Memory in the End

Chapter 47: Alliances

Arkade? I thought to myself as the young man stared flustered at us. What was Arkade doing here? They said they would not give me their army unless I agreed to marriage, unless...this thought plagued me. Maybe they're here to invade? Maybe they're here to take my kingdom?

I nodded, "How many?"

"Just one," he tells me and I sighed.

"Make him wait by the door until I say he can be let in," I tell the young man and he nods. He bows his head slightly and heads back out. I pressed the part of my fingers closest to my knuckles down, hearing a small pop sound. Eventually Michael grabs my hand and looks at me with worried eyes. He knows I do that when I get nervous.

Before Michael can speak, the other four have come in, joining us. Aru breaks the silence, "They just told us we have a visitor from Arkade here. What do they want?"

Michael began, "We don't know-"

I finished, "Probably here to take my Kingdom."

All ten eyes look at me, "Why would you think that?"

I shrugged, "King Philip was very serious about marriage meaning an army and I didn't agree to a marriage so no army. Why else would they be here then?"

Ivan gripped his spear, "Let his army try to take this Kingdom."

The other three nodded in agreement, gripping their weapons, while Michael kept a cool demeanor, "Before we start jumping to conclusions, let's hear this visitor's message. If Arkade tries something, then by all means, kill everyone in sight, but until then let's keep a cool head and listen."

I hate that he's always rational. I nodded, "Very well, can one of you guys bring the visitor in?"

Ivan brought the visitor in, glaring at him the entire time. Meanwhile my eyes went wide with shock when I saw who it was, "James?"

He staggers in, probably intimidated by Ivan, and chuckles at me softly, "Well Princess-"

"Queen," I correct.

"-Queen Arrabella," he corrects himself, "You have grown to be more beautiful since we last saw each other."

"Flattery will get you nowhere, James, but thank you," I say, cautiously, "Why have you come?"
"To ask for safe passage into your Kingdom."

"And why would I do that?"

He rubs the back of his head, "I have an army of two thousand waiting at the outskirts of your kingdom waiting for a signal from me that you are allowing us safe passage."

"So that you can take over my kingdom?" I asked sharply. Ivan steps forward, making James uncomfortable.

James' eyes go wide and he shakes his head, "No, no not at all. We brought the army to fight alongside you!"

"Your father made it very clear that I do not get an army unless I marry you, and I do not choose to marry you."

He nods, "I understand Arrabella, and even though those were unrealistic terms, we have made our peace with it. We will fight alongside you regardless. Lynx is a much bigger threat than we like to imagine and my father is hoping you might change your mind when this is all over."

I hear Aru mutter an "as if" under his breath which I want to chuckle at but I keep myself composed. I sighed, "I need to consult first before I decide anything."

He nodded, "Very well, I will be outside."

Once he gets outside, I let out a deep sigh, "This is a good time for some wisdom. What should I do?"

"Say yes," Henry says, "We need the men and if Arkade is offering it, take it."

Ivan interjects, "First off, how do we know they won't attack after Victor is out of the picture? This is a wild card and huge risk."

"But Henry is right, we need the men," Owyne speaks, "If they try something, we can always fight them off."

"We cannot fight off two thousand men!" Aru exclaims, "Even if they lose most of them in battle, Victor will drain out our power. We will be exhausted."

They begin arguing and eventually it all just turns into noise. I inhale deeply and sigh, this is my decision and I have no clue what to do. I understand Ivan and Aru's worry but I also need the men. This decision is risky either way. I look over at Michael, "You're quiet, what are you thinking?"

He shrugs and looks at me, "Honestly Arrabella, I can see both sides to this. I would love to tell you one side is more right but either decision has its own risks. I can't make this decision for you this time, but Arrabella you already know the answer, you've known it since you heard Arkade was here. Just go with your gut."

I close my eyes and nod. I tell Ivan to bring James back in and I look at him, "I will grant you safe passage but if I sense even a little bit that you will betray me I will end you then and there, understood? You may be the future King of Arkade but so long as you are on Isaigalla soil, you and your army will report to the Five and I only. Understood?"

James nods, "Yes I understand, my men will follow the Five but my father might be a little trickier."

"Your father is here?"

He nodded, "Yes, he's with the troops as they speak, but we will behave and do what you want. Do I have the right to tell them to come?"

I nodded, "You may pass safely. The Five will get your men situated and refix our fighting stances."

James nods, slightly bowing, and retreating out the tent. I look at the Five and they nod. Aru and Ivan head out with Henry and Owyne following shortly after. Michael stays with me and smiles, "Well you did it Princess-er, I'm sorry, Queen."

I chuckle, "Honestly, Queen doesn't have the same ring to it as Princess does."

He smiled, "You did really well today Arrabella, we have enough to attack. Are you ready?"

I nodded, smiling, "More than anything. I want my kingdom back."

"And we will get it back."

With that said, he excuses himself and leaves. I pull back the opening of my tent and look at the brooding castle. It seems darker since Victor came into power and I can only hope to restore some light. I nod and smile, tomorrow I am giving it all I got to take back what is mine. Victor won't know what's coming.