The rune burned in the air, like a dark sun over the frozen courtyard before Laz waves his hand, causing it to replicated a dozen times, then a dozen more, then several dozen more times until there was one for every member gathered. Thousands of these runes flew out then, burning themselves onto the chests of everyone gathered together before it burned itself on to his right chest. The rune looked more like a design that a rune mark, of two wings separated by an intricate spear facing downwards.

Even though it hurt, no one flinched, no one stopped looking forward at this man who many of them had only heard about, but had never seen. Several banners were raised into the air, upon which was marked with the same design.

The Death Walkers were ready for battle.

Laz and his group marched forward as a massive gate, the North gate, opened in front of them. Everyone gathered their weapons and began to march as well, at first in place but then following Laz’s group to the gate.

Upon the battlements around the courtyard, many had gathered to see them off. Guards, servants, family and many of Hera’s daughters. Just as they reached the gate though, one woman stood in front of all of them, showing herself.

Hera stood there in golden laced armor with her hair done up into a warriors braid. She then brought her hand up into a fist and brought it down on to her chest, a salute to those who were about to go to their death.

Seeing this, all those gathered, did the same, saluting those marching to their eventual deaths.

The Death Walkers didn’t return the salute, they just kept walking, their numbers like a tide, splitting the Empress who held her place for as long as there was still a single member inside. Once they had all left, she stayed there only a while longer before turning and waving her hand, signaling the gate to be sealed up again as all of the regular solders and guards began to assemble as well.

"Why doesn’t he send his men out to fight and stay here, where it’s safe? Can he ever make much of a difference on his own? Why not just lead the battle from back here where he will have a clearer vision and can make rational decisions?" Tamesis asked.

"Because.... that isn’t the kind of man he is," Athena responded, her gaze still locked on the door that had just been shut.

"Because a man like that.... could never get me to desire him...." Athena then said, a little softer, before turning and leaving with her crew, getting ready to prepare her own troops for their own war.

"That just seems foolish," Tamesis said, not hearing the second part of what Athena said.

"Perhaps. But that is the way of warriors. For them, there is nothing scarier than the day they can no longer reside on the battlefield, but must instead use others to die for them. Perhaps this is something you’ve heard about before? Being the daughter of such a mighty king as your father?" Pooja said, turning to look at the bald woman.

At first Tamesis thought she was being mocked, but she sensed no malice from the other woman and instead thought of her words.

’My father... did say that at times when he was feeling older...’ she finally concluded.

Looking back at the door, something finally hit her and why she felt the way she did for Laz.... He reminded her so much of her own father.

...

The march down the hill was pretty quick as the snow hadn’t started falling heavily for the season yet and what snow that did fall was quickly taken care of by servants assigned to the task. Reaching the first gate, the doors opened quickly as all of the guards had assembled, saluting the warriors walking through it.

No words were spoken as they made their way further up north, The front of the column lead by Laz, Two, Six and Seventeen along with the rest of the original warriors.

By the time the second gate was in sight, they found an area off the side of the road, lit some fires and set down for a good few hour rest and some cold rations. The gate would be providing rations while the fought, but as they intended to head out once they reached the gate, this was their moment to relax.

Laz was crewing on some ration bread when he saw a young man pacing back and forth a ways away from him.

"Hey. Boy. You. Come here for a moment," Laz called out, loud enough to get a lot of people’s attention.

Embarrassed, the young man walked forward in front of everyone and stood in front of the still sitting Laz. He then saluted the way he had been taught before asking,

"Did you call for me commander?"

Laz looked up from his bread and watching the still saluting boy, who had to only be around 18, finally said,

"I know this food isn’t the best, but I haven’t eaten since last night and am feeling a bit hungry. Unfortunately, you’re making me nervous with all your moving around. Can’t you just sit and relax for a moment?" Laz asked.

Many of the older members heard this and laughed while the boy turned a bit red.

"I’m sorry sir. I’m just... I can’t relax. I’m nervous and I.... I’m just...."

"I know boy. I know. That’s why, right now, the best thing you can do... is to sit down and relax. Your body is too tense and you’re running on too much energy right now. At this rate, when we come face to face with the beasts, you’ll be ready for a nap. So lighten up, sit down and take some deep breaths. Besides, based on my calculations, you’ll at least live through the first day. If anything, Blake over there is probably going to die first..."

"Hey? Come on First. Why the hell am I going to be the first to die?"

"Cause don’t think for a moment we don’t hear you bragging to your buddies about banging that maid from the kitchen the other day. Guys like you always end up with your head bitten off before your sword can taste flesh..."

"So just because I got lucky, I’m going to die before anyone else?"

"Nope. It’s because that maid happened to be the head chef’s daughter and I’ve not yet told anyone that it’s because he was pissed that we got stuck with stale bread instead of fresh rations. So basically... you screwed over the entire legion and I’m about ninety nine percent sure someone is going to take revenge for that before the day is over..." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Suddenly a lot of loud murmurs were heard from all around as everyone suddenly stared at Blake like they wanted to rip him apart as opposed to the hard bread in their hands. Sure, they would get food from the gate, but not until later tonight which meant that their current suffering was caused by one man.

"WOOOHHHHOOO. Hey guys. First is lying, alright? There is no way that girl was the head chef’s daughter. She was sexy as hell and the head chef looks like an ox, Ok?... besides, she told me her name was...."

"THAT’S THE HEAD CHEFS FAMILY NAME YOU ASSHOLE!!!!"

"So see? You’re pretty safe for today. Blake on the other hand.... I will plant some flowers on his grave... tomorrow... hold up Two, Six and Seventeen. You three really would kill him so stay here," Laz then called out to the three men who had risen from their seats.

Hearing this, the previously nervous young man couldn’t help but laugh as several of the men closest to Blake had stood up with daggers and were threatening to chase him down. Luckily the friends that Blake made stood together with him despite their anger at him and mad sure to hold the crowd back. They yelled at bit at each other first before Blake called out something that seemed to calm them down a bit, enough to relax their daggers anyway.

"How can you slander me like that, First?" Blake called back from behind his protection group.

"Alright, alright. Enough," Laz called out, getting them to return to their seats and finish their meal.

"Besides, it wasn’t his daughter he slept with... it was his wife. She has a thing for younger men and a rack worth dying for..."

Even more men and women now jumped from their seats to attack Blake as they quickly overwhelmed his small group of protectors. Two, Six and Seventeen also jumped up from their seats at this point and ran over.

"Guys...?" Laz called out.

"We’re just making sure he won’t get himself killed right now First. Don’t worry...." Two called back before wading into the mob himself.

"I wasn’t worried... not until you just punched him in the face. Oh... that’s going to leave a mark. Well... it might have been his sister. The details weren’t too clear and I was too lazy to ask. Ah well," Laz then said more to himself than anyone else as the shocked younger man looked on.