Impenetrable- Sequel to Arcanum

Chapter 40: Spruce

I sliced the head off the dummy, and then spun my sword around, attacking the other dummies. As my sword sliced through a dummy's stomach, I was overwhelmed with fear and worry. I didn't want this war. Cassidy was already the kingdom's enemy, and who knows what she had planned.

Another war would just cause devastation to our kingdom. However, I knew my brother would way rather marry Kaliska.

Growling, I shoved my sword into the head of the dummy, and turned around, placing a hand on my face. My eyes caught sight of two little children watching me with excited expressions on their faces, and I sighed. These children might die if the war started.

I slid my sword back into it's case, and headed into the castle to go talk to my brother. When I arrived at his room, the boy wasn't present.

"Colt?" I called out, gazing around the room,

"I haven't seen him either." One of the maids came up beside me, frowning.

"I'm sure he's probably visiting his fiancee." I shrugged, and headed out to the stables. I heaved myself up onto my horse, and kicked him into a gallop, as we headed for Kaliska's kingdom.

"Is Colt here?" I asked Kaliska, as I entered her room. The girl was examining a few wedding dresses on her bed, and she looked up at me,

"No, wasn't he at your castle?" Kaliska's eyebrows furrowed with concern, and I shook my head,

"I haven't seen him since a few hours ago."

"You think Cassidy has him back?" The girl froze up, and I noticed tears start to well up in her chocolate brown eyes,

"It's possible, but you don't need to worry Kaliska. I will go find him."

"What, am I just supposed to stay here and wait?"

"I think I have another idea of where he might have gone."

"Where?" The blonde haired girl reached for the sword Colt had given her, and she slipped it into her belt.

"A few years ago Colt was supposed to marry Princess Hiroko. This was the first girl he really fell in love with, but then he discovered she'd cheated on him,"

"Now I have another enemy on my list. I don't understand how anyone who could such a horrible thing." Kaliska spat, showing her sharp teeth, and flicking her tail with annoyance.

"I know, but anyways. Princess Hiroko returned this morning, saying she wanted to see Colt. She said there will be a war started unless he marries her." I watched as Kaliska's eyes went wide, and she stared down at the ground,

"Would it really stop the war?" She asked me, looking back up,

"Yes, but that doesn't matter. Kaliska, I know you love him."

"And I want Colt to be happy! But, I don't want a war to start just because of me." The girl started to sob, and I grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to look up at me,

"Listen, Kaliska, this is Princess Hiroko's fault. She is a horrible person, and she was the one who brought on what is to come."

"Kaliska, Spruce." Kaliska and I instantly looked towards the door when we heard Colt's voice. The guy stepped towards us, and he looked right at Kaliska,

"I'm sorry Kaliska. But I must do this for my kingdom." The guy's voice died down to a whisper, and I could tell he was struggling with his words,

"Wh-what do you mean?" I knew Kaliska already knew well what he was saying, but I don't think she wanted to believe it,

"I have to marry Princess Hiroko." He sighed, and I saw a tear slide down his face. Kaliska ran toward the guy, and buried her face in his chest as she hugged him,