The Battle:
Audiolization
The Battle Ryan Spence I stand on the palisade walls staring at the approaching cloud of darkness. I am heedless to the dry heat that seems to blanket the entire land. The sun is a ball flame pulsing high above me. A dull thump seems to reverberate from the very land itself. It is a constant roar that grows louder as the cloud draws ever nearer. It is the only sound present. There is an eerie silence throughout the land. Not even the distant cry of the usual summer�s bird can be heard. Before my eyes, shapes emerge from the cloud of dust. Thousands upon thousands of heavily armored soldiers march in formation, in perfect step. They are dressed in brightly colored uniforms as to make them appear to blend into one object when viewed from a distance. The design succeeded. As I look on, it appears as if a wave falls toward me. Upon seeing their numbers my heart drops. Their formation suggests well disciplined troops, and they outnumber us 10 to a man. Most of our own garrisons had ridden out a couple nights previous to ward off these invaders near our boarder. They must have failed. A heavy lump forms in my throat as I realize that many of my friends had ridded out with that doomed company. They were slain by the same mass that draws ever nearer to me. Their slow march and my anxiety make it as if they stand still. Yet they draw near, and with them, almost certain death. The twang of bowstrings snaps me back to reality. The air in front of the wall is thick with arrows speeding away toward the enemy. Upon the first impact the invading army roars into a charge. I look in hopelessness as they smash against the walls like the wave they so resembled earlier. Time slows before me, and I see the screaming chaos below me in terrible clarity. I see death before me. As a shiver runs down my spine, I recall a song form my childhood. In hopes of calming myself I sing the only part of the song I can remember. Take courage my friend, your redemption is near The battle belongs to the Lord I stop upon finishing the line. I try vainly to remember the other words. Letting out a somewhat shaky sigh I continue to watch the incoming force approach. The heat in the air gives the scene a dream-like quality. So entranced in the scene unfolding before me I am startled to hear that, from somewhere else on the walls another of my comrades is voicing out another line of the song. Somehow, I am able to hear him over the incredible roar of marching feet, that pound against my ears. Impossibly the words ring true through the air with haunting clarity. When your enemy presses in hard do not fear The battle belongs to the Lord As the man finishes other soldiers add in their voice continuing the song with nary a pause. At first only a few of us join in, only now remembering the words we had heard as children. Vaguely I recall a time in my youth. I am with my family celebrating. There is an air of love and happiness throughout the house. There are faces, some familial, some strange that flash before me. As quickly the memory appeared, it is gone. Only, now I am startled to discover that all around me soldier�s voices, some shaking with fear, have taken up the song. Every man each with his own unique voice is a part of the song. The same sense of serenity I recalled is present atop these walls. When the power of darkness comes in like a flood The battle belongs to the Lord As the enemy soldiers approach the top of the walls, the next verse is accompanied by the shrieking of steel as our swords leave their sheath in perfect unison. Yet, instead of adding a baleful sound to the song, it adds a ringing harmony as it echoes off through the valley beyond us. It pierces the enemies ranks more effectively than the continuous hail of arrow that seem to constantly fill the sky. Noticing those very same arrows for the first time, I realize something odd. The archers that stand about the walls around me let loose their deadly messengers in beat with the song. The different companies attack in turn, allowing the sound to continue indefinably. Our chanting is like thunder in the air, drowning out the sound of our attackers and the clash of arms. Our song fills the sky, echoing. Any fear that was once present within us is forgotten as we continue the chant. We sing glory and honor Power and strength to the Lord We sing glory and honor Power and strength to the Lord Suddenly, our chances no longer seem as grim. To a man, we all see the possibility of living another day. Before us is our future, completely undecided. Looking into the eyes of the enemy as they begin to pour over the walls I see what I had not noticed before. In their eyes is a fear, an uncertainty of what they face. They are no longer the invincible force that we shrunk against. They are unwelcome. They had come to reap death and destruction on our land, to destroy our way of life. They do not belong. He's raised up a standard, the power of His blood The battle belongs to the Lord As a single body my fellows and I step forward to engage our attackers. We move in perfect unison, using the chant to define our movements. As we engage the intruders our song increases in pace. Our movements adapt accordingly, almost as if we were each an extension of the song. No weapon that's fashioned against us shall stand The battle belongs to the Lord Striking in perfect harmony, everyman moving with the rhythm of the song, we hold our ground, allowing not a single enemy soldier take the walls. We fight without fear, while our attackers face the most horrific fear of all, the fear of failure, the fear of death. Over and over we repeat the song, holding onto it like a lifeline. Our chant shakes the stone beneath us as it continues. Although overtime it slowly begins to lose some of its intensity, the result of my fellows being slain, it manages to not only persevere, but gains a striking intensity. I find myself lost in the song, lost in the chant. Suddenly before my eyes is the valley beyond our walls. I had lost sight of it as the dark invading mass swelled before me. At first confusion runs through me, but then I dare to hope. I dare to believe. We have survived!
