The Forge Of Kings

Chapter 22: Back to step one

     I stood on the balcony of my castle, I watched the group in the courtyard slowly repair the damages of the raid. Laurel walked in, "Sir? The castle is a mess, Rostov's corpse is in the dining room, there's water and broken glass all throughout the ballroom." She sounded surprised. I turned and gave Laurel a smile "Ready the troops for the reclamation of Sylhalin." I ordered, She nodded and exited the room, I followed slowly behind, this is been going in my favor, even if it's not going according to plan.

    I entered the courtyard and was greeted by the skeleton force of my troops, the rest had been killed or injured last night. I ordered Laurel to recruit from the dockside town nearby and bring the recruits in for training, she walked down the path towards the town as the rest of my followers walked up towards Sylhalin. The air still held a distinct weight of death, even though the corpse piles had disappeared, the ground bared scorched marks that had lightened with time.

    As we approached the gate, we waited for them to rise. But they didn't. "HEY! RAISE THE GATE!" I shouted. The gatekeepers looked worried and disappeared behind the wall. Finally Akira approached the inner gate, she held a scowl one that oozed confidence and authority. "You are not welcome. Leave." Her tone only grew louder. I took a deep breath and slammed my fist into the slatted metal gate, "You don't understand what you're starting, THIS CITY IS MINE!" People ran past by Akira, some laughing and playing, others singing songs, it seems life is returning to normal in the city of Sylhalin.

     I took a deep breath and looked at Akira, after a few minutes her cub jumped from the top of the wall and landed behind her, bearing his fangs at my group and I, it seems she had the blacksmith create him some armour, Atlas now wore fitted armour that covered his body, only making him a bigger opponent. I turned and headed down the hill ordering my people to follow suit. The gate burst to live and began to rise, "Come with me, know, you touch nothing." Akira's words stopped my followers cold, I turned and found her addressing me.

    "Let's go." She said as she rolled her eyes and snapped as she turned and headed towards the center of town. So much for me not being welcome. I kept up with Akira, but her guards had stepped in front of my followers, they were not permitted to enter. I ran up towards Akira until we were side by side with each other. "This city is mine, Rostov is dead, it returns to me." I explained, Akira turned to me, she seemed unamused. "Rostov ordered I take the city, I was with him when he took his last breath, I was the one that pursued him and backed him into a corner. I control the city, and you are not welcome, are we clear?" She had gained a confidence I hadn't heard her use before, almost as if she knew she was superior.

     I got up close to Akira, just enough so she knew I was serious. "You're making a mistake, and you'll see it soon enough." I was going to grab her arm but her aggressive cub forced me to step down. "Lead this man to the Southern gate and ensure he doesn't return. Two soldiers grabbed me by each arm and dragged me, they tossed me through the gate and lowered it. I must've blacked out cause all I remember was screaming and kicking at the gate, until I woke up in my bedroom.

    I sat up in my bed and rang the service bell, a man appeared shortly after. "Sir?" I ran my hand through my hair and requested a cup of coffee. I'm up, might as well stay up. The man nodded and ducked out the door. I was still furious about Akira having the Gull to take my city, MINE. I got up and approached a floor length mirror, I wore silk pajamas, I hadn't changed into, I looked into the eyes of my reflection. "You can't let her live, you know that, She's only going to be a bigger thorn in our side, KILL HER, KILL HER, DO IT." I shook my head, and my reflection returned to normal, I turned and walked to the balcony, the sun was beginning to set, I slept all day. The gate to the north rose, the rattle echoed throughout the valley. A wagon rode through and down the path towards where the castle gate once was.