LOGINGreetings, dear readers,🙏 wherever in the world you may be. A fresh chapter📃 has arrived, carried on the winds💨 of caffeine☕ and questionable❓❔ creative decisions. Settle in with a warm drink and follow the path of the story… while the author lingers nearby, wondering whether the characters will survive their own choices. P.S. Should the tale entertain you, a like👍, rating⭐, or gem💎 helps the story travel a little farther across the wide and mysterious lands of the internet.
“How about we get everyone to cast their vote first?” Alaistair asked once again, after waiting for a few minutes in vain and not getting a response from both father and son.“Somerstone lost their chance to vote a long time ago.” Cornelius’s voice wasn’t loud, but it had a deterrent force that made everyone shudder inwardly. His lips curled up in contempt as he continued “But I do like my half-brother’s idea of calling a vote of all the duchies.” He emphasized the word ‘half-brother’ as his gaze filled with mockery fell directly on Alaistair.Cornelius’s purpose was twofold; not only was he reminding Alaistair and everyone in court of his true identity but also reminding, more warning than reminding, the soldiers of Northington who their true master was; this would justify their punishment should they choose to ignore this warning when they make their stand.Alaistair frowned as he wondered what schemes lay behind the blatant insult but soon put it to the back of his mind as he had m
Back at the throne room, the small interlude due to the disturbance caused by a stray pigeon entering had just subsided and everyone diverted their attention back to the envoys.“Stay alert.” Baldwin warned Jack and Thomas in a low voice while the princess’s protector’s voice boomed through the hall, his face flushed red with anger “Your highness, are you going to allow this kind of blatant insult of your esteemed guests?”However, before Orseus got to respond, the court was once again interrupted by the entry of Aglaya, who came in with her entourage of guards, with Commander Killion in the lead. Aglaya smiled and waved magnanimously towards her subjects as she walked through the centre, all the way to the seat by Cornelius’s side.No one noticed Jack stepping to the back of the room, a secluded corner near the window, nor did anyone notice Mira who appeared beside him, it looked like she had appeared from behind the curtain; they quietly returned to their positions without attractin
Not just Samuel, everyone heard the thunderous sound of approaching hoof beats and turned their heads to look in the direction of the noise.Humphrey’s heart that was hanging in his throat settled as he saw the approaching flag; not just him but also his men, they felt like they were injected with second life, they struck with even more vigour.“There is a god…” Samuel laughed loudly as he struck his opponent, his whole aura brightening as he saw the Zumerong flag fluttering in the wind on the army that was fast approaching them.Elias, was at the front, riding with the wind leading his men, just like his brother before him. He was shocked and anxious, increasing his speed as he saw the battle array in front of him. His heart nearly dropped out of his mouth as he saw his brother and men surrounded from all sides, battling with forces that were more than 100 times their strength in numbers. From his line of gaze, it looked like their men were being engulfed by the enemy troops.“To pro
Song Kai followed Humphrey and Samuel with a complacent expression; in his mind’s eye, he could already see Humphrey’s twisted face after being smashed by the stone he himself lifted; he was waiting for his chance to have the last laugh.Back in the Zumerong camp, the men wasted no time in utilizing the temporary halt as their commander spoke the enemy camp; they split into two groups as they triaged the wounded soldiers into the healers camp and re-assigned their battle formation, reshuffling so that the more injured ones are left to stay at the rear while the others took the more forward and oppressive positions.Humphrey asked the soldier who was responsible for passing messages to gather everyone once he reached the camp.“Gather up” the soldiers who was responsible passing messages shouted out as he galloped from one end of the camp to the other while Humphrey and Samuel stood in front of the camp along with Song Kai.Everyone stopped what they were doing and gathered in front.“
“Oh, I know how to utilize a temporary truce but…” Humphrey spoke in a low drawl before his voice and gaze turned sharp “But whether to accept the truce call or not, is my prerogative. Why should I honour your call for truce when I am not the one who issued the battle call?”Song Kai, Gu Hei and Su Han had a confused shocked expression for a minute before Gu Hei mumbled “But you are the ones who need it most…”“So, you are being magnanimous with your charity… and I should accept… Ha! Ha! ha!!” Humphrey laughed out in anger. Samuel clenched his fists but didn’t speak; his expression was one of unwavering loyalty and support, regardless of what decision Humphrey made.“We, the forces of Zumerong never provoke or ride into an unjust battle nor do we shrink from our responsibilities when we are provoked.” Humphrey didn’t mince words; he looked Gu Hei in the eye as he spoke “You provoked us first. We will not rest until every grievance is paid back in full.”“Zador stands with Worthington.
As the rays of sun, brightened the land, the tents before the gate had disappeared and, in its place, stood the forces of Zumerong, tall and proud without a hint of fear of the impending loom of death and defeat before them, awaiting the arrival of their commander and his orders, which was heaven’s edict for them.“I don’t intend to play by their rules.” Humphrey announced as he stood on the top of the gates of Hal along with Samuel overlooking the length and breadth of the enemy’s battle formation. “I will not stop until I have slain every one of those bastards or …….” He stopped, his intent evident.“Didn’t think you would… you lot never play by anyone’s rules...” Samuel chuckled “We will be right beside you.”“We will have company…...” Humphrey paused “Just don’t know when they will get here. Although we will still be outnumbered by the thousands, there will be hope… we have to hold on till then….”Samuel hooked his eyebrows with genuine curiosity; he didn’t think that they had any







