Shadows and Steel
The halls of Kafara's palace had grown colder in the last five years, despite the kingdom's victories on the battlefield. Queen Evelina had given birth to Prince James, a boy adored by the court and whispered about as the future king. While Kafara flourished under King Alexander’s reign, Benjamin was far from the politics and intrigues that now consumed the royal palace.
Benjamin had become a legend on the battlefield, his name feared by enemies across the continent. He had fought in every corner of Kafara’s lands and beyond, securing the borders, crushing rebellions, and waging war with the skill of a seasoned general. His mastery of both sword and magic had grown to unparalleled heights, and his reputation as the greatest swordsman and magician in the world was solidified.
But behind the scenes, Queen Evelina had other plans. She knew that as long as Benjamin lived, her son James would never hold the crown. She had tried—many times—to rid herself of Benjamin, sending assassins cloaked in shadow and poison. But each attempt ended the same way: with Benjamin standing, victorious and unscathed.
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The war with Arkadia had raged for years, and Benjamin was now a seasoned warrior, more comfortable in armor than in royal robes. But after a particularly grueling campaign, he returned to Kafara to find that nothing had changed within the palace walls. His father still ruled, Prince James had grown into a mischievous child adored by the court, and Queen Evelina had not given up her pursuit of the throne for her son.
Benjamin, however, remained indifferent to the court’s scheming. He had no desire for the crown. All he cared about was protecting Kafara. But Evelina’s attempts on his life could not be ignored.
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One evening, Benjamin sat in his chambers, sharpening his sword after another day of training. The air was still, but he could sense something was amiss. His keen instincts—honed over years of war—told him that danger was near.
A knock came at the door, and Benjamin’s hand tightened on the hilt of his sword. “Come in,” he said, his voice steady.
Lily, now twenty-four and still his personal chef, entered with his dinner. She smiled as she placed the tray in front of him. “Your meal, Benjamin,” she said, her tone warm. Though she was nothing more than a personal chef and friend, her loyalty had never wavered. They had grown up together, and Benjamin trusted her completely.
“Thank you, Lily,” Benjamin said, giving her a rare smile. She was one of the few people he allowed into his private world, though their relationship had always remained professional. Over the years, she had become a silent observer of the growing tension between Benjamin and the queen.
As Lily left the room, Benjamin’s senses flared again. He stood, sword in hand, and moved silently to the window. The moonlight illuminated the shadow of a figure lurking in the garden below. Another assassin, no doubt sent by Evelina.
With a flick of his wrist, Benjamin cast a simple spell, a gust of wind knocking the figure off balance. He leapt from the window, landing gracefully in the courtyard below, his sword drawn.
The assassin, a skilled fighter cloaked in black, charged at Benjamin with a dagger gleaming in the moonlight. But Benjamin was faster. He parried the assassin’s strikes with ease, his movements fluid and precise. With a swift motion, he disarmed the attacker and held the tip of his sword to the man’s throat.
“Who sent you?” Benjamin asked, though he already knew the answer.
The assassin said nothing, but his eyes flickered with fear.
Benjamin didn’t need confirmation. Evelina had tried this before, and each time she failed. He could feel her desperation growing with every failed attempt. But no matter what she did, she couldn’t kill him. He was not just a prince—he was a warrior forged in battle, a swordsman and magician with no equal.
With a single stroke, Benjamin ended the assassin’s life, his sword cutting through the silence of the night. As the body fell to the ground, Benjamin sheathed his blade and looked up at the palace, his expression cold.
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The next morning, Benjamin sat across from King Alexander in the war room, discussing the kingdom’s military strategies. His father’s eyes, once sharp with youth, had grown tired. The weight of the crown and years of ruling had taken their toll.
“You’re becoming a legend, Benjamin,” Alexander said with pride. “There are few who can match your skill.”
“I do what’s necessary,” Benjamin replied, his tone flat. He had long since stopped caring for praise.
Alexander sighed, sensing the distance between them. “I’ve heard rumors… about Evelina.”
Benjamin raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
“She’s been... ambitious,” Alexander continued. “I fear she won’t stop until James is crowned.”
“I don’t care about the crown,” Benjamin said, his voice steady. “She can have it. As long as Kafara is safe, I’ll do what I must.”
Alexander nodded, but concern flickered in his eyes. “Be careful, my son. She won’t stop trying to take you out of the equation.”
“I’m aware,” Benjamin said, standing up. “But she’ll have to try harder if she wants to succeed.”
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As Benjamin left the war room, he ran into Evelina in the hallway. Her face was as serene as ever, but her eyes held a dangerous glint.
“Good morning, Benjamin,” she said with a sweet smile. “I hear the war with Arkadia is going well.”
“Very well,” Benjamin replied, his tone indifferent.
“And soon, perhaps, we’ll have peace,” she said, her hand resting on her swollen belly, her second child growing inside her. “The kingdom will need a strong ruler to guide it in the years to come.”
Benjamin met her gaze with icy calm. “Let’s hope they choose wisely, then.”
Evelina’s smile never wavered, but Benjamin could sense her frustration. No matter what she did, he remained untouchable. Her plans to secure the throne for James would never succeed as long as Benjamin stood in her way. But she was not a woman who gave up easily.
As Benjamin walked away, Evelina’s mind raced. There had to be another way. She couldn’t kill him with assassins or poison, but perhaps there were other, more subtle means to achieve her goal. For now, she would bide her time and wait for the right moment to strike.
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Later that evening, Benjamin stood on the balcony of his chambers, looking out over the kingdom he had fought so hard to protect. The sky was clear, and the stars shone brightly, but he felt the weight of the palace’s secrets pressing down on him.
Lily brought him his evening meal, as she always did. “Anything else you need, Benjamin?” she asked quietly.
“No, thank you,” Benjamin said, his gaze still fixed on the horizon.
As she left, Benjamin’s mind drifted back to the battlefield, where life was simpler. There were no schemes, no court politics—only the clarity of combat. And with the whispers of another war on the horizon, he knew he would soon be called back to where he belonged.
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End of Chapter 9: Shadows and Steel
