Chapter 3: A peaceful halt
Shadow King's POV:
The warrior princess just spared me not too long ago on the battlefield…. I don't think she knew it was me because I was disguised as a knight… honestly it was a risk worth taking… but the woman spared my life on the battlefield…. I would like to meet this princess…. But I want her Kingdom to expand my empire and that's why I declined her peace offer… What am I going to do when she finally reaches my side of the battlefield? Although, I must say, I am intrigued by that fearless look in her eyes…. she is courageous and ambitious…. They all are at that age…." I grinned to myself as I watched her fight on the battlefield. Watching her aim her sword at perfect angle as she strikes her sword into the enemy…. I must say I am captivated by her fighting style.
"Commander!" I said, "Yes, sire?" he said. "Bring her to me" I commanded him watching her fight. "Yes, my lord" the commanded replied to me.
At that, I gave the word and the commander went to fetch the woman from the battlefield.
My commander, along with some of the soldiers with me went into the heat of the battlefield where she was with her men and they brought a halt to the battle before us all. – End of POV.
At that, the Shadow King's commander made his way into the heat of the battle, along with his soldiers and disrupted all the fighting and brought a peaceful halt to the battle. "Your highness, his Majesty, the Shadow King, has requested your presence at the foot of the mountain." The shadow commander said to Princess Cassia.
"I offered him peace, now he wants to talk?" she responded in sarcasm. "I am sorry my lady, these are direct order of the King himself. He has approved for a peaceful halt as this until you both are finished speaking and come to terms what to do this day, to avoid any unnecessary bloodshed on both Kingdoms today…. Now my lady, if you will, please come with us…. I assure you no harm will come to you or your men…." The shadow commander told the young princess. She swallowed a breath as she nodded in agreement and went with them. "Saba, please come with me" she commanded her commander. "Yes my lady" Saba responded.
Saba, her army commander and Princess Cassia are escorted by the shadow commander to the Shadow King, awaiting them at the foot of the mountain in his tent at the army camp.
When they arrived, they are presented before the King as he is on his horse with his men.
"My Lord, I present to you, the warrior princess of the Kingdom of Aspire and her commander" his men bowed.
He motioned with his hand and commanded them to come to his side.
"So, Warrior princess?" the King smirked. Cassia bowed in respect to him, "My Lord" she bowed to him.
"I am thankful that you honour me, despite the fact that I am your enemy" he told her.
"My Lord, I did offer terms of peace with you, and you declined, now you wish to speak, please, state your case so that we both can come to some sort of agreement this day, and avoid any more bloodshed on both of our sides…. As I want my men to come home to their families in our Kingdom back home, and I am sure you wish for the same…. For your women to have their men come home…." Cassia said to the King of the Shadow Kingdom.
The Shadow King looked at her. "Its too late and I am too far gone to think about the people of my Kingdom receiving their men home now, Princess, I have gone on too many conquests in my lifetime for me to think about the women of my Kingdom wanting their men home. Actually, it is their honour and pride that their men go out and if they do come home, they had come home as a victor or die a hero's death" the Shadow King responded to her.
Cassia swallowed a breath and was left speechless, because she knew that when people had nothing to lose, they are dangerous and worthy opponents on the battlefield.
"That is…. Very noble, I suppose, my Lord…. But today…." Cassia said, "But today, I have seen the way you fight, young warrior princess, and I must say I am very impressed with the way you fight and because I've seen the way you fight today, I am going to spare the remainder of your army and I will not attack your Kingdom…." He said when Cassia was relieved, "Yet" he said. Cassia grasped when he said this, "Just because I don't take your Kingdom today, doesn't mean that I won't attack another time…. For now, there are other conquests I have set my eyes on, for now I am going to pass by the Kingdom of Aspire, but the next time I come passed this way, be ready and I would like to face you myself on the battlefield, you wield your sword quite well young Princess…. I am sure you would make a worthy opponent…." He winked at her and gave the command to leave and retreat.
"Wait!" she called out to him, when he turned around on his horse, "Why are you doing this?" she asked him, when he chuckled evilly and got off his horse and stood tall. Her commander was ready to strike, when she gave the command to stand down, as she walked towards him and he towards her, "I am a conqueror, young princess, that is what I do…" he said to her when he leaned down and whispered into her ear, "Like I said, my battle is not with you, warrior princess" he whispered and walked away. She grasped when she heard this, as that is what that knight said on the battlefield.
"You!" she grasped, when he motioned to keep quiet and not tell anyone and left her presence. "Let them go…" she commanded her commander. "Command our men not to attack them but let them go in peace" Cassia commanded her commander.
Suddenly, one of the army captains runs towards the Shadow King with the intent to kill him which was out of Cassia's Control. "What are you doing!?" she cried out to him, and the young Captain took aim at the Shadow King's back and was about to stab him with his sword. The Shadow Kings reflexes being quick to act, turned around suddenly, and lunged his sword through Cassia's captain mercilessly. His eyes glowed a bright white colour and shadow embers reflecting off the Shadow King, "I determined in myself to leave your army peacefully, and this is how you repay me?" he leered and glared at the captain and then at Cassia. "No!!" Cassia cried, as she looked on in horror as the Shadow King mercilessly killed the captain. "Like I said, young princess, my fight is not with you…. better control your men or I will destroy your entire army with the clicking of my fingers and every man will die on the battlefield!" he commanded and left their presence.