To Arms! 4A

"You and I both know that we don't have enough men or arms. But what we do have is a duty. We can hold the Scorps off for long enough so that the women and children can make it to safety. Lead with me, Jonathan. Go, take fighters to that side."
Before leading the men off, he runs up and embraces you like a brother. "We can hold them until daylight. Our people will be safe by then."
"Until daylight," you agree, a tear spilling out of your eye.

You stand in front. Behind you is a mass of fear. Trembling boys, some not yet sixteen, look out upon a pulsating, breathing enemy. It is not at all like your parents or the town elders described them. This enemy is not a memory. The army in front of  you is all flesh and bone and fire.
"Think not of glory, nor fame. There will be none of that here. Think first of your family, the people for whom you fight. Only then will your sacrifice be not in vain." You can barely stand to look upon the army you lead. You will not lead them to victory.
You lead children to slaughter an enemy they don't know, for their mother's sake, for their sister's sake, for the sake of their people. Your people. You think of your siblings.

You fight until daylight, until you know your people are safe. You take a knee on the battlefield. You will slaughter no more. You will no longer watch boys fight their father's enemy. War is organized murder and nothing else.  

The End.

-s.s.