Chapter 34: Hammer is Coming

The stranger took them through unknown paths and reached a strange-looking metal door. 

"What is behind the door?" Colt asked. 

"There is someone waiting for you inside," said the man. "You will know once you go in there." He opened the door, letting them enter the dimly lit secret chamber. 

"Welcome, my guests," a man said as soon as they entered.

"It is you," reacted Rozerd when he saw it was King Hangaz, who waited for them patiently in the chamber. "King Hangaz."

"I am sorry for locking you up," the king said. 

The three had a puzzled look on their faces. 

"What is the meaning of this?" Rozerd inquired. 

"I know there is a lot to explain," the king replied. "Let me start with you, Prince Rozerd of Madmen. You killed my brother in a battle. I should have killed you because of that, but as you can see, if he was alive, he would have been sitting in my place. So, I owe one." 

"What do you want from us?" Rozerd asked, without reacting to what he just spoke. 

"The protection of my kingdom," said the king. "I do not trust your brother Hammer. He wants a peace deal, but still he conspires behind my back."

"I told you to not trust him. What did he do?" 

"I am sure you are aware of toxic pests growing in my dominion."

Rozerd nodded. 

"I have come to know that Hammer is fueling them," the king added. "I also worry that there might be a few of my closed ones who leak my secrets to the enemy."

Rozerd touched his chin and thought. "Hm. So you want our help to stop his influence from your own lands. You want our help for your own interests."

"Everybody works for their own interests," said the king with a smirk. "You are either in or dead." He presented his hand for a handshake to seal the deal.

Rozerd smirked at the offer. "Well, there is not much to ponder upon." He shook the king's hand. "We are in."

"Brilliant," reacted King Hangaz. "I will give you a passage to outside. One of you will infiltrate the leading group of the rebels. They are nothing but a bunch of bandits."

"How would we do that?" Colt wondered. "To infiltrate a group from outside is not an easy task."

"I am sure you will figure something out. Their group is still young, and they are constantly losing men against our forces. So, I am sure they will need a few. In the meantime," Hangaz pointed to Gilbert. "that old man will stay here as assurance of your loyalty."

"Do you really think we could back-stab you in this situation?" remarked Rozerd. 

"I know you, the cunning prince," Hangaz replied. "You belong to no one. The old man will be here under my safe keep." 

They both stared into the eyes of each other and smirked continuously. They knew what both of them conspired without uttering a word. 

"Fine by me," said Rozerd, and glanced at Gilbert. "Are you fine with it, old man?"

"Yeah," Gilbert nodded after he sighed. "Just do not keep me here for long. I want to be out on the battlefield."

"I will get you out, master. Do not worry," Colt assured the old man. 

"I am sure you will."

Colt asked King Hangaz, "Which one of us will infiltrate them?" 

"Of course, the least suspicious one." King Hangaz smiled. 

***

"We will attack the castle," said King Hammer while riding his horse on the hills. 

"My king, would we go back on our word?" asked Varius, who rode his horse beside him.

"Hangaz would betray first. He would help Rozerd behind my back," Hammer said, his eyes focused ahead. 

"What do you mean?"

"Hangaz is an ambitious man. He knows I am fueling the rebellions in his kingdom. He will act behind my back, making a facade of accepting my peace offer." Hammer smiled. "He will want to crush my influence."

Varius nodded. "When should we make our move, my king?"

"Right now." Hammer grinned. 

Varius understood the assignment and turned his horse to face the army. "We are heading to the castle!" he announced.

***

"We will separate from here," Rozerd said, mounted on a horse. 

Rozerd, Colt, and King Hangaz were in the woods near the royal palace of the Wild. Rozerd and Colt were about to go separate ways on their own missions. 

"Colt, make sure to not die," Rozerd said to his brother, who was also seated on a horse. 

Colt nodded with a determined face. "You take care too, brother."

Rozerd smiled. "We will meet after it is over." He looked at King Hangaz. "I will remember your help."

"Do not worry. We will talk once it is all over," King Hangaz responded and bid them a farewell when they both moved their horses in two separating pathways. 

"Hiyah!"

"Hiyah!"

Hangaz watched them disappear into the woods and smiled devilishly. "It is I who will remember you, fools." He ordered his soldier, "Call Ramos. I have an important task for that loser."

***

In the bordering castle, Dyna and Tyler planned their next moves until the princes were absent. They stood across a table in the middle of the hall and discussed. 

"What if King Hammer attacks the castle?" asked Dyna. 

"We will have to resist until our last breaths," Tyler answered. "We will have to make tactical placements of our forces so that we could be at an advantage against the attackers." He spread a map of the castle on the table. "Look." He pointed to the gate with his dagger. "This gate needs to be stronger than before. Also," he pointed towards the woods behind the castle. "We need more secret passages into the woods. They will come in handy."

Dyna listened to him while staring at the map with a quizzical expression. "Understood."

Tyler sighed after he stared at the map for sometime. "This castle has always been back and forth in the hands of Madmen and Wilds. It was in our hands until fifty years ago, but when the king fell ill and the kingdom became destabilized, the Wilds took it as an opportunity and occupied it," he explained. "Since then, this castle has been called 'The Bordering Castle'."

"I am partly aware of its history," said Dyna. "But I wonder if you know the Wilds built this castle to keep a check on our tribes. So that we do not get out of control and pose a threat to the security of both the kingdoms." She encircled her index finger around the castle. "Look at the location. It is in the middle of woods and hills. To the west from here," she moved her finger towards the west where the map was empty. "Lies our lair."

"I am aware of this history as well," said Tyler. "I guess this situation might help build some bridges among us." He sighed. "The past is harsh, but I wonder if we could forget it all and move ahead."

Dyna nodded. 

A pigeon arrived suddenly, carrying a message. 

"Sir, a message has come," a soldier brought the message to Tyler and Dyna. 

"What is it?" Tyler took the small paper and opened it. Once he took a read, his eyes enlarged in panic and his hand turned into a fist. "Damn it."

Dyna watched his expression changing, so she guessed it must be bad news. "What does it say?" 

"It is a message from Logan. Hammer is coming."