The next day the army marched towards the hills nearby, where the river flowed through between the winding valley before continuing down to where they had just arrived.

Ares looked out in the distance and he could see a trail of smoke, no thicker than paper. “Looks like they are closer than expected,” Ares said.

Stah’O looked up towards him. “What do you mean?”

“They’re a few miles away from us. Camped out.” Ares motioned with his head. There was a thick forest around them, and further ahead was another thick forest that kept each army out of sight from one another.

Stah’O turned and then motioned to a small unit. “Send some scouts,” he said before turning to Ares.

Ares continued to march forward with them until they had settled towards the edge of the forest. Stah’O had sent a few of the warriors to check for any traps, but it seemed as though they had yet to find any.

Ares looked towards Ezak, whose steps had been so light and eager. He smiled and then looked to the distance once more.

The scouts returned. “The Reptai are upon the hill ahead. We shall meet soon with one another. They had camped and had created some fortifications.”

“Then we will do the same,” Stah’O said as the others began to work on such a task, chopping down a few trees nearby as others began to work on moving the earth.

“The smell of death surrounds us,” Sta’O said as he appeared. He looked at Ares and then to Stah’O, his father. “San’O has predicted a harsh victory.”

Stah’O nodded. “We did not believe it would be easy. We must win and then return home to lick our wounds and fortify. None will be able to beat us within our home.”

“Then why did you come to face the Reptai so far ahead?” Ares asked. He couldn’t help but wonder if they were so confident in their assessment of being unable to be beaten within their home.

“To even allow the Reptai to ravage these lands would be a great loss for us. Even we Bitan have our pride.”

Ares nodded his head as the army continued to move around the earth and the trees to form fortifications. Ares watched with a keen eye. He was learning quite a bit about how efficient these Bitan were.

“If it would please you, Ares’O, would you care to dine with us?” Stah’O said.

“It would be my-” Ares threw a look back. He heard a rustle in the distance of the forest. It was almost too silent to hear, and that was what was off about it. It wasn’t the wind, it wasn’t a forest creature, it was definitely someone trying not to be heard. However, the sound soon disappeared.

Ares continued to look back.

“Is something the matter?”

Ares looked back to Stah’O. “No… it’s nothing.” Ares nodded. “It would be my pleasure to join you for dinner.” Ares kept his awareness about himself just in case he was able to hear it once again.

They again made bread and curry, though also handed out some food they had foraged over the last few days such as fruit and such. Ares noted that the Bitan didn’t need to eat quite as much as his own peoples, some of them even ate half as much as himself on the road.

Then shouting encompassed the camp.

“Stah’O, the Reptai have sent their representatives,” one of the officers said.

“Deny them,” Stah’O said. “Tell them that if they approach, we shall attack.”

The officer bowed his head and then he was off again. Stah’O looked to Ares, this time with a queer looking within his eyes. It was though he was judging something, not quite Ares, but something else.

Ares took a bite out of the flat bread that he had packed with the food, having folded it over in half to keep the contents inside like a taco. Stah’O looked at the way Ares ate the food, distracted by the new way that Ares had apparently invented to eat the food.

“Why are you eating the food in such a way?” Stah’O asked.

“It’s not quite as messy. We might be getting to a fight soon so I don’t want to get my hands too dirty, the weapon might slip out of my hand.” Ares shrugged.

Stah’O nodded as the other soldiers around him began to move into position. The various officers began to lead their soldiers away.

“To the river, with me! With me!”

“Get those logs up!”

“The walls! The walls! Otz take you, the walls!”

Ares watched as Stah’O remained calmly eating as his soldiers continued to move around with great haste. Ares remained silently, finishing his food.

“Thank you again,” Ares said. “The food, as always, is delicious.”

Stah’O nodded his head. Then, with a clear voice, not louder than one would speak when such a distance apart, he spoke, “Ares. Are you friend or foe?”

Ares looked up to Stah’O. Stah’O had just finished placing a small piece of flat bread with curry on it into his mouth and chewed.

“I am not a foe,” said Ares. “Whether I am a friend or not is up to you to decide.” Ares stared into Stah’O’s eyes.

Then Stah’O returned to his meal, and silence took Ares. The soldiers continued to shout to one another, but Ares could feel the silence creep within his bones.

Stah’O finished with his meal and then stood up. Ares followed Stah’O’s lead and threw a glance back towards Ezak, as well as the twenty or so others nearby.

“Ezak will remain at your side. It is his task to accompany you, and if needed, to protect you. Sta’O shall remain as well, his unit, which Ezak is a part of, is tasked with the same.”

“I thank you for your thoughts,” Ares said. “I’m glad to see I am with such capable soldiers.”

Then another figure appeared, whispering a few words. “Otz, Otz, Otz,” she said. “It will begin.”

Stah’O nodded. “Then it is time for me to stand ahead of the army.” He turned to look at Ares. “I wish for your safety.”

“I wish for your victory,” Ares said.