When Ari judged that they had gathered as many soldiers as they could at this point and had equipped everyone with some form of weapon and basic training, he decided it was finally time to head towards Arba. So the two armies began their march in two different directions towards the city of the Lords.
For the first time since he came to Endërland, Daniel had to be separated from his best friend, and though he had come to have faith in Nemo’s ability to look after himself and others, he could not help but feel anxious. But he wasn’t the only one; Nemo felt as nervous about this as he did.
‘I don’t feel right leaving you, Dan, I promised I would follow you until the end.’
Daniel felt like hugging his little friend and holding him tight for a good while, but he did not want to embarrass him in front of his battalion. Íro’s beautiful eyes were also fixed on the red-hair boy, who seemed to have grown a year’s worth during this past season. So, instead, he just shook his hand and gave him a friendly pat on the arm.
‘Whatever debt you felt you owed me, Nemo, has long been paid. Besides, this is not the end, we will meet again, sooner than you think.’
Nemo smiled and shook his hand in the same manner, trying to appear strong. He then let go and turned to leave, but stopped after only a few steps, changing his mind. He turned back, and opening his arms wide, threw himself at Daniel, and gave him a quick hug.
‘We usually say, “May the Great Lord lead your way” in such occasions, but today I think I’ll just say “good luck and see you soon,” Dan.’
‘See you soon, Nemo,’ Daniel smiled as the young prince headed back towards his battalion, waiving at the lovely Íro one last time.
Just as the first part of their army was leaving the camp, one of the flying patrols announced that a horde of wild horses was approaching fast from the northeast. Daniel immediately thought of Lightning. Very soon, he spotted the stallion leading over four hundred of his sons and daughters towards them, each one as beautiful and proud as he was. Lightning rode straight to Daniel, whinnying with pleasure at the sight of his rider and master. Daniel almost wept from the joy of seeing his faithful friend again; he could not imagine riding any other horse into battle. He threw his arms around Lightning’s long neck and gave him a well-deserved hug. He was now ready to face any enemy.
The rest of the horses were saddled and mounted, adding to the number of the cavalry leading the march. Behind them, the ground troops were put into formation and followed on foot.
For Daniel’s unit it was pretty much a straight wide path from where they were, all the way to Endër. The only real difficulty so far came from the thick snow that continued to build up all around them. Every hour, those at the front of the line cutting through it, would be replaced by a new batch of soldiers, to avoid them getting exhausted and slowing down the march. Riding Lightning, Daniel remained in front of the line, leading them all the way. The brave stallion never seemed to show any sign of weariness. The oracle rode next to him, as always never leaving his side. At times, Diane and Damien - who were now inseparable - would join them for a while, other times Séraphin would fly along, keeping them updated on their progress and everything happening around them.
But the person whom Daniel most wanted beside him, stayed out of sight throughout the whole march. Hëna was lost somewhere between the troops, and he had no idea if she was actually with his unit, or had followed Nemo and the Sky-Queen.
They marched with few stops for what seemed like ages to all of them, but would have otherwise been two days and two nights, until they got to the borders of Endër. They avoided entering the city and continued instead marching north of it, until they joined the main road through which his mother’s coach had taken them to Arba the first time around.
People continued to join their ranks as they passed near the city and the villages in the area, thus raising their numbers and spirits even higher. Almost two thousand men that formed part of Diane’s army came out of Endër and joined their queen in the march.
Daniel’s heart grew lighter the more people were added to this marching crowd that they were calling army. He was hoping beyond hope that seeing all these people gathered before him, Winter would see some sense and for their sake would back down. Yet, even though he truly believed that every man had some goodness in him, he was afraid that he could not count on this when it came to the White Lord. Something else seemed to be going on with him, and he had a feeling that when time came, they would not be dealing with just a man, nor even a Lord.
And as he looked at the multitudes of people marching on behind him, he was suddenly afraid for their lives. What if he was leading these people to their deaths? What if the weapons they were given and the training they got weren’t enough? Anyone else from his world would have called this madness, and him a mad man for leading a bunch of farmers and shepherds to fight against an army of creatures bread only for killing. How would he be able to live with the responsibility and guilt if all this failed, as it most probably would? What would his “loyal subjects” think of him then?
The closer they got to Arba, the more anxious and doubtful he became about where he was leading these people. But as the walls of the city of the Lords eventually appeared on the horizon, the oracle, who seemed to always know what to say, put his mind at ease.
‘I know you have doubts, Daniel; it’s not an easy feat what we’re trying to achieve. Many may die, it’s true, but you must remember that the alternative is far worse. If nothing is done, everyone will die sooner or later and that’s a fact. They know that, that’s why they come out to fight.’
‘They come because they think the Great Lord is with them, and he will protect them and grant them victory. I can’t protect them, Alfie; I don’t have the power.’
‘Whether you have the power or not, it will be revealed in due time; until then, lead them on Daniel, and trust in their hearts and strength to protect themselves and their home.’
There was not much he could say to that; he might not have the faith that the oracle had in him, but there was nothing he could do about it now. There was no turning back from where they had all come. Soon they would be face to face with Winter and his creatures, and then the future of Endërland would be decided once and for all.
Battle