Betrothal's Price

Chapter 41: The Lady Stand

Henry drudged through the castle towards the Throne Room, unaware of two followers inside the walls.

Alas, he reached the doors to the Throne Room. Victory was so close he could taste it. With no sprung attack, he felt comfortable. Too comfortable, becoming overconfident.

He was only a few steps from the throne, when he heard a voice call to him. “Halt, King Henry!”

Henry turned around at the familiar voice, finding Leo the Commander of his Crown Guard and son of a former friend of his. Leo pointed his sword 3 feet from Henry. With disbelief in his abilities, Henry smiled, “Good to know you address me with my remaining status.” He looked at the sword with disdain.

Leo glared at him, “I’m putting an end to your murders.”

Henry scoffed, “Oh? I suppose this is ‘revenge’ for your dead father?”

Leo shook his head, “Dad and Mom.”

“Was that me, too? Hm, time does fly when the worthless die off. Well, you’ll have to do more than just point a measly sword at me. I haven’t lived as long as I have by receiving empty threats.” Henry mocked. He silenced for a minute, finding something at the corner of his eye coming at him.

He waited, until it got close enough and he took an arm of someone behind him, throwing the threat over his shoulder. “Hmm. A family affair. It’s sad, really.”

Liam and Isla stood several yards from the “Throne" Everett stood beside.

"I'm impressed, actually! Surviving as long as either of you have, but not as surprised as that stepfather of yours, Prince Liam. I must say though he can be a serious piece of work. But nonetheless he grants my people freedom, so more compliments to the chef for the dish served cold. Not so many complaints. No ones perfect, I suppose." Everett shrugged, speaking nonchalantly.

Isla gave Liam a "let-me-handle-this" look and Liam hesitantly nodded. Isla made no further comment. She jumped and lunged at Everett. She knew she couldn't kill him, but she could, at least, hurt him. Accidents happen all the time.

Everett avoided her attack and pulled out a weapon Isla had never seen. Of course, he'd use a uniquely made weapon to do his business. There was one handle with four blades swirling around each other. It was far too easy to wield to have been heavy. She'd always admired his crafty hands, but now she cursed his brilliance.

Their blades clashed and his strength did much more than rival hers, but Isla persisted. However persistence only pained her arms further, the longer she tried against him.

Finally with one stronger push, Everett pushed Isla back, slicing her upper arm, and causing her to fall to her knees. She slid back on her knees scraping her pants and scraping up her knee caps.

Isla did her best to ignore her searing pain in her cut arm and scraped knees. She looked around for an idea and realized the moonlight pouring into the Turris over the deceased Griffin bodies. She stood up and ran into the light, speaking indistinctly and letting the night soak her visibility.

Everett looked around for her. She'd given herself a tactical advantage, but he already had one. "You're not going to kill your father figure, are you? After all I did for you? Saving you from Mauve's drowning when you were just a wee elf, you owe me your life. How could you repay a dead relative?"

Isla quickly ran and jumped over him, using her scythe blades to flip him onto his bottom.

Everett stood once again, "But we both know, you love me. I was the caring father you never had. You wouldn't do a thing to kill me." He taunted, searching for a glimpse of her.