'This is real…the blood is! Who or what is this? Why is it here? What 

dearly but not to the extent of…. No… This is not right!' Arden got off the 

chair and moseyed around the chamber in argument with himself.

'Or is it? he is of no use to anyone, there is not a being in this world that likes 

him, except for his mother….' As he thought of a mother, his anguish 

took over. 

'But wait, she will have a better son. Yes! I am the perfect son who 

head?' he looked at his palm again. 

'Aaaaahhhhh…. What do I do?' he punched the wall, fighting his thoughts and his heart racing. 

He turned around and looked at himself in the mirror and it felt like his 

reflection was talking back to him. 

'You are not doing it, it's the fyredari 

do something for yourself. 

fyredari do not attack?......... What have you got to lose?........ 

rides with us by playing on his ego. 

else.' 

Arden let out a creepy grin, his reflection grinning back at him.

Arden combed through the corridors looking for Pavo 

impatiently and ran into him on the staircase. 

'There you are Pavo! I have been looking all over for you, there is something of utmost 

priority I need to discuss with you.'

 

'Pardon me sire, I wasn't aware of it. Should we proceed to the 

courtyard nearby?'

 

Arden nodded and they walked down the stairs. Once they were 

alone, Pavo turned to Arden and he started,

'As you are aware that the fyredari have not attacked in the past 

few moons, I suspect they might be coming soon.'

'What you say might be true sire but what do you suggest we do?'

'Now that we have the armies from Anmara, why don't we 

secure our ports swiftly before they attack. We wait there and 

exterminate them. 

If we plan strategically and strike with all that we 

got, we might manage to free ourselves from these attacks. Doing 

something would be better than rejoicing the arrival of the forces.'

Arden's anxious eyes said more than his words to Pavo on how 

much he had thought and wished to see this through. He was 

delighted that the prince cared about the kingdom, but he had to 

weigh in the risks as well.

'It sounds plausible but, where would we head to just assuming 

things sire?'

'You very well know they will come,' Arden looked into Pavo's 

eyes

'True sire, but which one?..... They have been attacking Beiva, but after the disappearance 

of the anmarian vessel, we cannot leave the possibility of Gini'

'Both,' Arden paused for a breath, 'I will lead our armies to 

Beiva, while you head the armies from Anmara to Gini.'

 

'But sire, the chances of them attacking Beiva are high, the last 

time it was a massacre and we almost lost you. It might not be the best 

strategy.'

 

'Fine, then I will lead our men to Gini while you march to Beiva.' 

Arden awaited eagerly for Pavo's nod, but Pavo was still unsure.

'You know I wouldn't just sit back and watch? All our generals 

will be accompanying me,' Arden looked back at Pavo again, but he 

seemed to be in the same dilemma. 

'This is for Deladra! We can do 

this, Beiva or Gini? Pick one!' Arden's voice seemed more intense this 

time as he turned around.

'Beiva, sire!' Pavo replied after a moment of silence and Arden 

turned around with a pleasing smile on his face. 'But we should 

consult the king first,' Pavo added.

'After you!' Arden gestured and they proceeded to the king's 

chambers.

 

It was well past midday and Aiden was about to go out for a 

stroll into the garden where he enjoyed the breeze every day around 

this time. Arden's mother, the queen, was very fond of gardening and 

would spend most of her time there. 

Some of the trees there were planted with her own hands and Aiden felt her s

weet scent when the wind blew softly, the rustling leaves reminded him of her whispers in 

his ear. He would cherish every moment of this time of the day.

'We have an imminent proposal to discuss sire!' Pavo greeted.

Aiden was surprised to see Arden with Pavo, but he contained it,

'Join me for a walk' he invited.

Pavo explained what he and Arden had been considering to 

Aiden as they relished the calm weather outdoors. Aiden shook his 

head and...

'It does seem valid but what if you went to Gini and the men 

from Anmara secure Beiva led by Sela?' he proposed.

'There is a higher chance of Beiva being the target sire. We do 

need the Anmarian armies there but maybe sending them alone 

wouldn't be a good idea as they do not know our kingdom as much 

and have not fought the fyredari before. Sela is the one leading their 

men, so I should be the one guiding them sire,' Pavo reasoned.

 

'I guess you have a point Pavo. Let us do that then. You will lead 

the men from Anmara to Beiva and General Mehur will lead our men 

to Gini.'

 

'Father, I was the one who planned this strategy and….,' 

Before Arden could finish, the king interjected,

 

'I cursed myself for sending you there last time, when I saw you 

lying still on the bed drenched in blood. It will not happen again.'

'Do you not have faith in me? It is better to die at the hands of the 

fyredari than take this humiliation. Send out the armies and 

whomever you please, but either way you will lose your son!' Arden 

turned to leave.

 

'Arden!' Aiden called out, 'You should lead the armies to Gini,' 

he finished with a burdened heart.

Arden smiled, bowed to his father and left before he could 

change his mind.

'I cannot get through to him. Sometimes he seems lost and 

suddenly he comes up with this. I do not want to lose him like I did his 

mother, but the thought of him losing faith in himself and me is more 

unnerving. Do you think this is the right decision, Pavo?' 

'Do not burden yourself sire. It is hard to believe but prince 

Arden is not a child anymore, his weapon skills are unparalleled, and 

he had killed a few fyredari himself in the past. 

Our generals will be accompanying him, and they will make sure he is safe. 

Moreover, I am almost certain that the fyredari will show up in Beiva, as 

all the recent attacks suggest the same, so the prince should be 

unharmed rest assured. I will have to take your leave for now to do the 

needed sire.'

 

'Fate is no one's friend, make sure to have a word with the 

generals. Very well then, if that is it, I will resume my pleasant stroll.' 

Aiden turned away