Chapter Three

Refusal against the Emperor

"Attack in the name of my father!" Prince Ivan, his black spiky hair all messed up from his sweat, cried. The soldiers charged as one towards the fortress, meeting the Treesworth arrows head on.

"Suddenly, a general rode out from the fortress with several men and launched an aggressive front. Several troops fell as the surprise assault broke through them.

"Churana, what am I to do?" Prince Ivan asked the thin wizard. "Launch an attack and duel the general, Ice Slayer." Churana said the last word with plenty of sarcasm, but Prince Ivan chose to ignore it.

Prince Ivan regrouped his forces and clashed with the defenders. The front lines on both sides fell in a minute.

Drawing out his sword, Prince Ivan attacked the general. The general swept his blade up, neatly stopping the blow, and then launched a furious attack.

Prince Ivan parried all the blows, and then lashed out into a wild swing. The enemy general ducked and attempted a stab, only to meet resistance as Prince Ivan swung his blade down mid-way through his swing.

The fight got furious as it went on. In blind panic now, the general launched a blind thrust. Prince Ivan neatly sidestepped and swung his blade down, severing the general's neck in seconds.

Suddenly, a strong wind began to blow, pushing sand into the face of the defenders. The spell had worked. Prince Ivan's soldiers began to attack.

Prince Ivan looked upwards, only to see Churana grinning. "Stupid wizard, when I become King, the first thing I'll do is fire you." Prince Ivan thought to himself, his round face frowning in anger at the arrogant wizard...

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"Lord Shadowbane! An envoy from the Emperor requests you to be at the Imperial Court and be conferred the title of Duke of the south!" A messenger said, entering the tent. "Hmmm…" Shadowbane mused. The Emperor only gave titles to those whom he wanted to be allies with and his lackeys. In reality, the title of Duke of the south was an empty one, with little power but time-consuming.

Light Tiger also pondered on the surprising thing. Shadowbane had sworn to take on the Emperor and gain the land in public, so why on earth did the Emperor want Shadowbane to be Duke of the south?

The same thought hit the both of the at the same time. The Emperor was trying to slowly get Shadowbane to submit to him! Shadowbane laughed, then went and met the envoy.

Light Tiger paced nervously as Shadowbane met the envoy. Please don't let Shadowbane pick the wrong choice and submit to the Emperor, she prayed nevously. If not, all the lives taken were wasted.

Fifteen minutes later, the envoy came out, hurling obscenities. Light Tiger heaved a sigh of relief. It means that Shadowbane had rejected becoming duke. However, it means that the Emperor will aim for him next.

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Light Tiger tossed and turned in the bed. Why can't I get Shadowbane's picture out of my mind? She wondered…