The moments before a battle were always the most chaotic. Sateena raced about the fortress, barking orders at everyone she came across. "You! Get those arrows distributed! You men! I want you in [i]formation![/i] Hear me? And you! Have Alpha and Beta prepared on both sides. I want both loads ready to drop at a moment's notice!"

"Ma'am! The Saramus forces are arriving in the valley! The Black Knight has currently not been spotted among their number!"

[i]No Black Knight? If the rumors were true, then he might be further back. Or deploying elsewhere, but not within our sight right now.[/i] "Understood. Alert me as [i]soon[/i] as somebody sees him. Is that clear?"

"Ma'am, yes ma'am!" the man saluted before running back to position. The chaos of preparation continued on for several moments, until finally, everything was prepared. Throughout the entire fortress, the tension filled the air, and the silence was palpable.

"This is it, men!" Sateena addressed the men, shouting to make her voice heard all throughout the fortress. "Our history will sing of this day: the day that Hadrum turned back the vicious onslaught of Sagamiim Valley! Our valor today will shine as brightly as that of King Sagamiim himself!" The soldiers all shouted cheers and war cries. "You've all heard the rumors: Saramus brings their 'glorious' Black Knight into battle. Well I say, who cares about the Black Knight? Is he not just a man? Is he not as mortal as you and me?" The men cheered in agreement. "I stand here today, your Princess and your General. I have seen the valor of you men face to face! And I would trust each of you with my life." The men cheered for her yet again. "And now we stand, teetering on the brink of battle. They believe that they will [i]take[/i] this fort! They believe that they will [i]kill[/i] our people! Do you know what I believe? I believe that they are wrong!"

"YEEEEAAAAAAHHHH!!!" came the rousing reply.

"I believe that we are invincible! The mighty defenders of the Hadrum military! We will take their every attempt to penetrate this fortress, and we will throw it back in their faces!"

"YEEEEAAAAAAHHHH!!!"

"Come stand with me today, and together, we'll teach a lesson they'll [i]never[/i] forget!"

"YEEEEAAAAAAHHHH!!!"

"Fight with me, my men! Fight for everything you hold dear! Fight for every family who calls you all a hero!" She drew her rapier and raised it high. "Let's send these dogs to Hell!"

"YEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

The roaring cheers echoed throughout the fortress. Sateena hoped the Black Knight could hear them; every man in this fortress would defend it to the last. And she would be right there with them.

"Come, O fierce Knight. Let me show you how a General prepares." She moved her forces into position; now was the time for battle.

All that was left was to wait.