Chapter six

BARRETT'S POV:

I examined my reflection upon the blade of my freshly gleaming sword. My white-misted right eye contrasted greatly to my naturally dark-brown one, on my left side. I had a deep scar running across my face which caused the blindness and left a permanent sneer formed on my lips. I looked hideous. Not due to the scar, it was just how I was born. My cousin however had all the beauty and the women and if that was not enough he caused an additional deformaty for good measure. It wasn't quite like that, if he hadn't slashed my face I would've cut his heart out and forced his wife to be mine and made her produce an abundance of heirs, at least her beauty would've given them a chance. I was jealous and he loved to rub it in my face, him being the sole heir and everything else he was gifted with since birth and me only ever getting second best if anything at all.

So I joined Hadeon. I did not stay long enough to be killed by my cousin or to be banished. So I ran, until I was deep within the Never-ending forest. I met him there while I was hunting for food. He too seems to possess the beauty women fall for, unlike my cousin however, he hates them. I don't know much more than that about him however. He's a mysterious man, ambitious, greedy, impatient and cold. He has an overwhelming aura that even makes me feel urged to bow respectfully in acknowledgement. No royal but the king can force another of royal descent to his knees and even then I never felt it so strongly from my cousin. No matter, the deal is simple. I assist Hadeon in attacking the castle tonight and as a reward for my services I can request two things, one I have already made known to him. He will give me my own kingdom to rule, my own riches, my own concubines. I will have everything I've ever wished for, including my cousin's death tonight. I intend to ravage his wife and make him watch before I kill him slowly for taking everything I've ever wanted from me. 

I slid the sword into its sheath. Swinging open the door as I stride out. My steps long and thunderous as each foot crashes to the stone floor, echoing across the ascending stairwells and into the great hall. I passed by the tapestries and portraits without so much as a second glance, making my way onto the large courtyard. My soldiers were busying themselves in sharping their weaponry, adjusting armour and so forth. I quickly strode up a set of stairs to my left leading to the top of the rampart*. Striding fast until I was upon the walk-way and making progressive steps towards a dark figure, standing erect, scanning the overwhelming numbers of my men, ready for battle. 

"Don't they remind you of that little game of dominos?"

"I'm sorry sir?" Confusion irritates my brain.

"It's 'Sire' to you Barrett." Hadeon replies cooly. He said my name with such contempt I could feel my blood beginning to boil. Gritting my teeth "Forgive me sire, I was not thinking straight. You were saying your Majesty?" I could not help adding that last note of sarcasm but I hoped he didn't notice, he could turn me to dust if he so wished. He gave me another look of contempt before continuing,

"Your soldiers Barrett, they remind me of dominos."

"How so sire?"

"They look so tiny and with just a flick of my finger they'd all begin to topple over one another, like the little game of dominos and just alike to dominos is all that you and your men are to me. Useless and insignificant. I only use you to play with for a while until I'm bored, much like a child. A child of the devil."

He turns to me, a sinister smile plastering his face. I can feel my stomach writhe in a horribly-tangled, sick mess. He places a cold hand upon my shoulder and beckons me to come closer, I do. He begins to speak in such a quiet whisper that I have to strain my ears to understand what he's saying. " Do not make any mistakes tonight General Barrett, or else I'll make you wish you were dead."

"I won't sire." I reply firmly.

"Good and incase you consider any slacking on your part let me show you what real power is." With that he turned back to face the heavily armed infantry, all obediently awaiting the order to leave for Avareen. I watched him carefully as he seemed to be simply staring at them when suddenly the sound of shouts and metal clashing against metal was ringing out from the now disorderly array of soldiers. I watched as each solder fell to the side knocking the other one beside him over, continuing until the last man standing.

I stared In shock, mouth agape, eyes wide. If it wasn't a threat I would've been roaring with laughter but I was threatened. I turned my gaze back to Hadeon he was busy chuckling to himself when he suddenly stopped and turned to face me, his own void of expression. 'why did he have to be so strange?' another wave of nausea passed through me as I attempt to seem unaffected by his presence.

"You see real power isn't about numbers..." He began, pausing for a moment. "...It's about control. Now If I, without even so much as lifting my little finger, can completely humiliate and put down your army of several thousand men...tell me...how do you think I'd punish you? If you were lazy that is. You wouldn't stand a chance and that is why you stand beside me not against me. So be wise tonight Barrett, do not stray from my plan or else suffer my wrath."

"I will do my best sire." I reply calmly. 

"Good boy. Now we leave as the sun sets, we want to catch them as off guard as possible. Most will have the night off to celebrate and drink. We strike when all is quite and not a minute later, understand?"

"Yes sure."

"Good. Remember to await my signal." 

"Of course." Hadeon strode away from me gracefully, I hated him. He made me feel weak when I was anything but. I need to find out the secrets to his unimaginable power, even if I die trying. I want it, with it I can have everything I've ever wanted and much, much more. 

"You might seem all powerful Hadeon, but believe me when I say every man has his weakness, even you." I muttered this quietly to myself before sighing as I watched my men attempting to fall back in line. I smiled cheerily as I thought about my surprise visit to my relatives tonight, at least that is something to look forward to.

'hello cousin, did you miss me??'

*Rampart- is the surrounding walls of a castle with a walk-way or 'walk-walk' at the top with another small wall edging it for the soldiers to shoot arrows etc from whilst having some protection to hide behind. 

(Sorry it's taken so long to publish this chapter since the last one but I'll make sure to have five more chapters completed by tomorrow to catch up and make up for it. Please rate and comment what you think, what do you think of Barrett? Does Hadeon seem more creepy from his perspective? Let me know in the comments. Thankyou lovelies💋❤️)