Disclaimer: All characters, with the exception of Queen Alani and her half-brother Alton, belong to Sherwood Smith.

'What have I gotten myself into this time?' Queen Meliara of Remalna thought as she surveyed the Norsundrian troops lining up across the battlefield.

Beside her, her husband, King Vidanric of Remalna, narrowed his eyes and frowned slightly as he realized just how many there were. He turned on his mount to quietly ask Captain Julian over his shoulder, "I thought you said there were only to be 3,000, perhaps less?"

Captain Julian, worried and slightly flustered himself, answered, "3,000 was our count Your Highness; I watched them come across the border myself."

Meliara only half listened to this exchange. Mostly she was recounting how exactly she had gotten here.

It had all started when the Norsundrians had attacked Remalna's Northern border. Vidanric had soldiers stationed there, but after three days an urgent plea for help had arrived at Palace Athanarel. Vidanric had immediately begun making preparations to leave that very afternoon.

As the two shared a hasty lunch, Mel had surprised him by saying, "I wish to go to."

Resting his chin lightly on his folded hands, Vidanric had studied her across the table without saying a word.

Feeling forced to plead her case, Mel said, "You know I hate being left here when you go to settle border disputes, Danric. Elestra is nearly a year old, she'll be alright for a week or so, and Alaraec won't be back from Tlanth for another month. Besides, you always said I could come along some time, and this seems just as good as any."

"Alright then, Mel." Danric answered with only a sigh.

When the couple had arrived with reinforcements, they met almost immediately with Captain Julian Fraanis who explained that a Norsundrian army had crossed the border and was marching this way. They would be upon them the next day. He and his hand picked men had gone to scout the army, and they had reported that there were only around 3,000, but that they would need help. That's when he had sent the rider to Athanarel.

Danric and Mel officially took charge after that, sending other riders to gather up the surrounding army and to bring more riding wings from the nearby counties. After they had arrived, it was just a matter of readying oneself, and then waiting, which is often the hardest part.

The following morning had dawned clear and bright, a nice day for bad happenings. The army had assembled, waiting once more as Danric, Mel, and Captain Julian had ridden out to a bluff to watch the Norsundrians advance. And that's where Mel found herself now, only they were in trouble because there were far more Norsundrians than the reported 3,000.

She tuned back into the conversation beside her just in time to hear the Captain ask,

"What shall we do then sire?"

"Exactly what we came here to do, my friend," Danric answered, "but I'm sure a prayer or two wouldn't hurt."