[Artemisia] coming soon...

[rayzentz at aim.com]

   Willem squinted over the battlements, stamping his feet and blowing into his hands, as the early morning sun began its rise over the horizon.   He was looking forward to his relief.   The night on watch had been cold, and there was a thin rime of frost on the stone.   A cup of hot soup would be welcome, and then it would off to bed.  He might even find someone to help warm it.
 
    The castle was already in a bustle, as the final refugees were entering the gates, and preparations for a siege were underway.   A week ago, several patrols had told the seneschal that the Saracens were near, but none of the more recent patrols had returned, so nobody knew when the marauders would attack.
 
Yesterday, the king, his retinue, and all of his soldiers had arrived, so residents of the castle were in good spirits.  Still, tension was high, tempers were beginning to flare, and the waiting was getting on Willem’s nerves.
 
   He was watching a robin wrestling a worm on the ground below the battlements, when something odd in the distance caught his attention.   Shading his eyes against the glare, he peered out in the distance.   At first, he couldn’t tell what had disturbed him.   All he could see was the glitter of the sun reflecting off water.   Suddenly, it occurred to him that there was no water in that direction.   Shocked, he watched as the glitter turned into a sea of spear points.   Grabbing the alarm rope, and pulling ‘til the bell pealed frantically, he watched as the spears grew, and the army carrying them rose into view.   The horde had arrived…
 
 
Middle Eastern War....   Don't Miss it
 
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