Words Aren't Enough

Iris took a deep breath, preparing for what was to come. The memory of their last exchange came rushing back.

" Leave us," Iris snapped to the few servants that trailed behind her and pulled out her sword. After much suffering, she was finally healed. She was in no mood to dig up the past. He should have stayed in the North.

Evin took his leave at her brash attitude and scurried out of the throne room, closing the door behind him. He'd already seen her wrathful side when she strolled inside the castle. He didn't want to be caught in the crossfire. Between the gore and all the death surrounding them, Evin had done himself a service. Although the servants did remain out of sight behind the ajar door. Probably curiosity had won in this case. Or was it stupidity?

Iris turned to face Corvin who stared at her, lax in his throne as if he was the fucking king.

Journeying across the southland wasn't an easy feat. Food was scarce. Sleeping on a bed was a commodity not easy to come by when the lands had been ravaged by otherworldly creatures.

The last person she wanted to see and speak with was Corvin.

Eyes locked on each other, neither of them spoke. Whoever was able to remain silent held the high ground. That's how Corvin's mind worked.

Corvin cleared his throat and pushed himself off the throne sauntering towards her. Iris gripped tightly on the blade. She had made a promise to herself. If she should ever have a chance to face him. She would cut his manhood off for what he did.

Corvin halted his steps before her, and without a word, knelt on one knee before her.

" My deepest apologies, your Grace," Corvin raised his head to look at her, penitent.

Iris's scowl stayed, more so she stiffened further at his words. Apologies wouldn't change his past deeds. Nor it would change her mind about cutting his phallus off.

" And you think that is going to make everything better. Don't you?" Iris hissed through gritted teeth and raised her sword to slip it under Corvin's chin.

Corvin gulped " No. But it's a start," He stood up, towering over Iris's small figure. In a fight, she wouldn't stand a chance against the troglodyte.

The sword followed Corvin's throat. By the looks of it, Iris wasn't willing to lose that edge.

" Interesting," Iris mused with a smirk " A wolf in sheep's clothing," She added with her eyes on his neck, watching the spot where the blade kissed the neck.

Corvin raised his hand, placing two fingers on the edge of the blade, and locked eyes with Iris. A stand-off by all means. One wrong move and a head would fall. Corvins head.

" Rage is a very productive emotion when harnessed properly," Corvin pushed the tip of his dagger between her ribs, right beneath her heart. Iris didn't flinch. Perhaps expecting the troglodyte to put up a fight. After all, he had faced worse things than a small scorned woman. Perhaps, he was half expecting a brawl. Even more so, looking for one.

" Hmm....You're wasting precious air and time," Iris let the blade slip off Corvin's neck, enough to nick the skin. A trickle of blood dripped on Corvin's neck, and under the hem of his tunic. It wasn't much, but enough to stain his beige tunic. A tunic that once, perhaps had been white.

" I don't have time for games. Let's settle this once and for all. Whoever will still be standing at the end of it," Iris pulled the sword to her, stepping back. Preparing for the battle ahead.

" Can rule this wretched land," She finished off, drawing out the obsidian sword she'd been carrying with her since she left Shaddow Valley. A memento of her endeavours. That she'd survived against all odds.

" High stakes...To offer me your throne. Spare me the trouble of killing you and surrender." Corvin threw back the proverbial gauntlet with a conceited grin on his face. The strange glimmer in his eyes warned of a bloodied battle.

" And where is the fun in that," Iris spread her legs, and swirled both blades, crossing them in front of her. The game was afoot.

" It will take more than two blades to put me down, " Corvin gave Iris a once over, " Woman," The undertone betrayed a certain distaste towards entering a duel with a woman. As if, she wouldn't be a challenge to defeat. Nothing more than a pestering fly.

" If your skill in battle is just as poor," Iris smirked, " As the one with words," She drew a half circle with her foot, to even her balance," Then I think it's safe to say that I'll win. You talk too much," And those were the final words as she charged towards Corvin, at full speed. A short-lived surprise, as Corvin simply moved out of the way with a sidestep, letting Iris charge towards the blood-stained throne. A reminder of who had ruled those lands for hundreds of years. A witch. Not the royal family.