In the Name of Revenge

Claude was sure that he was going to die. All around him lay the lifeless bodies of his friends and comrades. They were his only family. Tears stung his eyes. He knew he was wounded beyond repair. He wished death would come soon for him. The pain he was feeling was immense. He was losing blood and fast losing consciousness. The last thought he had was Tiarhys' beautiful face.

"Tiarhys my love, I am so sorry," were his last words before everything went black. Finally, he thought, death came to him.

It was not a coincidence that a Raven army was passing by the valley. They heard about the battle and although they were ordered not to interfere for fear of dragging their kingdom into a pointless war, they marched on. This Raven army was commandeered by General Gale. She was a woman but was peerless in battle. She and her army arrived after the fighting was over and Carnea had won. But the utter carnage of the mercenary forces appalled her. Everyone was dead, she thought at first. Gale ordered her soldiers to search for any survivors.

"General, there is one here," a soldier called out. "He is unconscious but still breathing. Apart from him, no one survived."

They carried this mysterious soldier to their camp. Gale could see that his body was damaged but they could still save his life. They did that. They would ask questions later. That was the unspoken rule of battle that everyone followed.

Claude was unconscious for a few days. His hosts were sure that he wouldn't pull through. They did what was necessary to keep him alive but everything else would be up to him. Claude was lost in his own mind; his deep sleep was filled with dead soldiers and a very beautiful princess being married to a spineless prince.

Claude's mind woke up first. He didn't dare open his eyes, not really sure he wanted to see what awaited him on the other side. He was sure he was dead. Will he see his parents? His dead comrades? Slowly, he opened his eye; for he found out he only had one left. Sunshine was streaming through the door of what looked like a tent. It looked like he was in a military camp. He could see soldiers coming and going. His mind still couldn't wrap around what just happened to him. He tried to stand up but found it impossible. His whole body hurt. His left arm and left leg were heavily bandaged.

A woman who looked like she was in charge turned around when she heard him stir. She had fiery red hair and a boyish stance.

"You're finally awake stranger," the woman greeted him.

"Where am I?" Claude asked, wincing as he tried to sit up.

"I wouldn't try that if I were you. You're at the Raven army camp. I am General Gale," the woman said while motioning a servant to give him water.

"What is your name?" General Gale asked him. Claude contemplated on his response. This could be the start of his road to revenge. He could use these people to avenge his comrades.

"My name is Garode. I am one of the mercenary soldiers hired by Carnea," he replied. And from that moment on, he was known as Garode, the survivor. He asked General Gale to keep his background a secret. He couldn't let King Dotor know that one mercenary survived.

It was the start of his long road to recovery. He accepted the fact that he was now horrible to look at. He had burns on his left arm and leg. He wore an eyepatch to hide the damage to his left eye. Claude gave his allegiance to the Raven army as a means to get by.

It was not easy to gain the trust of the Raven army. They made him do menial things first, tasks which were really meant for a slave or a servant. But he endured it all. He didn't complain. And all this time he was perfecting his plan of revenge. He would bring Carnea and its king down to their feet. He would wait no matter how long it takes for the perfect time to strike.

While Claude was being tended at the army camp, King Dotor was celebrating his victory. By the time the mercenaries realized they were betrayed, he and his army were already at his castle. Yes, he was a genius. Now, there was no one left to oppose him. The heralds informed him that none of the mercenaries survived. That brought even more joy to his evil heart. Nothing could stop the royal wedding he was planning for his daughter and Prince Phillipe of Raven.

The king was drinking his wine in the throne room when Tiarhys was brought before him.

"Father, what did you do?!" his daughter asked him, horrified at the news that reached her. She learned of her father's treachery and couldn't forgive him for sending Claude to his death. She had been crying all day, the king noted.

"I did what I had to do to keep you away from that despicable soldier! You are going to marry the prince and nothing could stop that!" he yelled angrily at the princess.

"That despicable soldier was more honorable than you could ever be! You betrayed everyone you come across with! I am so ashamed to be your daughter!"

A loud slap landed on her face. Tiarhys could hear her ears ringing. Her cheek was stinging as tears flowed down her face.

"Don't you dare talk to me like that! I am the king and you would do as I say!"

"Never!"

And Princess Tiarhys made good on that threat. She managed to put off her wedding with the prince for years. She would not surrender her heart and her freedom to someone she didn't love. And now that Claude was dead, she decided she would die a maiden.

Claude was staring out into nothing. He was exhausted; next to him was the naked body of General Gale. The woman had stamina not only in the battlefield but also in bed. Gale could match him round for round. He sighed. They had been bed partners for months now. It was meaningless sex. It was just a way to release the body heat for them. It was despicable but Claude knew that for him to get what he wanted, he must use all the opportunities at his disposal. And being Gale's sex toy was one of them.

This unusual arrangement started when he proved his prowess in battle. He was tidying up the command center after the generals' meeting when he saw the confidential battle plans laid out on the table. There were chinks in the plans and he pointed them out to Gale. She was impressed and as a reward, she allowed Claude to lead the next battle. She invested a lot of confidence in him and it paid off. The mighty Raven army became mightier because of the partnership between Gale and Claude. Battle after battle, Claude proved himself to be a fearsome soldier. His reputation grew as Garode. Soldiers, allies and enemies alike, shook at the mere mention of his name. The sexual aspect started not long after that.

There was no love involved in those encounters. It was all part of his insidious revenge plan. Claude had to make himself indispensable in both battle and bed. There was only one woman he loved above all. Too bad that she wouldn't be spared when Carnea went down. But he kept his eye and ears open for any news of the royal wedding. He was planning to use that to instigate another war, the final war which would destroy Carnea for good.

Claude's thoughts were interrupted when he felt calloused hands fondling his manhood. Gale wanted a go again. He was on top of her in no time and was kissing her deeply. His hands were kneading her breasts mercilessly. Gale was moaning. Her breath hitched when she felt Claude's hands at her entrance. He was playing with her and she was already so wet. Gale whined and he understood. He opened her legs wider and entered her deep and hard. Gale let out a loud lusty squeal which he was sure was heard outside the tent. Gale didn't care. She felt too good. Claude pounded her hard and fast, just the way she liked it. After a few minutes, she arched her hips as she climaxed. Claude pulled his member out and exploded outside; raining his sticky white stuff all over her.

"Hhmmmm," Gale said, smiling with eyes closed. "You really are the best, Garode."

Claude just let out a sinister smile. He could tell that despite her intimidating appearance, Gale was in love with Claude. He was unlike any man she had met. He was her true counterpart. And now, Claude knew that he had the general at the palm of his hands. He would manipulate her and Raven into exacting his revenge. He would bring Carnea down and he didn't care if Raven and anyone else went down with it.