Alaric's troops stood gathered beneath the darkened sky, the sun long swallowed by heavy clouds that turned the evening almost into night. Thunder rumbled overhead while streaks of lightning flashed through the air, illuminating the battlefield for brief moments before darkness swallowed it again. The soldiers waited in long lines for Vaelor to finally appear, their flags raised high despite the harsh wind while their horses stamped impatiently against the ground.
At the very front was Alaric himself with the general beside him and the strongest warriors lined closely behind. The sound of armour shifting mixed with the distant growl of thunder as the tension continued to build.
"It seems there will be a thunderstorm tonight, your majesty," the general muttered, glancing toward the violent sky.
Alaric remained calm. "Then Vaelor has even more reason to stop acting like cowards and show themselves. This day was agreed upon, was it not?"
"Yes, my lord."
