CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN:Tamed by love

King ryker and his guards arrived at the location King Maric had specified. As they approached, king ryker curiosity got the better of him. "Let me lay eyes on the person who has captured the almighty Lord's heart," he said.

Behind King Ryker stood an ancient wizard, his frail frame radiating an aura of formidable power. The air around him seemed to vibrate with dark energy, and his presence sent shivers down the spines of those around him. His eyes gleamed with malevolent intent, casting a sinister glow over the scene unfolding before him.

King maric bowed and fretted him but was ignored..he led king ryker to Aria's cell, and as he gazed upon her, a hearty laugh escaped his lips. "Is this...is this the thing he's so obsessed with?" King ryker tone dripped with amusement.

King Maric joined in, his laughter echoing through the air. "Ah, yes! She is the one," he said, his eyes glinting with malevolence. "The mighty Lord's obsession. And soon, she'll be the key to our victory."

Arya watched her anger simmering, as King Ryker and King Maric mocked her. She stood tall, her voice steady, and said, "I don't know why you're doing this to me. I don't even know you people."

King Ryker's smile faltered, and he took a step closer to Aria's cell. "You don't know us?" he sneered. "We don't know you either. But we do know nigel..."

Arya's eyes flashed with fury, and she spat, "Don't you dare speak his name! You're not worthy of it!"

King ryker's face darkened, and he snarled, "Guards! Open the cell!" The cell door creaked open, and with a swift, cruel motion, King Ryker slapped Arya across the face.

King Ryker's eyes blazed with indignation as he glared at Aria. "Who are you to dare speak back to me?" he thundered. "You think you've grown wings, don't you? Do you know who I am? I am the King of vatania! I doubt you've even heard of it, you foolish, insignificant maid."

King ryker's voice dripped with venom. "Let me remind you, I am the King of valtania! You will speak to me with the respect I deserve. You feel bold because you have a powerful lord watching your back, don't you? But don't think for a moment that you can act however you please."

King Rykerr's head jerked up, his eyes flashing with malice. "Do you know that we can kill you here, and no one would ever know? We could drop your lifeless body somewhere, and nigel would be left with nothing but a corpse. He'd be as useless as a dead chicken."

King ryker's laughter echoed through the cell, a cold, mirthless sound. King Maric joined in, their evil laughter mingling in a chilling harmony.

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Lord Nigel stormed through his chambers, scattering clothes and belongings in his search for suitable attire. His mind was restless "They've asked for war, and I'll give it to them."

With a resolute stride, he exited his chambers and commanded the guards, "See to the burial of our fallen comrades and send condolences to their families. I'll be leaving now, and I don't know when I'll return, but I will come back – and soon."

With those words, Lord Nigel departed the castle, ready to face the challenges ahead.

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King Maric and King Ryker continued their conversation, seemingly oblivious to Arya's growing anger. But their calm demeanor was short-lived.

A guard burst into the room, urgency etched on his face. "Your Majesty, we've received word that the Lord of Ashwood has departed the castle!"

King Maric and King Ryker's heads snapped toward the guard, their expressions darkening. King Ryker turned to one of his guards and snarled, "Find a way to hang her somewhere, put her in a life-threatening situation.

King Marrick added, his voice dripping with malice, "And have the guards bring Lord Nigel here. When they do, we'll make him wish he'd never crossed us. We'll torture him until he begs for mercy."

The guards bowed and scurried off to carry out their orders, leaving Aria's fate hanging precariously in the balance.

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As Lord nigel emerged from the castle, a huge amount of everian guards materialized out of nowhere, encircling him with an air of quiet menace. "You must come with us, Lord of Ashwood," one of the guards intoned, their voice firm but polite. "King Maric awaits your presence."

Lord nigel's eyes blazed with suppressed fury, his determination to rescue Arya burning brighter than ever. Yet, with calculated restraint, he kept his silence, falling into step beside the guards as they led him away.

After hours of being led through winding paths, Lord Nigel finally arrived at the destination where Arya was being held captive. King Ryker and King Maric awaited his arrival, their faces twisted into cruel smiles.

As soon as King Ryker laid eyes on Lord Nigel, he sneered, "Long time no see, my friend.

Anger washed over lord nigel "Where is the lady you kidnapped?"

King Maric snickered, "Oh, you mean that thing?"

Lord Nigel's anger boiled over, and he was about to lunge at King Maric when he heard Arya's faint voice. His head snapped toward the sound, and his heart sank. Arya was suspended in mid-air, a noose around her neck, above a deep endless hole

King ryker's voice dripped with malice. "Ah-ah, Nigel. I wouldn't try anything foolish if I were you. One wrong move, and we'll cut the rope. She'll fall to her death, and you'll be left with nothing but regret. So, I suggest you surrender...present your life to us, and perhaps we might spare hers."

Lord Nigel felt helpless, his powers restrained by the precarious situation. One misstep would seal Arya's fate, and he couldn't risk it. King Ryker's voice cut through the air, "Bow, bow to me!" Lord Nigel remained still, refusing to yield.

King Rykers face twisted in rage. "Bow to me!" he repeated. Lord Nigel didn't flinch, didn't even inch toward compliance. King Ryker's eyes flashed with malice as he turned to his guard. "Cut the rope."

Lord Nigel's heart sank. He knew he had to act, or Aria would fall to her death. Slowly, he knelt down, his eyes locked on Arya's suspended form, his mind racing with desperation.

King Maric's laughter echoed through the air as he sneered, "Oh, what a shameful sight! The great Terror Lord, brought to his knees. Indeed, love can make a man foolish and mad." King Ryker joined in, their mocking laughter intertwining as they reveled in Lord Nigel's humiliation.

King Ryker turned to the sorcerer, his eyes gleaming with malevolence. "Can you cage his powers?" he asked.

The sorcerer nodded. "Yes, I can cage his powers. He will become ordinary."

King Maric's laughter erupted once more. "Wow, this is fun! The great Lord Nigel, reduced to a mere human."