The Violet Flamberge

Inferno Flamberge: Chapter 14

A/N: I know you get tired of hearing this from me, but you must realize just how important it is! Most sites won't let me promote through them without at least 50 reviews or sometimes 100. The Crimson Claymore has 28 reviews now on Amazon, and I'm grateful for every one. But I need more. Please, if you've read the book and enjoyed it, leave a review on Amazon. It really helps me out a lot, and the more I get, the closer I become to being a full time author, which means, more updates on rough drafts here on Wattpad. So please, help me out, review my books on Amazon & Goodreads. The Chronicles of Starlyn on amazon still has 0 reviews. Please stop by and leave a review. For more information about my novels, visit my website at: www.CraigAPrice.com/novels -- Thank you for reading!

Chapter 14

Arria stood, waiting, watching the village north of her. She grew restless. Normally, she'd never waited to attack, but before, she only had the creatures. Now, she had to worry about human life, humans who would, if she killed too many of them, betray her, or cease to follow her. She had to be smarter about her approach, more cunning. This time it mattered how many lives she lost.

As she was about to turn around, she paused, noticing someone approaching in the distance. She squinted her eyes, trying to get a better look. Compared to the humans around her, Arria's eyesight rivaled that of the birds in the sky. A grin plastered across her face.

Arria waited patiently as Elainya approached. The woman looked haggard, and without clothes. Viero, a young sorceress woman, hurried over to Elainya, holding her armor securely in her hands. Elainya nodded to her before donning her armor.

Arria clenched her teeth as she tapped her foot, impatient at having to wait even longer.

Elainya stumbled toward her, bowing low before glancing at Arria. "The task is done milady. They should be ready to strike in the morning."

"Excellent ... prepare the army. Everyone prepare for a full seize—"

"Milady?" Elainya interrupted.

"Yes?" she asked through clenched teeth.

"There is something you should know."

"What?"

"There is a captain. I do not know his name, but he has only one had. He is intelligent. I had to poison them through the ale, which every warrior drinks ... except him. He drank spiced wine. Their leader is healthy, and far more intelligent than we suspected."

"Do you think he will present a problem?" Arria asked, crinkling her brow.

"I have no doubt. However, I insist we cause him no harm."

Arria raised an eyebrow. "Why is that?"

"The Ikchani search for wise, strong men like him. He would make an idea slave. I suspect a strong line could come from him."

"Ah, yes. I forgot about your ... rituals. Fine. I will do my best to spare him so you can have your next generation of warriors."

"Thank you, milady."

"Alright, did everyone hear that? We attack in the morning. If you come across a captain with one hand, spare him. He is to be your reward. Everyone else ... use your best judgment. Just make sure they are unable to fight." Arria grinned. "Soon ... the north will be ours."

"Milady," Viero interrupted.

"Yes ..." Arria snarled.

"Someone approaches."

"One of ours?" Arria asked.

"No."

Arria stomped her foot, irritable of being interrupted over and over again. She spun around, noticing a woman approaching them from the gate of Guerettos. She rode a mare, her long red hair fluttering in the wind. A long scabbard rested on the side of her horse, but her hand remained on the reins.

Arria remained motionless, her hand resting on the hilt of her flamberge.

The woman jerked her reins and the horse stopped a few spans from Arria. The woman smiled at them. "Good evening."

Arria nodded. "What do you want?"

"A treaty. Clearly, you women have no respect for men. The last few we sent out have not returned. I can only assume they are dead."

Arria shook her head. "We do not kill unless it is necessary. They are now slaves."

The woman's eyes flinched. "I see."

"There will be no treaty. There will be war, or there will be surrender. It is your choice."

"What are your terms?"

"What is your name?" Arria asked.

"Ketherine."

"Well, Ketherine. Our terms are simple. We enter, and take control of your city. Every fighting man becomes a prisoner, the rest become slaves."

"And the women and children?"

"The women have a choice to join us, or stay out of our way. Either way, they will be watched. The children, if they are boys, they will serve ... if they are girls they will train."

"You seem to have a lot of negativity toward men," Ketherine said.

"They are not meant to lead."

Ketherine smiled. "You may have a point there ... at least, most of the time."

"None of the time." Arria's eyes narrowed.

"As you say," Ketherine paused. "Are those all of your terms?"

Arria pressed her lips together. "Yes."

"I will bring your terms to our village."

"If we do not hear back from you by dawn ... it will be too late."

Ketherine nodded. "I will keep that in mind."

She turned her horse around and galloped toward the village.

Elainya stepped beside Arria. "If they accept our terms?"

Arria bit her lip. "We will put them all in chains. We have to be careful for deceit. If our force overwhelms them, they may not try anything ... but we must be careful."

Elainya nodded. "We wait until morning then?"

Arria nodded. "Yes, morning. We will see how this all plays out."