Hello everyone. Here is chapter 8. I hope that you will enjoy it. :)
While Banderas and Maria have begun their affair, Albert has arrived at Alfred's kingdom and he was helping his friend defeat the rebels that were proving to be very resistant behind their shield-wall as they blocked the way for Albert and his army to go beyond the kingdom's walls.
The fighting went on and on with no one moving a budge as they kept on fighting while Alfred as well as Albert were becoming frustrated by the fact that the rebels refused to surrender and that they were willing to fight on to the end while their comrades escaped into the hills.
Albert has always known that this is going to be a long fight and he has given himself, along with his men, three months to finish it or else Alfred will have to continue the fight on his own with the latter not a situation that Albert wanted to get himself or Alfred into as they needed to win.
"This is not good, Albert" said Alfred as he fought off more rebels. "We need to do something or else the rebels will regroup".
"Don't worry, Alfred" said Albert as he killed some rebel soldiers. "We are doing the best we can, we just have to keep fighting".
"I know, let's hope we win" said Alfred as he fought against the rebels. "Also, let's hope that Swain and Haredi don't invade yet".
Albert remembered Haredi and Swain as he agreed with Alfred in hoping that the two won't invade his kingdom while knowing that if they do invade, then, things will only get worse for both him and Alfred, something that he didn't want to happen in the first place as he had feared it would happen.
Soon enough it was night-time and both sides decided to have some rest as it was too dark to continue fighting, though, the rebels took this chance to escape much to the annoyance of Albert as he knew that this could only get worse while hoping that his kingdom will have a chance for survival.
His soldiers were happily provided food by the innocent people of Alfred's kingdom, those people that didn't rise up against their King, much to Albert's happiness as he knows that there are good people in Alfred's kingdom that he can count upon to help his soldiers stay alive for the time being.
Albert even witnessed one of his younger soldiers falling in love with a female Scarlet Macaw from Alfred's kingdom and he was happy for the young soldier as he knew that he now has someone to protect as well as someone to take care of him if he ended up having an post-traumatic-stress disorder.
He decided to walk over to the young soldier as he wanted to have a word with him about the relationship and he wanted to give his blessing to the relationship knowing that it could lead to a potential marriage in the future and the birth of sweet children that could help out his own children, someday.
"Hello there, soldier, how are you doing?" asked Albert as he caught his soldier's attention. "I see, you have found love".
"Yes, your majesty, this is Lara, my girlfriend" said the young soldier as he introduced his girlfriend. "The love of my life".
"It's an honour to meet you, your majesty" said Lara as she bowed to Albert as a sign of respect. "Toby has told me about you".
"I bet he has, also, I accept your relationship" said Albert which made both Toby and Lara smile. "Enjoy your time, together".
Toby and Lara, happily, bowed to Albert before they made their way off to Lara's house to have some alone time together with Albert respecting their wishes as he made his way back to his men only to find out some horrific news from his Royal messenger the next morning and it was news of Swain.
He and his men had just woken up from their slumber when news arrived of Swain's invasion fleet landing in the north of his kingdom much to the horror of Albert and his men, who quickly put on their chainmail and get their weapons while Albert has a difficult choice to make as he let the news sink in.