Citlali Malakar[1]

A few days go by peacefully. Einar has continuously worked with the people to rebuild roads and other important things. He also took them to the plains not too far away to set up farms there.

Things were going really well except for the unusual things which happened at night. Everyone was advised to not go towards the new farms at night. 

"This is bad, some crops were ruined because someone walked over them, Einar." Hedra said with a sigh.

"If I may, I might have a solution for this problem!" Thoman proposed.

"Please stop with your antics for once Thoman." Hedra said furiously.

"Trust me for once my dear, I'm serious." He responded.

Einar nodded and went back to writing and updating his files. Thoman looked at Hedra, smiled a bit and then moved his head towards Einar and waited a few seconds before he spoke.

"My proposal to solve this problem would be to start extending the walls of Blackvale in that direction." Thoman said puffing his chest proudly.

"We do not have enough resources, Thoman.

And even if I did start it, it would take us months to finish based on the number of people who can and are willing to help.

Regardless good idea." Einar retorted and complimented Thoman at the same time.

Finn came running inside, he breathed heavily but his face told Einar that it was urgent. He gave the boy a glass of water first and let him speak after.

"Sir Einar, I saw a caravan approaching from the south. Twenty or so people." Finn said as he caught his breath.

"New arrivals." Hedra proclaimed as Einar walked out of the Barracks with Thoman behind him.

"I feel off about this, Hedra and Thoman. It doesn't make sense.

Be on extra guard both of you, tell the deserters to stay vigilant.

My gut feeling is that there will be trouble. Also inform Sir Cadus to come to the southern gate as soon as possible." Einar insisted.

He had the new iron sword which was put in the steward's room on his hip and new iron armor. After the mine incident he returned Cadus's sword. 

He walked through the streets towards the southern gate of Blackvale and went outside. In the horizon he saw people on horses approach him. From his experience as a strategist he could make a rough guess of how many people it would be.

He took out his sword and dug it in the ground and put both of his hands on it and stood there. A couple of minutes passed and the approaching caravan was now completely visible. About thirty people. Then a beautiful white horse in the front sped up and went ahead of the others.

On top of the elegant horse sat a woman. Short and petite in stature but she wore black iron armor. A blue cape fluttering behind her as she rode the horse gracefully. 

She stopped just in front of Einar. Then she took out a sealed scroll and opened it. 

"The Vellith Dominion wants Blackvale, surrender peacefully or else force will be used." She said and hopped off the horse.

She extended her hand towards Einar and said, "I'm Citlali Malakar, the first princess of the Vellith Dominion.

How may I address you?" Citlali inquired with a smile on her face.

"Einar, just Einar." He replied.

"Oh, so the rumors were true. From prince to peasant, what a sad fate." Citlali mocked.

"Blackvale won't surrender. You'd do well if you turned back, Princess Citlali." Einar declared.

Citlali's expression changed to one of annoyance and anger. She took out her great-sword from her back and pointed it at Einar.

"Do you think The Vellith Dominion will back off because of empty threats from a nobody?" She exploded.

"No, I do not think that way. Your father treasures his daughters the most after all.

If something were to happen to you then he would have no choice but to back away." Einar retorted with a smile.

"Stop talking back, what is a single person capable of?" She said.

The rest of the group arrived and stood a few meters back. She raised her sword high in the air.

"Archers, ready and FIRE!" She commanded.

Vessence covered the arrows and their tips burned with a blue flame. The sky for a moment was filled with arrows as they flew toward Blackvale.

The the ground rumbled, and from it rose a column of earth as it wrapped around the broken walls of Blackvale like a father protecting their child. The arrows struck the cold hard column of earth and the fire sizzled into nothingness.

A smile formed at Einar's face. Atop a tower stood an old man in a worn out bronze armor who held a sword in one hand while another hand controlled the column. 

Citlali was in awe of what just happened. A single old man took care of dozens of arrows like they were harmless pieces of wood. Then a dagger shot towards Einar as it passed her left ear but he simply tilted his head to dodge.

The sword in the ground was for a reason. He had expanded his vessence so that he could feel reverberations and a sudden shift in a persons position gave it away that they were going to attack. He then grinned and took out his sword and sheathed it.

"Like I said earlier, it is best if you go back without any loss, I don't spare anyone who dares to threat my people." He coldly said.

"Very well, so be it. You brought this upon yourself Einar.

Don't regret what your arrogance has caused you." Citlali said as she turned.

But Einar had different plans, he unsheathed his sword and slashed it towards her neck. A chill ran down her spine, death was imminent but his blade never reached her.

CLANG! His sword was parried by one of the two other people in the front. He wore heavy golden armor, his face covered by a helmet.

Both faced off in a battle of strength, but the armored knight overpowered Einar. And then they started to clash. 

Einar slashed but got parried same for the knight. They were enjoying this, slashed, cuts, parries and jab. While most knights who area above Resonant can freely imbue their weapons they did not. Only pure swordsmanship, nothing else. 

It continued for a few more minutes before both of them stopped. A nod from each other came, this meant respect for the other. Einar looked at the knight and then at Citlali, he understood it now. He was Citlali's exclusive knight for these kinds of situations.

Behind Einar, Sir Cadus walked towards the group. But a hand gesture from him stopped him.

"Old man, allow this cub to let loose." Einar insisted.

No reply came, just a chuckle and it meant confirmation. Einar's momentum shifted as he pressed hard on the ground and shot towards Citlali's soldiers like a bullet. 

He unsheathed his sword and slashed towards it in an arc, a huge vessence blade formed on the edges of the sword and it shone blinding them all. And that was enough time for Einar. An Ardent was powerful enough to fight twenty men alone.

Sounds of grunts and screams were heard and as the blinding light went away he was standing behind Citlali, with her sword in his other hand and his own sword on her neck. He moved his head towards her ear and whispered, '*surrender*'.

*****

Einar came outside from the building that held all of the injured soldiers. He had given them wounds which wouldn't kill them just incapacitate them. Citlali despite mocking him earlier was carefully observing their condition. 

She knew the name of each and every soldier with her, it showed her compassion. Einar deduced that she did not want to come and do this, but was forced by her father. The king of the Vellith Dominion is know to be a plunderer and likes to hoard a lot.

As she finished he walked towards the Black Castle with her. The knight trailing behind both of them. He needed to play his cards right, because if he did this would be Blackvale's rise towards greatness.