The Fall of Everything [Rewrite]

Just as Corvus had said, within five minutes, three thousand warriors were equipped and lined up before him in perfect formation. Every one of them was ready for battle, their gaze determined and impatient.
In Bahoz, none of the enemy knew what was going on in the camp yet, and this silence was Corvus' greatest advantage. But this advantage could quickly run out. The clock was ticking against Corvus. He wanted to catch his enemies unprepared, but for that he needed a strategy. In particular, he had to take as many prisoners as possible, because there was so much he needed to know about the enemy.
Corvus ran his eyes over his soldiers. Each one of them was a gigantic war machine, blood glistening on their armor, the scars of previous battles. But it was impossible to completely surround a city as big as Bahoz with so few men. They could control the entrances to the city, but they did not know how many enemies were inside. It was strategically risky to hold the entrances and enter the city and clear it of enemies at the same time.
The scouts had reported that his uncle Valerius was sending a reinforcement of his best men. But it would be evening before they arrived, and Corvus' patience could not wait that long. The only reason the scouts had come so quickly was that they had changed horses along the way. But it was uncertain whether the reinforcements would arrive in time, so Corvus had to solve the situation on his own.
The uncertainty was not only about the number of soldiers. The city of Bahoz was a large settlement, with more than fifty thousand inhabitants, and Tanar's tribe made up almost half of the city. If Tanar's tribe had made a deal with the enemies, Corvus would have at least ten thousand armed men against him. To stand up to such a force with three thousand men would be suicide in the truest sense of the word. So Corvus began to formulate various plans in his mind.
He looked at the flag hanging from the spear in his hand. The sacred battle flag of the Rhazgord. To unfurl this flag was to summon all the warriors of Rhazgord. Every Rhazgordian who saw the flag had to answer the call. The reaction of those from Tanar's tribe to the flag was uncertain. But certainly if the people of the city saw the flag, a significant number of them would be at Corvus' disposal. Corvus needed to enter the city to carry this flag to the center of the city and gather friendly forces. But he could not take all his troops with him, because he had to leave someone behind to guard the entrances. If the enemies realized that their plans had been discovered, they could flee and alert their main forces, meaning the battle could be lost before it was won.
In the midst of this confusion, as Corvus's mind raced with plans, Kragan came to him with silent steps. His massive body towered like a giant. Kragan's face was stern and determined. It was as if he had read Corvus' mind. He waited patiently, one hand on the hilt of his axe, the other outstretched to Corvus.
"Everyone is ready. Give the order and we will carry it out," Kragan said, no hesitation in his voice. His voice was like a sword cutting through the heavy air over the camp.
Corvus paused for a moment, looked once more at the flag in his hand. This flag was the most sacred symbol of Rhazgord. For hundreds of years it had heralded victory on the battlefields, cemented Rhazgord's power. But now it had become a gambling tool for him. He had to enter the city, but that meant risking not only his life, but the lives of all his soldiers. His eyes locked with Kragan's. It was the look of a friend, a brother. There was no fear in Kragan's eyes, only loyalty and determination.
Corvus clenched the spear in his hand. "We must raise the flag in the heart of the city," he said in a low voice. "That's the only way we can increase our numbers. But you must surround the city. You have to prevent the enemies from escaping. I will enter the city alone."
Kragan's eyes suddenly darkened, his lips moved for a moment. "Enter alone? Entering the city when the enemy numbers are unknown means certain death," Kragan muttered, but his voice was not full of worry. He was simply stating the truth.
Corvus tapped Kragan hard on the shoulder. "We have no choice," he said. "We cannot take the city unless we increase our numbers. We can rally the civilians to our side by raising the flag."
Hearing this, Belisarius interjected.
"Will the civilians be a enough force?"
That was the biggest question on Corvus' mind too. The people of Rhazgord were a warlike people, but warriors and civilians were not equal in strength. Tanar had at least ten thousand warriors. On top of that, there were enemy forces in the city, although the number was unclear.
"It won't be enough, but we must buy time until reinforcements arrive. Word may have gotten out that we captured Tanar. The reinforcements will be spotted before they reach the city. We must move before the enemy is ready."
Belisarius tensed, for if Corvus and his men were defeated, he would not be able to fulfill his mission and bring the Lightstones home.
"I think you should retreat. Although you will be at a disadvantage, if the Rhazgord army rallies, you can retake the city."
'Retreat'. The word caused Kragan's brow to furrow. He fixed his furious eyes on Belisarius and advanced on him. He was saying something in anger, but Belisarius did not understand the Rhazgord language and could do nothing but retreat in fear. Until Corvus intervened. He was angry too, but he could control his anger.
"Sorry, Belisarius, but you are out of line. For us to retreat means dishonor and turning our backs on the gods. It is a word forbidden by both our religion and our traditions."
Belisarius had learned much about the culture of the Rhazgord, but what he had heard was nonsense. Retreat was a military tactic, practiced to avoid unnecessary deaths of soldiers. But to forbid it was absurd and showed a lack of value for human life.
"I thought you cared about your soldiers and your people."
These words brought Corvus to the end of his patience. Corvus' red eyes flared and locked on Belisarius.
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't care for my people, Belisarius!"
Belisarius knew that Corvus had taken great risks to come to Bahoz and clear out the bandits, but he felt that Corvus' words contradicted him. He was about to answer Corvus when Corvus continued.
"Unlike you, Belisarius, I grew up on the battlefield! I know what it means to retreat! The reason we will not retreat today is not only because the gods have commanded it! If we retreat, we risk losing the war!"
"If the Rhazgord army gathers, you can easily counter the combined might of the kingdoms of Galir, Behem and Laxon! There is no need to risk your men and yourself!"
Corvus took a few steps.
"Are you the only one who knows this, Belisarius?"
Belisarius did not quite understand the intent of this question. His eyes turned to Belisarius, searching for an answer.
"Don't you think those three little kingdoms know that they couldn't stand against us even if they got together? Are you the smartest fucking person in the world?"
This answer struck Belisarius like lightning. He understood what Corvus meant.
"Someone else. Someone else is involved in this!"
Corvus was glad that Belisarius had belatedly realized the situation.
"But who? Why would anyone fight the Rhazgords? If you go, we will lose our only defense against demon attacks..." He had just finished when Belisarius realized something else. "For that... To monopolize the knowledge of where the demons will attack..."
Belisarius was surprised how he had not realized this before and felt a little ashamed. But he still thought he should retreat.
"That would increase the danger. If there are bigger forces involved, the danger is greater. You must definitely retreat! As long as Sorbaj city does not fall, the enemy will not achieve its goal."
Belisarius was right. If the enemy's goal was to gain the knowledge of where the demons would attack, the city of Sorbaj had to be protected. The longer the war dragged on, the more likely it was that the Rhazgord would win.
"If we retreat, we leave all Rhazgordians living outside Sorbaj at the mercy of the enemy. On top of that, my father and his army are not here and do not know the situation. When they come back, they could be caught unprepared and defeated by the enemy. In short, if Bahoz falls, even if we win the war, it will be the Rhazgordians who are defeated."
Belisarius had no more answers. Corvus had no time to listen to Belisarius either.
"Make sure Belisarius and his men are safe, Kragan." Then he turned to Belisarius and said, "I cannot leave this city to the enemy, Belisarius, even if I die here. Kragan will ensure the safety of you and your men. Go to Sorbaj as soon as the situation worsens."
This was not Belisarius' war. If he got involved and it was discovered, there could be political problems. As much as he did not want to leave his friend alone, there was nothing he could do but watch what was happening.
Corvus turned to his horse. As he walked, he said, "If I die, Kragan, you will be in charge. Even if three thousand of our men die, prevent the enemy from gaining full control of the city until reinforcements arrive."
Kragan nodded slowly. "Give that order to someone else, Corvus! Because I am coming with you."
Corvus smiled for a moment. All his worries had vanished in the magic of this moment. Kragan's loyalty whispered to him that this battle would be won. Corvus adamantly disagreed, despite Kragan's insistence. His friend's loyalty, the warrior fire in his soul, was admirable, but Kragan should have left him alone on this mission.
"No!" Corvus said, his eyes shining with determination. "Someone has to lead these three thousand men. If you don't make sure that no enemy escapes from the city, all our efforts here will be in vain. We have to surround the city and you are the only one I can trust."
Kragan's face was clouded, his lips tightened with rage. Leaving his comrade in arms, his leader, to die felt like a betrayal. His eyes met Corvus' for a moment, the silence between them a struggle beyond words.
"No!" Kragan exploded, his voice a muffled echo. "If anyone must die, it must be me. I am a simple soldier, you are the future Sanguinar! I cannot let you die here. Rhazgord needs you. Without you, this war will never be won."
Corvus agreed with Kragan's every word. Indeed, he was the only one who could shape the future. His dreams could change not only Rhazgord, but the lives of thousands of people. But this moment was indicative of the heavy burden that rests on the shoulders of a leader. Corvus was a Tiamat; only in the hands of a Tiamat could this sacred banner have meaning. No matter how strong and skilled a warrior he believed Kragan to be, only he could carry the flag and enter the city. If anyone else carried the flag, the trust of Bahoz's warriors would be shaken, and the sacred symbol would lose its power.
Corvus looked deeply into Kragan's eyes. "This is an order, Kragan!" he said, his voice harsh and threatening. "I will go. Remember, this flag is only useful in the hands of a Tiamat. You will stay and lead the men and prevent the enemy from escaping. If I go and I succeed, all of Bahoz will rise up. But not if you hold the flag."
Kragan knew the truth of Corvus' words, but he did not want to give in to the feelings in his heart. As Corvus had said, they had to put this plan into action if the Rhazgord were to win the war. In Bahozda, enemy forces were on the prowl and the logistical resources piled up in the city were very dangerous. If the enemies could exploit these resources, they could advance rapidly through Rhazgord territory. This war could not wait to be resolved any other day than today.
Corvus took one last look at Kragan, seeing the concern and determination in his friend's face, but said nothing. This had to end here. In silence, he mounted his horse, his body showing the majesty of a strong leader. He raised the battle flag tied to the spear he carried in his hand to the sky, the black cloth stretched with the wind and all the warriors could not take their eyes off him.
A moment of silence, then Corvus' voice echoed throughout the camp. "Kragan is in charge until further orders!" His voice was like thunder, heavy and firm. "You will not even let a bird escape from the city! Is that clear!"
Corvus' warriors obeyed without a single doubt, seeing the ambition and determination flashing in their leader's eyes. Although it was unexpected to be under Kragan's command, the sacred flag in Corvus' hand and what had happened earlier in the camp had created a loyalty mixed with fear in the hearts of the soldiers. The presence of the flag silenced all objections. It was a warrior's deepest bond; it was the duty of all who gathered under it to obey without question.
The roar of "Yes, sir!", raised in one voice, was as powerful as if it were an oath to the gods of war. Three thousand warriors mobilized with discipline and without questioning orders. Following Kragan's instructions, they left the camp and marched towards the city's only gateway. Some of them were to spread out to encircle the city completely; the rest were to take up positions in front of the main gate, blocking the passages. They would encircle the city like an iron fist; this pressure would put the city under complete surveillance.
When the last soldier left the camp, Corvus picked up the bugle the scouts had brought with a spark in his eyes. Corvus slung the trumpet over his shoulder and hung on to his horse's reins. The wind hit his face, echoing in his heart like a battle cry. He rode at full speed, as if flying towards the city. As the dust clouds rose behind him, there was only one target in his eyes: Bahoz. Entering the city meant untying the knot of destiny. Either he would bring victory or he would sink into darkness with all his hopes.
At that moment, the whole world was silent. Just Corvus, his horse and the wind... And a flag shining in the darkness.