The late afternoon sun slanted through the barracks' narrow windows as Sir Merek stood at a rough-hewn table, addressing the assembled rookies. The room fell silent as he began to outline their defense plan. With a gravelly urgency, he divided them into teams: wall defenders, trap layers, skirmishers.
"Liam and Tomlin, man the west wall," Sir Merek said, pressing a finger against a crude map. "Hilda and Lina, take the trap-setting crew. Jassa and Fendril, you're with the scouts outside the perimeter"
"We'll station archers on the towers," he continued. "Liam, reinforce the gate. Tomlin, hold the southern approach. We know this village—tomorrow, we defend it. Protect these walls, protect each other, and come home to your families."
Lina drew a steady breath. "We'll hold it," she promised. Hilda's fists clenched. Jassa whispered a prayer. Fendril softly hummed a lullaby. Even the youngest rookies, barely men grown too fast, nodded grimly. The weight of the words pressed them all into silence.
Sir Merek lifted his chin. "You're part of something greater now. Stand as one sword." A young sergeant grinned, twirling a dagger. "My ancestors are watching!" he joked. Tension broke into a ripple of uneasy smiles.
After the meeting, Liam and Tomlin stepped out into the courtyard under the bruised-purple sky. Torches flared along the walls. Tomlin paused beneath an arch and pulled a copper coin from his pocket. He flipped it between his fingers. "Copper in our pockets, fire in our eyes," he said with a grin, pointing at Liam.
Liam leaned against cool stone. "We've got what matters," he replied quietly.
Tomlin's grin faltered. He met Liam's gaze. "Something to focus on when it gets bad," he admitted. "Promise you'll keep those eyes open?"
Liam placed a hand on Tomlin's shoulder. "I promise," he said firmly. "We made it this far together. Tomorrow we see sunrise together."
Tomlin exhaled. "Alright. And if you start panicking, can I punch you?" he added with a weak laugh.
"Deal," Liam agreed with a small smile.
Stars twinkled overhead as they stood shoulder to shoulder. Finally Tomlin straightened. "Focus on the morning. I'm right behind you," he whispered.
"I know," Liam answered. They shared a brief, reassuring laugh.
Back inside, barracks candles were dim. Sir Merek clapped once. "Get some rest, rookies," he said softly.
Liam returned to his cot. He lay awake long after the others slept. The barracks were hushed; only distant camp sounds drifted in. In the darkness he listened to Tomlin's even breathing across the room. Liam closed his eyes, gripping the blanket tight. In his mind he silently vowed: no matter what the dawn brings, he would not let his best friend down.