would be where the heavy infantry was going to be placed as a rear-guard action and would act has Stormtroopers and the head of the column. Later Allan and his small but agile and efficient force marched along the edge of the marsh as quietly as they could in the evening to find a suitable spot so as to alert the Trolls, decreasing the chances of their warriors concentrating themselves to opening they were about to use. They at last found a good and remote opening, no Troll footprints, weapons, or any foreign debris.
Allan walked down the column from the rear with his sword in his sheathe and with his fists clenched tightly. “Good soldiers, we are nearing the end of this campaign but the worst is yet to come. This battle will decide if we will see our families again. There is no turning back however there is a glorious path forward. I know which way I am going, will you follow me?!” shouted Allan, displaying a renewed source of energy. “Aye!” bellowed the soldiers with a uniformed response. To the young twenty-year-old prince, this was a sign that he was displaying good leadership. He had never felt so proud of himself. He swallowed his fear and drew his sword from its sheathe. With his sword in the air Allan sprinted to the head of the column to between his heavy infantry and light infantry. “Right then, follow me!” shouted Allan as his army started marching towards and opening in a remote part of the marsh’s edge. The peltasts who acted as the scouts, headed in first to scout the path Allan and his men were about to take. There Allan and his men stood in awe at this menacing mangrove. Allan could feel his heart beating rapidly.
A soldier behind Allan said “what’s taking them so long” and another responded by saying “oh, I shudder to think of the possibilities”. They were not being cowardly; it was taking more time than it should have for those scouts to report back. Suddenly footsteps on soft muddy soil could be heard. At last the scouts had appeared, it must have felt like an eternity for the troops waiting for the news. The lead peltasts came up to Allan and said “my deepest apologies sire, for the delay it is really bad terrain out there. However, I am pleased to tell you that there is no evidence of any Trolls so far, it would not be unwise to enter here and now”. “Good work soldier. That is just excellent news, we should start getting on the move” said Allan as he patted the soldier on the back. By the time Allan and his men were at this stage, confident and eager, evening was drawing to a close. Allan started walking, the men in front of and behind him started walking and following his pace. Down the slope, they went and Allan could feel his feet moisten upon stepping in the soil beyond the slope. Not phased yet, Allan continued to lead his men through the marsh, going past tree after tree, each tree seeming like a milestone being overcome yet only just a few feet. There were roots all over the soaking wet ground, small crabs emerging and disappearing in their burrows. Mosquitoes could be heard everywhere, there were hardly any moments where high pitched mosquito buzzing was not being heard right next to one’s ear. Allan looked behind him, he could see that his men can make this journey but it was morale draining and very agonizing. It now became apparent to Allan that this march would last till early morning if they remained at this rate. Allan knew even he would quickly feel exhausted if he went faster and going at a sudden increase in pace would leave a possibility of his men winding up detached.
Chapter 6: Accord
The march continued through the night, a bright white moon was now leading the way. In the distance, Allan, could hear what seemed to be a loud splash. It was muffled and identifiable. The sound must have terrified the Humans who had heard it. Allan’s advisor had told him of crocodile here and he was hoping it was one and not a Troll. He was awaiting to receive the report from his scouts as he felt at unease after hearing that. Gradually the soil started to get softer and damper and puddles of water seemed to become more frequent. Allan and his men knew they were nearing the swamp at the core of this marsh. “We’re nearly halfway there” said a soldier behind Allan. Footsteps were then heard coming from the opposite direction, it was the scouts. “Thank goodness, is it clear ahead?” asked Allan as the lead peltast came up to him. “Seemingly yes but we cannot be sure, the water up ahead is more than a foot deep and it was eerily quiet. There was also a splash we heard to the left of the path we were on but we were not able to identify who or what caused it. Sorry sire, we did try our best but to no avail” said the lead peltast as he looked down at his freshly torn shoes. “Do not worry, I wouldn’t have done a better job myself if I were you. We will still continue the march for there is no way back, we can only push forward” said Allan, though it did seem apparent that this made Allan a little more nervous and apprehensive. After more strenuous troop movement they finally had the swamp in their sights. But something certainly did not seem right, it was just too quiet. Suddenly every soldier heard something that rocked them to their core. They heard a baby wailing, but it was unlike any baby they had ever heard. “What sorcery?!” cried a soldier. “There is just no way could a baby be out here” said Allan, thinking out loud. “Sire it could be a Troll baby, couldn’t it?” said a soldier behind him. “Yes. We need to investigate” said Allan who then gathered just over a handful of heavy infantry and said “all six of you follow me, we need to find out where that is coming from and what it is”. The heavy infantrymen replied with “yes sir”. The rest of the soldiers decided to take a short break and eat their stale bread and rotten fruit with their dirty palms. But it did not matter to them at that point as they were just too hungry.
Allan followed the eerie yet innocent wailing through the mangrove with his small band of soldiers. The possible answers to this dilemma were endless. When they heard the crying at its loudest they turned and peered into the darkness in the direction of the mysterious baby’s crying. They could identify a large being resting on an old tree stump rocking something side to side and another bigger and more masculine figure standing over them. Allan and his men got closer, in response the taller more masculine mass walked towards them. Allan brandished his sword and gripped it tightly, he stood fast, knowing it was a Troll and expecting him to attack. But as soon as the Troll stepped into the moonlight, his expression was revealed. It was not a blood thirsty or angry face but rather one of fear. He stretched out his massive arms out in front of him, his palms were spread and he said in a fearful tone “please do not hurt us, I beg you”. Allan stood there in disbelief, a Troll has just asked him to spare his and his family’s life. “Please, I beseech you, I am no warrior” said the Troll fearfully again. Still there was no response from Allan and his men, fear had gripped them as well. Finally, Allan lowered his sword and he said “hello Troll” with a friendly tone, trying to hide his fear.
“Uh hello, Human” said the Troll, hesitantly as a smile began to appear on his face. “Well that’s a first” said one of Allan’s soldiers. The tension was starting to loosen and the air became calmer. “Where do you hail from, friendly Human and who might you be?” asked the Troll. Allan was completely dumbfounded at this situation. To some extent it was nice as for as long as anyone can remember there has been no friendly relations between any Human and Troll individuals or beasts for that matter. Allan felt the tension almost vanish and he walked closer to the Troll and slid his sword in its sheath. “I am Prince Allan and I hail from the mighty Human kingdom of Hetheil. What of you Troll?” asked Allan after revealing who he was. The Troll’s eyes opened wide and he placed his fist over the left side of his chest. “You are of royalty? Are we lucky we ran into you? I am Serai a former Chieftain of one of the Troll tribes. But alas in my war with an Orc clan after they had raided our already ravaged lands, which eventually was lost and what was left of my tribe were either captured or killed. However, I fled and here I am with my family” said Serai the Troll before sighing. “I am sorry Serai for your loss” said Allan. “What of us now? What will you do to us? And what of the others here?” said Serai with great concern, evident in his speech. “Frankly I don’t think anything is going to happen to you on my watch. The others? Hopefully
with your help we will be able to convince them not to fight and maybe something could be arranged” said Allan as an idea was developing in his thoughts. “If you can help us we will be entirely in your debt and anything I can do to help I would be more than willing to oblige” said the Troll who moved nearer to Allan. The Troll then moved his fist from his chest towards Allan, his large palms stretched out and his smile going from ear to ear.
Allan knew of this custom in the lowlands of the beasts where Trolls, Goblins and Orcs dwelled. When shaking, each entity would grab the central part of the forearm, symbolising lasting brotherhood. Allan then stepped closer and watched them shake in that way. The Troll then leaned over and put his other hand on Allan’s shoulder and said “you’re a good man Prince Allan”. “Is this your family?” asked Allan as he looked over at the other two Trolls in the darkness. “Yes, my wife and my young daughter have come with me” said Serai as he and Allan watched the Troll mother and daughter step into the