BLADES AND BONES

Chapter 4: The Invasion

Violent clangs of church bells was heard across the plains in San Tima. The grim news was relayed by the fastest horse riders to every town within the borders of the country. It was an emergency call, the militia. The morning after Kesk and the knights disappeared, a battalion of dark forces from the northern part of the forest was seen marching forward in an organized line. It instantly alarmed the San Tima lookout who quickly passed the message to his comrades until it reached the king's ears. Shocked, the king ordered the able ones to prepare and fight. The women and children will be led to safer grounds in the hands of their allies in Kalmas Beach further in the west as part of the drill that have been practiced since the treaty. In turn, if Kalmas was attacked, too, then San Tima will be their refuge.

"I won't go to the beach!", a lady spoke in her strong voice. It was Yureka. She has a dark skin tone like her mother, a black beauty. Her raven hair completely braided at the back to the tip that kept it from covering her face except for the loose, shorter strands of hairs hanging on her forehead. Ready in her battle armor plated with gold and silver combination, and of course, bearing the Trazavan crest. Despite her petite stature, she has a brave heart. Her amber eyes focused on her father's senescent face.

"No, you must go in Kalmas Beach! I'll stay to defend our country. You understand why, right? You're my only heir.", King Pejulo begged.

"NO! Besides, I'll find Kesk, too, he's been missing since this morning along with the other knights! And we can't argue all day, Father. Just let me do what I need to do. He's more than a friend to me. You know that. Please.", the lady kneeled on both knees, clutching her father's ball of fist. The king replied a grunt. "You're stubborn like your mother. Very well. Make sure you are escorted by at least ten knights. Don't go far away from them. Got it?"

"Yes, father." She stood up in her bright face and hugged her father tight. Afterwards, the king ordered ten of his knights to escort Yureka.

"Avoid fighting as much as possible.", King Pejulo added. His daughter gave a nod and dashed out the castle entrance.

The battle started at the middle of the day. People barely had lunch until then. Attacks like this seldom occurs. The last invasion happened a century ago. It was the war of the worlds before the plague began. Dire times. Peace had to be incapacitated again. Swords clashed, bullets fired everywhere in the San Tima land. The enemies were identified to be Azdamarian in origins. Seen in their flags, their crest: two swords in X form under the face of a ram, a snake encircling it. It symbolized the hardness of every Azdamarian shelter and armor which was commonly made of crystals and metals. They've been known to have the hardest weapons and armors. Beating them will be difficult. King Pejulo prayed for the first time in his life as he strided to the front lines riding on his white horse.

Yureka's team had a lead where to find the knights and the albino. A pole belonging to one of the soldiers was found by a patrolling scout on the western part of the fenced border.

"Looks like we have to cross the border.", the princess said in a flat tone. Her escorts showed a disdained facial expression. "C'mon, it wouldn't be too bad, I think." Then she faced her men with a wide grin.

"Let's go boys. Or you'll end up fighting those merciless Azdamarians." A knight gulped in fear. It was surely more fatal to fight formidable foes than to venture into the unknown for them at the critical moment. Hearing no answers, she spoke, "So? Last man to cross will be cursed to marry an ugly wife! Hiya!" Yureka kicked the rear of the horse and the animal jumped high over the fence. The escorts were left astonished. "Heh, I don't like that curse..", an older man among the knights added to the princess's joke and followed her to the wild. The rest agreed. Its the childish, brash characteristics of Yureka that were typically liked by the men in the castle. They followed nevertheless.