Answer:
The 8 of us go forth and not back to protect our king from a foe's attack. What am I?
In your fire you hear me scream creaking and whining yet I am dead before you lay me in your hearth.
Ripped from my ancestors home beaten and burned I become a bloodthirsty killer.
I am commonly ate before I'm born and after I'm dead.
Every dawn begins with me. At dusk I'll be the first you see and daybreak couldn't come without. What midday centers all about. Daises grow from me I'm told. And when I come I end all code but in the sun I won't be found. Yet still each day I'll be around.
Whoever made me don't want me. Whoever bought me don't need me. Whoever use me don't know me.