The Enchantress

51.

King Jaryu. 

After we recapture the 2nd barracks, me and my brother Jeon along with our royal guards are on our way back to the 1st barracks.

On our way we were suddenly ambushed. We were so surprised for they came out of nowhere and in all sides when they attacked. We weren't ready not even had our swords drawn yet we still fought.

It was chaos. We were out numbered for they were many of them. How did this happened? We have pushed them back to the 3rd barracks just a few minutes ago... unless they came from behind.

I looked around and saw we're losing. So I shouted retreat. I look for my brother and saw him fighting. I was on my way to him when an enemy came my way. When I turned to look at my brother again, the enemy dodge his sword and then struck him by his chest.

I saw his eyes went wide before he fell to the ground. I shouted "No!". Anger crept to me. I took off my coat snatched a bomb from a soldier and ignite it. My eyes never leaving the enemy. He ran away from my brother and fought with another.

I ran towards him And was almost near before I threw the bomb but it explodes seconds after I threw it. I got blown away and lost consciousness.

The next thing I knew, I woke up in a tent and when I try to move, everything of me hurts specially the right side of my face and also my chest.
I thought I was captured but the tent was full of wounded soldiers of the enemy. They were all asleep since it's already night.

I noticed half of my face was bandaged as well as my chest. I was also wearing a different clothing. They patched me up, cleaned and clothed me. Why? I looked around there's no enemy guarding inside tent. Did they thought I was one of them?

I lifted my head and looked around until I saw 2 of my men looking at me from the other side. They too have been patched up, cleaned and with different clothes. I mouthed at them: "don't speak. Pretend you're traumatized. We'll find a way out." They don't know how to speak english so they better not talk. I know english well for I was taught since I was young.

The next day when the nurse noticed I was awake, she came and checked on me. We were soon fed. After eating I asked to go to the bathroom. I scanned the area on my way there. When I came back I passed by a medical drawer and secretly took a scalpel from it. A few minutes later, my men came to me. They whispered to me what happened. There had been a surprise attack at the 2nd barracks, they came from the 1st barracks. Our troops retreated upon knowing we're losing.

My men were wounded and was afraid they'll be killed so they took off their uniforms and took the uniforms of dead enemies. I then told them to go back to their beds and stay quiet.

That night, when everyone were asleep, a nurse roam around to turn off the lamps. When she passed by me, I quickly stood and caught the nurse while covering her mouth.
I used the scalpel to threaten her.

I made her get medical supplies good for a week for our wounds. Me and my men get out of the tent with her, took some fresh clothes from nearby, as well as bow, arrows and swords then hid by the forest.

We stopped when we're deep in the forest. I noticed I easily got tired and my wounds were hurting. I then asked the nurse who led the soldiers who surprised them at the 1st barracks. Nurse said Prince Chaeyoung. I asked her where to find him and she said at the 2nd barracks.

We went to 2nd barracks to see the Prince. I told the nurse to point who the Prince is. The nurse pointed him. I felt my face burning from anger as I stare at the man who killed my brother. I'll never forget that face. I said to myself: I may unable to kill you now, but I will someday.

The prince along with some soldiers was carrying a body. He talked to a woman who cried on the body. He looks differently to the woman as if he cares for her. I asked who the woman is and was told she's Princess Mina of the kingdom of Once. She's going back to her kingdom today. I ordered one of my men to get me a map of Kyria.

I then thought of a great idea.

We waited til night before we went to the dock. We cautiously got into a small boat and rowed away to the farthest ship. We climbed aboard the ship and killed the guards while they're sleeping. We then steered the ship away from the dock going southward.

We docked on a small beach that's nearest to the kingdom of Once. We got off the ship and went on foot towards the kingdom. We went through the forest and at the end was a tall wall. This might be the kingdom of Once. I walked around searching for a way in and soon noticed a huge tree that has thick branches that almost reaches the wall.

We climbed it and settled on the branch nearest to the wall. I looked around the wall to check if there were guards. When it's clear, I jumped to the wall then used a rope to climbed down.

We walked among the trees when we saw someone riding a horse. It was a woman. I took out my spyglass.

"Well, well, well. We're lucky today. We don't have to sneak in the castle. She came out herself." I smiled as I watch her riding towards the top of the hill.

"Let's pay the princess a visit." We slowly climbed the hill.

At the top, we saw her sitting by the tree with her eyes closed. I gestured to my men to crouch so she couldn't see them.

I looked at her and was in awe how beautiful she looks even when her eyes are closed. Looks like she's been crying for there were traces of tears in her face. Then she smiled adding more life to her face.

"That smile is a much prettier sight than this view." I said startling her as she opened her eyes and saw me.

Her eyes opened which completes that beautiful face. No wonder the prince fell for her. Her eyes now shows fear.

"Relax princess. No one will hurt you."

She's doing a great job trying to hide her fear in her voice. Did she really thought we're travelers or is that her way to distract me. Her horse walked closer to her. She was about to go to it so I gave the signal to my men who shot her dress with an arrow. That prevents her from going any further.

"What do you want from me? Money? I don't have."

Money? I don't need those. I think I got now what I want.

"What I want is something more valuable than any treasures. There are only few, one of which... Is you."

This is way better than planned. I'll have what I want which is revenge and a bonus too, her. Looks like Tyrian and all of Aevar will soon have it's queen.