Chapter Ten
Decisions That We Make
The morning light streamed into the large encampment. Prince James walked over to the head of the army, his ankle recovered and fully healed the previous night before using the mystical arcane arts of Restoration. Prince Desmond and Prince Fredrick accompanied him, walking by his left and right respectively. Prince Khalid awaited them at the head of the army saddled atop his horse. Three squires came forth with their horses, the three princes mounted their steeds and turned around to face the soldiers that were itching to stain the fields with Southern blood. The coalition forces were ready to charge at any moment, knights were saddled on their horses with their lances, men-at-arms and archers lined up the hill from one point to the other. Standing behind the coalition soldiers were legionnaires standing shoulder to shoulder in a disciplined manner, auxiliary units and cavalry forces spread across the beachfront that not a single sand could be seen.
James glanced at the faces of the soldiers as far as his eye could see. He gripped the reins of his horse tightly as it begin trotting down the line of men. "Through all the chaos that is our history, through all of our times, there is one thing that has brought us together. And that is our courage." He addressed the assembled soldiers. "Prayers from all over the realm are focused today...on all you brave souls...standing in defiance of tyranny. Many of you would soon lie dead, never to see the faces of your loved ones again, but we will care for them as they are laid into the earth." He eased his sword from its scabbard and held it high. "Have faith in our victory. Have courage! Fear neither pain nor darkness for the Hall of Heroes await those who die with weapons in their hands. The Gods are watching. The spirits of our ancestors are stirring. They bear steel with us on this day!" Hollers sounded from the assembled soldiers as James rode down the line inspiring them along the way. "Desmond." He called.
Desmond gave a knowledgeable nod and drew his sword. "Catapults!" He thundered. Engineers and soldiers alike pulled back the crank of the destructive siege machine, several able-bodied men carried large rocks and placed it down in the bucket which will deliver the payload. Desmond glanced to his left and right and awaited the hand signals from all the engineers before pointing his sword towards the enemy lines. "Fire!" He gave the command. At least thirty huge stones filled the air as they were hurled towards the Southern ranks, the lucky ones scattered and regrouped, the unlucky ones were splattered by large tons of rocks. "Give them a volley." He spoke to the captain standing behind him.
"Fire a volley!" The captain echoed his orders.
Archers lined up to the front and nocked their arrows. All at once, they pulled the bowstring back as hard as they could and awaited the command. Desmond nodded and they fired. Their arrows soared through the air and struck many with deadly accuracy. They repeated it once more and managed to reduce the Southern defensive lines, the entrance to the village was clear for the knights and infantry to ride in. Horns were blown as the first wave of coalition knights charged the fields. The Southerners fired back their own volley of arrows which killed many of the charging knights, but the coalition forces did not falter nor waver as they rode into the fray led by their liege lords. James spurred his horse forward and signaled the Legion cavalry units to follow him. Fredrick followed him. Desmond remained behind leading the catapults and archers, coordinating their attacks so as to not hit ally troops.
Dark Witches atop their brooms swooped downwards, firing dark spells and hexes, mere men in armor were turned inside out with just a whisper of a word. James narrowed his eyes as he watched countless of brave souls burning to death in their armor as the dark witches unleashed flames upon the field, more than one hundred souls lost within the first few minutes into the battle. "I don't care how you do it and I don't want to know. I want those witches off their brooms!" He pointed towards the dark witches hovering above the air, crackling evilly as they fired off spell after spell. Almost instantly, a fresh squad of legionnaires marched forward and hurled their javelins at the dark witches, catching most of them by surprise. The dark witches responded by focusing their attacks on the legionnaires. Trained by Hansel and taught of their tactics by Gretel, the legionnaires raised their shields to deflect the oncoming spells and counter-attacked with their spears. The dark witches were defeated. The survivors fled towards the castle.
"Push forward men!" James urged the coalition forces to press on. The Southern fought a bitter resistance but they did not retreat nor surrender leaving the coalition no choice but to show no mercy and slaughter the defenders. With the defenders slain, the way to the castle was left open. Siege towers and all sorts of siege equipments were being assembled or pushed into the occupied village. James noticed several frightened children and women cowering before him as the victorious coalition army rounded them up. "Escort the people out of the village and towards the sea. There has been too much innocent blood wasted and I shall have none of it spilled here. All shall be safely escorted to the sea. No one will be harmed. I swear upon the Gods above." He reassured the frightened populace. The people were grateful and kept muttering their thanks as they were being led away.
"Another victory and yet the kin-slayer is not to be found." Fredrick hissed as he and Desmond scoured the fields for survivors. He knelt down beside a squire no older than he when he first joined Royal Prep, the squire's eyes were wide open and there was a spear impaled in his abdomen. "So much death for so little gain." He muttered. With one deep breath, he pulled out the spear and closed the eyes of the dead squire before ordering his men to take the body and put it with the rest of the fallen.
"Axel hides behind walls and sends his lackeys to do his dirty work for him." Desmond stated. "That coward couldn't face his own brother like a true knight so he stabbed him in the back. He didn't even give Hugo an honorable death. Let him die fighting with a sword in his hand like a true legionnaire."
"Cowards always have their ways with everything." Fredrick sneered. The two stopped atop a steep hill overlooking the Southern Isles fortification. "They won't give up." He commented. "Loyal to a false cause I'll give 'em that." He folded his arms as he watched the coalition forces march into the village with their siege weapons at the ready. "The Kingdom of the Southern Isles was a proud and respected Kingdom. Their knights know valor and honor the code of chivalry like no other. They were the best of the best and won nearly every battle. Until she returned..." He said darkly.
Desmond placed a supportive hand on his shoulder. "She'll answer for this. One way or another."
Fredrick gave his friend a curt nod. "And I want to be there to see it."
"Now let's go find James before he makes a move he regrets." Desmond suggested.
"Agreed."
The command tent was once again bursting with activity. Leaders from the coalition force hovered over a large piece of map where several chess pieces indicated their positions and the enemy. Khalid gave a nod when he spotted Fredrick and Desmond entering the game of strategy. General Tullius was pointing out several key locations that they could position the men when the siege takes place, and whatever he suggested was taken with high praise by the others. King Erik pointed out that the Southerners have entrenched themselves behind their walls and were using women and children, most probably servants and squires as human shields. King Magnus grumbled and muttered about dishonor and oath-breakers causing several Rudistan lords and Enchancian vassals to agree with him.
Before the meeting could grow more chaotic with the shouting and yelling. A sentry from the coalition force stepped into the tent. "Milords. A rider from the Southerners arrived in the camp under a banner of truce. Judging by the looks of the rider, he's some sort of high born lord. He requests to meet with the leaders of the coalition force with haste." He reported with a short bow.
"Bring him in then." James spoke for everyone. The sentry left and returned a short while later with a man dressed in silver polished armor with a blue cloak, the man stopped and dipped his head in respect.
"My name is Oswald. I am a vassal of the King of the Southern Isles. That was before he met his untimely end at the hands of the Dark Lady." The man introduced himself. "I come here not on behalf of the Dark Witch and her ilks nor King Axel and his lackeys. But I come here today on behalf of the Southern Isles and all the lords and knights that were forced to fight this foolish war." He said with a pointed look directed to every single person present in the tent. All eyes turned to King Erik, who had brought the most army making him the de-facto leader of the coalition force, but Erik turned to James.
"I will offer the South peace if they heed my terms." James stated with a dark look. "First, the late King William's bones must be returned to us so he can rest beside his wife and son beneath the crypts of Royal Prep. And the remains of all those that died in his service must also be returned. So their families can honor them with proper funerals." He leaned forward. "Third. Your fellow lords must re-announce all claims to the Northern Isles, from this time until the end of time, they are a free and independent Kingdom." At this sentence, the Northern lords gave him nods of firm approval. James had won their trusts and loyalty just by a single sentence. "Neither you nor your friends or any of your men shall set foot in their lands again. If any of you disregards this command, you shall suffer the same fate that awaits the kin-slayer." He stood up with his hands firmly placed on the table. "These are my terms. If your other friends heed them, I'll give them peace. If not, I'll litter the South with crimson blood."
"An honorable request, Your Highness." Oswald said with a bow. "I'll see to it that my friends will agree to these terms of yours. They will. They must if they want to end this war." And with that said, he turned on his heels and stalked out of the tent with his head held high.
"Well said." Erik commented shortly after Oswald left. "Couldn't have put it better myself."
"General Tullius." Gretel said with a sly grin.
Tullius scoffed but gave a low gruff compliment. "Well done indeed Prince James. I'm impressed."
"Coming from you General Tullius." James replied with a small smile. "I can say that I'm honored."
"If that's all than this meeting is now concluded." Khalid spoke next. The leaders stood and slowly shuffled their way out of the tent. "Let's pray that the friends of Lord Oswald will heed your terms."
"They'd better." Desmond said softly. "If they want to stop further bloodshed."
"I'm tired of this war and I wish for it to end faster." James admitted to his small group of trustworthy people. King Erik and General Tullius nodded at this. "I want to return home to my father. To my family. And most importantly. To the girl of my dreams." The last sentence had him smiling dreamily.
"The more you talk of girls, the more I wish to cuddle with Dorrie." Fredrick said with a sly grin. "Oh, what I would do just to see her lovely face." He added. Desmond and James burst out in laughter.
Khalid had an amused smile across his face. "So now what should we do?" He asked.
"What we can do now is to wait and fortify our position here." James answered as he pointed at the map which indicated the hillside overlooking the sea. "If we can hold out here for at least a month, the reinforcements that were promised would arrive by then and hopefully join us in this fight. If not, they would have sailed here for nothing." He said with a shrug. "Fredrick. The two of us will be taking a small reserve unit to inspect the western bank. The men from Arendelle were suspicious of that side of the bank and urged us to investigate, so that's what we'll be doing. Khalid. Desmond. You two can take the eastern side. Return to camp by sundown."
"Understood sir." Desmond saluted and marched out. Khalid shook his head and followed.
"Well, I'll see you when you return." King Erik mumbled as he walked out with General Tullius, Hansel and Gretel. The former King of Enchancia gave his grandson a curt nod and followed as well.
James and Fredrick walked towards the small group of assembled legionnaires on horseback, they mounted their own steed and begun riding westward. The encampment of coalition knights stretched quite a distance so they had to move at a slow speed so as to not hit anybody or topple supply crates from the fleet. They passed the sentry who pointed out that he saw some figures running into the forest near the bank they were going to investigate, after thanking the sentry for his sharp eyes, they went into a gallop and arrived at their destination. The two dismounted, ordering only five of the ten to follow.
"Fresh footprints." Fredrick reported as he knelt beside the sand which had several pairs of footprints leading from the sea to the inland. "Do you think that the South may have gotten reinforcements?"
"I doubt that." James remarked and inspected the prints left behind. "You five, stay and guard the horses." He ordered the five still mounted legionnaires. The remaining five followed his lead as he tried to investigate the footprints origin, the prints led them to a large camp further inland. James stared at the sight before him in shock, standing before him was not Southern knights nor any of their soldiers but witches and wizards all dressed in dark robes. He and Fredrick shared a knowing glance and quickly made a dash back to their horses. "It was a trap. They meant to lure us here!" He exclaimed as he mounted his steed. "Ride men! Ride for the camp!" He spurred his horse forward.
King Erik noticed the commotion coming from the west side of the camp. "What in the nine realms is going on here?" He roared when he reached the western camp. The coalition soldiers quickly parted and he watched as James and Fredrick came before him with frantic looks in their eyes. "What the hell happened out there?" He asked them quietly.
"Dark wizards and witches." Fredrick answered. "And there's a whole lot of 'em camping out west."
"How many?" Erik inquired.
"More than five thousand." James replied within breaths. "Is Khalid and Desmond back yet?"
"No. They haven't."
"Damn it!" James whirled around to face the assembled and curious knights of the coalition force. "I need volunteers. Men who can fight witches. Our allies might be in danger and we need to rescue them." He stated. One by one, the knights volunteered themselves. Rudistan. Khaldune. Enchancia. Corona. Arendelle. And even the Northern Isles. Before long, James had a company of thirty good men.
The newly formed company rode with haste towards the eastern bank. They could see three figures fighting against eight, with a war cry and the blow of a horn, they entered the fray. James rode fast and decapitated a wizard before dismounting from his horse to engage the others, he kicked a fallen spear into his hands and hurled it towards one of the witches that had the high ground. The witch fell backwards impaled by the spear that he had thrown. Fredrick gave a roar as he kicked a wizard to the ground and brought his blade down, taking the man's life when he did. The knights that volunteered to be the rescue party made short work of the remaining wizards and witches, but four of their own were slain by dark magic.
James sheathed his blade and ran to Desmond's side. "Desmond..." He muttered softly as he knelt down beside his friend. Desmond was leaning against his fallen mount, his right hand clutching his left, his vision was blur as he passed between the barriers of life and death. But there was something off about Desmond. James' eyes glanced downwards and tried his best not to rage in fury. Desmond's left hand was severed from the wrist. The stump was bleeding profusely and James quickly tore off a fabric from his cape to stop the blood. "Stay with me Desmond. We'll get you back..." He reassured.
"Kha...Khalid..." Desmond croaked out, his right hand pointing towards a rock. "Ple..please..."
"I'll go." Fredrick said when James made to stand. He walked forward slowly, but his heart raced every second that he broke off into a run. And there, leaning against the rock was Khalid. The Prince of Khaldune's eyes were closed. Fredrick immediately checked for a pulse and found none. He looked back towards James and silently shook his head. There was no need for words. James nodded and slowly helped Desmond to his horse while Fredrick lifted Khalid in his arms. He turned to the knights that came with them. "Each of you. Take the dead. We're not leaving our comrades behind."
The knights did not need to be told twice as they helped each other carry their fallen brothers away from the scene. The company of twenty-six men rode back in silence. When they arrived back at the camp, the atmosphere grew from anticipation to solemn when the leaders of the coalition force discovered that yet another member of royalty had fallen. Fredrick handed the body of Khalid over to the leaders of the Khaldune forces for them to pay their respects, he then ordered the a pyre to be set up once more for the fallen knights and soldiers from Khalid and Desmond's company. James with the help of several knights carried Desmond to the healers, the Prince of Enchancia was not going to lose another friend in this godforsaken war.
"How is he?" King Erik asked softly.
"He'll live." James replied. "Without a hand."
"How did we not see them?" King Magnus inquired with a frown. "We have over ten thousand knights and legionnaires. And yet NONE could see them approaching."
"Magic at its best." Hansel answered gruffly. "No doubt those dark wizards placed a spell upon the sentries making them oblivious to their surroundings. We were taken completely off-guard."
"The thing I want to know is where." Fredrick spoke with a stony gaze. "Where did they come from? Who else is supporting her prophecy other than Axel and his lackeys?" He looked between the other leaders and James. "Does any of you have any ideas of their origin?"
"They might be from the mainland." Gretel pointed out with a frown. She scanned the map thoroughly and her eyes narrowed in on one location. "Here." She tapped the map. "The Ironwood."
"That's in the North." James said with narrowed eyes. "It's one of the Kingdoms in the realm with the largest forest that goes on for miles. It would take us months to find their hideout. And by the time we do, they'll be long gone." He added as he massaged the side of his head. "Unless..." All eyes turned to look at him. "...the reinforcements that were supposed to aid us in the coming month are instead ordered to the North to search and destroy this coven before it grows larger. One of the largest Legion is still on the mainland and could assist with the operation. With a couple of knights from Rudistan and Corona. they should be able to scour the forest in a few days. Two weeks at most."
"A fine statement." King Erik stroked his beard in thought. "We'll need to send a raven to the mainland." He said before turning to face Gretel. "Or we can use one of the messaging system that my Royal Sorceress has created less than three months back. It's still in the process but at least it can deliver letters to your destination within a single day." James nodded in agreement. "Very well then, I urge those lords and generals of this coalition to write to your fellow men back on the mainland to join their swords in this expedition. Our very lives depends on their success."
"Have no fear my friend." King Magnus said with a grim smile. "You had our swords the moment you saved my life on the field of battle." With just one sentence, the expedition had gained the swords of Rudistan knights.
"This expedition will take place on our soil." Lord Rickard of the Northern Isles said. "It is our right of birth that we take part in this glorious expedition. I will write to my fellow brethren back on the mainland to give whatever men you require." He proclaimed. "Anything to stop this menace."
Gretel nodded. "Write your letters my lord, Your Majesty. I'll do everything in my power to see to it that your letters reach the appropriate hands before nightfall. And I also need your royal seals. Her Highness Lucinda needs to know that whatever is stated in the letters are your orders, and your orders alone." She explained. King Magnus and Lord Rickard gave a knowledgeable nod.
Corona
Princess Lucinda sat as silent as a mouse, her eyes never leaving the letter that she had just received via arcane arts. It was from Prince James alright. The letter revealed the deaths of Prince Zandar and Prince Khalid, the two Princes that she had became close friends with were now dead due to the war. And Zandar's marriage to Jade was supposed to take place when they return, however, it appears now that the wedding would never become a reality. The worst part of the letter was the fact that Prince Desmond had lost his left hand during a confrontation between dark witches and wizards, the skirmish that took Khalid's life and countless others. She had called Dorrie to deliver the news of Desmond's wound and Zandar's death back to Enchancia, the young witch had complied and left quite recently.
"Are you alright milady." A soothing voice startled her from her thoughts.
"I'm scared Ralof." Lucinda admitted with a shudder. "I'm afraid for father, James, Fredrick, Desmond and all the rest. Zandar and Khalid are dead along with six thousand men. And it's only the second day on the island. They left with twenty-five hundred thousand men and a quarter of those men were killed on the first day, another hundred on the second." Her hands trembled as she spoke. "Desmond lost his left hand in a skirmish between Dark Art users. Khalid was killed by one of the curses and he won't be the last." Ralof looked at her with sympathy. "Assemble the leaders of the coalition force and the Legion. I will need to speak with them. Especially the Northerners."
"As you wish milady." Ralof bowed deeply and left.
Rudistan lords marched in first, taking their seats across from the high seat where Lucinda sat awaiting the rest of the coalition. Coronain lords with their staff came in next and took their places on the seats arrayed to the left and right of the high seat respectively. Then the Enchancian lords walked in with their squires behind them and sat down opposite the Rudistan lords. General Cipius of the Fourth Legion and General Decius of the Ninth arrived slightly after, accompanying them were two centurions and four legates. Lastly, the Northerners came in, they were big men, and fierce, faces covered with thick beards. Their cloaks were made of skins, the pelts of bear, lion and wolf. The Northern lords bowed their heads out of respect for the fealty that their former King had pledged to King Erik of Corona, they took their seats directly in front of Lucinda.
Two letters were presented before the assembled lords and generals. "There are new orders from your liege lords and fellow brothers on the front lines." Lucinda spoke out in her lady voice. "We are to march North and into the Ironwood Forest and find this coven that has been sending reinforcements to the Southern Isles. The forest is large and that's a fact. But if we do not do this than who else can? We are the only armed force on the mainland that hasn't been engaged or otherwise occupied, my father and Prince James is counting on us to find these Dark Art users and end their line once and for all." The Legion would have no complains as she was one of their founders and they owe their oaths and duties to her. The Coronain lords rose to their feet and declared their immediate support.
"Those are our woods. Our Ironwood." Lord Rodrick of the North spoke for the rest. "Like what Lord Rickard had said. It makes this fight ours. They dare come into our land to build an army in the dark only to turn it against the realm when the time comes! No! No longer. The North is with you in this. Her sons and their swords are yours to command. This I swear it." He proclaimed.
"His Majesty the King of Rudistan has spoken." Lord Gerald of Rudistan stated. "And if he tells us to march North. We will march North and end this threat. Our swords and lances are yours milady."
Lord Royland of the Kingdom of Enchancia stood up. "Our Crown Prince is a fair and just ruler and he wasn't lying when he told me that he found a lady that could rival the King's mother. I can see now why he chose you Your Highness. You are strong. Wise. Brave. Loyal. Honest. And above all, you have honor, a trait that is rarely seen in the royal courts." The Northern lords grunted their agreement. "And that is why Enchancian arrows are yours. I cannot sent the knights as His Majesty still worries for his family safety, but who says I can't sent my own guards." He brandished his blade and knelt down.
"My sword is yours milady." He continued while offering the sword. "As long as you'll have me."
Everyone watched as Lucinda in all her glory walked down from the high chair and approached the Lord from Enchancia, and with two hands, she accepted his blade. "It is I who should be thanking you Lord Royland." She said softly for him to hear. She straightened her back and returned to her full height, she wasn't as tall as the Northerners nor many of the lords present but the determination in her eyes overruled the rest. She twirled the blade with her hand and handed it back shortly, hilt first. Lord Royland looked at her curiously as he took hold of his sword. "Ready your knights. Ready your men. Ready your horses." She whirled her head around to face Ralof. "Captain. Prepare my horse. We ride at once." Ralof was surprised but did not show it, he dipped his head and walked off.
"Your Highness." One of Lucinda's guards spoke up. "The reinforcements from Hexley Hall has arrived. Their leader is requesting an audience with you milady."
"Bring him in." Lucinda ordered before smiling sheepishly towards the other lords. "I apologize my lords but I will meet you all at the northern gate once I'm done." The lords rose to their feet and bowed their heads before shuffling their way out of the War Room, a boy nearing adulthood dressed in robes walked in shortly after they left. "Kurt. It's been a while." She greeted.
Kurt nodded his head. "Well, we've been busy convincing the Headmaster to side with James in this war. When the news came to Hexley of Prince Hugo's death, the school was thrown into an uproar. Several of the half-blooded students demanded that the kin-slayer Axel pay for his crimes while the pure-blooded students, those upstarts, want us to remain neutral. Of course we can't have that! With the support of a few friendly pure-blood students, we managed to convince the Headmaster to dispatch the senior and graduating students to help in the war effort. All we had to do was remind him of the Malfoy incident." He shrugged at Lucinda's raised eyebrows. "It was the simplest and only way we could come up with. I mean...Amy had other ideas but hers would take much more longer to fulfill."
"I hate to break this to you Kurt, I really hate it." Lucinda said slowly. Kurt regarded her words carefully. "We are marching north. There's a coven of witches and wizards that practice the Dark Arts hiding in the Ironwood Forest, and they have been providing Muriel with reinforcements. Some of them had already killed another member of royalty." Kurt's eyes went wide. "Yes. Prince Khalid of Khaldune was one of their victim and he won't be the last until we put a stop to it."
"I see where this is going." Kurt replied curtly. "North it is. We'll come with you. If my fellow friends do not want to. I don't care. They can go plow the fields for all I care. But I'll come with you." His eyes narrowed slightly. "I have my reasons. They just made it personal." Lucinda accepted his explanation.
"How is Amy?" Lucinda changed the subject after sensing the rising tension.
Kurt cracked a small smile. "She's helping out the Enchancian Royal Family through the tough time, Princess Sofia came over to Hexley Hall with a squadron of armed knights demanding to see us and she literally threatened our Headmaster with brute force if she was refused. Our Headmaster relented and allowed us to meet with her. She explained to us that her sister, Princess Amber was still in a state of shock and will be needing all the help she can get." He explained. The two of them continued to talk for a few more minutes before Kurt left the Great Hall to break the news to the others.
Lucinda went back into her room, her hand brushed the large cloth that covered the mannequin. She wasn't planning to wear this anytime soon. But as a leader and the future Queen, she knew that one day she would have to rise up to the challenge of warfare. With one gentle pull, the cloth fell to the ground, revealing a silver with gold plating steel armor with a brown cloak attached to it. One look towards her guards told them at once that she needed her own privacy, the guards turned on their heels on the spot and stood guard outside her room door. Closing her eyes, she removed her tiara and placed it back on the shelf that contained the rest, she removed her diamond-studded shoes next. She tugged on the strings behind her dress, untying them one at a time before placing her gown aside. She stood staring at the piece of armor before her looking exactly how she was on the day of her birth.
Lucinda tried not to think about the things to come as she reached for the linen under-shirt and pants, she quickly stepped into the pants and pulled the shirt over her head. She checked herself in the mirror and made doubly sure that her amulet was hidden before pulling the woollen stockings that covered her legs. The sigil of her father shined before her. The symbol of Corona may have been a golden flower but her father had his own personal flag, one that she had chosen to adopt but with a few additions of her own. She put on her padded garment for extra protection. She moved around to get the comfortable feeling that she wanted once she donned her breastplate. The surcoat that contained her sigil came on next which she placed over the breastplate, she tightened the belt that came with it. She had refused to wear gauntlets as it immobilized her movements and restricted the usage of her fingers, hence she only wore a vambrace that protected her hand but not her fingers.
Swinging her cloak over her shoulders and making sure it was attached, Lucinda opened the doors of her room and took the first step out in armor for the first and hopefully her last time. She looked down the hallway and started to walk, her personal guards immediately forming up behind her. The northern gate was filled with knights, soldiers and legionnaires on horseback, the lords and the two Generals of the Legion were at the head of the column. A stable boy quickly and hurriedly handed over the reins of her horse. Lucinda smiled and thanked the young child before swinging herself atop her saddle. She rode to the head of the column with a stoic expression, she spotted Kurt and at least twenty of his friends hovering above the ground on their brooms. She gave them a nod which Kurt returned.
The column of soldiers was long that it stretched from one end of the city walls to the other end, she glanced behind and saw the grim faces of the soldiers that had been told or volunteered to join her in this expedition to the Ironwood. Young squires holding their lord's coat of arms all the way to veteran knights with sharpened lances could be seen waiting for her command. With one finger pointing out, Lucinda yelled at the top of her lungs. "WE RIDE NORTH!"
The order was given.
And the expedition force was on their way.
Chapter Ten has come to an end. The terms have been delivered to the Southerners by James and it is now up to them to decide whether to accept it and sue for peace or continue the war. Khalid has fallen to the users of the Dark Arts and the Khaldune soldiers are left leaderless. Desmond looses his left hand due to a spell that cuts whatever it touch. Back on the mainland, a meeting was held by Lucinda and the reinforcements that were supposed to travel to the Southern Isles ventured North instead with her leading them.
Chapter Eleven Plot: Desmond awakes from his coma and learned that Khalid had died and his left hand had been taken from him rendering him useless as he was a left handed swordsman instead of the common right. General Tullius shows his soft spot by volunteering to train Desmond in swordsmanship with his right hand, it won't be fast but at least its progress. The Southern lords returned with a surprise gift for the coalition leaders. (Can't say it here)
Lucinda's journey to the North was brief but brutal, one third of her army was annihilated but she got what she came for. The destruction of the coven, hence, putting an end to those who studied the Dark Arts. James and his surviving friends return to Corona and were reunited with their loved ones. But despite the threat of war being gone, Muriel is still out there, waiting, plotting, and bidding her time to strike.