"Everyone, gather around." Cole spoke with authority as he addresses the fighters they have gathered in Marseille. "We are all here for one sole purpose. I believe most of you came to save your families, friends and the town itself so I will say fight with everything you've got. Our enemies surely outnumbered us but our zealousness to save our love ones must be our strength to never give up."
Cole was encouraging the men of Keilah before they engage in a battle. There are at least 120 able men who joined hands with Cole and his men to save the subjugated town.
A month ago, the Iblanite raiders invaded the towns of Keilah, taking the children and the women along with them and made them their servants. The chief's wife and daughter was among the captives as well. The leaders of the said town had been reaching the king for help but weeks had passed yet they received no response. In their desperation, the town leaders asked help from the famous Shadow knights whom they heard an aide for the poor people.
Cole happened to be in the region and heard about their desperate plea. Therefore, he reached out to the chief leader of the town and laid out a plan. Now that they have gathered 120 abled men, Gideon and Leon along the others trained them for a few days.
"We will win this battle as long as we put our trust in God." Cole added.
The men of Keilah cheered up and shouted a loud victory cry. They must persevere at all cost.
Cole led the men and sneak inside the Iblanite camps in the Valley of Keilah and they fought from dawn to sunset. The battle ended when Cole thrust the Iblanite's commander in chief in the heart then he cut his head and threw it out in the battle field where all his soldiers can see.
The men of Keilah rejoiced as they seize the remaining Iblanite soldiers but Cole's men lost a few of their fighters while others where gravely hurt.
They took all the Keilah people back to the towns along with some captives from other towns as well and took all the plunders they got from the raiders and divide it among the town people and sent some to the neighboring village as well since the plunder was great to keep among themselves.
Cole sent some of the plunders to the towns of Ikarai as well to provide for the people
The chief and the people of Keilah, specially the trained men promised their alliance to the shadow knights and decided to keep training their men under the supervision of Joshua, the head leader of the fighters that Cole trained personally.
The neighboring towns heard about their victory and sent some men to be trained as well. Every one of them now knows that the king will never hear the cries of the bottom people so they decided to create a fortified wall for their cities against invaders. Thus, the news about the mysterious Shadow knights slowly spread in the kingdom and to their neighboring kingdom as well.
"We wish to meet your kind leader too so we can personally thank him for sending help to us." the Keilah's chief uttered his thoughts towards Cole and the others who are enjoying the feasts that the villagers prepare for them. The other neighboring chiefs also came to prove their loyalty towards the group.
"He is on a business trip for now but rest assured that he will definitely visit you someday." Cole replied. "And I'm sure he is rejoicing with us right now as he learns about our victory."
The chiefs cheered as they hear his kind words. What could have happened to them if these young men didn't rescue them? Waiting for the king's response is like waiting for the rain in a dessert.
Meanwhile, Asher danced with joy when he received the good news that Cole sent.
"Whoa, what's with the vibrant mood?" Lemuel asked.
The others are in the living room playing some sort of a board game that Lemuel thought them.
"Liam! good news!" he yelped.
"What?"
"Cole sent a message… they did it!"
Liam smirked. Of course, they have to win it. That's Cole and the team… they were one of his best men after all.
"So what's their situation now?"
"Hmm… that… I must speak to you in private." He motioned the man to follow him outside the house for the meantime.
Sarah and Diana looked at each other confused. They really want to know what they're talking about.
Diana sighed. Don't they trust her?
"The people of Keilah and the neighboring towns pledge their allegiance to the Shadow knights. they even built a few training centers in town." Asher informed the man. "They wanted to continue training their men for battle since they couldn't get any support from the palace."
"It can't be helped." Liam replied. "Tell Cole to train and assign trusted captains to lead the warriors. Having the people of Marseille could be a great help to us."
"Yes, I will. And how about the other quarters in the other regions?"
"Send the good news to each captains to strengthen their resolve. We'll try to visit everyone as soon as possible."
Asher left the man standing on the balcony while looking at the town buildings. It has been a week when they asked for an appointment with the Chief of the Nahshon Tribe but they haven't received any answer yet.
"Hey." Diana approached the man standing at the Balcony. He spun around to see a smiling woman in a long dress. He smiled within him seeing how the woman acquainted herself with the kingdom's tradition that he rarely sees her wearing her old outfit.
"Can I go to the marketplace today?" she asked.
"For what purpose?"
Diana raised the stuff she's been hiding behind her. The camera. "I'll try to visit the store again to see if the owner has arrived." She grinned.
Is that really important? Liam wanted to ask but he held it in. "Alright. But I'll go with you. Besides, I need a little walk right now as well."
Diana felt overjoyed. She definitely loves taking a walk with Liam. but somehow she's vexed when she remembered the scene a few days ago. What if he sees those guys again? she's worried. Hope they won't cross path this time.
***************
In the palace…
The palace servants were busy preparing for the First harvest feasts. It's one of the yearly celebration in the kingdom to thank the heavens for a good crop for the whole year.
The princes, nobles, elders and king's council along with esteemed merchants will be joining the three days' celebration. And some ambassadors in the neighboring kingdoms will be attending also. However, everyone knew that it's more than a feasts… it's more of a political meeting among the elite.
The king was in his chambers dressing up for the said celebration when his trusted assistant came with a report.
"Is everything okay?" he asked.
"Yes, everything about the celebration is great, your excellency. But there is something you should know." he looked around the people surrounding the king.
"What is it? tell me."
"It's about the Keilah's invaders…. The Iblanite raiders" He paused for a moment. "Their leader is dead and the people of Keilah were saved."
"Really?!" the king stood surprised. "B-but who did it? Did the military chief dispatch some of our soldiers?"
"the help didn't come from the palace, your excellency. According to some reports, a specific group led a few men and fought with the iblanite raiders."
"A group? You mean some of those fraternities lurking around the kingdom?"
"That's right, your excellency. I think they are called the Shadow knights and they are increasing in numbers and had some of the regions pledge an alliance to them."
"Shadow knights…" the king held his chin as he gets lost in his own thoughts. Will they become an enemy of the palace as well?
Knowing about their fame, the king begun to worry for his throne. What if the Shadow Knights increased their numbers and got the support of the clans and the support of the neighboring kingdom as well and rebel against the current king?
Are they possibly thinking of dethroning him?