The rain had begun for the third time that night, except harder now, clattering on the roof and glass windows.

The evening air was cold and dark.
My hands wrapped the delicate woman to my chest, cloaking her amid the bitter weather. I could never be too satisfied staying with her. But the moment would yet be torn short.

From outside our chambers, Deron the stewards voice called out.

  "My lord, Prince Jeron is here," He proclaimed audibly.

I was worried. It was late for any sane man to be out at that time. I moved out to meet the mate on bare chest and a simple breeches. Drenched by the cold rain, Karmadin's youngest son scoffed when he saw my appearance. I smiled like a boy who had just had his first taste of mischief. 

"Get dressed at once. The meeting would soon commence." He made emphasis to my bare chest with stocked out fingers.

My demeanor changed quickly. Nothing sweet came without a price. Even Keiya! My ultimate time was the price. Especially been drawn back to the military life.

Being Chief Captain to Kedrones garrisons was sure a responsibility to deter good moments on a good day.
 But this was never the bargain. The rhythm of a new life -- it was never for violence and more senseless fighting.  All I wanted was solace with Keiya and my unborn child.

Alas, such insane dream could never be granted a wish.
 
"Meeting?" I frowned at him. "Isn't it already too late for a meeting. Moreover, my attention is needed at more important places." I smirked when Keiya came out to join us. Caressing her tummy softly, I watched as Jeron' disgust stood.

Jokes as this were enough to trigger a loud chuckle, and then further the conversation with the friend. But the man stood firm in his military stance, blankly gazing at both of us. I was no fool -- I could tell rightly the stench of trouble...even these one seemed twice heated.

"Can we speak for a moment?" He said, still without an iota of humour.
I left Keiya and then moved with him, understanding how serious the situation was pacing.

He whispered only a word to me, and my entire being was set ablaze. It was ironical as the cold shiver ran down my spines.

I dashed back to the room. I'll waste no single moment. I was dressed in a blink. Pants worn, boot tightened and the black officers jacket with the bold military sigil at the breast pocket, thrown over body. 
I spared Keiya no explanation. Time was no ally. A simple kiss to the lip was all she got. 

I wrapped to myself the rain jacket the steward had provided, before dashing out to the rain with Jeron...and for our riding beast.

Our movement was silent. We righteously galloped, merely stealing gazes at interval, though no word followed.

"This can't be." I sighed as we now made entrance into the palace.

Upon handing reins to the sentry, we guided our path through. Stumbling upon archways, and staircases then clear hallways, we came upon the Kings court.

The duo palace guard dressed in blue livery, would not hesitate at out presence. Their crossed lances fell, ushering us towards the double door.

We purchased our way in, but I fell astounded by my sight. Ministers and senior military officers were present...and all sort of Kingdom administrative men, lay the room.

What was happening!

They bid us our fair salute, and we the same.
My eyes found Prince Brone, the mighty man let just a faint smile. But I returned the gesture with a bow.

Karmadin walked in suddenly with a cloak of mystery. Our mumbles and chatter died quickly to absurd silence.
Then systemically...
  "Your Grace." We bowed in reverence to him.

"Arise and sit." His order proceeded at once, and we did oblige.

He remained silent after out compliance. It was troubling. His face remained grim.

What was running through his mind?

Patience. I willed my fluttering thoughts.
His eyes met with mine in that moment. Pain and panic in a strange symphony stood straight in them. I shifted uncomfortably.

"It's no news anymore that Prince Dakor survived the vicious game." His first words broke out with an exhale. I felt the shrill by them.

"Well, Dakor is with sound health now, and is seeking a bride." Karmdin spoke this words not failing to accord me a glance.

   I understood clearly what he meant. It was I who had failed to do a clean job on that night. Was it arrogance on my path?  I couldn't tell. All I knew, responsibility had come. 

   The hall was stirred with weary. The side-talks and murmur sparked. Everyone was keen to the implication of what was just declared.

"We have received a letter of threat from the King of Amlyxone, Dakor's father," Commander Girod stood.
"Dakor is demanding his bride. Obviously, it is no longer possible because he failed at the night of the contest. Our laws are sacred," He frowned. "He would set aside his honor, and seek the impossible. Aye as always, he has won the backing from his father."

"Blood and fire have they threatened us with, if Keiya is not presented Dakor as a prize." Brone told.

I gritted my teeth with a vicious snarl. My fist turned into a hard clench. The men beside me were already feeling my savagery response to the whole nonsense.

"Your majesty," a minister broke out now. "perhaps we could discuss things better with them to avoid the situation escalating beyond what it is already." 

"The situation is already escalated. Their terms for peace is clear -- Keiya or war." Girod struck with his word.

"Then what do we do now?" Another man in the hall bellowed.
   I almost cursed from where I was once I heard his ridiculous question. Apparently Prince Karmdin had shared same feelings with I. He had remained silent initially, keen to everyone's suggestions.  Then once that obnoxious question had strode, he shot his red raging eyes to the speaker.

"Do?" Karmdin snapped. His growl was bearing his anger and irritation, not just for the speaker but the situation as well.

  "So that you all can understand with clarity the reason for your summoning this night...this is not a meeting to discuss next step for peace making and conflict resolution. No. This is a meeting to discuss our war and defences." Karmdin declared with a cold growl.

  "Too long have I allowed my brother trample on me and my people. Yet my loyalty remains questionable. I answer to his call for war. I pay my due tribute.  I march out my troops in where he demands -- to settle the troubles he has sparked. Yet what do I gain for my loyalty. More intrigue, more senseless threat for violence." The overlord slammed clenched fist upon his throne arms.

"Keiya has a husband, and they are expecting their first child..." Their was an exclaim, and a brief murmur, before Karmadin pressed on.

"...it's an abomination. Our land has known no such thing. She can't be given off to another man...not while her husband still breaths. I would not be author of such atrocity. And if Prince Dakor and my brother can't leave with the sheer fact that Keiya would never be Dakor's, then let them bring war to our gates, and see what their fate would be for the taking."

The icy gaze -- same as of the Unending night, slipped in. I knew well this menacing look.
There was dead silence following his words. We had all heard Karmdins declaration, but no one clearly seemed ready for what it entailed -- war against Amlyxone. It was suicidal. But Karmadin knew this too.

"I know you all are scared," he breathed worriedly.
  "you are right to be afraid. But we always knew a time like this would come. Well, now is that time." His words only ignited another wave of murmur.

"We are sending a reply to the King of Amylxone. Of course now everyone knows what that reply would be." Commander Girod stood again.

"Our finest artisans have been on work for a while now. Fortunately they have been able to come up with beautiful artilleries fit to stand that of King Hadero." Brone told in that moment...

 I sighed deeply. While the comments and talk of war flung hither tither across the room, my mind was lost to deep thoughts.
  I knew I was the true cause for this war. I was the man foolish enough not to do a neat task. And now the reward for my failings was coming for me alas.

My heart knew no peace in those moments. The word Jeron had whispered me at my home was even more tormenting. The name Dakor held fire that could burn through ice. Guilt and anger prevented me from following the meeting righteously, so I wasn't surprised to find it over soon.

But I would not leave at once. Karmadin had invited me to his study.

"Dorack," he began when I had come. "you are a fine man, and a fine warrior, the kind I always imagined for my princess Keiya. Sadly I feel I have not been entirely truthful with you." He sighed.  But I knew exactly now where the discussion was headed.

"The vicious game was not just a game to crown the best man husband to Keiya. It was orchestrated as an assassination plot for a certain fellow."

"I know this your majesty." I pouted.
"I know everything about Keiya and Dakor." From his expression, he didn't seem much surprised.

"Keiya told you?"

"Most of the stories I figured them on my own."
  He smiled.

"Then you also know that this same Dakor, was the last adversary you battled in the ring." He said, bringing to confirmation my suspicion.
  A bitter sting at his words nailed into my bones. Brutally had it come, cloaking me with a strange fear.

"Since you battled him last in that ring, I can only assume he would share a personal grudge with you. In this way you now understand, that this war is more of you and I's to settle."
  I remained silent.

"You weren't who I and Keiya thought would get the crown of that night. But thus far you have proven a magnificent husband, brother and son to us all. And soon you would be a father too. Keiya and your unborn child are yours to keep. Keep them, and help me tear those that threaten us. Help me win this war." Karmdin spoke with a low growl and bitter intent.

  I was still silent, now with the plaguing thought of what adversary was coming for me. With every flash from that night, I prayed not to ever see that beast again. He was the utter definition of dread.

Even so, the thought that he was coming to tear me from my damsel and unborn child made me mad with anger, to the very point that I had started crashing fist on the wall.

"Good thing you share same rage as me. We would surely need it." Karmdin spoke abruptly, making response to unspoken words.

  My mind was in turbulence. Contradicting feelings contested deeper hold -- rage, uncertainty, fear. But Karmadin would leave me with these one's.  He would say no more. It was the last words we shared that night, and I left .

  The way home even was a more tormenting path. The pound of past events, prospects and dwindling thoughts, struck with bitter venom. Truths. Every single one of them -- sour truths. Danger was coming!

   I had defeated Dakor in the ring while I knew nothing of their plot and when I had nothing. Now, I knew everything, and I had everything desired by a man. Like a mother hen, I would keep my love from harms way.

  In my mansion, I strode through the archway before reaching the masters chambers.

  Keiya was already at sleep when I arrived. I walked up straight to the bed, and then ran my hands tenderly across her back. Her solid hazel eyes peered open. She glanced over her shoulder. Her body was filled with warmth as a smile grew upon her face. Her liquid gentle eyes laid rest upon this wild man. Me. 
 
  The passion and love I had for this one was like nothing she ever knew before. She was truly mine to protect. I wrapped her in my protective arms as the sheer thought that danger was coming for us throbbed.

  I would protect this one through the ends of time. I pressed forward and then rested my lips on her tender ones. I sensed the tingle that ran through her. Time was no ally, one needed make do with every second.
I lay next to her quickly, expecting the morning sun -- soon of course, to tear this glorious bond.

  But the whispers through the night would not end the torment -- the whispers of war. My foe was coming...