"Three Kingdoms"
Nomek knocked on the door of the Master's room. He was sure the Master wouldn't be pleased of the news he was about to deliver.
"Enter." said a voice inside.
Nomek was surprised to see the Master laying in bed asleep. Icon was seated behind a large table. He motioned Nomek to take a seat.
"I have bad news for the Master. Is it possible to wake him up?" Nomek said after he sat down.
"The Master isn't feeling well. I will temporarily handle all his affairs until he is well. What bad news do you bring?" Icon replied.
Nomek gave Icon a suspicious stare. "How about Lady Umbra? She usually takes care of the Master's affairs when the Master is away before."
Icon stood up and stared at Nomek. His eyes began to glow. Fear ran through Nomek's body as he saw Icon's glowing eyes. "Was there something you didn't hear with what I said awhile ago?" Icon asked with a very cold tone.
Nomek was now even more frightened. He knew what Icon was capable of doing. "I heard you loud and clear Sir Icon. The bad news I bring is that the attack on the Yagudos failed because..."
Icon cut him off and said. "That is old news. The Master already knew what has happened. He has instructions for you. Go to Sandoria and rescue Prince Trion from prison. Bring him back here."
"Is that all the Master wants me to do?" Nomek asked.
"Yes and one more thing though, fail and don't bother to come back alive. That is all."
Nomek bowed and quickly left.
Icon then turned to the Master. "Ah Leydon, how is it to be unable to move and do anything? You will watch and see how I destroy the three nations without me lifting a finger. Watch and learn how I manipulate mortals with their greed and desires." Icon then let out a long laugh and left the room.
The Master lay motionless in bed. Icon had cast a spell rendering him unable to move or speak. We shall see who has the last laugh the Master said to himself.
-O-
Bastok.
"That was not a very wise decision to make Zeid. If the Yagudos had not agreed to ally with us after the battle, I wonder how you could explain the losses we suffered by helping them." the President of Bastok said.
"It was something worth trying. If I had to do it again I will." Zeid replied.
"You really are foolhardy. You forgot how Sandoria turned its back on us after your unauthorized little expedition rescued their King. If Sandorian can't be trusted to repay the favor; what more the Yagudos who are beastmen. You are walking a very thin line with your decisions." said one Senator.
"Next time we wonder what you may think of, helping the Quadavs?" another Senator added.
Zeid slammed his fist on the conference table. Everyone present jumped from their seats. "You complain and criticize my methods and decisions. It is I and the rest of the Bastokan Army who are out there risking our lives to protect Bastok and you people sitting here doing nothing but bitch all day on what we so. I suggest you pick up a weapon and go out there and help us fight this war." Zeid angrily said.
"You dare speak to us that way? This is the Republic of Bastok. We are governed by laws, the duly elected Senators and the President has every right to question your actions. This country is not a military state, bear that in mind Zeid." the President angrily answered back.
"All you politicians do is talk and look after your own interests. If you are not willing to take risks in order to defend the populace of Bastok then its better we just give up the fight then." Zeid countered. "What is the use of shedding sweat and blood on the battlefield when you politicians don't even appreciate our effort?"
"You aren't even a member of the Bastokan Army. In fact you have even disappeared for quite a long time before. We can easily kick you out of Bastok. If it weren't that Bastokans look up to you, we wouldn't tolerate your insubordination. You always had a bad temper Zeid and that hasn't changed one bit." a Senator said.
"So is that it? I am not welcome in Bastok?" Zeid asked.
"You make your own conclusions. This meeting is adjourned." The President said.
-O-
Windurst Walls.
Tien was very excited and nervous at the same time. The populace of Windurst had gathered in Windurst Walls because the surviving member of the Elder Council wanted to announce the candidates to fill the vacancy in the Council. He had always dreamed of one day of becoming a member of the Elder Council. With all his years of service to Windurst he surely had a big chance of landing one of the coveted spots.
"Hi there Tien."
Tien looked up and saw it was Mourn. "Hi Mourn, looks like everyone is excited to know who the candidates are."
The Elder Mithra took out a scroll and started to read out the names written on it. Tien anxiously waited to hear his name to be called.
"... and lastly on the list is Mourn." said the Elder Mithra. Tien was shocked his name was not called. He looked at Mourn. Mourn was looking at him also. "I do not aspire to be a member of the Council Tien. That is something I will never accept. I will be more of service to Windurst as the head of the Black Fang Squad." Mourn said.
Tien was clearly bitter not hearing his name called. During the battle to save the Yagudos it was his Beastmasters who greatly helped win the battle he thought. He hurriedly left the area without replying to Mourn.
-O-
Sandoria. The Dungeons.
Prince Trion sat on the cold damp floor of his prison cell. How his fortunes had changed in an instant. He lost the crown because of his half brother's meddling. He wanted revenge. But he was locked up in the dungeon with heavy guard. The chances of ever getting out and seeing sunlight again was close to nil. He had pleaded to his father the King for forgiveness but the King just ignored him.
"Guards! Call my Father! I want to talk to Him! I order you to call my Father!" the Prince yelled. He has been like this the past week trying to see his Father again but to no avail. The guards were under strict orders not to talk to the Prince. Prince Trion thought he was starting to go mad. He really wanted to get out from his prison cell.
The Prince suddenly heard yelling and sounds of fighting outside his cell. The fighting stopped after a few minutes and he could hear footsteps of heavy armor coming towards him. Elvaans in Royal Knight Armor appeared outside his cell. "Prince Trion?" asked one of the Elvaans outside. The Prince answered yes and he saw the Elvaans break the lock of his prison cell door. A familiar figure stepped inside and Prince Trion saw it was Nomek.
"Nomek!" the Prince shouted in joy.
"Hello Prince Trion. The Master wants to see you. Come."
A smile beamed across Prince Trion's face. Revenge was the first thing on his mind.
Bastok.
Iron Eater came looking for Zeid. Zeid was mining inside Zeruhn Mines trying to cool off his anger towards the leaders of Bastok.
"Zeid. Are you still mad?" Iron Eater asked.
Zeid didn't answer and just kept on mining.
"The President and the Senators are like that. I have gotten used to it over the years. I thought you told me in these times of crisis we should forget this petty stuff." Iron Eater continued.
"Petty stuff? To you it maybe petty but to me it was an insult to all our efforts in fighting this war. Diplomacy won't work against a being like Shadow Lord. What do politicians know about fighting a war? Sometimes I really feel we Galkas are treated so unfair by Humes. If it were not for us working the mines, Bastok wouldn't be as advance and prosperous it is today." Zeid replied. "Both we and the Humes built Bastok together. See how marginalized we are in Bastok's affairs. In the Senaate we hardly have any representations. Sometimes enough is enough."
"I will not argue with you Zeid. You are still too pissed to think straight. I will talk to you later when you have calmed down." Iron Eater then left Zeid alone.
Zeid kept on mining. He struck the rock so hard that his pickaxe broke. He tossed it away and went to get another pickaxe when he noticed someone observing him. The figure was partly hidden in the darkness that Zeid couldn't see his face.
"Who goes there?" Zeid asked. The figure didn't respond and just stood still. Zeid cast a spell of stone at the direction of the figure. His spell got resisted.
"Is that a way to treat an old friend?" the figure said. He then moved towards Zeid and Zeid finally saw who he was. It was Icon.
"You are no friend of mine." Zeid said as he cast another magic spell towards Icon. Icon avoided the spell by warping to another spot.
"It is useless to try to hit me. You can try to blast me all day but I will just warp over and over." Icon said. "I just came to comfort an old friend."
Zeid pointed to Icon. "I know who you are. Whatever form you take I can feel the evil inside of you. I am no friend with the likes of you."
"You and I are the same. People misunderstood our actions. I have come today to end the conflict between us. I have seen how the Humes treat you. In reality it should be the Galkas lording over Bastok. You are the much older race, they should respect and bow to you not the other way around."
"I do not care who rules over Bastok. As long as there is peace, we Galkas are satisfied with our lives." Zeid said.
"I do not believe you. I know you Zeid. I know you want what is the best for your kind. You want the Galkas to be respected. To be at par with the Humes. It is not happening right now. You are treated like second class citizens in Bastok." Icon replied.
"And what do you propose I do? Start a civil war?" Zeid answered back.
"Why not? As you said awhile ago you Galkas have every right to Bastok as much as the Humes do. You will never have that while the Humes control Bastok. Think it over Zeid. Join me and the utopia you seek for your kind will be possible. I will not rush you. Just take time to think and demand from the Senate what you think Galkas rightfully deserve." Icon said. "I will be waiting for you in Jeuno if you decide to join me." Icon then disappeared from Zeid's sight. Zeid spent the next hour pondering what to do next.
-O-
Windurst.
Tien kicked a stone on the ground and flew and landed in the moat. He had forgotten the last time he had this angry. He wasn't even considered to be a candidate for the Elder council. How unfair he thought.
"You will get nothing out of pouting and getting pissed."
Tien turned to see who said that. He saw a Hume sitting down on a rock across the moat. He did not recognize him but he could feel great evil.
"And who you may be? And how would you know I am pissed?" Tien asked.
"How could you not be pissed? You Tien the great Beastmaster warrior bypassed as a candidate for the Elder Council. If I were in your shoes I would also be royally pissed." the Hume replied.
"Yes I admit I am pissed. There is nothing I can do about it. The Elder has spoken. And why does it concern you anyway if I am pissed?" Tien answered back.
"Face it Tien, no matter how loyal you are, how hard you fight for Windurst, you will never get into the Elder Council. Just like the Great Windurstian Beastmaster Moui before you, they will never recognize the accomplishments of a Beastmaster. They are too afraid of the power of the Beastmaster."
Tien thought about what the Hume said, he was correct. Moui was a great hero but he was stripped of command because the Elders were afraid of his growing power and popularity.
"And have you noticed the twelve candidates for the Elder council? There is more Mithras than Tarutarus. Isn't it obvious that the surviving Elder who is a Mithra is trying to dominate the new Council with Mithras? There is a conspiracy going on and you know it in your heart you have to do something about it." the Hume added.
Tien thought it over and what the Hume said made sense again. More Mithra candidates means the chances of dominating the council was high, if that happens then the Tarutarus will lose their voice in the Council. He had to act to stop the plot from succeeding. "And what would you suggest I do about the situation?" Tien asked.
"You can always rally the Tarutarus to help you demand and question the composition of the candidates. The future of Windurst is at stake, the populace will support you."
"And what if the Elder refuses to hear my demands? What then?" Tien asked.
"Then do what you think is right for Windurst."
"And that would be?"
"Rise up and force the Elder to resign from the Council."
"That would be blasphemy. The Elders are highly respected individuals. To force them to resign would make me a traitor to the Windurstians." Tien said.
"Saving a nation isn't traitorous, it is heroic." answered the Hume. "I leave you to ponder what I have said. If you ever need my help just look me up in Jeuno." the Hume said.
"And you are?"
"Icon." He smiled and warped away.
Tien could not believe it was Icon who was trying to help him.
-O-
Jeuno.
Prince Trion paced back and forth waiting for Duke Leydon to see him. He had waited one hour already and still no sign of him. The door to the Throne Room opened and Icon stepped inside. Prince Trion looked at Icon from head to foot.
"Is there something wrong with how I look Prince Trion?" Icon asked.
"Nothing. Where is Duke Leydon? I have been waiting for an hour and he still hasn't come to meet me? I tire of waiting for him." Prince Trion said.
"The Duke sent me in his place. He hasn't been feeling well the past week. He has instructions for you." Icon answered back.
"He sent you to talk to me? How insulting. Be gone peasant and tell the Duke to come and see me personally." Prince Trion said."
I would watch your tongue if I were you. You are not a Prince of Sandoria anymore but an outlaw with a bounty on your head as we speak. This is Jeuno not Sandoria." Icon calmly said.
"You are nothing but a lapdog to the Duke. I am still royalty. Once I take back Sandoria I will show you how I conquer all of Vanadiel. Now get out of my sight and tell Leydon to come at once!" Prince Trion yelled.
Icon glared at Prince Trion. He slowly walked towards him. Prince Trion began to feel frightened as he saw Icon's eyes staring at him. There was something in those eyes that made him shake all over with fright. Icon stopped in front of him and said. "I would like to hear what you said to me again. I must have been temporarily deaf that I didn't hear you clearly."
"He dares to mock me." Prince Trion said to himself. He started to yell at Icon again but he didn't finish what he wanted to say. Icon sent a bolt of lightning at Trion. Trion shrieked in pain as the electric current ran through his body. Icon blasted him again with an even more powerful surge of electricity. "Was there something you wanted to say to me?" Icon asked Trion as he kept on blasting him.
"No more please. No more. I give up you win. Please stop... Aaaahhh" Prince Trion said. Icon kept hitting him with lightning bolts until Prince Trion was curled up like a baby lying on the floor. "No more please. No more..."
"Now are you ready to here what I have to say?" Icon asked.
"Yes I am." said Prince Trion as he was still shaking from the effects of the lightning bolt.
"Good. Now here is what you will do. Go back to Sandoria and kill your Father. Then assume the throne. I will send Nomek to help you. Do you think you can do that for me?" Icon said.
"Yes I can. I will take back the throne that belongs to me."
Icon started to walk towards the door. He stopped and said without turning to look at Prince Trion. "If you fail do not bother to come back alive." Icon then left the room.
-O-
The Senate Hall was full of activity when Zeid burst open the door. Everyone grew silent as they watched Zeid, who was in full battle armor walk towards the podium where the President was presiding over the session. Zeid threw a piece of rolled paper in front of the President. The President picked up the paper and opened it. His face started to turn pale as he was reading the contents. He looked at Zeid, his hands trembling as he put down the paper he was reading.
"Have you gone mad Zeid?" the President asked in a trembling voice.
"No I have not. I want the Senate to issue a declaration that Martial Law will be in effect starting right this second. During the duration it will be I who will have absolute command on Bastokan forces. I will decide when the Martial Law will end." Zeid said in a loud authoritative voice.
"Why should Martial Law be declared?" a Senator asked.
"First reason, we needed to defeat the Shadow Lord. If I cannot get the cooperation of you politicians in this endeavor then I suggest you give me the power to do what is right for Bastok. Second is to right a wrong in this society of ours. Long have my people the Galkans been treated as a second class citizen in Bastok. I demand that our voices be heard and our right to be recognized as co-equals with the Humes." Zeid answered back.
"Ridiculous, we the Senate will never grant you that request. Your reasons are lame and flimsy. What you are doing is power grabbing." another Senator said.
"Is that the final answer of the Senate?" Zeid asked.
The Senators took turns shouting at Zeid. Their answer was clear. They will not grant his request.
"So be it." Zeid said. What he did after would send shockwaves to the nation of Bastok. He blasted the podium where the President was with a bolt of fire blowing it up and hurling the President backwards. He then started to target the Senators in the room. The Senators ran for cover as Zeid blasted them with magic spells. The guards tried to restrain Zeid but he quickly took them out. More guards outside rushed in and they were too dumbfounded to do anything; they couldn't believe a great hero like Zeid attack the heart of the Bastokan Government. By the time Zeid had finished his rampage two Senators lay dead, dozens more injured.
The word of Zeid's rampage quickly spread throughout the city. Galkas and Humes alike were milling outside the streets trying to get more information of what had happened. All of a sudden Bastokan troops marched through the streets. The President of Bastok had ordered the imposition of Martial Law. All Galkans in the Army were to be restricted to barracks. The Galkan civilian populace was to be under house arrest. Anyone defying the orders would be dealt with deadly force. The Galkans together with some Humes protested. Riots started to break out all over Bastok with signs of civil war about to erupt.
-O-
Tien stared at the sight of the damaged Heavenly Tower. In all of his years living in Windurst, it was the most beautiful sight in all of Windurst during sunset. Now it was badly wrecked. A tear feel down his cheek. Never had Windurst suffered such a devastating attack in a long while. He would be the savior of Windurst he told himself. He slowly walked towards the dwelling where the surviving Elder Mithra was now residing. The Mithra guards outside stopped him from entering and asked what his business was with the Elder.
"I have something urgent and important to discuss with the Elder. Can you please tell the Elder I need an audience with her?" Tien said. A Mithra guard told him to wait and went inside the house. A few minutes after Mourn emerged. She smiled at Tien and said to him.
"Hi Tien. What is so urgent that you seek an audience with the Elder? She is tired and is sleeping already. Can you just discuss it with me and I will tell her when she wakes up?" Mourn said.
"It cannot wait. I need to see her right away." Tien then tried to go into the house but the Mithra guards drew their weapons and aimed it at him.
"Please do not force them to use force. The Elder is resting she cannot see you now." Mourn said.
"If you refuse to let me pass then you will bear the responsibility if something happens in the next few hours." Tien said."
What will happen? Why is it you are so in a hurry to see the Elder? Why cannot you just tell me?" Mourn asked.
"You and I are good friends Mourn. We both are loyal citizens willing to die for Windurst. I will tell you then why I want to see the Elder. I bring a message, it more of a demand actually that the candidates for the Council be changed. There seems to be a conspiracy being hatch by you Mithras. There are more Mithra candidates than Tarutarus. That is unacceptable. There never has been a time it has happened like that." Tien said.
"I'm shocked you think we Mithras are planning to take control of the Elder Council. In fact I even spoke to the Elder that I would give up the nomination and recommended you instead to take my place." Mourn explained.
"And what did she say?" Tien asked.
"She said you are not qualified to be an Elder." Mourn answered.
"She said that? If I am not qualified, then how come the other nominees are? I have done more things for Windurst than some of them combined. This is preposterous. What a sham this is." Tien angrily said.
"It because of your ego and pride." Tien and Mourn turned sideways and saw it was the Elder standing at the doorway. She continued to say. "Your intentions for Windurst however noble, is not enough for you to be elected to the Council. You lack the wisdom and humility to be an Elder."
"You just say that because you are the only Elder alive. If the other Tarutaru Elders were alive I would be a candidate by now." Tien angrily replied.
"If they were alive they would heed my advice not to nominate you. Of all the previous Elders I am the oldest. They respected what I had to say." the Elder Mithra said.
"That is ridiculous. Your reasons are not acceptable. He was right. You Mithras are really planning to takeover the Elder Council and take control of the affairs of Windurst." Tien said.
"Who is He?" the Elder Mithra asked.
"That is none of your business." Tien replied curtly.
"You think what you want Tien. I cannot stop you from speaking out your mind." the Elder Mithra said. "Futhermore, if you do not agree with my list of candidates, I suggest you resign as head of the Windurstian Beastmasters."
"I am going to be like Moui ages go, stripped of my command because they fear me." Tien thought. "I must not let it happen again. I must oppose them."
"I ask you one last time. Are you willing to change the composition of the candidates for the Elder Council." Tien asked.
"No." the Elder Mithra firmly said.
"So be it. Do not regret your decision." Tien bowed and quickly left.
Mourn tried to call Tien to stop but the Elder Mithra stopped her. "No Mourn let him go. Tien has failed the test. He was right and I was wrong. Tien is not worthy to be an Elder."
"I am confused. What test? And who is He you are talking about?" Mourn asked.
"Originally Tien was included in the list of candidates. An old friend of mine told me Tien doesn't have what it takes to be an Elder. I insisted he was worthy to be one so my friend suggested that we subject Tien to a test. This was his test, to see whether he would accept the decision he wasn't included as one of the candidates for the Elders. A simple but effective way to test ones character. Sadly I was proven wrong. Tien could not accept his non-inclusion." the Elder Mithra explained.
"So he failed the test. We can always tell him it was only a test. That he still would have a chance to be an Elder." Mourn said.
"It is too late. The things that will happen in the next few hours were foreseen by my friend. Destiny must be allowed to take its course or else Vanadiel's fate will even be worse off." the Elder Mithra said.
"The more you talk, the more questions I have." Mourn said.
"Wait and see. All will be revealed in due time." the Elder Mithra said.
-O-
The Sandorian King sat on his throne looking sad. He was lonely. As a monarch of the Sandoria he had all the power but even that won't compare to the loss of his two sons love. Both wanted his throne. It was so painful for him to think his own flesh and blood didn't support him.
Jahn, his personal bodyguard approached the King. "Your Majesty, we could not find Prince Trion."
"It does not matter anymore. I am tired and old. If both my sons want my throat then let them come and get me. This old bones still has what it takes to defend himself." the King said.
"Do not give up hope. One day they will have a change of heart and come back to your side." Jahn said.
"Why wait? I am here."
The King and Jahn turned sideways and saw Prince Trion. The Prince slowly walked towards the middle of the room. In his right hand he held a trident. "I am here Father. As you said you are old and tired, why don't you just retire in peace and give up your throne."
"How did you get pass all the guards outside?" Jahn asked.
"I've lived in Sandoria for all my life. I know every nook and corner of this place. I know more secret passages than you will ever know in your lifetime." the Prince answered back. "Back to the business at hand, will you voluntarily give up your throne or do I have to wrest it away from you the second time."
"Over my dead body. You were never worthy to be the next King of Sandoria." the King replied.
"And who would be worthy to be the next King? That peasant son of yours who would never accept you as his father? You always loved him not me. Even if he turned his back on you, you never stopped hoping he would come back." Prince Trion angrily said.
"I owe his mother much. I just wanted to give back to him what I could not give to his mother."
"And what of the former Queen of Sandoria? My Mother? Didn't you owe her even more? All those years you never loved her. How she loved you and waited for you to give your love back to her. She waited all those years until she died. But she never got what she wanted." Prince Trion said trying to hold back the tears.
"I am sorry. I never loved your mother as much as I loved Wolferine's mother. I had no choice with my marriage. It was arranged even before I was born." the King said.
"Still you had an obligation to love her! She was your wife!"
"I cannot undo to past." the King said as he moved towards the Prince. Jahn tried to stop the King but he waved him off. "Do what you think I deserve because of how I treated your mother."
The Prince let out a loud yell and raised his trident. He then ran towards the King. The King didn't even try to block the trident. It struck the King on his shoulder.
"Why didn't you try to evade my attack?" the Prince asked.
"As I said do what you think is right. Are you feeling better now that you have struck me?" the King asked.
Jahn ran towards the King and the Prince and with one swift motion cut the pole of the trident in half. Jahn quickly held the King as he staggered back.
There was sounds of fighting outside. Prince Trion started to move backwards towards to door. Nomek suddenly burst open the door and yelled for the Prince to leave.
"I will never forgive you. Next time we meet will be the end of your miserable life. I will torment you until you die." With that said the Prince turned and left.
-O-
The Tarutaru manning the watchtower couldn't believe his eyes. Hundreds of Dhalmels were stampeding towards the city of Windurst. How could they have ventured so far away from their natural habitat? He hurriedly sounded the alarm. The Windurstian Army hurriedly ran out from their adobes to take positions to defend the city.
Mourn strode up the city walls to see who was attacking Windurst. Windurst could ill afford a siege from the Shadow Lord's army. She saw the Dhalmels massing all around the city walls she thought of only one person. She grabbed a telescope from one of the guards and scanned the horizon. She finally found what she was looking for after a few seconds. It was Tien and his posse of Beasrmasters who were controlling the Dhalmels.
"This doesn't have to be this way. I will go down and talk to Tien. It is all a misunderstanding." Mourn said.
"Do you think it is wise to do so?" Sylvaria asked her.
"I will be all right. Namy take charge of the troops in case something happens to me." Mourn ordered.
"Take Sylvaria and Freon with you just to be on the safe side. Any sign of attack from the Dhalmels I will rain them with arrows and magic spells." Namy said.
Mourn, Sylvaria and Freon then jumped down the city walls with the help of ropes. When they safely got to the ground Mourn shouted. "Tien, I know you are out there come out and talk to me."
There was no response. Mourn and the others uneasily looked at the Dhalmels in their midst. One command from Tien and his posse, they would be in deep trouble. Mourn yelled out again. "Tien stop hiding in the shadows. This isn't your style. Come out and we can straighten all this out. Fighting amongst friends isn't the right thing to do."
Tien came out to face Mourn. Mourn met him halfway.
"Tien, what is the meaning of this surrounding Windurst with Dhalmels?"
"What do you think it means? You were there when I confronted the Elder. You heard what she said. Many of us Tarutarus do not accept the Elders nominees to the Council. We think it is just a farce. I am just fighting for our right to question her decision."
"It was all a test Tien, to see your reaction to her decision. You may have failed the test but I can persuade the Elder to include you still in the candidates list. We all make mistakes."
"Test? I still need to be tested for my loyalty to my beloved nation Windurst? Come on Mourn, I've heard one lame reason after another. What would the Elder think of next to tell me I wonder."
"I know you are angry that you were not nominated. Your anger has clouded your judgement. What do you think you can achieve by blocking the entrance to Windurst? You certainly will not succeed if you decide to attack." Mourn said.
"I can stay out here until I have forced the Elder to resign from the council. We need to reform the Council from scratch. The longer I stay here, the more sympathizers I will get for sure. I have all the time in the world." Tien said.
"This isn't the solution. Come inside and let us talk to the Elder. I am sure everything will be straigthen out." Mourn said.
"Go inside and talk with the Elder? I am not that stupid yet. If the Elder wants to talk with me, tell her to come out in the open where everyone can hear us. If you do not agree with my terms then this conversation is over."
"You are getting unreasonable Tien. I've tried to explain and reason with you but you are just too stubborn to listen." Mourn said with a raised voice.
"This conversation is over." Tien then walked away from Mourn.
"Tien wait ..." Mourn said as she tried to stop Tien from leaving. Suddenly the Dhalmels began to move and blocked Mourn's path. They then started to stomp Mourn. Mourn ran and tried to evade the many hoofs that tried to stomp her to death. She almost got away safely but one hoof managed to hit her. She got thrown several meters away.
"Commander Mourn!" Freon and Sylvaria shouted as they ran towards her. Mourn was grimacing in pain. Freon and Sylvaria helped Mourn to her feet. They moved as fast as they could with the Dhalmels gaining fast on them. The Windurstians on the city walls send out a barrage of arrows and magic spells to try to slow down the Dhalmels. This gave Mourn and her companions some space between the Dhalmels.
A dozen Carrions, vulture type birds, flew towards them head on. With their sharp claws, the Carrions began to scratch Mourn and her companions ferociously. Sylvaria let go of Mourn and drew her Great Katana. With great patience and precise accuracy, she waited until to right moment to strike the Carrions. Within moments all the attacking Carrions were dead.
The distraction gave the Dhalmels enough time to catch up. Tien ordered his posse to stop attacking. "Mourn, stop running. I do not want to hurt you. There is no way you can safely get back inside the city. Surrender and come peacefully with me."
"Over my dead body." Mourn said as she and her companions got ready to defend themselves for the next attack.
Out of nowhere they came, by the dozens Yagudos came and stood behind Mourn. They stood ready to help Mourn and her companions.
"Yagudos coming to help you? Now I understand it all. This is a conspiracy between Mithras and Yagudos to take control of Windurst." Tien said.
"You are really out of your mind Tien. It is useless to talk to you." Mourn said.
Tien ordered his posse to attack, a battle ensued. Now with the Yagudos help, the Windurstians inside the city went outside to engage Tien's men. Tien saw how futile it would be to fight on, he ordered his men to withdraw. "I shall be back Mourn. Count on it." Tien yelled as he retreated.
"I will be waiting." Mourn said to herself.
-O-
"Look at how the three nations fight amongst themselves. I didn't even attack them and they are doing all the work for me, destroying themselves. After they have killed each other, all I need to do is walk in and take control." Icon said to the Master. "How easy it is to corrupt mortal minds."
The Master had seen all that had happened in the three kingdoms of Bastok, Sandoria and Windurst respectively. Icon had placed a magical crystal ball in front of the Master enabling him to see the events that transpired. The Shadow Lord was able to convince two heroes to turn against their nations. His power of persuasion was really powerful. The way events are unfolding, Vanadiel will soon fall to the Shadow Lord's hands. The Master had to do something before its too late he thought. But what could he do with him bound by a spell that immobilized him?