Sir Berolt invited the three royals to an empty home beside the doctor’s lodging, the place he had ready a map on the desk in the midst of the room.  The navy common of Abetha adopted them quickly after as he requested his two trusted males to stick with Slayer.

“Sir Berolt had defined to me the earlier escape plan, however we have to change it now,” Cian mentioned to the individuals surrounding the map.

Arlan nodded. “We won’t take Slayer on a protracted journey, and passing by way of the mountains to enter Megaris could be tough and troublesome for the civilians as nicely.”

“I’ve a proposal,” Cian pointed in the direction of a spot on the map. 

“I do know of this place as I used to be as soon as stationed right here with my royal troops to take care of the border problems with Hatha. I’m accustomed to this complete space. With one severely injured man with us and few others who may not deal with the lengthy journey, it could be higher to take this route. It is the forest deeper into the mountains, removed from the cities and villages. There are locations the place we will enable them to relaxation in hiding to keep away from enemies, and it’s also advantageous if we’re compelled to battle with them on this scenario.”

No person had any points with the brand new escape route. 

Drayce tapped on the map alongside the mountain vary between Thevailes and Megaris. “We don’t must abandon the outdated plan fully.”

Arlan checked out Drayce and realized what was cooking in his buddy’s thoughts. “It is higher that approach.”

Cian appeared on the two as he additionally understood what they meant. “If we’ll proceed with that, we should always use Godfrey Percy in entrance.”

Basic Cavrois agreed, “He would be the one to take us out.”

“Bastard may be of some use earlier than he dies,” Sir Berolt commented with an irritated huff. 

With the amended plan finalized, everybody set to work. The knights discovered an unusual however sturdy cart that may be pulled by two struggle horses they obtained from the Marquis’s citadel. 

The cart was large enough to let Slayer’s tall and sturdy physique lie in it comfortably, and the outdated doctor may sit inside with him collectively along with his apprentices. The knights escorting them introduced out a number of baggage of medicines and assets that the troop could be needing for the journey.

All had been prepared to go away very quickly. Another sturdy warhorse was led to the group, carrying a bloodied outdated man who was tightly sure in rope. 

It was no aside from Marquis Godfrey Percy.

The person appeared in ache as his tongue was minimize. His eyes may barely be opened, displaying how a lot ache he was in. His mouth was lined with a material that had blood on it. 

The doctor, who was busy instructing his apprentices, checked out Marquis Percy and his eyes confirmed that he acknowledged this particular person. 

Drayce appeared on the doctor. “Give him one thing so he will not die on this journey.”

“I solely deal with people, typically animals, however by no means monsters,” the doctor replied. 

The doctor’s phrases stunned everybody, however earlier than anybody may say a phrase, Drayce spoke, “We have to preserve the monster alive to provide him a loss of life befitting a monster.”

The doctor did not argue and went in the direction of the Marquis, who was mendacity numbly on the horse. The doctor checked his pulse and mumbled, “As anticipated, this monster cannot die with solely this a lot.” The doctor pulled out a couple of needles and pricked them within the Marquis’s neck. He turned to take a look at Drayce, “He will not die with blood loss for at the least a day. A straightforward loss of life is not sufficient to pay for his sins. Make sure that he dies horribly.”

They had been prepared to go away.

Quickly after, their troop rode robust horses with Slayer, and the doctor’s group protected within the middle. The horse that carried Marquis Percy was in entrance, with two knights on both aspect. 

The fortress residents may see the view of Nice Marquise Godfrey Percy was being dragged and paraded by the enemies together with them as they left the fortress. 

Though the preliminary rescue workforce solely numbered lower than thirty males, after Abetha’s navy common ascertained that their crown prince had been discovered, the help troopers from Abetha and Griven who sneaked in after them got a sign to paralyze the military contained in the fortress. With out their leaders, the captive enemy troopers may solely take a look at every part however do nothing. 

Simply after the royal troop left, Basic Cavrois led the remainder of the allied troopers to guard Drayce’s group from being attacked from behind. As anticipated, the escape was not straightforward. Lower than an hour after they left Barknor Fortress, a battalion of Thevailes troopers reached the fortress. The colonel main that battalion obtained updates concerning the escape of enemies.

“Colonel, they took Marquis Percy with them.”

The colonel, who was already offended over such defeat, growled, “All of them shall be held on the wall of this fortress.” He ordered in his loud commanding voice, “Prepare to go away!” 

“From what the scouts gathered, it looks like they are going to enter Thevailes to cross the mountains to go to Megaris,” their informer mentioned. 

“Is sensible. The King of Megaris is with them, and his navy has already crossed the Thevailes border and is marching in the direction of our capital. The King of Megaris will most likely convene along with his essential military,” the subordinate of the colonel added.

“Megaris will see their king dying in my hand. He dared come this far, asking for his loss of life,” the colonel growled.

The Thevailes battalion left to comply with Drayce and his troop on the way in which to Megaris.

Thevailes felt humiliated. It was them who began this marketing campaign in opposition to different kingdoms, solely to seek out the King of Megaris screwing up their plans. Not solely did the younger king himself fearlessly enter enemy territory, however his military additionally efficiently crossed over the pure barrier of the mountain vary between their kingdoms and was attacking them. Therefore, it was evident that he would undoubtedly return to Megaris as a substitute of returning to Abetha. This younger King of Megaris would not miss the prospect to indicate his those that he personally led the military and captured the enemy.

An evening had handed, and shortly, the solar had risen. As pursuers, the battalion led by the colonel didn’t dare relaxation.

After hours of driving, lastly, earlier than midday, the Thevailes battalion noticed the enemy troop whereas crossing a abandoned land that had no greenery apart from one or two dried shrubs. Forward the desert was a extra barren land with rows of giant rocks right here and there, with scavenger birds fled within the sky to seek for meals. 

A single cart surrounded by males on horses. 

Though they weren’t sporting armors or uniforms, the colonel was satisfied this was the troop led by the King of Megaris.

“Cost!” the colonel roared.

On the sight of the approaching enemy troopers, the royal troop stopped close to the rocks and rotated to face the Thevailes battalion as a substitute of operating away. 

“Why did they cease?” requested the Thevailes colonel as he lowered the velocity of his horse to cease and verify the scenario. 

“Looks like a entice, colonel,” his subordinate replied as he pulled out the binoculars to verify on their enemies. He noticed the outdated man tied on the horse, and that was Marquis Percy. “Marquis Godfrey Percy is with them.”

The colonel took the binoculars and noticed the situation of the Marquis, which angered him. He and the Marquis belonged to the identical faction. In the event that they had been to lose management of the Niaris territory inside Hatha, their faction would weaken as soon as the wealth was distributed after the struggle. 

“All of them are going to die at the moment,” the colonel mentioned by way of his gritted enamel. “They’re much less in numbers. We will get them.”

“Looks like they’d a plan and…” the subordinate tried to say however obtained interrupted by the offended colonel. 

“Does not matter. It is both them or us.” 

As he mentioned these phrases, the battalion reached the small troop, prepared to color this land with blood.