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allies

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After the rebel troops had been gathered, Heirsa took a horse and entered the castle walls as the rest of the soldiers waited restlessly hidden in the forest outside Shard's limits. Visions had been flashing before his eyes at sudden moments and he believed he had a theory of why. He entered one of the private chambers of the castle without alerting its inhabitants. He'd been to this chamber only once. It was the place where the eight wizards in the queen's employ boarded and studied their spells.

The giant room was furnished with huge bookcases reaching to the high ceiling, numerous shelves of colorful substances and a large stone table in the center. Several men and women occupied different areas of the room, busied with objects of magic or books.

Heirsa slowly stepped into the open. He knew there would be no fooling these wizards as many of them could sense a lie in someone's words using enchantments. "For wizards, you ought to be more alert."

Everyone present turned to face him.

"General Ruse." One of the wizards said knowingly. "A pleasure to finally meet you."

"You may soon think otherwise." Heirsa alluded, his tone flat but his mind sharp.

"Now wait. I'm sensing something." The wizard, Grizwold said, a smile quirking the corners of his lips. "The Queen's gift has been passed to you?"

"So it was you who cursed her?" Heirsa said.

"Of course. And it would appear my terms were not met." The wizard said. His face was young and entirely unscathed by any mark of age, although he was most likely around a hundred years old. His hair was a rich brown and fell over his temples and reached his shoulders. His face was symmetrical and handsome, with brown eyes and a narrow nose. Commonly, wizards used spells to prevent aging, and even to make themselves more beautiful, as was evident just looking around the room. Not a single blemish or mark of age showed on any of them.

Heirsa studied the wizard. He knew the way of spells. The wizard could set any rules to the curse he so desired and if the terms were not met by the cursed party, the magic would malfunction in any number of ways.

"She told you of her power? And now it has been reversed and handed off to you. Congratulations."

"Send him off, Grizwold," one of the men said from among the others. "We don't have time for this."

Heirsa yanked his sword from its sheath and threw it into the second wizard's abdomen. He fell back, limp. Grizwold flinched, stepping back. "Now, no need to get violent."

"What are the effects of the curse?" Heirsa asked, his voice still entirely vacant if any type of emotion.

"Very simple. The ability to see moments of one's past or, now in your case, future."

"What are the side effects?"

"I can't tell you that." Grizwold replied.

Heirsa grabbed the wizard by the throat, looking down his nose and staring hatefully at him.

"Please—" Grizwold gasped. "I—I don't know."

Heirsa pushed him down before hitting him over the head with his fist.

After killing the remaining wizards, Heirsa returned to outskirts of the forest where the party waited.

The group sat silently, save for the leaders that stood to acknowledge Heirsa. He had told no one of his intentions in the palace, only that he had business with someone inside that he had to take care of.

"What now?" Alexander asked as he raised from his stooped position near the ground.

"We need to gather allies," Heirsa said.

"What place would offer help to a host of outlaws like the lot of us?" Khana questioned as he too stood. "The Republic is far too wary to be taking in enemy soldiers to help their cause."

Ronin eyed his brother, a knowing expression crossing his face. "Not the Republic."

"Where then?" Grian asked.

"Arc is a three-day journey from here." Heirsa began. Arc was one of the largest kingdoms in the north run by one prince and his court. Heirsa had never met the prince but Arc had past experience with the queen and her selfish ways.

Nobody questioned the idea of traveling to Arc. So they set off after gathering up what provisions they could from Shard's small outer villages.

"You're majesty," One of the kingdom gatekeepers rushed into the dining hall just as the young King Daven was enjoying his dinner in the company of some members of parliament.

Daven looked up to address the sudden interruption but said nothing as his mouth was full.

The gatekeeper went on. "General Ruse of Shard has come calling, on a matter of rebellion against Queen Irisa."

Daven choked before gaining composure to swallow. "Stroll on!"

The gatekeeper shook his head. "God's truth!" He insisted. "He pounded on the gate and told me to tell you just that. He wishes for permission for his small company to enter and dwell safely here."

"How many? Perhaps this is a ploy?" Daven asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Only forty-eight all together, and a shabby bunch. Only a few swords and bows among them sir, and we were sure to confiscate them as a precaution."

Daven stood immediately, nearly knocking over his chair. The members of parliament simply looked on with interest, wondering why this news had gotten the king so excited.

"Very well then! Send them all into the throne room that I may hear them!" Daven instructed, then turned to his dinner guests in apology for the intrusion.

The Shardian company soon took the floor of the throne room, looking quite out of place in their ragged and dull uniforms. The warmth of the palace was a welcome one, after not having a refuge from winter for many days.

They all bowed as Daven entered, but he insisted on the formality being dismissed. "General, how pleasant to meet you on comfortable terms rather than clashing our swords on the field of battle." The king said, a smile in his voice and showing in his eyes.

Heirsa nodded, instantly aware of the faithful and just man that stood before him. Arc stood in opposition to the reign of Irisa and had many soldiers sent to Zee in an effort to help preserve it. "We shall fight on the same side of the lines from now on." He said.

"Lady Ashira," Daven acknowledged her with an equally bright smile as he'd given Heirsa. "Your goodwill towards the people of your sister's nation will surely pay off."

Ashira returned the smile graciously.

Ronin and Khana were introduced to Daven, as they'd both played a big part in starting the rebellion.

Grian looked on, her eyes wide at the sight of such a lavish young man as King Daven. His hair was a faint red, and his slender face was covered in freckles. Upon his regal brow, he wore a gold crown with a rim of green and red jewels. His suit was black and gold, and his cloak green. He seemed to radiate goodness.

"Our numbers are small, but I assure you we'll make up for that in our will to fight for justice," Khana said as he shook the king's hand.

"Of that, I have no doubt," Daven said.

The doubts of their succeeding against the queen had all but disappeared from Ronin's mind. Arc was such a large kingdom and had a very well trained army. But some uneasiness was sure to remain, at least until the fight was won and good reigned supreme.

Author's Note .

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH FINALLY A NEW CHAPTER. Please please please pretty please let me know what you thought of this one in the comments! Don't forget to vote and follow if you enjoyed! Thank you all so so much for 5.5k!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All my love,
Kori Kalon .