254 Defeat and Victory (1/2)

Twenty riders accompanied Layfare. One of them was Shadow, now dressed in a new but weird attire. Tall dark hat with black coat. He prefered a cane rather than a sword.

It was his last pair, Shadow told Layfare whatever that meant. It doesn't matter. They were but twenty riders, riding to the Hadean camp where thousands were prepared to sortie. There were bigger problems than Shadow's weird clothes.

They zagged through the front of the trench. The two men at the front, Vanadians, carried poles tipped with a white cloth. Not that a symbol of peace would prevent the Hadeans from loosing bolts of death upon them. But it was a start. It was all they had.

Immediately they were stopped by a hundred angry Hadeans baring steel-tipped spears. They erupted from the portion of the trench they were hiding from. More soldiers popped their heads from the trenches, looking at them with arms prepared to strike.

”We come in peace!” Shouted Shadow as the Hadeans neared.

The plea somehow eased the Hadeans but the tension remained. Layfare could now see crossbowmen taking aims.

”Stop!” She shouted before it turned ugly and bloody. ”Do not advance further”

”Princess Layfare?” One of the spearmen recognized her amidst bulging eyes. ”Is that you? Is that really you?

”I want to speak with General Horis” Layfare said through cracking voice.

The Spearmen looked at one another. Some lowered their spears.

”You heard her” One of them, a man wearing the armor and symbol of a Centurion, shouted with a wave. Layfare heaved a sigh. Bloodshed was prevented. At least for now.

In a few moments General Horis arrived mounted on his horse. His armor was just a bit short of being full plate. His helm had a crest of golden horsehair. His aging saggy face peeked through his visor.

”Unhand her!” General Horis shouted to the Castonians and Vanadians. The spearmen again drew near and raised their weapons.

”No! I am safe.” Layfare slid off her horse. She was halfway between the two sides ”I... They didn't hurt me.”

”Good then” General Horis eyed the twenty riders. ”I thank you for bringing her back here safe. The King has been worried.” He looked at his men. ”Take the Princess and kill them all.”

Time seemed to slow as two Hadeans rushed to her side. The crossbowmen raised their crossbows, aiming for the kill. She looked back at Shadow and the rest. They were scared, she could see that. But in just a moment, they seemed to accept their end.

End. Deaths. Senseless deaths. What would killing them accomplish? They would die like Neil did. And the Union would annihilate every single one of the Hadeans if the riders and Shadow were killed.

She sprang and sprinted towards Shadow, putting herself in front of him. Three bolts had already been loosed, one finding the neck of a horse, the animal neighing to its death. She closed her eyes and awaited more bolts. None followed.

”Princess!” She heard General Horis shout ”Get away”

Layfare looked around. The Hadeans were shaking at the thought that she was nearly hit. They might not be as strong as the Castonians but their loyalty rivaled.

She eyed Shadow, the man who abducted her. Somehow she was glad that he did. He provided a single nod.

Layfare took a step forward. She pointed at a spearman, the frontmost one.

”Who do you serve?” She asked.

The man looked around and then back at Layfare. ”Hadea, Your Highness”

”Then you serve me. Lay down your arms” She didn't let the man utter a reply and immediately adressed the others. ”These people are my guests. Don't dare point your weapons at them”

She took another step and met eyes with the General. His jaws were dropping. ”Now General, by virtue of my rank I am taking command of all your men. And I order you to surrender.”

***