Drums of War

Hectarion quirked an eyebrow as his ears registered what he was hearing.

Drums.

The sound of drums grew and rolled over the grey wasteland. Behind him, he could hear Lions and Wardens shift and murmur to each other as they realized what they were hearing.

Hectarion snorted. “If these locals think they can intimidate us,” he began as he glanced at Alexandros. His voice trailed away.

Alexandros stared hard toward the drums, tension filling him.

“Alex?”

Never taking his eyes away from the sound, Alexandros stepped up to him and whispered, “Whatever comes this way, do all you can to keep the devil inside under control.”

Hectarion bristled at the warning, but Alexandros was already turning to their sons. “PREPARE! Formation Epsilon-7! Execute!”

The legionaries snapped to as battle lines shifted in obedience.

“Alex, what is it?” Hectarion furiously whispered.

“Ugly,” Alexandros murmured. Then he slammed his sword against his shield. The tone sounded against the growing wave, sharp and defiant. Then, Alexandros did it again. And again.

A beat established itself. The nonverbal chant was taken up by the Wardens with clanging weapons and stomping feet. Then their cousins, the Lions subconsciously followed suit. Still not understanding why, Hectarion beat a similar rhythm with axe and shield.

The impromptu orchestra sounded its war song.

The drums roared over the wasteland.

Then, the horizon broke with their enemy. [[Category:D]]