Forced into Fantasy

Chapter 22 - Rivalry

Ronaar;

'That bastard Adomis.'

'I'll fucking kill him with my bare hands for this!'

Once we had managed to put out the fires and survey the damage it was clear that this was a cold and calculated attack on my village and its people. An attack from the enemy.

One that I will not stand for!

We will have retribution for our casualties.

My hands are clenched beside me into tight fists as I sit at the oak table, overseeing yet another emergency council meeting, no doubt due to the attack.

And even in the midst of all this chaos, I can think of nothing but her.

Of Ivy.

'My Moon Princess.'

I will have her and her powerful Guild Army, one way or another.

A voice suddenly pulls me from my furious thoughts as I am touched lightly on the left shoulder; someone is trying to get my attention.

"My lord, did you not hear me?"

It's Manus, the old fool. He has always acted as a sort of father figure towards me, not that I ever wanted him to.

I had a father... once.

Before he was brutally murdered in cold blood right before my eyes by the very man I trusted more than anyone.

A man I once believed to be my closest friend.

And now that same man has my betrothed within his clutches yet again.

The mere thought of it is causing my blood to boil, I can feel it coursing throughout my veins as I struggle to open my mouth and reply.

He's waiting; they're all waiting for me to say something.

'Say something...'

"I'm sorry, could you repeat what you said? I mustn't have heard." I finally speak and Manus nods his head in understanding.

"Certainly sire. I was merely asking what our next course of action should be, regarding the attack on our people." the old man queries.

"And what course of action would you care to suggest?" I shoot back at him, still not choosing to meet his eyes as my hands clench even tighter into balled fists.

"Well, at least we know who is responsible for the attack." Liana points out, joining out conversation at long last as her bright green eyes meet mine in a harsh glare.

My sister has always been one to sit out of possible confrontations. And to point out the obvious in every situation.

Manus continues after her.

"And now the Overlord knows the secretive location of our entire village. Sire, this endangers us all. Something must be done immediately to ensure that we remain protected from Adomis and his great army. Either that or... perhaps we should flee-"

"-We will NOT flee!"

My anger consumes me as a sudden burst of rage takes over and within the fraction of a second I have slammed both of my clenched fists down onto the surface of the oak table in front of me as I snap angrily.

"I will not allow that son-of-a-bitch Adomis to dictate the fate of my people!"

The other council member's eyes are wide, but they remain silent as I take a deep breath in... and out... in... and out... in an effort to calm myself before continuing.