CHAPTER SIXTEEN

"We support whatever decision you deem right, your highness "The short man said.

Shane nodded.

"Thank you"He said"If anyone amongst you wants to join the soldiers in fighting the war, you can speak to Bryan"He said again.

They bowed.

"I'll be meeting with the three leaders of Cyan Haven's army so we can work out a plan on how to launch the attack. I'll let you all know whatever the plan is before sunset" He said lastly before standing up to leave the room.

"Your highness"Shane heard behind him just when he got to the palace hall.

He turned back and saw Bryan's father walking to him.

"Bryan,meet with the other two leaders of the army and let them know I'd like to have a meeting with the three of you and also inform the soldiers of the development so they can start preparing for the war"Shane said to Bryan.

"Yes, your highness"Bryan bowed before leaving.

Bryan's father finally got to where Shane was standing.

"Your highness" He bowed "I just wanted to let you know that I'm really grateful"

"What for?"Shane asked.

"For making my son one of the leaders of the kingdom's army"

"He deserves it"

"And... I'm sorry I said some bad words about you"

"Bad?"

"I was...Angry the day you said Bryan was going to spend three months with you before you could make him one of the leaders of the kingdom's army and..."

"As long as you're sorry, I'm fine with it"

"Thank you your highness"

"If you'll excuse me"Shane said politely before leaving for his room.

He met Brenda seated on a chair in his room when he got in.

"How did the meeting go?"Brenda asked, standing up.

"It went well"

She smiled.

"So,um...I wrote a letter addressed to the king of Golden Hills kingdom requesting for their help in the war" She said "I just need you to stamp it to make it official"

"Brenda,we don't just go around asking for help from other kingdoms"

"We are sort of friends now and they kind of owe us" She said "Plus it'll increase our chances of winning the war"

Shane sighed"Fine" He said and collected the letter from her.

"When are we launching the attack?" She asked.

"Tomorrow" He said "I'm meeting with the three leaders of the army so we can work out a plan"

"You already made Bryan one of the leaders" She smiled.

He nodded.

"Is he still in the palace?"

"No"

"Oh"She muttered.

"Don't worry, you'll still get to see him"He smiled at her.

She smiled back.

"I'm going to head to mother's garden and work on my archery" She said before leaving his room.

Shane met with Bryan and the other two leaders of the kingdom's army and they all discussed,trying to work out a tactic plan that would help them win the war.

They spent hours on it and when they were finally done,it was discussed with the members of the royal cabinet and then later to the rest of the soldiers who then up their game and began a serious preparation and training for the war.

<THE D-DAY>

By sunset,Bryan and the other two leaders of the army had already gathered both Cyan Haven's soldiers and Golden Hills soldiers together and led the road to Griffin Empire.

Shane,Brenda and other people who volunteered to fight in the war followed behind.

The journey to Griffin Empire was faster this time because they made use of horses.

News soon reached the king of Griffin Empire that Cyan Haven was coming to attack them.

He instructed one of his trusted men to make sure that at least a quarter of their soldiers assemble at the entrance of their kingdom in order to await Cyan Haven's arrival.

Bryan,Shane and Brenda took the second entrance to Griffin Empire instead,where there were less soldiers and gave Griffin Empire a surprise attack.

The king of Griffin Empire had thought Cyan Haven would take the first entrance since they were coming to attack the kingdom and would be huge in number.

Brenda entered the palace and tried to find other dungeons where they might have imprisoned the people of other kingdoms that they once attacked.

Shane tried to look for the man that led warriors to attack their kingdom twelve years ago.

He had a score to settle with him.

Brenda was able to find the other dungeons but she met some opposition in her way.

She brought out an arrow from her quiver and immediately,a hot fight started.

Bryan and the rest of the soldiers handled the fight outside.

Shane walked round the palace, opening every door he saw and fought anyone who tried to stop him.

He finally found the man in the tenth room he opened.

The door was locked at first but he used his foot to kick it open.

The man and the king were conversing in hushed tones.

The sound from the door made the the man and the king to stop talking and turned to see an angry looking Shane who advanced towards them flaming eyes.

He had two swords in his hands.

Some guards tried to stop him but they were no match for his sword fighting skills plus he was blind with anger right now.

"You again"The man said "Take care of yourself your highness, I'll deal with him" The man said to the king and turned to face Shane with a smirk on his face.

The king stood up to leave.

"Don't even think about leaving"Shane said, pointing his sword at the king "Take one more step ,and you'll never take another one ever again" He said,his eyes staring deep into the king's eyes.

"You're very stubborn"The man said, bringing out his sword as he moved closer to Shane.

Shane smirked.

"I'm going to give you a chance to drop your sword so you don't end up doing what you'll regret"The man said.

"You don't scare me"

"Stay back your highness"The man said and charged towards Shane with his sword.

Shane blocked the man's attack with his sword and their swords made a clashing sound.

They both stared intently at each other.

Bryan looked around.

Everything was going smoothly.

They were overpowering Griffin Empire soldiers and only a few of Cyan Haven and Golden Hills soldiers were on the ground.

He also noticed that Shane and Brenda were nowhere in sight.

Seeing that their soldiers were handling Griffin Empire's soldiers,he entered the palace and tried looking for Shane and Brenda to see if they needed help.

While he was walking round the palace,he heard noises coming from a room.

He walked closer to the room and saw two men attacking Shane.

He quickly ran in and joined the fight.

His main focus was the king and in less than thirty minutes,he defeated the king.

The king slowly knelt on the floor, holding his stomach where Bryan had injured him.

Blood was rushing out from that injured spot and also his mouth.

Bryan walked closer to him and wanted to run him through with his sword a second time but he stopped when the king raised his hand.

He also had a grin on his face and that got Bryan even more angry.

"You...You think you've defeated me but...You haven't"He chuckled,his teeth red with blood "R... Right now,about a...quarters of my sol...diers are attacking your... kingdom"His voice trembled as his breathing became difficult.

"What are you talking about?"

"The soldiers th...that I ini... initially sent to wa...wait for you at the en...trance of my king...dom are...are now attacking your kingdom..." He said and began to laugh before finally giving up the ghost.

One more thrust of his sword and Shane finally defeated the man.

Bryan ran to Shane and told him what the king said.

"What!"Shane exclaimed "We have to head back to Cyan Haven right now"

"What about Brenda?" Bryan asked

"I know where she is. Let's go"Shane said and they both hurried out of the room.

They went to get Brenda and she followed them immediately after they told her what the king of Griffin Empire said.

They mounted their horses and left the palace.

The sun was already beginning to rise when they got to Cyan Haven.

Brenda was shocked when she met lifeless bodies at the entrance of the kingdom.

TBC