Chapter 12

"Princess. What you're asking is not possible. They have more men than I do and plus the fact we have to keep the mob under control."

"I know general. But we might not have choice." "We don't have the resources your highness." "Not necessarily. I have just made some allies not too long ago and offered many to our plan."

"Who would that be your highness?" "Let me bring them in. Open the doors and bring them in." "Yes, your highness."

When they open the doors. Two different older knights walked in wearing different colors from their knights' order. They both had grey in their hair and were very prideful people. "Princess Mia."

"Knight captain Lero, Knight captain Markell. They served under my father for years until his passing a 2 years ago." Hen rises from his seat to talk to me. "Princess, may we talk." They walk into another room to speak about the current captains. "Princess. This is not a wise decision."

"I know. But I have no choice but to accept their alliance. They control a third of the knight's order. It will be easy for us to take down the other order. But the knight captain won't go down without a fight."

"And what did they ask in return for?" "They asked for me to grant them titles of duke." "...Sign...princess. I understand. We must take every opportunity for victory. But be wary of them. They are not loyal." 

"I know. Let's finish business. And finally put an end to my countries suffering." The captains were already sitting waiting for us to finish our conversation. "Shall we princess." "Of course. Knight captains."

"I apologize for act of disrespect before. We have a common enemy princess." They aren't address me as highness. Meaning they don't acknowledge me as heir to the throne. "We have an understanding captain."

"The Lazare kingdom." "Indeed. They finally made their move after all these years. They won't stop until this city is burn to the ground. So, we must unite together to stop them."

"Princess. I believe there is another motive." "And what is that?" "The beast-men." I figured they would mention it.

"The Lazare kingdom we all in a vassal state to the Southern empire. And we all know they run the entire slave system. And there are thousands of them in our city." Hen urges him to speak freely. Even though he knows what he was going to say.

But could not really argue it because I brough him here as hire. Not a politician. "What are trying to say? Say it knight captain." 

"The here for them. They fear the rise of beast-men army. And because we are harboring them it's enough reason to invade. So, I think we should force the beast-men out. I believe they will stop their advance and negotiate and treaty."

"What are you saying? That I should just though them out like trash!? I am not like the rest of the world and won't just let them die." "They are not our people. It may sound horrible but it's the only way we can avoid war."

"This is the empire. What makes you think they won't take the opportunity to take more land." "Princess. This not the time for."

"Speculation? No, these are facts. That is their history and will remain their history. They are here already."

"What?" "They are the reason for this whole mess. Sending me personal gifts to rile the people's anger in process of me losing face. I still could not easy their anger even when I gave them away. Because I gave some to the non-humans."

"Then this." "Not only that the imperial dogs had stolen our money and poison our waters and killed many of my cabinets." "If you know then why you have not done anything!?" 

"Why do you think so? The only people still loyal to me were the servants of my castle. Was I supposed to send people who can't defend themselves? This is on you too. The knights who were supposed to protect this country. Left it alone to its demise. When I begged for assistance, you refused."

I stand before them showing my authority in this meeting. "This happening because of us. I won't blame this on just you." They look defeated now. I must make them understand. normally as royal I take all the blame. 

But I refuse to do so. This old era and way of thinking is not part of me or my future for this kingdom. The old ways must be throughout.

"I... princess...I"

"I could do nothing about it. It's the reason why the Slova is here." They could not refute what I said. They both fixed their posture and waited for my instructions. It's been a long time since I had to act as a ruler. Before that I had many supporters but now, they either were killed or have simply left. I have not been able to show my confidence and leadership as a royal member of this country.

"Now that we have and understanding. We can proceed, yes?" 

"I want to deal with the imperial dogs. But we have to get the city under control first. Knight captain Richard is in the fort near the port. They have just taken pint from traders not too long ago. And they drink every day. We must attack at night when they can't see or know where things real or not."

"I see." "We must also attack from the ocean. I have gathered enough boats and ladders to climb the walls." 

"My people will do the job. We have experience in fighting from waters. The knight orders will attack from the front gates of the fort first. Keep them distracted while we make our way up."

"We will do this tonight. I expect quick work. As a royal member I must have confidence in you. Once we take the fort the city will be ours. Order is important right now. Once we lose that. We lose everything." 

Hen lowers his head. "Yes, your Highness." "Of course, princess." I have to get them under control soon. Or else they could turn on me.

"Princess. I've been wondering, where is your chancellor?" "I've have sent him on diplomatic mission. Hopefully he'll be done with talks. We could really use his mind."

"Princess. Even if we achieve victory. The beast-men must go or else we won't ever be free from conflict. And this is to sooth the people's anger. You must do what is right for your countries people."

"I'll...keep in mind." He bows and leaves. "...Sign..." After the meeting I went to my balcony in my chambers. It faced the ocean and the direction of the beast-men kingdom. It was not too far from. You can even see the landscape. It reminds me of how far we are apart.

"I miss you Cairo. Come back soon." 

"Princess." "Yes?" "We have just received a letter." "A letter from whom?" "A child has given it to us. She is waiting in the guest room." She steps closer to whisper in her ear. "It's Laney's partner."

"I see. I'll head there now." He must have found something suspicious and needs my insight. Otherwise, he would have dealt with himself. His partner a young boy from the Wu dynasty was much likeable than Laney. He was not much of a talker.

He eats the cookies that were brought to him. He then held up the letter while eating the cookies. "Thank you ki." He nods. He's a weird one. But it's cute. Now what does Laney have to report.

Dear Princess Mia. I have been watching any activity that come through the gates of the city. And there have been a lot of activities. The Southern empire is here and are the one's behind the many of the country's difficulties. They are strong.

I have also meet two people who could help you. Right now, they have hired me to help them save the counties. Right now, they have plans to start a war between humans and non-humans in the city. Please is you are informed of any fighting let it be. We will handle it. I promise on my mother's life. After we are done with the job. I will ask them to meet you if you are willing too. Sincerely Laney Drow.

"Is that so...interesting. Ki Can you deliver my response to him." "Of course, princess."

"Stay safe." The boy never shows much emotion. I wonder what his life was like in Wu before coming here. "I wonder who they are?"

In the Lazare kingdom. A strength of 7,000 knights have gather at the borders of between Isabella and Lazare. They marched in formation towards Isabella. Ready for war. The horse cavalry march kicked the dirt into the air behind them like a storm.

The song of the Lazare kingdom echoed the sea of plains. The wind and dark clouds followed them like an evil sign of strength. Thier song asked for the protection of the gods and show them their destiny.

KING OF LAZARE, ARNELL LAZARE

"Your Majesty. You should stay here." "Nonsense." Arnell was old man. But he was cunning old man and cruel. 

"I want to see the princess on her knees begging me end this. I can't wait to get my hands on her." "Sire." 

"Ah. Captain Loid." "The bandits have noticed our army and decided to turn away from Isabella." "Good. They understand our power." "Of course." 

"Let us be off. We vermin we must eliminate." A massager approaches Arnell with a letter. "What is this?" "It's the report your majesty." "On what?"

"About Duke Lee." "Ah. I had almost forgot. Has he been taken care of?" He did not answer but shook his head because if he didn't, he would die. "WHY NOT!?" He signals for his sword. And forces the man down. Removing his pants and castrates him. They then tied him to a tree letting him drain from his injury.

"Damn it. What happen?" "They said they fought off our knights. And rumor to be helped by a witch by casting a large mist." "It's not a mage from the academy?" "No. She was no doubt a witch from unknown origin."

"Is the Forerunner still here." "He is." "Great. Send him and his unit to kill Lee and his traitors. He humiliated. He slipped right through with an ounce of suspicion. Tell the fore runner to butcher them and bring back my property!"

"Yes Sire."

With the capture of Isabella, I can become the only king in the southern lands. All of it will be mind and there is no one who can stop me. Not the Slova. Not the princess. Not even the destiny can stop me."

Not too far in the distance was a large hybrid human. It was bigger than trolls and ogres. It screamed like monster. The chains maid slower than it really is. "Haha. Don't worry my son. You will have your blood soon. The blood of beast-men."

A knight approaches Arnell with respect and courtesy. He did not want to kill by his king. "Your majesty."

"What is it now?" The knight shudder by the murderous and sinister voice of his master. At one point his eyes looked like demon when looking upon his gaze. He could be worse than a demon. I must control myself.

"A mage has come to offer his assistance. He is from the academy he said and offers anything you'll need in the future." From the academy? This great! The gods favor me! "Bring him here."

A man steps forward and bows to Arnell. "Your majesty. I have come to offer assistance." "Of course. We would be grateful to have you. What do you offer?"

"I offer a weapon. I offer total victory in Isabella. I offer a path to human evolution." "And what is your name Sir mage."

"My name is Servin. And I offer you my magic and work that will help you in the future as King of the Southern lands."