As the Joyerns remaining army somehow makes their way out of the battlefield. There was silence.
Lenin was distraught. He wasn't seriously injured or anything but still it felt like he had been stabbed with a blade right through his heart. The view of Horis standing next to Darzen while smiling was burnt into his mind. It kept on flashing in front of him
There was something even more unsettling. Adlaf was quite as well.
People expected him to be blowing up with anger. But to him it wasn't just a king who betrayed him. It was his old friend. A man who looked after his back during war. His comrade.
"Nobody else will touch him.
Nobody else will touch Horis..... but me" that was all Adlaf said the whole time.
After some time they saw Bek.
Grievously injured.
Upon meeting up with them Bek collapses due to his injuries.
They had suffered a huge loss.
Lenin was unsure what to do next.
But there was one more that was haunting him.
Angus. If she knew or not. Was she also a part of this plot.
.....
He tried not to think about it too much but he also knew he would have to confront her one way or another.
.. ... ...
In the banquet hall of Gellnor there was a huge feast. Celebrationis all around.
There in the centre of all this was King Horis drunk as a skunk. Laughing and singing. On his side was Darzen and Karma, slightly annoyed by his obnoxious behaviour. Karma brings Darzen aside as he says he wants to talk to him.
"What is it ? " Darzen asks him.
"This! When did this happen?
Why did Horis just betray the Joyerns?
What is happening??"
"You were late to the party. Weren't you..
This has been the plan since the beginning.
At first Horis was planning to play it more discretely but when Lenin himself came to him. He thought it was the perfect opportunity to trick him"
" But he wasted the opportunity didn't he. I mean they still live"
" Not for long. Joyerns don't stand a chance now. They are just dead man walking."
The defeated Joyerns make their way back to the city of Quang. The capital city of Joyern.
The injured soldiers were taken for treatment. The ministers accounted for the loss.
Lenin made his way towards his room.
He met Angus on his way.
She was surprised to see him like this.
"What happened!??" She asked him.
Lenin while looking in her eyes, asked
"Did you know!"
"What are yo——"
"Don't lie to me, did you know!!" Lenin shouts.
Seeing Lenin who is usually calm and jolly in such anger terrified Angus so much that she even started to tear up.
"I have no idea what you are talking about " she claims
" Is that so.....
If this is the truth then it is fine but if I come to know that you are lying to me I shall let you know that I will personally skin you alive."
Listening to such words coming out of Lenin's mouth really mortified Angus.
Lenin still unsure if Angus was telling the truth or not confines her to her chamber.
Adlaf thinks he was being too cruel," don't you think it's a bit much. I mean she doesn't look like she really knew about anything "
Uncle ," Horis didn't look like he was going to betray is either but he still did. I don't want to take any other chances. We are at war with the most powerful House in the whole continent."
Hearing this Adlaf realised that Lenin was right.
After holding the meeting with the council , they realise the gravity of the situation.
Their forces had dwindled to only 30,000. The other houses allied with them were also starting to doubt the situation.
This is when Bek enters the room. Still heavily injured.
Lenin," you should be resting "
" oh please, I am fine." Says Bek while bleeding profusely from his wounds that opened again.
" It's ok just give me a pen and paper"
Lenin was confused ," what are you plan on doing?"
Bek confidently says " just leave it to me"
... .... ... ....
In the city of Gellnor after all the partying and celebrations had settled down. Darzen was ready to go on the offence.
To attack the Joyerns with a force of about 120,000 strong. A massive army with king Horis by his side.