Vidia

Arguments

"Halt!" Dain commanded. His remaining army stopped in front of him. Only eighty soldiers remained, each with their own horse. Dain's leading soldier, and his mentor, and his best friend, jumped down from his horse.

"Dain, I thought you were dead." He ran into a bear hug.

"Kalen, you have no idea how glad I am to see you." Dain smiled.

"As you can see, most of our army was defeated. We came here seeking revenge, but here you are." Kalen's face turned to confusion. "Why are you here? At the elf kingdom?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Let's just say I escaped." Dain replied.

"So, ready to attack?" Kalen held up his bow.

"Actually," Dain began. "I think that we should fall back. We can rebuild our armies and be stronger than ever before."

"Dain, our kingdoms have been fighting wars with each other for years. We mustn't surrender, especially after everything we lost." Kalen said. Dain knew that Kalen was trying not to make Dain remember Hudson.

Suddenly, a shout spread over the land and arrows flew past Dain and Kalen.

Dain looked towards the kingdom and soldiers were on top of the wall, shooting.

As if they could read minds, both Dain and Kalen ran to the kingdom. They both knew that open land was a death sentence. If they go to the kingdom, the soldiers wouldn't dare shoot them because of fear of hitting the citizens.

Kalen ran ahead of Dain who zig zagged through the arrows' paths. He made it through the gate and shot anyone who tried to attack him. He waited for Dain.

Just as Dain was about to cross the gate, he had to duck to the ground to avoid and arrow. Kalen pulled his arm and they ran through the city.

No citizens were outside because of the attack. So Dain and Kalen ran straight into an elegant looking building.

When they slammed the door behind them, Dain prayed that they weren't noticed. However, he wondered one thing: Did Vidia order the attack?

Kalen walked around and occasionally the floor would squeak, making Dain jump in his skin.

"No one's here." Kalen said after inspecting the small building.

To Dain, it looked like a poor building but it still had elegant carvings in the wood. He predicted that the building was a bar. There was a counter lined against one wall and tables scattered throughout.

"I think we should stay here and lock the doors. We should block the windows and wait until the fighting stops, and then make our escape." Kalen said.

Dain walked over to a leathery booth and sat down, resting his side. It hurt more than it had before and he lifted up his shirt. His stitches had ripped.

"Dain, you're hurt." Kalen stayed the obvious and sat down in the same booth as Dain.

"I'm fine. The stitches ripped. Before you came, a guard shot me with his arrow. Some... passerby's has helped me." Dain said. He knew Kalen would flip out if he knew the Queen helped him, and he let her.

"We need armor." Kalen said.

Dain slowly got up and inspected the room. He went behind the bar and Kalen kept himself busy by blocking the windows. Dain noticed a trap door on the floor behind the bar. He held his side and bent down, easily lifting the door.

Steps led down into darkness. Dain suddenly felt a feeling he hadn't felt in a long time. A feeling of uncertainty and unknown. Fear.

Dain walked down the steps and was swallowed by darkness. He felt around the walls, which seemed to be closely surrounding him, and tripped on something.

He felt around for what he tripped on and it felt like a chest. Dain thought chests no longer existed, but he guessed wrong.

Dain lifted the chest, which was surprisingly heavy, and he struggled to climb up the stairs.

He dropped the chest at the bar floor with a loud thump and Kalen quickly turned around, startled.

"I found a chest." Dain said plainly. Kalen jumped behind the bar and examined the chest.

"There is no lock." Kalen said and he lifted the chest lid.

"Woah." Kalen said.

"Just what we needed." Dain smiled.

————-

Vidia screamed at her dad until her throat was hoarse.

"You can't do this! I am the only one who can command my army!" She yelled.

"Your army takes commands from you and I. Don't forget that I used to be king. Until I gave the whole throne to you." He replied.

"Dad, please. Call off the attack." Vidia feared that Dain would get hurt. And she knew Dain wouldn't attack. But did she know him that well? She thought she did...

"Why do you want the armies to fall back? Vidia, they could attack us! I'm just doing what I think is best for you."

"But I'm the queen! From now on you shall never make decisions without my approval!" Vidia commanded.

"Ok, Vidia. I'm sorry, but give me one reason why I should call back the armies."

Vidia took in a deep breath. "When I traveled, I met the King of Nyx. He told me he would not attack us unless we attacked. If I call off the attacks now, surely they will leave. I know they will."

Her dad thought for a moment before saying, "Fine. Do it."

Vidia smiled and ran into her office, not taking time to return the bow the guard gave her. She ran to her desk and pressed a button.

"People of the Elf Kingdom. I, Queen Vidia, am hereby calling off all my armies. All armies shall immediately stop attacking and return to their barracks. Soldiers, return to your barracks or you will be punished." Vidia ended the call and the call was sent to all the people.

She knew the armies would receive the call in their wristband they wore at all times to communicate.

However, Vidia was unsure of one thing: was she too late?