The Perfect Kingdom

Chapter 10

At the end of the king's sentence, the doors to the dining room burst open and a squad of soldiers burst in. Eight soldiers divided themselves into two rows of four. One row stood behind Shawn and Miles, the other behind Shane and Zack. A captain walked in and stood by the king's side. All the soldiers were in lightweight metal armour and their swords weren't drawn yet.

"Orders, Your Majesty?" the captain asked.

"Escort my son back to his room. He is to be under surveillance at all times. Capture the Wolf and send him to the dungeons. His women are to be brought to my room," the king instructed.

"What about the squire?" the captain asked, looking at Miles, who gulped nervously.

"Kill him. And send a squad to visit the Taylor family. Burn the house and bring the girl to me as well..." the king added, before he was interrupted.

"No!" Shawn bellowed. He shot up from his seat and punched the nearest soldier in the nose.

"Zack," Shane whispered.

The two brothers, in perfect tandem, drew a dagger from within their jackets and turned around. They each sank the dagger into a soldier's neck. Their victims' coughs bubbled as blood rushed into their airways and filled their lungs. They suffocated to death on the floor. Shane quickly stabbed another soldier in the chest through a gap between his armour plates, while Zack blocked a punch from a soldier, who made the mistake of not using his sword, then kicked him to the ground and slit his throat.

"Shawn!" Shane shouted, before he threw a dagger into the eye socket of a soldier behind Shawn. The prince gave his thanks as he ripped the dagger out of the corpse and stabbed a third soldier. Shane then threw another dagger at the fourth soldier's chest. Miles quickly twisted it and pulled it out to let the soldier bleed to death.

"Reinforcement!" the captain shouted. "Your Majesty," the captain called out, as he urged the king to stand. The captain supported the king's arm and led him out, but the king turned back and flashed a smile at them as he left while another squad of soldiers burst in.

"Gwen," Shane called out, before tossing her a dagger and unsheathing his last one.

"What's the plan?" Shawn hurriedly asked.

"Are you ready to leave?" Shane asked. He dodged a slash from a soldier by lunging forward and stabbing his chest at the same time.

"No, I still need to pack some things!" Shawn answered, ducking under an overhead swing and tripping his opponent. "And I must get to Amelia!"

"Zack, accompany Shawn to pack his things! Miles and I will head to the stables and get the horses and carriages! Gwen, bring everyone home safely and then notify the Taylors!" Shane instructed.

"Are you sure the two of you is enough?" Zack asked, kicking a soldier back and causing him to tumble and fall into his comrades behind him.

Shane doubted he could handle the soldiers and prepare the horses at the same time with Miles, but Shawn needed to be protected by Zack and Gwen had to escort the rest.

"We'll make do. No one else can handle horses," Shane replied.

"I can! I have farm experience," Jessica volunteered. "Shane, let me help you."

"No, Jessica! Get to safety!" Shane immediately replied.

"I promised to fight by your side, Shane," Jessica reminded him. They locked eyes as Jessica tried to prove her resolve. Shane noted the fire in her eyes and recognised her commitment. He considered the soldiers who were about to stand up and hastily made his decision.