"Apart from the note that spoke of the attack, there is no other lead as to who wants to take on the attack", Andrew, the captain of the army spoke.
"It's almost like they intentionally gave us a hint.", I observed. They couldn't have covered their tracks that perfectly if it was an intel who left the note.
"For now we need to prepare well for any attack and guard the Kingdom from all four corners", King Amos concluded.
Father dismissed Andrew and turned to me, "I would prefer for you not to take part in this war Ivy "
"Why not father?", I asked confused about his declaration.
"Is this not the whole purpose of me as the Third princess of our Kingdom", I asked.
"Situations like these are quite dangerous, no one know who these attackers are", he said sounding stern.
I rolled my eyes inwardly. "I will face more dangers in your absence, father"
" But let that not be now when I'm still present",he said.
"Please father", I begged him.
He stared at me for a while and nodded his head reluctantly. I bowed and left.
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I left father's study, unfocused and still confused about why he wanted to hold me back.
My thoughts were interrupted when Andrew walked up to me in very hurried steps.
"What's going on?", I asked realising his anticipation.
"We've been attacked from our Southern boarder, we need men on ground", he managed to say.
" I'm coming with you", he nodded and we both left to make arrangements.
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I stood next to Andrew my sword in hand and his too in his possession.
About half of our entire army stood behind our back, all fully armed and ready to fight, facing our enemies.
They had attacked the Kingdom from the Southern side and had already started destroying stuff.
We were there in time to stop them but they looked very prepared and well acquainted with how the place looked.
We began fighting and the sounds of swords colliding rang in the space.
Cries of pain were also quite audible.
I took on a number of people bringing them all down.
We fought for quite a while and it was very visible the enemies were struggling.
" Retreat", I heard the man who seemed to be their leader shout and all the men slowly withdrew and before I knew it they all vanished into the woods.
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"Are you okay?", Andrew walked up to me when we settled down taking care of injuries sustained. " Yes I am. ", I answered. "Their exit was too suspicious", I said reasonably.
" Yes it was but for now, I think we should go back to the palace", a lot of men are injured.
"Yes I think it would be best", I said but still couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more than this mere attack.
They definitely and more planned under their sleeves. The note wasn't sent for just that.
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Reaching the palace, we noticed a commotion. "Men, move now", before I could think any further, Andrew announced.
The rivals had tricked us when they attacked out Southern borders.They only used that as a bait to get our minds off where power lied, the palace.
I tried to calm down taking into consideration that a large number of men were still back at the palace and could protect the palace to a point.
Right at the palace gates we were met with swords clashing, and men falling to the ground, blood stains everywhere.
The gates of the palace weren't open but the rivals tried to get through by hitting all sorts of materials through it.
I joined in on the fight and brought few men ruthlessly to the ground. I slashed the throats of many but they never seemed to deplete.
Many of my men were still alive and doing a good job bringing the enemies to their knees.
Just when I had a break a bulky man came running towards me. The intent to kill ever so evident in his eyes.
No sooner had he raised his sword, I swiftly moved underneath him and cut his hand in which he held his sword in.
He looked at his hand almost in a expression that looked like disbelief but he quickly masked with another which looked like vengeance.
He tried to pick up his sword with his other hand as if I'd wait for him to do so.
Immediately he bent down I drove my sword right through his side and he fell to the ground.
'Ouch',a very painful way to die.
I took on many other men, some Andrew helping me out. The pressure finally tensed down and the rivals seemed to reduce significantly.
I suddenly caught unusual movement from the peripheral of my vision. A man clad in black from head to toe was making his way into the castle.
I ran toward the direction and chased after him. He seemed to sense me close and quickened his pace.
"Stop right there", I ordered him through my shortened breath. Unexpectedly he stopped. I was so surprised he did and for a moment I was at a loss of words.
He wore a black cloak with a hood, he was covered totally. "Bare all the weapons you posses on the ground", I heard him give a light laugh and funny enough I felt my heart twitch.
"Who are you?", I ask him moving closer until my sword's tip is right on the middle of his back.
He turns himself to face me and that takes me on surprise but he doesn't do anything. I hold my sword against him.
His hood is designed in a perfect way that it covered his whole upper face and the only thing visible to me was his sharp jawline, pale skin and his thin pink lips which were curled up, as if he was amused by something.
"I told you I'd see you again", that deep voice rang in my ears and sent shivers running down my spine.