A/N Thanks for the comments and hope everyone had a nice labor day.

Chapter 6

Jason eyed the two men. "You have something to say?"

"There's not enough time. You're sending us to slaughter," Ronnie said.

"What we have been doing has always worked," Brian said.

"You've never fought this enemy before with Sonny at the helm. I have, and I wear the scaars to prove it."

To Liz's astonishment, Jason removed his shirt and then turned around. There are two angry slashes on his back.

He slowly turned around. "You have no idea how to fight them and win, but I do. If you stay with what you know, you'll die. So, what's it going to be?"

Ronnie and Bryan eye each other. They have heard a lot of rumors about the barbarians which are scary. Ronnie sighed. "Fine. We'll try it your way."

Jason eyed them as they strode away.

"Ronnie is gifted with a sword but stubborn," Jaggar said.

"Then I'll break him," Jason said as he turned and walked away.

Johnny followed.

Stefan turned toward Elizabeth. "The men will respect Jason. It will be hard, but you must not step in. If you have problems with his methods, talk to him away from prying ears."

Liz nodded. Once they left, she addressed Francis.

"Do you know what happened to him?"

"Yes, but it's his story to tell."

"I'll respect that. Let's go."

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Stefan motioned for Jason and Johnny to move forward as Elizabeth and Jagger observed.

"It's light but strong. The typical sword will not penetrate it. By the time they figure that out, you should be able to kill them."

Jason puts it on and is shocked at the level of comfort. "Nice."

Stefan smirked. "I know." He faced the men. "You'll have to wear it to get used to it, but I think you will be pleased. We will be teaching the blacksmiths how to make it, so you'll need to be measured. Get in a line."

The men there fell in step. It was only a portion of the army. Stefan brought a few men with him to help because they didn't have a lot of time.

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Jason stood before a portion of the men holding a sword. "Forget everything you know."

The men eyed each other before returning their attention to him.

Johnny moved forward to battle with Jason as the astonished men looked on.

They have never seen such physical swordplay before. Both were fighting dirty and when they finally broke form, Jason drank some water and then eyed the group. "You must be willing to do anything it takes to win. You must be vicious and animalistic because they will show no mercy."

Elizabeth listened raptly, hidden in the shadows. What she had witnessed was impressive. Jason's glare certainly is intense enough to scare his opponent, and he's highly skilled.

For the next half hour, Jason beat down every single man there. She was shocked that he wasn't dropping from exhaustion.

She wasn't happy about his methods at all. To her, he was destroying their spirit with harsh words and attitude. While she understood that they needed to be tough, he was brutal.

Francis thought it best to pull her back and he watched as she practically stomped to the castle.

"You have dinner alone with Prince Jason in a few hours."

"Great," she uttered.

He almost smiled but didn't want to be beheaded. "I'll have them seat you in the smaller dining room."

"That is probably for the best."

Meanwhile, Jason faced the men.

"I was holding back."

The men eyed each other.

"If I went full force, you'd be dead. Every move counts. Your awareness of what is around you is one of your greatest assets. You must shut up and listen. Know the sound of the sword swishing through the air and then react. You don't have to see when the tip of your sword can find the target you seek. You can't just be defensive. You must strike and protect. Do you understand?"

He eyed each man as they nodded. "Got get the next group, and don't warn them. I'll know."

The men got up, several groaning, knowing there would be bruises. They aren't sure what to think of Jason or if they can match his expertise in such a short time."

Johnny stared at him. "If you drive too hard, they'll fold."

Jagger agrees. "I'm not suggesting you go easy on them, but you can't break them."

"The enemy will. They need to be confident that they can overcome. I can't do that without breaking them. I need them to fight for their city and families from their souls. The enemy will smell fear and take advantage of it." It's psychological as much as it is physical."

Jagger isn't used to his methods, but he's never fought such a violent enemy.

Jason heard footsteps in turn. "Bring in the next victims," he said as the men following the guard skeptically glanced at Jason, who was sweaty and tense.

For two hours, he fought against several groups.

Jagger turned toward Johnny. "He is a machine." He's not sure what to make of Jason. He's never met a Prince quite like him.

Johnny smirked. "Aye. He has seen Jason at his best and worst and admires him greatly.

"You think we can get them ready?"

"Not completely, but as Jason is training, he's also assessing their strengths and weaknesses. He'll use them accordingly." The way Jason can see the battle before him and strategizes is a gift most men don't have.

AJ joined. He must admit that he's proud of his brother. "It's time for supper."

"Where are the men eating?"

"Outside probably."

"Then I will too," Johnny said. They need to learn to trust him and he's hoping they have questions.

"I'll join you then."

Jagger frowned. "Aren't you eating with Elizabeth?"

AJ shook his head. "She will be meeting with someone else."

Jagger wasn't sure what was going on but nodded before he left.

"It's going to be a long couple of weeks."

Johnny agreed. "Just don't forget to keep up appearances."

"I won't." He likes spending time with Elizabeth.

"Let's go."

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Jason quickly washed up and then dressed, rolling his shoulders to stretch his muscles.

A maiden opened the door. "Do you need anything more?

"If you could tell me where the small dining room is, it would be helpful."

She blushed as she looked away. "Okay. Follow me."

Once they reached it, he took a deep breath before entering.

Liz sipped some wine and waited for him to sit.

His head tilted. "You look displeased to see me."

"You were barbaric with my men."

He is surprised she is so upset. "I am trying to save their lives."

'You show them no respect—mocking them with your arrogance."

"You are mistaking confidence and skill with arrogance. I am far from it."

"People lost a lot when my family was slaughtered. We had to rebuild. Instead of humiliating them, you could use their anger to fight smarter."

Jason stood and pinched his nose. "We don't have time for babying. You must let me do this my way. If you don't, they won't be prepared—hell, who am I kidding? We don't have enough time for what they need. Instead, I need to be direct and to the point.

Liz shook her head. "You also need to learn to respect them and not pre-judge. You don't have to be hard all the time. You can be stern and encouraging. A little compassion will gain loyalty and they will fight harder."

He sighed.

"You know I'm right.

He shook his head and sat while their dinner was placed on the table. Jason is ravenous while Liz picks.

"Aren't you hungry?"

Liz shrugged.

He wiped his mouth. "You can't pre-judge me either."

"Was I?"

"Yes."

She averted her gaze.

"I will talk to them after we're done if it will make you feel more at ease."

"It would."

They ate in silence for a few moments.

"I don't have much reference for our situation."

She eyed him curiously. "What do you mean?"

"Have you been in a relationship before?"

"Juvenile ones…"

"But you're used to trying to compromise and the like. I'm not."

She sipped her wine again. "I will take that into consideration."

"Why do I feel this thing between us will be worse than facing the enemy?"

She would have been offended if it weren't for the twinkle in his eyes. "You're scared of me?"

"In a way, yes."

"Why?"

"Because I have no reference for things of the heart."

"I'm quite sure you are experienced with women."

"That is different. It doesn't necessarily require thought and care."

"It should."

He smirked. "Can you try not to be reactive and give me some consideration that I may be just another clueless male?"

She grinned. "I will try."

"Thank you."

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Jason stood on a rock and faced all the men. They are gathered at the base of a mountain, so his voice will echo a little helping to carry the sound. Francis, who had snuck Elizabeth as close as he could, pressed his finger against his lips as Jason began.

"I'm going to share something with you in good faith."

The tired men listened raptly, as well as Jagger.

"I was on my way back from battle. I had only two other men as my escort. I came to a hill that overlooked a valley and that is when I saw the Silanians battling an enemy. They had surrounded them, cutting off all means of escape, and then began to slaughter their foe. I had never seen anything like it. The screams of the men drowned out the battle cries as they were set on fire."

It was so quiet that Elizabeth swore she could hear him breathe.

Johnny was also listening raptly. Jason had never spoken of the horrors he had seen before.

"I usually have a keen sense of what is happening around me, but I was distracted by the carnage and stink of flesh." Jason paused briefly. "We were surrounded. There were too many to fight off, so we surrendered. Imagine knowing that your fate is probably suffering and death. Our hands were bound, and we were led to some shelters not too far from the battle and left to sit in our thoughts until finally, a general appeared. He acknowledged me by name. I had hoped that it would take a while before they found me out, but someone, a traitor, had recognized me. His first act was to ask the men with me to step forward, and he swung his sword and beheaded them."

Johnny sighed. It could have been him, but he was still on the battlefield.

"He dragged me out in the open, and for the next three days, they did unspeakable things to my body, but my spirit never left me. I watched and noted their comings and goings, looking for weaknesses. At night, I was fed a small amount of mush, just enough to keep me alive. A woman was sent to feed and give me water. She also tended to my wounds which were bleeding and raw. I spoke to her kindly, hoping that just maybe, she'd find some compassion and help me when I took a chance to flee."

Johnny handed Jason some ale, and he drank greedily. It was hard for him to recount what happened aloud. He could still smell the flesh burning as the memories flooded his mind.

"She was nice and said she was sorry when I grimaced from the pain on occasion. I told her that my men would be coming along soon and to hide if they should arrive and I thanked her for her kindness. She nodded and took leave. Sleep was difficult because of the pain. I could hear men talking, so I listened as they talked about their methods and plans for the next battle. It was enlightening. The next day was one of the worst, but unbeknownst to me, when I didn't show up at the castle, men were sent to find me. Many of the men battling had left and only those taken prisoner and a band of captors were left. I knew I had to make a move soon, but my body was starting to fail me. The woman tended to me again. Much to my surprise, she slipped me a knife and told me where the guards were positioned outside. She had been taken captive as well and forced to take care of those who had fallen. I told her I would free her, and she seemed relieved. She had me drink some weird tea to help me rest so I could fight. I got a restful sleep for the first time in days and then I shakily stood and moved toward the entrance as the sky started to lighten. I took out the two guards and went tent by tent killing every man that was breathing. Sometimes, I had to fight, but mostly I killed freely. I was covered in blood when I emerged from one of the last tents. The barbarians called me the red devil. I attacked with vigor using strength I didn't know I had as my men approached. I fell to my knees in exhaustion as they surrounded me and when the last body was slaughtered, the woman revealed herself. I informed my men that she could be trusted, and she helped clean me up enough to get me into a transport. I offered her freedom if she came with me, but she wanted to go to her family, so I sent one of the men with her. If it weren't for her kindness, I'd be dead."

He paused again to let all he said settle. "I'm hard on you because I know what you are facing. You must be strong, sure, and prepared mentally and physically for an enemy that is barbaric and will show no mercy. There is no room for error. Rest assured that I will use their strategy against them. They may have more men than us, but we can still win if we use everything, we must stop them. I wouldn't be here if I didn't believe we could win. So, I will ask will you fight beside me?"

One by one, they stood amazed that he had fought for his survival and was willing to fight for theirs.

A chant of, "We fight", rang out and after a few minutes, Jason held up his hand.

"Go rest. We have much to do. Commit and you will be rewarded. We must not let them take what you have worked so hard for."

A cheer arose and then men made their way back. Jason walked in the opposite direction, so Johnny advised the guards to give him some privacy by keeping their distance.

Elizabeth ran toward the area as Francis called out to her to stop. She quickly made her way to the tree where Jason had sat. The light of the moon lit the way as she crept closer.

"Why are you here?" he asked as his eyes fluttered open.

She sat on a stump across from him. "To thank you for opening up to them. They will gladly fight for you now."

He took a moment to study her. The love she has for her people is something to be admired.

"I'm sorry you had to suffer."

He nodded.

"Do you think of it often?"

"I try not to."

"Does it hurt still?"

He shook his head. "It took a while to heal, but I am stronger." He slowly stood. "I should get you back."

She stood, wiping her hands on the front of her dress. "I suppose so." She isn't sure why he suddenly put up a wall. When she turned to walk, he swept her into his arms, startling her. "What are you doing?"

He smirked. "There are thorns in the grass. I will carry you until I get to the clearing."

She is shocked by his chivalry. "Thank you."

"Tomorrow, you should spend some time with my brother."

"I will make sure that we are seen."

He spotted Francis and nodded. "Are you working with the archers on the morrow?"

"Yes."

"I'd like to watch for a bit and have them practice some things."

"That is fine and Jason?"

"Yes."

"I will not fight your methods any longer. I only want us to win, and I know you can get us there."

"Thank you for having faith in me." He lowered her to the ground. "Good night, my Queen."

She smiled. "Good night," she said inferring my King with her eyes.

He returned her smile and then watched as she took leave with Francis.