Sunrays struggled ineffectually to journey over the horizon and through prevailing grey clouds. It had been a dark night and promised to be an even darker day. Gerlach shifted in his saddle. His joints were made stiff by the long journey. As much as he hated to admit the reality, his age was beginning to make itself known in more visible ways each day. Retirement would approach one day, sooner than later. Gerlach rolled his shoulders, one after the other. For this battle, he would be spry and quick to react. For this battle, he would be in his prime once more. If everything went well, this could be the last battle Rheicona would ever see.
