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CHAPTER ONE (1)

In the quest for survival, the need for expansion arose and with it, came the insatiable need and greed of men.

In the time of chaos, myth and magic, stood a mighty king, Vidor the Conqueror. Men, women and children trembled at the mention of his name as he sought to rule all and kill those who stood in his way…

*CLANK!*

The clash of swords and the cries of men could be heard from every corner of the field.

SLASH! AHHH!

Wailing, more fighting, more screaming, more clashing of swords and more BLOOD!

A pair of blood-filled eyes roamed all over the field. He could see they were losing and very fast at that. It wasn't even up to twenty minutes, yet the tides of battle were no longer in their favour.

What more could he do?

"Retreat! Retreat!"

They had anticipated lots of soldiers would come from their opponent but never once did the king imagine nor foresee that this might would grace his kingdom.

It was simple, they weren't here to just win the villages. The might of their enemy showed they were ready to take over the entire kingdom that day.

It was like one to a thousand... a battle no doubt they would lose.

And this was just the first battalion. A number that almost doubled their entire army in the kingdom.

"Retreat! Fall back!" The man's voice rang out again.

"Fall back, now... urghh!"

SWOOSH!

Another body slashed with the sword slumps down and DIES.

"Aaaah!" The piercing screams echoed louder, sending chills down the spine of the soldiers.

"RETREAT!!"

***

BANG!

The throne room doors pushed open with three men rushing inside and quickly bowing before the person on the throne.

"Your Majesty," they chorused at once.

"Rise. What is the report?"

"Not good your majesty," one of the men said, taking a step forward.

"I know. I am asking how badly?"

"Very bad, my king," the second man answered.

"Casualties?"

"Hmm," he paused, unsure of how best to tell the king the sad news. "We have lost three villages and thousands of troops stationed out there, within the hour."

"Three what!"

"I am afraid Jeremy speaks the truth, my King. Vidor's men came prepared and with one goal in mind, to conquer and I believe within a few more hours, they would be marching straight for the city," the second man explained further.

"This cannot be."

No one spoke. They all had the same look on their faces. DESPAIR.

They knew what was coming to them. They have all heard of what befell the other kingdoms he chose to attack and this was no different except a miracle suddenly happened and right now, all they could do was hope.

No one dared look at the king at this moment and it wasn't because they couldn't but they were scared to see the look of fear and hopelessness on his face.

Unknown to them, that was not what was on his face. Although sad and disheartened by the loss of his people, there was a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

Slowly, he stood up from his throne with a heavy heart. He had helped and prayed that his men would be able to fight off and fend the villages but they lost them and each minute spent, brought forth, more disaster.

With his hands tightly locked behind his back like a teacher lecturing his student, King Elrad paced back and forth before coming to a stop before his men. "There is only one option left then. I guess I have to use my last card."

All heads snapped up instantly at the sign of hope. "What is the last card, your majesty?" the first man asked impatiently.

BANG!

The huge wooden door opened with a loud thud, while the wood shivered in fright from the action. A woman in her ripe age dashed inside the secure walls.

"Elrad!" Her voice broke but it did not matter.

All heads turned in the direction from which the voice came from. Without being told they knew who it was and judging from the panic-stricken voice, there was no doubt it was her.

Pain and fright were evident from her beautiful face, which was soiled with her endless tears. Yet the earthly attribute of crying failed to mask her striking features that were further emphasized with her quivering rosy lips and anxious eyes.

The queen didn't bother to hold her crown straight since the blood chaos outside their kingdom was more detestable and the fate that awaited her beloved was even breathtaking.

"Your majesty," they greeted once again with their heads bowed low but the lady in question simply ignored them and walked past them to meet the king.

"Elrad, what is going on? We are losing. Please do not do what I think you want to do."

The men were confused by what she said but only the King knew.

Ever slowly with eyes filled with pain and anguish, King Elrad turned around so he could gaze at the one who held his heart in her hands.

Standing before him was a stunning woman gracefully clad in a lavender dress. She looked no less than an enchanting kitsune having a glistening waterfall of silvery-white hair which she had let loose too worried to bother with her appearance.

He could see her pain clearly as plain as day and knew she was going. His dearly beloved wife was getting lost in her pain.

"Elrad, no. Please do not do it. Do not. We can just surrender and live to fight another day but please do not do it."

The men looked at one another, unable to get what the king and queen were talking about. What could be so painful that the queen was willing to risk being a slave to another kingdom?

"Emerald," he softly called her name, causing the tears she had been fighting back to finally spill freely.

She knew what calling her name meant. He had decided and that was the final say.

"No, Elrad, no."

"I am sorry but we knew this day would come. It was a decision long made. It is time. You cannot cheat nature. A promise was made, an alliance was formed."

"An alliance that he ruins by marching into our kingdom and killing the innocent," the Queen half yelled. "Please no. I beg you." Her knees dropped to the ground before him as she brought forth both hands, clasping them together and raising them in front of him. "Do not do this, please."

Seeing their Queen on their knees, the three men followed and pleaded with the king, completely oblivious of what was going on.

"It is settled. Her fate has been sealed."

"What fate are you talking about father? Mother, why are you on your knees?"

A young and dashing young lady suddenly appeared from behind them, walking a little bit fast into the throne room. She too had heard of the problem they were facing and rushed to see her father, only to meet her mother on her knees.

"Era." His voice broke and a tear slid out but that did not change his resolve.

Era passed, accessed the situation first and when she still could not understand, she too went on her knees and copying her mother said, "Father, please. I humbly plead on my mother's behalf. Listen to her."

The queen could no longer bear it and burst into tears. If only she knew. If only they all knew but only a selected few and herself as well as the king knew what was going on.

"My child, please stand up."

"Father, I cannot. At least not until you listen to mother."

A pained smile formed on his lips. If only she knew. The daughter he knew, wouldn't plead on her mother's behalf if she knew what was going on.

"Yes, your majesty, please listen to the queen. It is bad for the mother of the kingdom to be in tears. It destroys the morale of the women," the first man spoke, convincingly.

"I know and as a father, I understand but as a king, I must put my people first."

"Father."

"Era," he raised a hand cutting her short. "I hate to do this but I must. Do you know the reason why your mother pleads?"

"No, father but I believe it is for the best."

"Do you trust me, my child?"

"I do father. But do not hurt mother."

"Your mother pleads on your behalf, that I should not honour an alliance, a deal once made, binding you to the monster king."

"ELRAD, NOOO…"