Baron's approach in his bones.
Tyrell joined him, tossing a small rock into the dirt. "Gonna be a hell of a fight."
Alexander didn't take his eyes off the darkness. "Yeah."
Elias appeared next, stretching his arms. "I'd say we have a fifty-fifty chance of surviving this."
Tyrell scoffed. "I like those odds."
Silas stepped up beside him. "I won't lie to you, Alexander. If the Baron takes this place, he won't leave anyone alive."
Alexander exhaled, his grip on his spear tightening. "Then we don't let him."
A heavy silence fell over the group. This was it. Tomorrow, everything would be decided.
As the settlers huddled in their shelters, whispering prayers and sharing quiet moments with their comrades, Alexander stood alone, staring into the void beyond their walls.
The Baron was coming.
But so was their resistance.