The Union

The narrow street became their field. His boots tried to grip against the slippery road. The nearest man, the fastest among the bunch, was able to close the distance. Henry slowed and hit the man with his elbow. The elbowguard met the man"s nose and the result was a cracking sound. Henry didn"t bother looking back.

He skidded to the side and turned a corner. He blended with the people in the streets but his armor stood out. More than two dozen men were running after him.

Henry finally looked back. His face grimaced by what he saw. He knew them. They were knights. They all belonged to Master Balian"s faction. He then remembered the first person he downed. That was Master Balian"s squire.

"Catch him!" Came a shout from behind "Five gold coins to anyone who could"

Henry felt the sticky stares of the onlookers. Some scrawny beggar tried to lunge at him. Henry met the beggar with a knee to the face. Another man, this time with a little bit of flesh and muscles, swung some iron rod at his face. Henry blocked it with his sword and a kick to the stomach followed.

Some people tried to hold him, many managed to. Henry bent, swung his body and pushed them aside.

His pursuers loosed their crossbows. Several whistling bolts flew towards his back. Most of them missed but two hit the back of his breastplate. The metal was dented and the tips penetrated a little.

Henry grabbed the bolts and threw them aside. Then came another round of bolts. Henry bent his body but a single bolt hit his back thigh. The mail was punctured and half the arrowhead bit through his flesh.

Henry grimaced. A wounded leg meant a slower run. Cornered, he just swung around, striking his sword towards his closest pursuer. His strike was parried, vibration ringing through his arm. He angled the sword to the left and followed a quick thrust. It hit the knight"s belly in the gap in his armor. Crimson blood oozed from the wound. Henry retracted his weapon and kicked the defeated to the side. He prepared to face another opponent.

But as he looked around, he only saw the scared faces of the onlookers. Some wore faces of shock while the few smart ones started to run.

Henry eyed for another knight. With his sword raised and senses heightened, he gauged the site. He was surprised that he found none.

With a quick decision, Henry went limping away. He turned towards an alley. He turned another corner and hid behind a barrel. He was panting. His heart was racing like a steed on full charge. His thigh was bleeding red and his pursuers could trace him with the blood.

But Henry needed to catch his breath first. He pulled the arrow but discovered that it was barbed. He rested his head and shut his eyes.

A hand cupped his mouth. Henry jolted but he was pulled, strong and harsh. He tried to look behind but all he saw were glinting blades.

*********

The white fluffy clouds above provided shelter from the raging sun. With the Castonian legions behind and the shaking crossbowmen to the front, Erik was having tea with the Princess. Delicious Calgarian filled his cup but stale bread populated his plate.

"Tell me Princess, do you believe in magic?"

"I have heard that there is a certain snake in the east that is so venomous that everything it touches dies. They say that it oozes venom in its wake, dealing death to any animal that dares touch its tenebrous scales"

"I do believe that isn"t magic but a mere oddity"

"But what is magic Marquis Erik? Is it not just a more refined breed of oddity?"

"Magic is for things we can"t explain while oddities are rare occurrences. One brings confusion while the other, awe" answered Erik, cup of tea raised and lips in a satisfied smile.

"Fear you mean. People are afraid of the unknown"

"That may be the case, yes. So, do you believe or not?"

The Princess" auburn hair was blown by a cold gust of wind. She fixed it and raised an eyebrow towards Erik.

"I do. Our world is a strange one. The Ninev Mountains howl endlessly they say. The Ghambit desert have monsters lurking beneath its fiery sand. In Castonia, there are tales of an old man that can produce fire with his bare hands. In Vanadis I"ve heard merchants mention a hairy man turn into a bear. I believe in these things Marquis Erik. May inquire as to why you asked me the question?"

"Because they are true" Erik gifted a smile "It"s all true Princess. The Ninev mountains howl because an ancient civilization lives under it. The Bear and the man that can produce fire, they are part of that civilization. I also met a person that can blend with the Shadow"

Princess Emily laughed, a childish pure laugh. "Your jest is what they say Marquis Erik- unique."

"Oh but I did not jest Princess nor am I in a mood to do so. What I told you is true. King Timothy knows it, Queen Lucia too"

Princess Emily stifled her laughter but maintained a wide smile "Let"s say that it"s true- that some magical civilization is living under the Ninev Mountains and that some of them are wandering around. Why are you telling me this?"

"Look around Princess" Erik took a mouthful of tea. Calgarian tea really is a treat "We are in a field outside your Capital. Magic exist and yet we are here with our b.u.t.ts planted on the soil. Where are the greenskins? The curious oddities? The man who can turn into a bear? Nowhere Princess and that is because the greatest threat your nation faces comes not in the form magic bears and a fiery old man but in the form of two ambitious knights. Magic and oddities make us fear, confused and awe. But at the end of the day, power is what decides life and death. A human"s heart presents more danger than mere curiosities. Our fellow are our own greatest enemies. Never forget that Princess. A human is the most dangerous thing in the world"

"So you are telling me to be wary of other people"s motives? Then should I be worried about yours?" She looked at the Castonian soldiers behind "I let you inside my nation. Twenty thousand fully armed Castonians outside the gates of Bivon. Should I birth worry in my heart?"

Erik produced a smile on his face. "You are already worried. But being worried is alright. If you didn"t worry at all when my soldiers crossed the border, I would have abandoned your foolish a.r.s.e. What concerns me is the result of your worry. I know that you"ve been withholding information from me. Imagine that- we are allies and yet you are keeping secrets"

Princess Emily chuckled. She bent, took the jar and poured Erik some tea "Alright I admit that I have been keeping information from you. But as what you said, I can"t be blamed. Your exploits is known far and wide Erik. The Marquis of Castonia as what you are known. Your name alone strikes fear. Your presence commands respect. I am no fool to give a wolf the key to my room"

"Things will be different if the wolf aims to protect you"

"Only the wolf knows whether that is true or not"

"But now the wolf is inside your room already" Erik raised the cup "And you are at his mercy"

The Princess" smile vanished. She looked down "What information do you want Erik?"

"About you" Erik emptied the last of his tea "And your Father. You are planning something against him aren"t you? Tulosa is not just divided by the two warring knights. A certain Father and daughter are also wrestling for dominion. You want to be Queen"

"This is why I keep secrets from you, Castonian" She looked at him, her long eyelashes quivering "You are too smart- too dangerous"

"I"m glad that you know. I will not ask your motives and I am too tired to pry on your relationship with your father. So let me just ask you this. Will this become a problem to Castonia?"

"No" She shook her head "I shall finish this on my own and silently. After the thing with the knights you can go home"

"Marquis Erik" His squire suddenly interrupted. The Squire pointed at the top of the walls "Something is happening"

Erik rose on his feet. He stepped forward, aiming a better look. His squinting eye turned wide.

Women and children were dragged on top of the wall. With tied hands and gagged mouths they were held near the edge by armed men.

The gate opened. A single knight rode out. Erik"s guards shielded him.The knight stopped a few steps away.

"Grand Master Balian wishes to inform that if you dare a.s.sault the city we will push the hostages down the wall"

"Are you mad!? Hostages? They are your own citizens!"

"We don"t care about your opinions Castonian"

Erik eyed the hostages. Most of them wore rags.

"Where is Prefect Henry?"

"Henry is dead" The Knight said before turning his horse around and riding back to the city.