Rise of the Valiant by Morgan Rice

ground with a great clank.
    The metal gate
creaked open and there came a great shout and rush of excitement as dozens of
boys rushed out, stepping over each other, stumbling into the snow, some
wearing boots, others barefoot. Some of them took off, running for the safety
of the woods; but most turned around and charged for the wall of incoming
Pandesian soldiers, vengeance in their eyes.
    Kyra and Dierdre
raced from carriage to carriage, slashing the chains, opening the gates,
freeing one after the next. One gate would not give, and Leo bounded forward,
bit the bars with his fangs, and pulled it open. Another door was stuck, and
Andor leaned back and reared his legs and kicked until it shattered.
    Soon hundreds of
boys poured into the forest clearing. They did not have weapons, but they had
heart, and a clear desire for vengeance against their captors. The Pandesian
soldiers must have realized, because even while they charged, their eyes soon
began to fill with doubt and hesitation.
    The boys let out
a great shout, and as one they rushed the soldiers. The Pandesians raised
swords and killed some of them—but the boys came on too fast and soon the
soldiers had no room to maneuver. The mob of boys tackled them to the ground
and soon it was hand to hand. Some boys knocked the soldiers out, then stripped
them of their weapons and charged for the others. Soon the army of boys became
armed.
    The forest
clearing quickly became filled with cries and shrieks, the sounds of boys
liberated and of Pandesian soldiers dying.
    Kyra, satisfied,
exchanged a look with Dierdre. Their job here was done. The boys had their
freedom—now it was up to them to win it.
    Kyra turned and
raced back for the wood line, away from the clearing, from the shouts of boys
and men. Kyra felt arrows flying by her head, just missing her and she looked
back and saw a few Pandesian archers had set their sights on them. She urged
Andor harder and ducked low, and with one final burst they left the clearing
and returned back into the woods, embraced by the darkness. As she did, one
final arrow sailed by, just missing her, embedding itself in a tree with a
thwack.
    They rode back
into the darkness, heading north again, toward the sea, wherever it was, while
behind them there slowly faded the sounds of the battle, of hundreds of boys
embracing their freedom. She had no idea what the road ahead might bring, but
it mattered little: she had not cowered from a fight, and that meant more than
anything.

CHAPTER TEN
     
     
    Duncan raised
his sword high, let out a fierce battle cry, and led his men as he charged
forward fearlessly, ready to meet the Pandesian army pouring out of the Esephan
barracks. These men had clearly recovered from the initial shock of being
attacked in the middle of the night, of their fleet being set aflame in the
harbor, and Duncan was surprised himself at how much damage he had managed to
inflict. The night sky was ablaze behind him with what remained of their fleet,
lighting up the harbor and the night sky.
    Yet however
great that blow was, there still remained this army before him, this Pandesian
garrison stationed on land, vastly outnumbering his men. An endless stream
poured out as the stone gates opened wider, all professional soldiers, fully
armed with superior weaponry, well-trained and eager for battle. Duncan knew
the true battle had not even begun.
    Duncan was proud
to see none of his men back down, all riding beside him, joining him as he
hoped they would. They all re-mounted their horses and galloped bravely,
rushing to meet the enemy, swords raised, axes and halberds high, spears aimed,
prepared for death or honor.
    Duncan always
prided himself on being first in battle, out in front of his men, and he was
determined that this night be no different. He surged ahead and let out a great
cry as he raised his sword high and brought it down on the shield of the lead
Pandesian soldier, a man who, by his armor, appeared to be an officer.
    As