Blood by blood

The next morning, Baron Pantaleão's troops advanced towards the Page family's fortress, without imagining what was to come.

They crossed the dense forest, carefree, when an unexpected sound cut the air.

Suddenly, a rain of arrows fell on the soldiers.

"ENEMY ATTACK! QUICK, SHIELDS!"

The cry of despair echoed while the men tried to protect themselves, unable to identify where the arrows came from.

Soon, leaving the trees, the warriors of the Page family appeared like shadows, with fierce looks, ready for combat. Gentlemen advanced through the flanks, eliminating the enemies one by one, with precise and ruthless blows.

"Whet's going on?"

Baron Thompsom exclaimed, stunned by the situation.

"Baron, we are under attack! The Page family ambushed us!"

A knight shouted in the midst of the chaos.

"If they came to us, then let's end it once and for all! With me, gentlemen, attack!"

As the baron and his knights ran towards the battle, Drake, who watched from afar, smiled.

"They fell into my trap," he thought, satisfied.

"Today I will avenge my father and begin the rise of our family."

Raising his sword, he shouted:

"At my command, knights! ATTACK!"

Drake led his men with fear, mounted on a black horse. They looked like ghosts, death knights about to claim their victims. When he approached the enemy, Drake began to activate his lineage. His body began to transform; thin scales with a mysterious glow appeared on his skin, and his eyes became fierce like those of an enraged beast.

The knights of Pantaleon realized the change, but it was too late. Drake was already on them. With a blow, he beheaded an enemy knight, leaving only five next to the baron.

"That... it's impossible",

Murmured Baron Thompsom, incredulous.

"How did he kill my knight with a single blow? That's not the strength of an intermediate junior rider."

With his hand shaking, the baron firmly squeezed his sword, looking for a way to turn the game around.

"Gentlemen, focus on Drake! We need to defeat this beast now!"

The baron activated his own lineage, making his movements faster and more agile, revealing the true extent of his power.

Drake feeling his strength thought

"With this strength, I will dominate all the baronies around"

A bloodthirsty glow in your eyes.

But Drake was decided.

"I'm going to kill you, Baron. You should never have invaded my family!"

With a push on the horse, Drake advanced towards Thompsom.

The enemy knights tried to intercept him, but their heads rolled on the ground before they could react. Drake was on a completely different level.

The baron, seeing his men fall, began to tremble.

"I can't lose here. I have so much to conquer... How can a declining family have such a powerful lineage?"

The duel between Drake and Thompsom was fierce. Swords exchanged quick blows, but after a few movements, the baron's head rolled on the floor. The battlefield froze in silence, the soldiers incredulous with what they had just witnessed.

Drake raised his sword and declared

"I, Drake Page, Patriarch of the Page family, killed your baron! If they want to continue, they will end up like him. But if they surrender, they will be treated with due respect."

The remaining knights, exchanging glances with each other, released their weapons, followed by the warriors and archers. The surrender was inevitable.

"LONG LIVE THE LORD!"

"PAGE FAMILY! UAAAAHH!"

The cries of victory echoed through the battlefield. The victory was sealed.

Drystan, the captain of Drake's forces, approached to report the losses. "Sir, our casualties were minimal. We lost only eleven warriors and one knight was injured. We killed more than fifty enemy soldiers, in addition to four knights, including Baron Thompsom."

"I understand," Drake replied.

"It was a good margin. Our victory is not over yet.. what about the prisoners?"

"They surrendered one hundred and sixty-eight warriors, fifty-five archers and two primary junior knights. This strength surpasses ours, but thanks to you, we got a quick victory. Without your power, it would have been much more difficult."

Drake looked at the prisoners.

"Don't treat them badly. Soon, they will be our people. It's not their fault for having served a baron like that."

"Yes, sir"

Drystan replied, with an invigorated heart.

"Wat should we do now?"

"Separate twenty warriors and two knights to take the prisoners back to the fort. The rest will come with me. Let's dominate the lands of the Pantaleão and end this war once and for all."

Drystan nodded and organized the troops. Drake then led his knights towards enemy territory.

The lands of the Pantaleão family were located in the Viscounty of Draxeler, where three baronies coexisted: the Page, the Pantaleão and the Novaes.

Pantaleão has always been the strongest of the three, constantly challenging his neighbors. The Novaes family, to the west, maintained a peaceful relationship with the Pages, sharing similar difficulties.

In the south, in the lands of the Pantaleão, a copper mine was the family's main source of income.

"There is a city not far from here"

Drake said, looking at the horizon.

"We'll be there in two days. They must not yet know about the defeat. Taking them by surprise will be the best strategy."

Two days later, they arrived in the city. A simple city, its inhabitants lived from hunting and mining.

The mine, close to the city, supported local commerce. In the center, the largest residence was the Pantaleão family mansion.

"There is their city",

Drake said, watching from the top of a hill.

"Prepare to attack. Without knights and without an army, they will not be able to resist."

"Yes, sir!"

Answered the knights, ready for another attack.