"The elites have secured your victory Your Majesty. The blockade is now yours!" That news was supposed to light a smile on Griffin’s gloomy face but sadly it didn’t. This was not the feeling he desired. Taking lands alone was not enough. Now he wanted someone’s life. As long as Alexander was breathing, nothing could light him up, not even a naked woman! And speaking of naked women, two were kissing his exposed chest licking him like chocolates. But that didn’t turn him on as he had expected. "Leave!" He thundered. Wrapping the sheets around their naked bodies, the woman streamed out of his room after throwing a disapproving glance at the reporting knight. "Have the blockade secured and double the security." He said buttoning his shirt. "Has the messenger arrived yet?" "No sire." A frown settled on his face. The messenger could materialize so what was taking him that long? "You may leave." The knight curtsied and left. Griffin let out a sigh, raking his fingers through his disheveled hair. He knew it was only a matter of time before Valoria knew of the attack, and they would respond of course. Chances were higher that Alexander would be the one leading the knights and that was what he wanted. A rematch with The One wouldn’t sound bad at all. Wait! Had he acknowledged him as The One? Never! His mind was clearly betraying him. And as much as he wanted to believe, the more he felt the crazy seer disclosed information from him. He would definitely choke the words out of him. *****"Your Highness?" A palace guard called Alexander. He was sparring with the royal army’s knights this time because he had defeated all the palace guards. These proved to be a little tough at least but mile away from scathing him, not even a scratch. And with his new profound curse in a blessing’s disguise, he could feel his speed and agility had greatly improved. He was swinging his sword gracefully as if it was weightless, each of his attacks precise and within a minute, four of the knights he was sparring with were all down, either losing the grip of their swords or having his two swords pointed on their necks."What is it?" He asked sheathing his sword and helping the knights up, something the palace guards found odd. Their prince had changed, drastically at that. Many had gathered here to see him go up in flames but ended disappointed. It was all but just a rumor. However, the ones present during his ’transfiguration’ stressed that he indeed went up in flames, unconsumed!"It’s the naval blockade Your Highness. The Crescians attacked it and killed everyone there last knight." "Impossible!" Alexander exclaimed. If there was a territory that was highly protected, then it was the naval blockade. That was the main weapon they could use to weaken Crescia as the kingdom highly relied on the sea route for trade."Rumor has it that the Crescians who attacked the blockade were from Griffin’s elite group. " The guard added. "Any survivors?" Alexander asked. "No Your Highness. Everyone on board got killed and ships set on fire. Our naval assets have been gradually decreased." Alexander simply nodded. Most of the ships were concentrated there and hearing that they were set on fire, he could only approximate the loss they had encountered."Convey a meeting with the officials and the Queen immediately. I’ll be there in a jiffy." He ordered."Consider it done." The knight bowed and left to convey the order. And turning to all the knights present in the training grounds, he said,"Ready yourself men, for we are going to war." They roared in unison and chanted their Prince’s name."All hail the king! All hail King Alexander!" "They might be Crescians, but we are Valrians. And Valorians never quit!" This boosted their morale as they chanted his name louder. *****"No one survived? How’s that possible?" Victoria asked. "It’s Crescia’s elite group that attacked Your Majesty. I suppose you know their capabilities." A official explained."And you want us to send our knights there? They’ll all die even before the actual war begins." Another voiced his opinion."Are you suggesting that we stay here and do nothing about it?" Alexander asked unable to retain his anger no more. There court officials were only acting to piss him off with every passing second. If not for their intervention in matters war, he could have not wasted his breath trying to explain to some old grannies who have never even slaughtered a chicken how to go on a war."The king is right. We shouldn’t just sit here and do nothing. Who knows what else Crescia will do now that they can easily access our land by sea? They’ll come for the capital next and all of you here will end up being slaves if not corpses!" The officials seemed touched by that. Though old, none of them wanted to die soon, in a gruesome way at that. It was every old man’s dream to die peacefully in his house."We have the advantage in numbers but this is Crescia. Remember they’ll be backed by the other kingdoms because of the rule. If we attack now, Crescia will call for reinforcements and you all know what that means." A member said."What we need is an ally!" Another one said."Consider myself one." Everyone turned towards the direction of the voice and there, King Henry stood looking as regal as Alexander could remember. Finally, what a huge relief! Arcadia had chosen to be on Valoria’s side."Greetings Your Majesty," all the officials bowed in respect except Alexander and his mother. They all stared at him in disbelief. "I’m glad you decided to back us in this war. I’ll be forever indebted to you," Victoria said slightly bowing to show her regards."No need to thank me," Henry said dismissing her comment with a wave of his hand. "Besides, we are family." He added grinning at Alexander and winked at him."So, what’s on the table?" He asked turning to his serious self. Victoria explained everything to him and he was equally surprised that the Crescians had taken over the blockade."I’ll give you Arcadia’s ships in the aid of the war. My naval fleet comprises of fifty two ships of which thirty are fully equipped for marine wars." Alexander noted that he was proud of that. "You can leave the rest to me and the generals. This meeting has been adjourned," Alexander informed the officials."Thank you for supporting us," Alexander took the initiative to thank him once everyone was gone. They were now taking a stroll in the palace gardens with Henry. Sir Brandon, who had been excited since the arrival of his liege was trailing far behind to give the two the personal space they deserved. Though he was not happy with the idea of backing Valoria, he was equally excited to go to war. He couldn’t remember the last time he slit a throat and he was already dying to."How are things between you and my daughter?" Henry asked."Good so far. Have you visited her yet?" That question was more painful than a stab in his heart. With it came the painful memories of that doomed day and the loneliness he was feeling doubled that his eyes turned watery, tears threatening to fall anytime soon. But he manned up and concealed his tears with a wry smile."No. Actually, I need your help," he said looking Alexander in the eye. "Is this about denouncing her?" "Yes. I want to make it up to her and my wife and only you can help.""Okay," Alexander replied even though he didn’t know how he was supposed to help the damsel king. He had seen it in his eyes, the pain and regret. He must have gone through hell to come to this point.It was at this point that Brandon closed in. "Is everything okay here?" He asked but no one took a breath to waste on him. "It’s good to have you back Your Majesty." He ended consoling him with that statement. Henry smiled at Sir Brandon. "Thank you for protecting my daughter while I was away." He took the initiative to applaud him for once though he didn’t deserve it. Since Roselyn started showing interest in Alexander, Brandon had left her, always lazing in the capital or having time with women. In fact, he knew little to nothing of what was happening in the palace currently."Sure," he said flushing that staged smile at his liege."From now on, you’ll be receiving orders from him," Henry said pointing at Alexander. "He’ll be the commander in the war and I, his assistant." Alexander didn’t need to look at Brandon’s face to know he was pissed off."Never! I take orders from no one else but you sire." His gaze shifted to Alexander, anger already boiling within him like an erupting volcano. "It’s not a request Brandon, it’s an order." Henry affirmed his word sinking all of Brandon’s hope into nothingness. But as cunning as he was, he had an idea.Turning to face the person he so much loathed, he said, "If I’ll be taking orders from you, then you have to deserve it. I, Sir Brandon of The eighth legion of house Nimrod do challenge His Highness to a duel. If you win, I abide by your rules and if you lose, I’ll never take a single order from you. Do you accept the challenge?"Little did he know the Alexander in front of him was not the weakling he once knew. "Challenge accepted," Alexander replied with a smirk. Seems like this guy wanted to see hell gates. Well, he would not only give him that but also a virtual tour in hell! His beast awakened!