Memory in the End

Chapter 15: Three Tests

I'm no longer in the village. Instead I'm now standing on a battlefield with a bloody sword and multiple casualties around me. I recognize the seal of the fallen soldiers, they hold the seal of Isaigalla and the other army holds a seal I don't recognize. It looks like we're losing a pretty costly battle; but what are we fighting over?

"My lady," a soldier brings me out of my daze, "King Driastus is coming up across the river with more men than we have. If we retreat we lose the Valley of Gladsow.".

The Valley of Gladsow is pretty important, it allows passage for traders, making our kingdom blossom. But it doesn't look like we have enough men to fight against an entire army. If we fight then it's quite surely we shall die. But if we don't, we lose a valuable asset.

"What do you want us to do, my lady?" he asks, once more.

I sigh, "Tell the soldiers to pack their supplies and retreat.".

"And you as well?".

"No," I stare ahead, "I'm staying.".

"My lady?!".

"I have to talk to Driastus. Perhaps we can reason with him.".

"And if he doesn't want to reason, you are surely going to die.".

"If I shall die, then so be it," I tell him, "But I shall not risk your lives, so get out now. That's an order.".

He nods, bowing his head gently and soon I see all of them leaving. I don't know how I long I'm standing there but when I see the army coming up, I can already see them laughing. King Driastus leads, coming up to meet me first.

"If it isn't little Arrabella," he smirks, "Where is your army that shall destroy us all?".

"Driastus," I tell him, "How about we negotiate a truce?".

"A truce?".

"We divide control of the valley. You take one half, and I will take the other. Let's end this stupid war and send our soldiers home to their families," I tell him and he laughs.

"Seems to me like you already did.".

"I don't need an army to defeat you; I'm powerful as it is and if I should die, I'll take a bunch of your men down too. Now how about we just let them go home?".

He stays silent. Everyone knows that I'm a pretty good fighter, and an experienced leader, "Very well.".

"Let's work on a truce then," I smile.

He shakes his head and raises up his sword, "How about this," He throws his sword down on me. I bring up my shield, stopping his sword mid-air and kick his legs from under him. Driastus is big, but he has very little fighting skill. I hold my sword to his throat, his eyes wide with shock but then he smirks, "Do it.".

I shake my head, "No.".

"No?".

"I am not going to kill you over this valley. Instead," I say, placing my sword back in my sheath, "I am going to give it to you. You can have it. I'm going to save my men and my strength for more important battles. Besides, people will still come and trade with us. We will just find a different way. Good day.".

I turn around to leave when I hear a laugh. Behind me is no longer Driastus and his men but rather Gahone, "You have passed the first test.".

"That was the first test? What did that evaluate?" I ask.

"It tested your priorities, and you prioritized the life of your men over the ownership of a valley. You also had a chance to end the life of Driastus but you didn't; it shows that killing isn't something you will just do for anything. Now get ready for the second one," he tells me. Before I can protest or say anything, I'm sitting in my bedroom, the same one I lived in at the castle.