"Alexander has fled Your Majesty," a witch reported, trembling at the gaze he received. He swallowed the lump in his throat.

Griffin, who was chopping an apple with a knife looked at the witch skeptically as if the news didn’t disturb him. "Give me that fruit," he told the witch who looked around confused.

"Me?"

"Who else is in this room?" He asked, irritated. The witch moved, though slow. Griffin could detect his unusual breathing and heartbeat. The fruit was at arm’s reach yet he opted for the witch to pick it. The moment the witch stretched his hand to fetch the fruit in the basket, Griffin swiftly whisked it and pinned it on the table with the knife. The witch let out a scream but that only acted to anger Griffin. He took a sword from behind and slit his throat.

"Pathetic beings!" He cursed smoothening his hair with his fingers. "Call the witch leaders!" He barked the order. "And clean this mess!"

He walked out and found a group of witches who looked like a search party panting in exhaustion. They were quick to salute when he walked closer but Griffin had other motives. He had masked the anger of losing Alexander with a smile that daunted his minions now. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"Your Majesty," a knight fubbled when he specifically targeted him. Griffin drew his sword from its scabbard and ran his fingers on the edge. This had the witches looking at each other in fear. They knew the power of an angry Crescian royalty.

"I like your sword," Griffin complimented with a smile.

"Tha... thank you Majesty," the witch replied, his gaze never leaving Griffin’s.

"You should say that to the devil," Griffin said and in a blur, he slit the throat of the witch. This had the others backing off from him scared. He turned to face them showing his angry face for once.

"Who among you was supposed to watch over Alexander?" He asked, pointing the already scarlet sword to the group. Everyone looked behind paving way to a witch who had short hair and tattered clothes. He looked at his fellow witches in fear.

Griffin’s face lit up as he gestured the witch to step forward. The scared man came out of the darkness, sweat already breaking from his face.

"I’m... sorry Majesty," he said but surprisingly, Griffin’s hand landed on his shoulders and not a sword.

"No need," he smiled at him. "Let’s have a walk," Griffin led him to a dark corner, and with the witches still straining to see what would happen, a scream sealed their expectations. Griffin came back alone with a not so happy look on his face.

"Tell everyone to prepare for war. We attack at dawn," he said and retreated in his tent.

*****

Brandon had lit the fire where Alexander was warming after taking a quick bath in the spring. His stomach had embraced him and stopped growling though he was hungry. It was a trait he had discovered he had when he was sick. He’d only feel hungry the first few days and gain unimaginable strength after that. He gazed at Brandon who was sharpening his sword.

"Thank you."

Brandon lifted his face to look at him but said nothing. He continued sharpening his sword before he paused and cast it away. He spread some leaves and clothes on the ground where Alexander would sleep but none for himself. This had Alexander frown but he asked nothing.

"They’ll attack tomorrow, at dawn," Alexander said. Brandon, who was leaning on a tree, moved with arms crossed over his chest to sit beside the fire.

"I thought Griffin had died. Strangely, I even saw his body and personally sent it to Crescia with two other knights."

"Those two knights might have been witches in disguise of Crescian knights," Alexander said with clenched fists. "I should have killed the bastard myself."

"We need to inform Her Majesty about the attack so she’d be prepared," Brandon suggested.

"You will inform her and I’ll try to stop them from here." Brandon just nodded before handing a sword to Alexander.

"You might need this." Alexander gladly took it.

"From now on, you are my personal knight." That had Brandon blinking thrice in a row. He had to admit he admired Alexander, though he hated him before because of Roselyn. He didn’t have bad blood with Alexander, but again, he was Arcadian, and Roselyn’s personal knight at that. He’d be breaking his oath if he accepted the offer.

"If it’s about Roselyn, I’ll talk to her about it. I’m sure she’ll be more than glad to consent," he assured him.

"I’ll think about it," he said. "Good luck Your Majesty," he said and tapped him on the shoulder, a sign of brotherhood in Arcadia.

"Good luck," Alexander replied with a smile. Brandon took his horse and headed to Crescia. If he’d make it in time, Crescia would be ready for the attack. Alexander had also given him the Valorian seal to march the Valorians in the war. It would only be natural Arcadia would side with them, or so he thought. Little did he know Arcadia was the enemy to watch.

Griffin was more than ready for this war and he had never been certain to take over the continent as now. With Arcadian council members on his side, it meant the Arcadian army was too. And since the royal family would be trapped in Crescia, it would be hard to change the decisions made by the council. Crescia would attack the witches on the Northern frontier without knowing Arcadia would attack from the South.

Arcadia would take over the capital and his secret weapon would be unleashed then. He smiled triumphantly at the thought. And finally, he’d kill the annoying Valorian prince. He had the chance to today but he wanted to torture him, a mistake he’d never do again. Tomorrow, he’d be the emperor of the continent, with everyone on his knees. He might consider sparing Isadora only if she followed his orders. He’d marry her to a famous king for more power, later.

"We attack at sunrise," he said. "This meeting has been adjourned." The witch leaders left the tent with hopeful faces. After all, they would be the most favored in the new empire.