Rylo returns back to his chamber, with not much in his mind. All things seem to be going well, The treaty has been practically signed. Darticus will be surely happy with my efforts, and so will the people. Now I spend the day only waiting for the news of my father's health. Meanwhile at Camp of Darticus, Darticus watches some of the soldiers returning along with the father of Rylo. What must be the reason? The oncoming cavalry is seen by the people, they see their chief standing in the corner and begin to slow down further. Rylo's father is in the last of the cavalry, clearly jaded. "Have you traveled through the night?" asked Dartivus to one of the soldiers. "He requested us to travel through the night, he I very sick" replied the soldiers. The father of Rylo did not say a word, he threads on his path. Darticus watches him make inroads to his word. Not a word is exchanged between them! Something must be really wrong! concluded Darticus. The soldier continued to speak " Yesterday morning, he woke up with a fever, very high fever sir." "Only after we gave him the herbs, he stabilized a bit. Against our advice, once he was able to stand up, he ordered us to take him home" said the soldier. Darticus nods and asks him a question, "where is the general?" "Sir, the General has made his way to Algreid with the rest of the cavalry" replied the soldier. Darticus walks into the vicinity of the house of the father of Rylo He is seen mounting his horse, and slowly entering his own house. Darticus does not make much of it. He then goes to the training grounds where the soldiers are undergoing rigorous training. Meanwhile back at Algreid. The passage of Rylo. "A fool, my father and uncle are. Instead of these riches, they seem to enjoy warfare and honesty. And with Darticus he cannot be blamed. He is just doing what is trained to be. They do not see the bigger picture. Look at these people, they live in golden chambers. They eat well, live in comfort, and lead a peaceful life. Only if I was the king, things would be so different. " Dawn turns to Dust, the sunlight begins to fade. The crowded roads begin to become sparse. The great gates of Algreid begin to close! Where is the messenger? thought Rylo. He should be here no now. He had started very early in the morning. Rylo begins to pace in his chambers anxiously waiting for the messenger and the time goes on. Now the light of the moon shines brightly inside the gates of Algried! Where must he be? Rylo becomes increasingly agitated. Has he got lost? he paced with even more furor. No, not a chance. he must have stopped to get some rest. He reassured himself. Not able to spend any more in the chambers, He walks down the main alley to the gates. As he is walking to the gates. The gates begin to open up and the messenger is seen entering. "What took you so long?" Rylo asked him. "The weather sir, I could not see clearly for a long part of the way," he replied. "What about my father and the other men?" Rylo asked him. "Sir, they made their way to the homes last night itself," the soldier replied. "What do you mean?" asks a perplexed Rylo. "Yes Sir, much with the insistence of your father, they left last night. And he has recovered very well," replied the soldier. "Well, that is good news to hear," said Rylo hiding his true feelings on that matter! "Alright, on your way then," he said to the soldier. Rylo then turns back and heads back to his chamber. Just then... A sound enters his ears and continues to keep getting louder The thud of wild beasts surely must be. Rylo took his sword out and waited for the enemy, like numerous times he had done before. His eyes became sharp like that of a predator. The light shone on his sharpened blades. The gates open and the guard is seen running inside trying to warn everyone. He runs past Rylo at a rapid pace, one that only a person with extraordinary ability could possess. "The barbarians!" the guard keeps shouting as he ran past everyone One alarm after another, begins to sound off. As the alarm goes off, the sound of the incoming cavalry is heard much like a tornado. As Rylo takes his position, he quickly sees the arrow man going on top of the buildings and loading their arrows. The soldiers of Rylo run in and form a circle around the General. "I do not need protection" he sighed. However, the soldiers were unmoved by his remarks. They continued to stand around him with their swords waiting to draw blood. But it was the blade of Rylo that stood the most firm! The rest of the swordsmen of the Algreid army are seen equipping themselves with armor and shields. Rylo draws his sword to the top of his forehead, much like a samurai. The first horses' feet enter the gates, and soon a club of barbarians enters bursting open the gates. The gates break immediately and are flung to the sides. The 30 feet wide gates are broken, Algreid OAK! As the North enters in numbers, the swordsman and the arrow men are prepared to attack. But they refrain from unleashing their instincts. Awaiting orders. So do the cavalry of Rylo, they stand. A huge man, presumably their leader rides alone ahead of the herd. The man wearing a big skull on his head, his face almost completely hidden. "Move," he orders Rylo and his men Rylo and his army do not budge. They stand firm as ever! "Did you not hear me, infant?" "I said move. I come here for the Oak, not for your heads!" he said Rylo still does not move. The arrow man on the roof and the swordsmen of Algreid terrified of imminent danger do not move a muscle. The Oak is not yours to devour, replied the general in a tone that made the barbarian take a second look at him! The huge man, still mounted on the horse. "If you do not move, my army will run through this whole town," he said causing everyone to shriek except the general. He wanted the Oak, and if not him he would much rather have the Oak be devoured by the barbarian rather than the people of Wilmir. Such was his contempt for the people of Wilmir. The reason behind his contempt was not really known, as he was a very complex man. A valiant warrior with great morals, yet a foolish and greedy man who lusted for wealth! The more simple barbarian made only for war locks his dark devilish eyes into the eyes of Rylo. "I will trample this town, get my whole army if I have to" he speaks with a confidence of a man who has torn down towns and villages! Rylo decided that it was best that he gave way. The camp also moves to the side. The swordsmen of Algreid much relieved also move away. Following the cavalry of barbarians, huge carriages come in through the broken gates. "For the Oak!" commented a few Rylo controls his anger in all this embarrassment that has been caused to him. He looks above. The arrowmen are still locked in position waiting for their orders. Sweat breaks down in the eyes of some of the Arrowmen! Terrified of the outcome that could be caused if they were to bend an arrow into the hearts of even one Barbarian! They wait patiently till the North gets their oak, a long time they take to load their carriages with their gold. After a long time, the carriages are seen leaving. Then the soldiers of the barbarians. Then at last their leader strides slowly looking around. The huge man with the skull, beaming with pride passes Rylo "He loudly utters, next time your head will adorn mine! he said pointing at his mask. The Barbarians all have left! From the shadows emerge Councilman Kreed. Rylo turns the other way, in no state of mind to indulge in any sort of chatter with a man he had no liking to! "You did the right thing," said Kreed. "And we need your king to move fast. We are losing our livelihood here," said Kreed as his eyes showed empathy and concern for the things they had and for the things they could lose! Rylo does not respond, he just walks ahead. The arrow man slowly began to descend from the buildings. The camp of Rylo follows him, he puts his sword back into his scabbard! He looks around and still, Chief Wilmo is not to be seen. Rylo walks into his lodging....