"Sir, it is time" - Tarpaulin heard the voice coming from outside the entrance of his tent. Groaning he got slowly out of bed and began to help put on his armour with the help of his squire. His armour had once been his fathers, the Tarpaulin crest of a wild bear engraved upon its chest plate. Scratches surrounded the crest, proving his courage in battle. It was remarkable that he had not suffered serious injury despite ten years on the front. Today he would finally retire, providing the battle went to plan. "Tell me boy, what do you hope to do when this is over?", Tarpaulin said suddenly to his squire, surprising even himself. " I- I want to go home sir", his squire stammered nervously. "Where is your home?", "Port Oliver, sir". Tarpaulin knew the area well. The people of Port Oliver were skilled fishermen and sailors arguably the best in all of Redwood. " Why are you here then?- surely you should be learning the tricks of sailing and fishing by now?", " Normally, one would learn on their fathers boat at my age- but my father died when I was young ,sir" his squire became suddenly quiet . Tarpaulin understood the pain of losing a loved one, he too suffered the grief of his fallen comrades throughout his military career. "Come on then" he said after a pause, "Let's end this and we both can home".
The cool breeze and the sound of birds greeted them as Tarpaulin climbed onto his horse. It was a magnificent specimen, with a glossy white coat and long proud legs. Tarpaulin broke into a trot and went with his guard to the battlefield. The men nodded as he passed saluting him with the cry of General as he passed, however Tarpaulin sensed their restlessness as they spoke. A feeling he too knew only to well. The rebels camp grew more and more into view, it was well defended and would be difficult to capture. Normally, Tarpaulin would consider a siege given the fact that the rebels had no where to go. However after ten years of disobedience, the Emperor wanted to send a message to all of his citizens- no one was to be left alive. Tarpaulin took one last look at the rebels camp and then at his squire beside- "Fire the catapults!" he barked.