3 May 2012
The sun bellowed its arrival with a beam of orange.
Inside the tent, General Courage was readying his armour. General Caution watched... Cautiously.
Outside the tent, the clamour of battle resounded across the surrounding fields.
'I'm afraid.'
General Courage looked at his son, Thoughtful. Thoughtful's brow was furrowed, his brain evidently running quickly, hurriedly.
General Courage sighed, inwardly. How had he, Courage, managed to sire such a weak-minded fool? 'Don't be afraid, son. Take example from your brother-'
'Father!' Thoughtful cut across, angrily gesticulating around the tent. 'Swift's namesake is more suited to battle than mine! As is Fury's, Stamina's - and even Grace's, and she's a girl!' Thoughtful's shoulders slumped. 'I'm no warrior. Mother knew it. Why can't you just accept it?'
Courage watchedThoughtful with distaste. The boy had always been gutless. It was a miracle that he hadn't been named just that. Or something of that irk.
'Thoughtful. Listen to me. I am your father. Caution here-'
Caution looked up, warily.
'-Caution is your general. You will do as I command. Or so help me, I will feed you to the wolves?'
Thoughtful shuddered.
Movement at the tent's entrance.
'Sir!'
Soldiers Energy and Chaos tumbled into the tent, Rapier hard on their heels.
'Yes?'
The three straightened. Morose expressions graced their muddied features.
'It's time.'
Without a backward look, Courage, Caution, Thoughtful, Energy, Chaos and Rapier left the tent.
Time for battle.
Battlefield. • Opuss № I