"Find the families of those who have fallen after this battle. I forced them into this battle without telling them anything, and they remained loyal until the end. It's the least we can do for them." Alfred's voice was sombre as he looked at the camp full of tired men. Charles nodded in acknowledgement. The way he looked at Alfred had changed. He found a new level of respect for the child king after watching him today, seeing his plan work as well as it did.
"The casualties on their side were heavy. One more battle, and we should be able to return to the front."
"If that is the case, Charles, I have one order for you. This isn't just coming from me as a King but also as someone who wishes frot he benefit of the Ammary Kingdom. If I become injured in this battle, chop Micheal's head off and rush to the front. End the war before focusing on my treatment. His death is all that matters."
"But my lieg-"
"This is an order. You must understand that he is the sole reason for this war; his death ends it." Alfred turned and punched the man's shoulder gently, his voice full of playfulness, "Besides, I don't plan on dying. You forget the lord blesses me." Charles gritted his teeth, but his eyes shone with respect. He gave a deep exhale after being silent for a while.
"Understood, your Highness." He clenched his fists in annoyance, 'Forgive me, brother if this order ever has to be achieved.' He silently thought as he watched Alfred departing back.
William looked at Snowid in the distance. The man's aura and bloodlust could be felt from atop the hill. Despite this, he looked at the knight on his right more. He could tell that the man was dangerous. He gave a friendly aura, but William could see deeper than that. Years on the battlefield had honed this ability. "William." Raven walked next to him, looking down at the Commonwealth camp. "It's been two days."
"Where has your faith gone, Raven? Snowid hasn't become serious because whatever he's waiting for hasn't happened yet. Trust our King the same way he has trusted us."
Raven shook his head. He trusted Alfred but knew that blind confidence in him was dangerous during a time of war. "That knight is always by his side. Should we send him to check the situation? He's injured, but it's healed enough."
William thought for a minute. On the one hand, Chris was a knight valued for the battle, but Alfred's situation was very important. "Send him. Have Issac take his place. The boy could use the experience." Raven nodded, walking off to complete his orders.
The sun rose again over the forest. Alfred stood in front of his soldiers. "Listen, my men, we finish this today. This ends with that traitor's head. I thank you all for coming with me to what seemed like a certain death but know this: you will all be respected as heroes after this war. Your families are taken care of if you fall. All I ask is. No, my order is to fight with everything you have. I will be with you all the way; if you die, I die; if you live, I live." He took a pause and looked at the men's faces. The promise of their families being taken care of lit a fire in their eyes, and those without one let their greed for honour overpower them. The promise of the King to fight with them till they end showed he wasn't sending them to their deaths but showing he was confident. Alfred nodded at this reaction. "LONG LIVE THE KINGDOM!" His voice echoed into the forest, being met by the voices of his soldiers. "We march."
Alfred led the group with Charles by his side. They knew Micheal's location, and the two groups would meet on the dirt path. The journey was short, and the two met within an hour.
The air froze between the two groups. Micheal walked forward, pushing his way through. He met Alfred's eyes. Rage, hate and sadness. They erupted from his face as he looked at his nephew. Alfred raised his sword before dropping it. "Charge." His voice was full of confidence as he ran at Micheal. No tactics or planning was here. It was a battle left to fate. The Commonwealth followed soon, charging at Alfred as a melee broke out.
Limbs flew as screams erupted all over. The Commonwealth soldiers felt fear, looking at the Kingdom's soldiers, who seemed to fight without fear. Those who faced Charles fought he was a God of War as he swung his two axes, fighting three men simultaneously.
Micheal and Alfred engaged in battle. Their swords clashed against each other as they skillfully fought. No soldier wished to interrupt the two, focusing on those around. Micheal showed experience. Alfred knew he would have lost if he had been in his prime condition, but that wasn't the case. His breath was weak, and his strike lacked power. Alfred didn't know what had happened to his uncle, but the way he was now was a shell of his past, blinded by rage and paranoia. The swords collided once again. Micheal's guard was weak as each strike Alfred caused was heavy. Slowly, he began to be overwhelmed.
One final strike and Micheal dropped his sword. His hands shook with numbness. Alfred went to deliver the final strike. In moments, Michael's mind spun. Despite his current mind, he had been in numerous battles. He didn't flinch and dove at Alfred, tackling him to the floor. He threw a punch at his nose, breaking it. Reaching to his right, he picked up the broken blade and stabbed it into Alfred's shoulder.
A shout reminiscent of a beast escaped Alfred's mouth; his eyes turned bloodshot. The wound wasn't deep, but it hurt him. He looked to the right, seeing the sword that he had dropped. His hand reached for it as Micheal lifted his broken blade once again. Alfred stretched and grabbed the hilt. He swung it straight into Micheal's side.
Blood came out of his mouth as he looked at his wound with wide eyes. Alfred didn't hesitate and pulled his sword, stabbing it in Micheal's heart. The man looked deep into Alfred's eyes and reached his hands for his throat. The hate in his eyes grew. "monster." His voice was weak, and his hands fell before they could grab his neck. His eyes slowly lost the life in them but never his hate for Alfred. It sent a shiver down his back.
Alfred kicked Micheal's body off him. "Prince Micheal is dead. Drop your weapons. The war is lost." He shouted, stopping the conflict that erupted around. The Commonwealth soldiers hesitated before dropping their swords. The will to fight had disappeared. Charles saw the wound on Alfred's body and ran over to him. Alfred remained standing despite his eyes slowly closing. "Finish it." The words escaped his mouth before he collapsed onto Charles, who quickly caught him.
"Tie them up. Return to the front." He looked down at Micheal's body after giving the order. With his free hand he swung his axe down, decapitating the corpse before grabbing the head and running off.