Conflicting

Tracey was both utterly furious and depressed at the same time, with that single little number, that had somehow shown up on her silver parchment, and wouldn't go away.

She wanted to really complain, very strongly, but to who - as there was no overseer, as far as anyone knew, or such a person or spirit who she could tell to have the mistake corrected.

But it had to be a mistake, as she'd explained to Amanda, a couple of times - the horrid murderer had taken his own life, and yes he had blamed her and she'd been present, but it was his lone action that did the deed.

I'm darn sure I didn't lay the final stroke - so how then...? Was it because I felt... so horrible after his self-end...? Could it have somehow been my fault...?

Tracey had pretty much self isolated then, held up in that tiny cottage on the hill, stewing in her mix of misery, anger and hopelessness, not wanting to be a part of anything else going on in the world - until the error was somehow corrected.

Meanwhile nearly all of Tracey's followers had filtered through the woods, to find the waiting collection, while some brought word of what was happening closer to Kibble too.

A small army of Beastmen from their capital had indeed arrived, and already looked to be making its way, slowly and cautiously, their direction, in no hurry to meet with the waiting Human one.

After another couple of days, almost everyone had reassembled safely, except for Lilly; who had secretly stayed with Nina, to make sure there wasn't any reprisal against her or her family, if the other counselors from Kibble found out about her, since word had also filtered through that they were utterly furious with the brazen escape.

Hearing that she'd stayed gave Tracey a little worry, but since Lilly Hastings had been a fairly solitary, timid and reserved student, Tracey felt some warmth return to her after she'd heard she'd become good friends with the happy Horse-girl, and wanted to see her remain safe.

The cheeky Fox-girl was still a no show as well, but Tracey had no doubt the small girl was up to something, perhaps in Kibble still or maybe elsewhere, but no-one had seen her since she had suddenly disappeared.

However the looming tragedy of an impending full scale battle made Tracey's numbness overcome her, fearing much loss and harm would occur amid the chaotic sorties of a battlefield.

With some rest and preparation time; the Imperial men and women appeared better, having some real provisions greatly helped in that regard too, as most looked refreshed, more alert and much more able to meet with their foe. With Tracey's people too, their group had an equal number, if the reports were accurate, to the Beastmen army, who would appear from the forest at any moment.

And that was where they found themselves now; simply waiting.

Tracey sat, cold and emotionless, in the warm sunlight, watching for movement inside the shaded forest, while some last minute sorting and preparation went on about her.

Again, I'm the head of this... once again...

With her skill and speed, she'd been the obvious choice to be the point of the charge, the focal figure, which would take place on the southern fields near the village, which had a still unknown name. While many of the better, more able followers from the Sword School assumed flanking roles, waiting on the edges to prevent becoming surrounded, as well as hopefully becoming the ones who could close in on their enemy, Amanda was staying close to Tracey.

"You can't still be glum..."

She spoke up to Tracey again, before pausing, realising that she very much still was.

"At least don't look so... troubled - you're putting off the other men here."

Amanda seemed to be the only one paying attention to her, and like usual was concerned about the late-teen, who didn't change one bit.

"Could you put a tiny bit of determination in your gaze... it's all I'm asking for."

Tracey finally glanced her direction, but said nothing.

Amanda actually looked slightly scared, something Tracey had never seen in her before, but she had her sights on her.

"Please let me see... a hint of positivity..."

"I'm not going to have a full turnabout... now..."

Tracey answered, assuming she'd grown wary that the skilled teenager had crossed some unreturnable line.

"I know that... and everyone here has pledged to only incapacitate..."

Amanda swept her blue-eyes across the nearby men, who might have the capacity for restraint in the heat of combat, before she brought them back.

"Are you going to be... right?"

Amanda finally said what she'd been probably thinking for days.

Tracey gripped her swords handle tightly, and had a deep breath.

"I guess... so..."

Tracey had begrudgingly accepted her state, current role and immediate future, however that little unwarranted number pained her heart so much - but didn't blunt her resolve and mission.

"I'm not going to slip up here... I - we've got too much to do after all..."

Amanda didn't appear relieved at all.

Something then sired below the trees, beyond the short grassy fields.

The air grew still and the ambient noise of the Human's dialled down, as more and more movement was visible and gained attention.

Soon the flood of bodies stepped out into the light, a moving mass of several different types of Beast-men, all with prepose and intent. They gathered just outside of the canopy and formed up, closing ranks and tightened up, to create a layered block of mostly blackened armour, that stretched out along the open area before the pale trees.

This might be worse than I thought... That looks like a lot more than I was expecting...

Tracey slowly stood, getting off the small crate she'd been on for hours, and felt herself go slightly tense, but moved forward from the mustered Imperial people.

"I am the leader here... I wish to speak to yours... So we can have a non-violent settlement..."

There had been some slight apprehension from the others, but Tracey had been determined to give negotiation a try, to at least attempt to stave off more aggressive actions.

None stood forth from the opposing ranks; nobody even spoke up at all to respond to Tracey.

"I know it sounds hard to believe, but I truly wish you no harm."

Tracey tried to get something from them, even producing her silver sheet above her, but they remained professionally mute and hardened.

"I am the Hero - Tracey Spikelet... I..."

Her voice waned, as there appeared to be no chance at dialogue, and that her confidence had dipped, again catching herself looking at those letters and number she'd half automatically revealed to all again.

Silence took hold over the space, as the groups stared each other down.

A whistle finally sounded amongst them, and instantly swords were drawn and spears were levelled toward the invaders and time for talk was finished.

Here they come...