Lifeless present

Commander Blair did not even have the time to pull back. Finley had been swift with his attack, and his dagger had dug deep into his neck. Blair collapsed to the ground, blood spurting out from his neck, and soon, his eyes rolled back in his head. Finley had killed the man even before he could attack him or his army.

The army of Nethilor was appalled at the way their Commander now lay dead in front of them. Commander Finley had mercilessly killed the man without blinking an eye. While they were lost seeing their Commander gone, the army of Ingora seized the chance and pulled out their daggers from their sleeves, killing their enemy who was holding them captive. One by one, the soldiers of Nethilor dropped dead to the ground just like Blair.

Finley stood up, a sardonic smile gracing his face. He circled the dead bodies that lay before him, observing the deceased without pity. They were Ingora's enemy, his enemy. They did not deserve any sympathy from him. This was war, and in war, there were only two possibilities, to kill or to be killed. It was they who had chosen death over surrender, and he had just granted them what they wished.

The remaining soldiers from Nethilor, who were fighting far away from the scene of gore, saw their Commander lying dead, and they retreated from the battleground, running for their lives. However, Finley was not a man who allowed people to escape. To him, an enemy was an enemy even if he was a soldier from the opponent kingdom following the orders of their king. He turned to his army and nodded at them, and at once, his men chased their foe, hunting them down one by one.

Finley crouched beside Blair and smiled seeing the man's face, his dead eyes staring at the sky. "I like this position better." He muttered, his smile widening wickedly. Some of his men, who had chosen to stay back with him, shuddered at his sinister face, and they were glad that they did not belong to the enemy kingdom.

Making enmity out of Finley was never a good thought, and they had witnessed the consequences of those who did. They now lay lifeless on the ground. Although his men were accustomed to fighting and having blood on their hands, there was something malevolent in the way Finley was staring at the dead man, rejoicing at the blood around him.

"Bring Commander's Blair's body to the army base. The Lord will be elated at the present." Finley ordered and walked towards a young soldier who was holding his horse's reins in his hands while he observed the Commander. "I am taking your horse." That was all Finley said before he snatched the reins from the young soldier's hand and mounted the horse. He kicked the horse softly, and the animal started to gallop.

On his way, Finley slowed down, gazing at his dead horse before he quickened the pace, vanishing from the battlefield like a thunderbolt. If not for his enemy killing his horse halfway through the battle, Finley would never have chosen to use another horse. He loved his dark brown horse, which was as majestic as him. The king had rewarded him with it when he had won the battle against the kingdom of Erly. The man prided on his beautiful horse, and now that it was if no use to him, he deemed it futile to dwell on it.

Meanwhile, his men tied Blair's body to another horse and followed their Commander to the base where their King Jorah was waiting for their return. The war did not affect him much, for he trusted Finley's capabilities. His Commander had never lost a battle, and that was what had made him believe him once again.

The news of Ingora winning the war had already reached Jorah, and he was waiting for the man who was responsible for the victory. Seeing Finley return to the base, his blood-splattered face beaming with pride and arrogance, Jorah smiled, his chin held up high. The royal guards who were behind Jorah gasped, seeing the Commander drenched in blood. He looked nothing less than a demon coming to end their lives. However, Jorah remained unfazed by it. To him, it was a sign of triumph, a sign of power, and an indication of supremacy.

Finley jumped off the horse and kneeled before Jorah on one leg. "Long live King Jorah."

"Commander Finley," Jorah made him stand before hugging him. "You have made the kingdom of Ingora proud once again."

"Milord, it is my duty to serve my kingdom, and I will do so until my last breath," Finley replied, hugging the king briefly before pulling back.

"And, I trust you to do that."

The two men turned towards the direction of the noise when they heard the sound of horse hooves. Finley grinned when he noticed one of the horses carrying the dead man. "Milord, I have brought you a present from the war." He chimed, his eyes sparkling in evilness. "Bring it here." He commanded, and one of the men loosened the ropes around Blair's body.

The sudden removal of binds made the dead man fall off the horse, and he rolled on his back, his unresponsive face coming into Jorah's view. Jorah gasped seeing Blair's body lying cold and lifeless, and he stared at his Commander in bewilderment. However, it was not a stare of fear but one filled with appreciation. And Finley rejoiced to notice his king approve his ability.

Jorah walked towards Blair, his lips rising slowly. He observed the man for a few moments before he kicked his face hard. "Commander Blair, do you remember what you had told me, King Jorah of Ingora? You had promised to capture me and present me to your king. But see what state you are in right now?" He chuckled, his menacing laughter resounding through the base. "I wonder how your king, Rhysand must be doing now with you dead. Is he going to enter the war and fight us, or will he concede defeat and run away like the coward he is?"

"Commander Finley, I applaud you for winning this war. We must celebrate our victory." Jorah then turned to the man who was responsible for his happiness.

"Yes, Milord. We must. But before that, I still have a task to complete." Finley stated, pulling out his sword from his sheath.

"What task?"

"I need to kill the man who brought it to this state." With a roar, he chopped off the man's head, stunning everyone in the base.