A few minutes of scurry later, the crowd was gathering in our front again. Sounds of excitement and happiness surround us. Laughing, cheering and some of them began to sing.

As more gathered, more began to sing. The song got louder - more rhythmical. The king knocks onto his chest twice. Where his heart was, a signal of union and integrity.

Several seconds later, the entire crowd copied it. The sound was loud, I wonder if you could hear it outside. Apparently this was the signal of departure. Laurin taps my shoulder and drags me along for a small bit.

The crowd behind us stays coordinated, even though the tunnel gets way tighter. As if they did this a few times already. The light from outside surrounds more of us with the time. After looking back the glorious sight hits me. An army slowly stepping into the rays of light, brightening up - making their armor and weapons shine.

Thousands of golden hammers and shields glowing together as one. At this moment I already felt victorious.

Laurin leads us further outside the forest, he was a way better guide than Catalyt. The sight from the small mountain we were on was breathtaking, but we still had to walk. Simultaneous steps got us further down, further towards the others.

The forest was overgrown, so a few times the steps got interrupted by roots and plants. The rhythm was found back seconds later, it was amusing hearing them curse. They cussed pretty often, but they never included others in it. They always blamed the situation itself.

Stepping around the trees cutting off the river was easier, if you knew about the tunnels leading to the riverbed. The army was forced to walk in rows of two, like kindergarten children. I laughed out loud at that thought. They actually had the height of those too!

I was looked at weirdly, but I didn't want to explain, so I just turned away my head a bit.

Moss and plants were growing from both top and bottom of the tunnel, probably caused by the humidity of the river coming down here. The smell was really bad aswell, but no one complained.

Laurin and I were the first ones to step out of the tunnel. Catalyt was the one greeting us there. Seemingly, Laurin already told him where we would be. What neither of us expected was Catalyt to already gather the previously scattered parts of my army.

The picture welcoming was... awfully accurate in explaining our squad. Lyght sitting down and eating, Servve fighting and Rhage analysing that fight. Christian was the target of Servves enthusiasm, so all of my generals were distracted. Fine then.

I tell Laurin to silently get closer and arrange his army, but the soldiers already had the perfect formation to seem big and scary. This will be a fun picture, if my plan gets some agreement.

Following my plan, Laurin puts shackles on me, and pushes me forward. I already got the feeling that leprechauns loved theatre, but Laurin showed more eagerness than expected. He put on a really serious face and takes his hammer out.

He is going all out for this, huh?

The moment I was thrown towards the fight and fell, less intentionally but perfect for the effect, they turned towards us. Laurin understood his role well and started talking.

L:" Is this one yours?"

Rhage was the first one to gain his speak back.

R:" Yes. Do you mind telling us what happened?"

L:" He invaded our kingdom without allowance, just like you did. I ask you to immediately leave"

The other three panicked and got the message to the others, which made half of our army gather. This was no match for the army behind me people. Would you really react like that you morons?

After quite some time of dangerous staring between Laurin and Rhage, the leprechaun king cannot keep it in anymore, he starts laughing. My army was so clueless, that I had to hesitate to laugh. Were they really trained that badly?

Well no matter what, first we need to explain ourselves I guess.

Ce:" Hey guys. Laurin, do you mind to take these off again? They are uncomfortable."

L:" Cecil, you really need to get over your need of comfort in a war!"

This time Servve was the first one to speak up again.

S:" Does that mean that they joined us? Are they strong?"

I giggled a bit, then initiated introductions.

Ce:" This is Servve, he is one of our generals. He is always up for a fight, so if one of you guys want to try and beat up an elf, go ahead."

L:" Pleased to meet you, my name is Laurin. I'm the leprechaun king, but please feel free to talk casually. Introducing the rest of my army would take too long, so bear with me."

Ce:" Well. Let us keep it at our generals aswell guys. Introduce yourselves, please"

A few seconds of elbow bumping and refusals Lyght goes next.

Ly:" My name is Lyght. I am in charge of ambushes, I am not really into talking."

Laurin nods and looks at Christian. He recognizes his appearance. From me obviously, but Christian gets uncomfortable - Laurin looks at him a bit too long.

Ce:" Christian, would you just like... Go ahead please?"

C:" Umm... My name is Christian... I am leading the human parts with Cecil, who already knows you."

L:" What is your relation? Brothers?"

Christian nods.

L:" Well, well. I heard about you! I'm fine with you leading aswell."

C:" T-Thank you."

Laurin smiles a bit, happy about his intimidating voice and attitude. They didn't know how friendly he was yet.

L:" And you?" Whilst looking at Rhage.

R:" My name is Rhage. I control food in this army, asides from coordinating the elven army."

Servve is getting jittery, so Laurin breaks this awkward conversation in a good manner.

L:" Servve, right? Do you want to fight? I heard that fights and actions convey feelings better than words."

Servve grins and stands up. I am getting excited aswell - I never saw the leprechaun sovereign fighting, just like any other leprechaun. This will be enlightening.

They both draw their weapons, a greatsword on Servve's side, such as a hammer and a shield on Laurin's.

Laurin had a rather passive way of fighting. He waits for an attack, blocks it then places his own. It wasn't flashy, but it was perfectly executed. There was no opening in his defense at all, as Servve got to know.

Servve tries to jump over him, dash to his side and hitting frontally. None of them worked and each time his sword got redirected outwards, leaving his chest wide open. Laurin used his time, stepped forward swung his hammer and made Servve jump away.

This goes on for around one hour, the armies already started to merge in the background. They talked about the fight, their missions and ways of fighting. Some of them started fighting themselves, all of them because of curiosity.

Won't take long for those armies to find together.

The fight ended without a single hit. Servve was sweating and exhausted, so he gave up. He understood that he had no chance to get through with his current level. He reserves himself a fight for later, after he trained up again. Laurin agreed, a few drops of sweat are to be seen.

L:" If I fight, you have to fight too Cecil. I recommend Tohrin, he is the best fighter we have."

Fine then. This will be a long fight, I suppose.