Then, much too sudden, one of the young Calder boys came running toward the camp. "Riders are approaching, riders are approaching!
Ari didn't know why, but a lump suddenly formed in her throat. "That doesn't sound good." Warren said. Her uncle led the group to the edge of the camp, several other males joining them. Ari and Selben helped Bair out of the healing tent and toward them. Bair's leg was nearly completely healed, it was being held up with a brace of what looked like tree bark, made by Selben no doubt. She'd heard from Ari that the Preswylwyr Tir were also known as, 'the children of the Earth', so that certainly made sense to her.
Ari, Selben, and Cadewyn formed a protective wall in front of Bair; something Ceilidh learned was a natural instinct for a tribe or clan to do when one of them was injured. Valenciant, Normack, and Darnartian also stood in front of Masako, Yamiko and Greer to keep them safe just in case a fight broke out. Her uncle Tarrant took a defensive stance in front of Alice. Alick and Johanna joined them, her brother and the Prince and Queen trailing close behind.
Her father, now armed with his sword, and her mother, now armed with a Healer Staff and her green eyes now returned to their bright glory, took defensive positions beside the Queen. Yestin stood in front of their mother protectively and to Ceilidh's surprise, Prince Ezekiel stood in front of her.
Montgomery and thirty faceless males approached the camp on horseback, armed to the teeth and ready for a fight. But what surprised Ceilidh was, one of the other men with Montgomery wasn't a faceless. It was then that she remembered the time with her mother as they were trying to bring her around and leave.
"Prince Ezekiel, is that Narcissa's son?" She whispered as she took in the black hair and golden brown eyes. The Prince nodded his head, glaring at the young man.
"Yes, that's Matthias," He spat, "Narcissa's eldest son and the heir to their 'throne'." Ceilidh understood his anger. Matthias was sitting on what was really his throne; he was masquerading around as the Prince of Underland, a title that really belonged to him.
Montgomery and Matthias dismounted their horses. Montgomery ignored her parents' presence and walked straight to the Queen. Matthias glared at Prince Ezekiel and Ceilidh before joining his father, never taking his eyes off them.
He knew about what they'd done, Ceilidh could feel it deep in her bones, and he was beyond furious. She smirked and felt half tempted to blow him a kiss, she was sure he'd get the rude message behind it, but she didn't want to start another fight with an injured Bair so close to the fray. She silently voiced this thought to Ezekiel, who smirked and tried to keep his laughter under control. He cleared his throat and moved closer to her.
"Watch your tongue, you're right in not wanting to fight with so many injured around, even if Bair is almost completely healed and Yamiko is no longer a liability," He warned. Ceilidh shrugged, it sounded like a good idea to her because she was still too tired to fight.
"Mirana, the Radiant Chosen One Narcissa Amethyst Emerald Raven Jade Sapphire Hightopp-Jones," He said in a voice, loud enough for all to hear.
"What," Johanna and Tarrant screamed in anger at hearing their clans name in the title.
Montgomery ignored their outburst of anger and continued, "Has demanded that you admit defeat now rather than continue this meaningless fight any further." He said.
The White Queen looked at him defiantly. "Is your beloved Queen afraid that we may just win?" Montgomery's eyebrows flew up and his eyes widened in surprise. "Is she afraid that we will defeat her?"
"No, her offer is out of the goodness of her heart." He defended.
"That Thing has no heart!" Johanna spat, her eyes beginning to glow with a red hue.
"Then what do you call this act of courtesy? You are outnumbered thousands to a mere one hundred." Matthias said. "You don't stand a chance!"
"Funny, I wonder what the plants and the castle would say about that!" Selben smirked at the prince's flustered expression.
"Silence your tongue or I shall cut it out for you!" The Prince raged and grabbed the hilt of his sword.
Selben reached for the stick on her back and crouched into a defensive position, ready to draw her weapon. "Sure, I'd love a challenge for once, even if it is a minor one!"
There was no shout of warning, no order to back down; everyone present was stunned into silence. At last Bair finally moved, like a statue coming to life, he placed his hand on Selben's shoulder. "Love please, save this fight for later, live to fight another day," He whispered. Montgomery gave his son that clearly was meant to reflect the message. The Prince and Selben dropped their hands from their weapons, both looking purely disappointed.
"Well then, do you accept our offer?" Montgomery said to the Queen.
"The White Queen, Mirana of Marmoreal refuses your offer." She said with a blank, uncaring expression.
"The High-Princess of Asa, Cariad Masako refuses your offer as well." Masako said to the shock of many. No one had expected her to be so committed to a fight that didn't involve her world or her people.
"In the Name of King Azaria Ceto, your offer is also refused." Ari said glaring at him.
"In the name of our Tribe Leader, the Preswylwyr Tir also refuses the offer." Selben spoke up.
"As do the Hightopps and Calders," Johanna said, her now red eyes blazing with fury.
Masako took a step forward; Montgomery took a step back in surprise. "With my last breath I shall see to it that you are defeated, even if I must call down the Kurieitā, himself to deal with you!" The eyes of those who were from Masako's world widened in a mix of fear and surprise, they obviously hadn't expected such extremes.
Apparently this, Kurieitā, was someone very powerful and very real. But would she really be able to do it if it came down to that? And why would they be so willing to help her?"
Valenciant stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Your Majesty," he was speaking as a general to his queen now, "It won't be necessary to awaken your grandfather, I assure you. Don't punish your enemies by forcing them to face his rath." He pleaded.
Masako turned to face him sharply, "Shut up Valenciant." He looked purely stunned for a moment before backing away, realizing that she was on the killing edge he had been on earlier that same night.
Thinking back to their earlier talk, something occurred to Ceilidh. Perhaps this killing edge that they danced on so constantly had something to do with being part of the Heaven Clan? On look at Yamiko and the others only seemed to confirm this.
Masako turned back to Montgomery. "Now I suggest you and your kit get out of here now, before I decide to turn and rip your throat out!" She growled.
"This isn't over. You have two days before the battle that shall decide who will be the rightful monarchs of these lands." He growled. "Come Matthias," he said and turned away.
"Yes, go Matthias; run away to your mommy!" Selben jeered.
The Prince whirled around, his eyes seemed to darken. "I'll see you on the battle field in two days!"
"Wouldn't have it any other way Prince-y," Selben shouted after him. "I'll make sure to bring something soft so you can rest in case I kick your but too hard for your liking!"
Matthias sneered at her and kicked for his horse to set out.