Mathias grew tired of waiting, he wanted to get this over with and be reunited with his love.
He would do anything to extract information from the boy, even if it meant torturing it out of him. And just as he was about to run towards the boy, he felt a piercing pain on his left calf which brought him to a halt.
Looking down, he saw in arrow that was logged into his calf. Confused, he looked around him, but didn't see anyone in sight. As he was about to get up again and run towards the boy, another arrow pierced him on the other calf and then another one of his shoulder.
Mathias was left incapacitated and could only slump to the ground. His body started to go numb and that's when it dawned on him that he had been poisoned. Not only that, the boy had never been alone. There were people watching over him, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike when Mathias had his guard down.
He realized that he had made a grave mistake.
He was too focused on the child, that he forgot to check his surroundings at all times. But something was odd, he couldn't feel the presence of his attacker even when he was down.
Mathias was now on high alert, trying to control his breathing and heighten his senses. He then remembered the boy. He quickly turned to look at him but the sight he saw before him made his heart sink.
Standing before him was none other then the man he did not want to see at the moment. He stood tall, almost towering before him, the air around him was heavy, and suffocating, Mathias couldn't breathe. He tried his best to look away, but he couldn't, his body wouldn't let him.
He was paralyzed but he suspected that even if he hadn't been shot with three poisoned arrows, he still wouldn't be able to move. Just the energy around this man would've made him paralyzed in fear.
He knew he was a goner and that Donellan would never take pity on him.
So he strengthened his resolved and used a technique he had been working on in case something like this would happen. He knew he couldn't win against Donellan using regular means.
Even if the plan didn't go exactly as he predicated, he knew that Donellan would show up. He had been studying Donellan for a couple months now and discovered that he was quite fond of the boy.
So if Donellan cared for his son, even a little, he would show up. Mathias couldn't hide the smile that materialized on his face.
This reaction made Donellan frown.
There was once a Roman commander who disliked the idea of needless fighting and senseless bloodshed. Although some considered his tactics unconventional and cowardly, others deemed his strategy to be calculating and effective.
He waited patiently before executing his plan, forcing his enemy to act first which in turn put him at a greater advantage, even though he was now known as the "Delayer", he ended up victorious in the end.
Mathias Braunt's strategy was exactly like that commander. He waiting until Donellan made his first move in order to attack. This man was shrewd indeed.
Donellan was now faced with a situation he had never anticipated however, his calm demeanour did not waver in the slightest.
Even in a situation that looked like he was in a greater disadvantage, his spirit never crumbled, in fact, he looked almost thrilled.
This seemed to anger Mathias, but he soon calmed himself.
He was confidant in his plan, and relished in thought of seeing the man he abhorred crumble.
Sensing the change in his aura, Donellan didn't waste any time and called his shadow knights off.
"I know you have a lot of questions son, but they shall be answered later. I need to deal with this bastard first." He then turned to look at Leticia and Lenard.
"Watch over my son." He then walked towards Mathias and pulled out his blade from its scabbard.
Lenard took Simuel in his arms and flew a hundred meters away from the fight that was about to take place. Simuel turned to look at him questioningly.
He expected to be taken away from this location all together. Leticia answered his question without being asked.
"Lord Donellan never instructed us to take you away from here but to keep you at a safe distance. I believe he hopes you will gain some knowledge from this fight. Please watch him closely." She advised.
Not having anything to say back, he turned, his attention fixated on his father.